SHEPHERD TO SHEEP
THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION BY
GEORGE WASHINGTON [New York, 3 October
1789]
By the President of the United
States of America, a 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 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 which we experienced 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 enabled 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 hath 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 shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good
government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true
religion and virtue, and the encrease 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 third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
*****
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! Let’s give thanks and pray for our nation.
We’ve come a long way since 1789!
(Psalm 103:2) Bless the Lord, O
my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
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