The first Thanksgiving set important example

Published Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The year was 1620, in late fall. Earlier a shipload of pilgrims from England had crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a ship named the Mayflower, arriving in Plymouth, Mass. They were facing winter in the new country. There were 101 passengers leaving England, including William Bradford who would be the first governor of the colony.

His wife, Dorothy, was one of the 50 who died on the voyage or since their arrival at Plymouth.

History records that had it not been for the Indians who taught the pilgrims how to plant and fertilize corn, they all would have starved.

Having been in the new country for some time, the crops were ready to be harvested. The fields of yellow-golden corn promised a starvation-free second winter. It's recorded that Governor Bradford thought, "why not combine an old-fashioned English harvest festival with a time of thanksgiving - being thankful that those surviving in Plymouth had been delivered from the Atlantic storms, hostile Indians when they first arrived, and the plague."

Quoting from a history of the Plymouth colony, Governor Bradford noted this in his personal journal: "Among the 'fowl' of Plymouth, there was a great store of wild turkeys. From the waters off-shore, the colonists gathered lobsters and clams, bass and cod. And from little gardens surrounding each house they gathered greens. From the wild fruits still available this time of year, the meal would include cherries, plums, gooseberries and strawberries."

No mention was made in the journal of the pumpkins which the Indians grew among their corn.

Thus the first community American Thanksgiving meal was planned and prepared. It can be noted that the feast was almost ready when Bradford, underscoring the theme of gratitude and thanksgiving, paused to invite their Indian neighbors to join them. After all, they had been kind and helpful to the settlers. And their Chief (Massasoit) who could

have easily wiped them out when they arrived, chose rather to sign a peace treaty which remains a model to this day.

The Indians then joined in this first Thanksgiving celebration, and it's recorded there were 90 Indian braves (the number of Indian women attending was not given). This number of people could easily have eaten-up much of the food — considering the harvested food was also needed by the colonists to carry them through the upcoming winter.

However, the records show the Indians went into the nearby forest and quickly returned with five fat deer, which were then cooked and added to the food prepared by the settlers.

The Indians and colonists sat down to eat. The first afternoon celebration included a parade put on by the soldier officer, Miles Standish, and troops. Activities following included various games, foot races and some wrestling matches. Would you believe the celebration was recorded to have lasted a total of three days?

We know that the colonists and Indians settled down to face another harsh winter, with a renewed sense of trust and well-being. This is what one of the colonists wrote back to their family in England: "Altho it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from 'want' that we often wish you here with us?"

So, in spite of the hardships, severe winters, disease and death, for these early settlers in our great country, thankfulness was not far away ... many feel sure that it was gratitude and thanksgiving to God that was the keynote of life for those brave forefathers who founded our wonderful country.

What will our spirit of thanksgiving be for us, now some 387 years after that first Thanksgiving celebration? Surely we listen with much anxiety to news reports of world-wide problems including the ongoing war in Iraq and the divisiveness of our political parties and ongoing campaign for the next-year elections. Great is the temptation to be overcome with depression, with the great needs we confront each day in the media.

BUT we also should be reminded of how fortunate we are, right here in our area, for the multitude of blessings which we enjoy. Not the least of our blessings is the privilege — yes, the privilege — of living in the USA.

Might we remember the faith expressed in thankfulness to God by our forefathers.

This Thanksgiving season, let's follow their example and look for ways to express thankfulness among our families, friends and communities. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Darlene King - Fergus Falls