Thanksgiving is a long holiday tradition in our nation.  Poems have been written and songs composed.  Looking through some of these I came upon a poem first published on November 26, 1857.  The author, Hanford Lennox Gordon, wrote these words in 1857.

Poignantly, this was in the midst of the Panic of 1857.  In July of that year the oldest flour and grain company in New York City failed; investor confidence was shaken.  In August Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company suspended payments.  The effect was widespread, the financial panic was public.  Both merchants and farmers began to suffer.  This would not be a bountiful Thanksgiving.

Mr. Gordon began with traditional words

“Father, our thanks are due to thee
For many a blessing given,
By the paternal love and care,
From the bounty-horn of heaven.”

As the poem progressed he directed our attention to the overwhelming needs in the land.

“In all the cities of the land
The naked and hungry are;
O feed them with thy manna, Lord,
And clothe them with thy care.

“Thou dost not give a serpent, Lord,
We will not give a stone;
For the bread and meat thou givest us
Are not for us alone.

“And while a loaf is given to us
From thy all-bounteous horn
We’ll cheerfully divide that loaf
With the hungry and forlorn.”*

Lord let us share the blessings of your bountiful and unconditional love with all of your children.

Judy

*”Thanksgiving” by Hanford Lennox Gordon