Roblog

On October 3, 1789, George Washington issued our nation’s first Presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving.  Thanks (forgive me) to the internet, it has been posted and reposted over and over again. You’ve probably even seen it today.

But have you read it and not merely liked it?

There are multiple significant features of this proclamation—every single one of them of a nature that makes them impossible to be similarly issued today.  Practically everything here is, to our current climate, considered politically incorrect, insensitive, offensive, oppressive, aggressive—you name it, it transgresses at practically every modern multicultural level.

That fact is what makes it so powerful.  For starters, it begins by observing that “it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God….”  It continues by stating that it owes its existence to the request of both houses of Congress—without a hint of fear of mixing church and state.

The reason the proclamation “worked” in 1789 is because it assumes a shared national sense of maturity, humility and gratitude.  Each of these is absolutely necessary for a true rendering of thanks; it is also why, if such a proclamation was made today, I believe it would be roundly condemned and then promptly ignored.

That isn’t at all to suggest that it would not be appreciated and embraced by many, as it rightly continues to be today.  However, there are no doubt others who instead wield it—both defensively and offensively—because, to them, it is a weapon to be taken up in battle in which, sadly, winning hearts and minds is not the ultimate goal. That is unfortunate, because there is so much in this proclamation, by God’s grace, that can unite and restore.

Yes, it is old—but it has the right kind of timeless because it ultimately calls us, both as individuals and as a people, to humbly repent of our selfish ingratitude—and of the petty outrage that is symptomatic of a self-righteous society.

So, instead of liking it—read it. Please. And pray with me that we might take it to heart.

George Washington’s Thanksgiving proclamation, October 3, 1789

By the PRESIDENT of the United States of America, A PROCLAMATION:

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 TWENTY-SIXTH 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 unto 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 third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington