Have you ever read the Thanksgiving proclamation from President George Washington? Though many
today claim a “wall of separation” between church and state, God’s influence and reverence for Him,
was clearly a vital part of our nation’s collective thinking. As such it molded and shaped our political
leaders' beliefs and thus their government’s direction. The following is that proclamation (the italics are
mine).
today claim a “wall of separation” between church and state, God’s influence and reverence for Him,
was clearly a vital part of our nation’s collective thinking. As such it molded and shaped our political
leaders' beliefs and thus their government’s direction. The following is that proclamation (the italics are
mine).
“Thanksgiving Proclamation
[New York, 3 October 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 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
tranquillity, 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 encrease 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”
Say good things about your Savior and about His church on the bluff.
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
tranquillity, 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 encrease 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”
Say good things about your Savior and about His church on the bluff.