Whereas
it hath please Almighty God, the Father of all mercies amidst the
vicissitudes and calamities of war, to bestow blessings on the
people of these states, which call for their devout and thanksful
acknowledgments, more especially in the late remarkable interposition
of this watchful providence, in rescuing the person of our commander
in chief and the army from imminent dangers, at the moment when
treason was ripened for execution; in prospering the labors of
the husbandmen, and causing the earth to yield its increase in
plentiful harvests; and, above all, in continuing to us the enjoyment
of the gospel of peace.
It
is therefore recommended to the several states to set a part Thursday,
the 7th day of December next, to be observed as a day of
public thanksgiving and prayer; that all the people may assembly
on that day to celebrate the praises of our Divine Benefactor;
to confess our unworthiness of the least of his favors, and to
offer our fervent supplications to the God of all grace; that it
may please him to pardon our heinous transgressions and incline
our hearts for the future to keep all his laws; to comfort and
relieve our brethren who are any wise afflicted or distressed;
to smile upon our husbandry and trade; to direct our public councils
and lead our forces, by land and sea to victory; to take our illustrious
ally under his special protection, and favor our joint councils
and exertions for the establishment of speedy and permanent peace;
to cherish all schools and seminaries of education and to cause
the knowledge of Christianity to spread over all the earth.
Done
in Congress, this 18th day of October 1780, an in the fifth year
of the independence of the United States of America.
Wednesday,
October 18th. 1780. Congress took into consideration the
resolution reported for setting apart a day of thanksgiving and
prayer, and agreed to.