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 =
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.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"