W. Howard Coop, 32°

A visit to the restored village at Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims struggled through a devastating winter, is an overwhelming experience. In that unique setting, one is somberly reminded that, during that first bleak winter in a new world, those hardy adventurers buried almost half of their friends on Cole’s Hill, and, at any one time, only six or seven persons were able to attend to the needs of the sick and bury the dead.

Yet, in 1621 at the end of the first harvest season in a new and strange land, they enthusiastically united in a festival of thanksgiving. Years later, in 1863 by a proclamation of President Lincoln and in 1941 by an act of Congress, Thanksgiving came to full fruition as a national holiday. This special day calls all citizens of this great land to look back and, after somber reflection, remember our precious heritage with genuine gratitude.

As observed by those sturdy Pilgrims, Thanksgiving was rooted in the same rich Judeo-Christian tradition that is our heritage today. As far back as 3,000 years ago, David, the second king of Israel, called for a time of general thanksgiving: “Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren” (1 Chronicles 16:7). The day was set aside to recognize God’s goodness and to express gratitude for the blessings the children of Israel had so generously received from Him.

Serious reflection upon our heritage as Americans ultimately leads to the conclusion that, in good times and bad, we have been recipients of an abundance of blessings from God, the Master of the Universe. Therefore, more than just a bountiful feast on a national holiday, a true observance of Thanksgiving means recognizing our rich heritage with genuine gratitude.

W. Howard Coop is a retired United Methodist minister, a 52-year Mason, a Past Master and present Chaplain of Lancaster Lodge #104, Lancaster, Kentucky, and a member of the Louisville, Kentucky, Scottish Rite Bodies since 1956. He is also a member of W. R. Selby, Chapter #4, R.A.M., Danville, Kentucky. Contacts: 111 Dogwood Drive, Lancaster, KY 40444–1034; hkcoop@aol.com, and www.hometown.aol.com/hkcoop.