GEORGE WASHINGTON'S GRATITUDE AND FAITH IN GOD
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OCTOBER 3, 1789, from the U.S. Capitol in New York City,
President George Washington issued the first Proclamation of a National Day of
Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God.
Why?
Just one week earlier the first session of the U.S. Congress
successfully approved the Bill of Rights, which put ten limitations on the
power of the new Federal Government.
The States were concerned the Federal Government would get too
powerful.
The Preamble to the Bill of Rights explained:
“The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time
of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent
misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and
restrictive clauses should be added…as amendments to the Constitution of the
United States.”
The First of the Ten Amendments restricting the Federal
Government’s abuse of its powers began:
“CONGRESS shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion,
OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF;
Ø or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
Ø or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,
Ø and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
President George Washington thanked God for the “Constitutions
of government…particularly the national one now lately instituted,” stating in
his Proclamation, OCTOBER 3, 1789:
“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
twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the People of these United
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,
Ø for His kind care and protection of the People of this country
previous to their becoming a Nation;
Ø 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;
Ø for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we
have since enjoyed,
Ø 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,
Ø for the CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY with which we are blessed,
and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;
Ø 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:
Ø to pardon our national and other transgressions,
Ø to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to
perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually;
Ø 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;
Ø to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such
as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace,
and concord;
Ø TO PROMOTE THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF TRUE RELIGION AND
VIRTUE, and the increase of science among them and us;
Ø 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 3rd of
October, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
-George Washington.”
Photo credit: Wikipedia
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