[thenightwriterblog] The Night Writer: George Washington's Thanksgiving proclamation

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Posted by The Night Writer:
George Washington's Thanksgiving proclamation
http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1195238438.shtml


     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;
     WHEREAS, Both the 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 and 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
     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 has 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 show kindness
     to us), and to bless them with good governments, 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.
     -- George Washington - October 3, 1789