[stainlessbanner]

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

[ppaul]

Too bad they won't be reading this in the nation's public schools this week, as they did until the 1960's.

[Cincinatus]

The federal judges of the U. S. Ninth Circuit have ruled this proclaimation unconstitutional. Sorry.

[Conservateacher]

AMEN

[B Knotts]

If we only had men like Geo. Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams today, what a better world it would be.

[F16Fighter]

Thank for a post reminding us where our Founding Fathers stood on the issue of "Church and State."

Had George Washington been alive today, he'd find himself thinking seriously about recruiting for Continental Army II.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Many people think that George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation represents the first official celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States. However, there was an earlier recommendation to set apart a day to give thanks issued in 1777 during the Continental Congress. I just read about it today and looked it up. Here it is (complete with notes and the text in bold).

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1777
Link to date-related documents.

Mr. [William] Clingan, a delegate from Pensylvania, attended and took his seat.

Congress proceeded to the choice of a president; and, the ballots being taken,

The Honble. Henry Laurens was elected.¹

[Note 1: Roberdeau wrote: "Henry Laurens, Vice President of South Carolina, a worthy, sensible, indefatigable Gentleman, was this day chosen by a unanimous vote, except his own, President of Congress." Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, V, 735.]

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to these states, to set apart a day of thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success: It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart¹ and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favour, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessing on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labour of the husbandman, that our land may yet yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth "in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." And it is further recommended, that servile labour, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.²

[Note 1: The original read: "That at one time and with one voice."]

[Note 2: This report, in the writing of Samuel Adams, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 24, folio 431.]

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to 10 o'Clock on Monday.

[ppaul]

[Pharmboy]

How it looked when first published in the Massachusetts Sentinel Oct 14, 1789

[ppaul]

Ancient Fathers Still Speak Wisdom

Dear Friends:

The American Puritans did more than any other group in modern church history to promote the idea of days of thanksgiving. For the Puritans, who did not recognize or celebrate a formal liturgical calendar, it was the responsibility of local congregations to declare and set aside special days of rejoicing to communicate appreciation for the providential blessings and deliverances of God. But the practice of celebrating days of thanksgiving is deeply rooted in Holy Scripture, with its known origin in the ancient Hebrews. Esther 9:19 give us one such example in which thanksgiving was declared for the deliverances of God, and expressed through feasting and gift-giving:

"Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another."

THANKSGIVING READ-ALOUD

For an encouraging family read-aloud article on the Mayflower Compact, Pilgrims, and patriarchy, click here.

Or, to download for your Thursday dinner a copy of Felicia Dorothea Hemans' classic Thanksgiving poem, click here.

PSALM 100

Psalm 100 is specifically designated as a psalm of thanksgiving. It was a favorite of the Pilgrims who incorporated it into their regular psalmody. To read a commentary on Psalm 100 by Charles Spurgeon, the "Prince of Preachers," click here.

A SPECIAL SEASON

Bless God, we have much for which to be thankful. Like every opportunity in life, this year's celebration will only happen once and then it will be gone forever. Make the most of it by reminding your loved ones and your friends just how much you love them. More importantly, give thanks to the Lord God, for His mercy endures forever.

In the words of the Pilgrims' Geneva Bible, "It is He that made and not we" (Psalm 100). This means we have no right to demand blessings. He is the Creator, we are the creature. We deserve nothing from His hand but judgment, and yet he has been merciful and kind to each of us in a thousand remarkable ways. Thanks be to our great God and provider.

Gratefully,

Doug Phillips

[BraveMan]

Thank you for posting this thread. God Bless . . .

[Barnacle]

Good post.

My kindergartner came home with a book titled, “Why we Have Thanksgiving” which would have you believe that the Pilgrims were atheist who left Europe so that they wouldn’t have to go to church. They were thankful that they could picnic with the Indians instead.

I will use some of what’s presented here in a rebuttal to the teacher, librarian and principle.

[lentulusgracchus]

Hey, Stainless -- thanks for the research, and for the post. Good find!

Vox populi, vox Dei.

[Fintan]

Glad your post got a bit more response than mine...