somewhat abated the freshness of our complexion.” Yet through all their sufferings, their faith in the providence of God never failed them. At the risk of prolonging this portion of our history too far, we must be allowed to make two further extracts from their chronicle. Spite of their hopes of a good harvest from the promising appearance of their sixty acres of corn-land in May, by the month of July the corn had withered in the blade and stalk; “their hopes were overthrown, and their joy turned into mourning, besides which a ship, which was expected with supplies from England, after long waiting for, was a wreck far out at sea.” The most courageous were now disheartened, and by public authority, a day was appointed for humiliation and prayer, and the seeking of the Lord in their distress. And a speedy answer, say they, “was given, to our own and the Indians’ admiration. For though in the former part of the day it was very close and hot, without a cloud or sign of rain, yet towards evening, before the exercise was over, clouds gathered, and the next morning distilled such soft and gentle showers as gave cause of joy and praise to God. Softly fell the rain, without wind or violence for fourteen days, and the corn and other fruits revived so as was wonderful to see, and the Indians were astonished to behold; and there was a joyful prospect of abundant harvest.” Similar in spirit to this is the record in the “Charlestown Chronicle,” seven years later. “Now, as the winter came on, provisions began to be very scarce, and the people were necessitated to live upon shell-fish, and ground-nuts, and acorns, and these got with much difficulty in the winter time. Upon which people were very much tried and discouraged, especially when they heard that the governor himself had the last batch of bread in the oven; and it was believed that the ship sent to Ireland for provisions was cast away or taken by pirates. But God, who delights to appear in great straits, did work marvellously at this time; for before the very day appointed to seek the Lord by prayer and fasting in the month of February, the ship came in laden with provisions.” Mather relates of this incident, “that Winthrop, the governor, was distributing the last handful of meal to a poor man, distressed by the wolf at the door, when at that instant they espied a ship at the mouth of the harbour, laden with provisions for all. Upon which occasion the day of fast was changed, and ordered to be kept as a day of thanksgiving.” It is in beautiful commemoration of some such remarkable incident as this that Thanksgiving Day is still held annually throughout the New England States.