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 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 enable 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 shown 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.
Given under my
hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
You can’t say it better than that. I am thankful for so many things, but
especially my family and friends and all those who stop here to comment. God bless you all. In a small way you are all part of this
blessed life that God has graciously given me.
