The story of the first Thanksgiving is often told, but perhaps
even more interesting is the story of the second Thanksgiving:
The story of the first Thanksgiving is often told, but perhaps even more interesting is the story of the second Thanksgiving:
In November, 1621, a month after the first Thanksgiving and a full year after the Pilgrim’s arrival, the first ship from home dropped anchor in Plymouth harbor bringing 35 more colonists. This addition almost doubled the size of their colony. In the air of celebration that followed, no one stopped to think that these newcomers had not brought one bit of equipment with them – no food, clothing, tools or bedding.
In the cold light of the following morning, Governor Bradford and the other leaders of the colony realized they would all have to go on half-rations through the winter in order to ensure enough food to see them into the spring when fish and game would be plentiful.
That winter was particularly harsh, and they almost starved like the people of Jamestown, where 80 percent died. With all the extra people to feed and shelter, they were ultimately reduced to a daily ration of five kernels of corn a piece. But in contrast to what happened at Jamestown where the people were driven to despair, the people of Plymouth turned to Christ, and not one of them died of starvation.
When the spring finally arrived, they were well aware that they would need two plantings in order to stockpile enough food for the next winter, but after the first planting a dry spell began that turned into a 12 week drought. The crops withered – along with the hopes of the pilgrims. In the words of one of the colonists, Edward Winslow:
“These events moved not only every man privately to enter into examination with his own estate between God and his conscience, and so to humiliation before Him, but also to humble ourselves together before the Lord by fasting and prayer. To that end, a day was appointed by public authority, and set apart from all other employments. But, O the mercy of our God, who was as ready to hear, as we were to ask! For though in the morning when we assembled together the heavens were clear, yet before our departure, the weather was overcast and the clouds gathered on all sides. On the next morning distilled such soft, sweet, and moderate showers of rain, continuing some 14 days and mixed with such seasonable weather, as it was hard to say whether our withered corn or drooping affections were most quickened or revived, such was the bounty and goodness of our God!”
The yield that year was so abundant that the Pilgrims ended up with a surplus of corn which they were able to use in trading with northern Indians who had not had a good growing season.
That fall a second Day of Thanksgiving was planned, and Chief Massasoit (the guest of honor at the first Thanksgiving) was again invited to be the guest of honor, and this time he brought his wife and 120 braves! The occasion was described by one of the colonists, Emmanuel Altham, in a letter to his brother:
“After our arrival in New England, we found all our plantation in good health, and neither man, woman or child sick. The fishing that is in this country is beyond belief … in one hour we got 100 cod. And now to say somewhat of the great cheer we had … We had about twelve tasty venisons, besides others, pieces of roasted venison and other such good cheer in such quantities that I wish you some of our share. For here we have the best grapes that ever you saw, and the biggest, and divers sorts of plums and nuts … six goats, about fifty hogs and pigs, also divers hens … A better country was never seen nor heard of, for here are a multitude of God’s blessing.”
What Mr. Altham neglected to mention in his letter was the first course that was served: on an empty plate in front of each person were five kernels of corn … lest anyone should forget.
“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done” (Psalm 105:1).
Henry Harris is lead pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, 330 Tres Pinos Road in Hollister. If you have questions or comments, please visit the church Web site at www.rollinghillsfamily.com, e-mail pa*********@****************ly.com or call (831) 636-5353.
