more light #305
The First Thanksgiving procalmation
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
Dear Masonic Student,
In the history of the United States there have been two significant
Thanksgiving Proclamations, One in 1676 and the other by our Worshipful Brother
and President George Washington. Both are included below. – Ed
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
June 20, 1676
“The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive
dispensations in and by the present War with the Heathen Natives of this land,
written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in
this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his
judgments he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day
of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations
of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from
Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of
late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without
such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be
the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive
Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and
fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning
mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with
Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing
Afflictions:
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this
instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his
Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we
doubt not those who are sensible of God’s Afflictions, have been as diligent to
espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering
Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective
Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to
keep the same Beseeching that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all,
even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable
Service unto God by Jesus Christ.”
Following on the next page is the proclamation by the first President of the
United States of America
George Washington
George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to
implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by
their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United
States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging
with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by
affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for
their safety and happiness:”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November
next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great
and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that
is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our
sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this
country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies
and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion
of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we
have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been
enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness,
and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and
religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring
and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various
favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon
our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or
private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and
punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by
constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly
and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and
nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with
good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of
true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and,
generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He
alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D.
1789.
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