Continental Congress Thanksgiving Proclamation 1778

Pilgim Hall ^ | 1778 | Continental Congress

[DaveyB]

1778 By the United States in Congress assembled. A PROCLAMATION.

It having pleased Almighty God, through the course of the present year, to bestow great and manifold mercies on the people of these United States; and it being the indispensable duty of all men gratefully to acknowledge their obligations to Him for benefits received:

Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the legislative or executive authority of each of the said states, to appoint Wednesday, the 30th day of December next, to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving and praise, that all the people may, with united hearts, on that day, express a just sense of his unmerited favors; particularly in that it hath pleased him, by his overruling providence, to support us in a just and necessary war, for the defense of our rights and liberties, by affording us seasonable supplies for our armies, by disposing the heart of a powerful monarch to enter into alliance with us, and aid our cause; by defeating the councils and evil designs of our enemies, and giving us victory over their troops; and, by the continuance of that union among these states, which, by his blessing, will be their future strength and glory. And it is further recommended, that, together with devout thanksgiving, may be joined a penitent confession of our sins, and humble supplication for pardon, through the merits of our Savior; so that, under the smiles of Heaven, our public councils may be directed, our arms by land and sea prospered, our liberty and independence secured, our schools and seminaries of learning flourish, our trade be revived, our husbandry and manufactures encreased, and the hearts of all impressed with undissembled piety, with benevolence and zeal for the public good.

And it is also recommended, that recreations unsuitable to the purpose of such a solemnity may be omitted on that day.

Done in Congress, this 17th day of November, 1778, and in the third year of the independence of the United States of America. 1779 By the United States in Congress assembled.

[DaveyB]

America was founded by a moral and religious people. Words like this today would be unwelcome in our secularized cesspool.

Many more thanksgiving proclamations can be found at Pilgrim Hall.

[kingu]

Also unheard of today is Congress simply encouraging states to take particular action, rather than directing them to observe, as in the case of federal holidays. While I enjoy the much longer life expectancy, the superior medical care, the FAR better hygiene and food supply, there is much to miss from that period of time.

[PROCON]

...through the merits of our Savior

And when this was written, the word Savior wasn't assumed to be the government.

How far we have fallen.

[DaveyB]

I added emphasis to offend the offended! (That means you ACLU) and to show that the "separation of church and state" is history revisionism by a horde of anti-Christs.

_______________________________

THANKSGIVING DAY 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 tranquillity, 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 andpunctually

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 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 third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. GO. WASHINGTON

[SunkenCiv]