THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION,
An Article by
Benjamin S. Weiss, Founder of NEF/ CEAI

Thanksgiving Day is both a national holiday and a religious holiday.  It is one of the most generally observed holidays of the year.   Because it was enacted by Congress and decreed as a religious holiday, it is observed as a secular holiday for the cessation of all public and official business and also for the religious observance of the day by a Presidential Proclamation.

Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day had their origin in a firm belief that the affairs of men, their well-being and afflictions are related to the authority and knowledge of a Supreme Person--God.

Those who believe in the Christian faith, that God our Saviour is concerned about our well-being and provides for our daily needs and inadequacies, pray for God's providence and help, and thank Him for His aid and relief.

The first Thanksgiving observance in America was inaugurated by the Pilgrims.  In the autumn of 1621, Governor Bradford of the Plymouth Colony recommended a day of festival for thanksgiving to God for their bountiful crops and filled storehouses as a result of their Spring planting and God's blessing on their labors.  There was no formal proclamation for the festival, but it was continued as an annual harvest festival and day of thanksgiving to God for His continued blessing and care.  The first known formal proclamation for a Thanksgiving holiday was issued by the Council of Charleston, MA on June 29, 1676, as a day of public thanksgiving.  The closing statement of the Proclamation said,

"The Council doth commend to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same.  Beseeching that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people, offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable service unto God by Jesus Christ." 
By the Council, Edward Rawson, Secretary 

Thanksgiving became observed regularly each year through the New England Colonies and occasionally formal proclamations were issued by the Governor or someone in authority.  The practice developed into a firmly established custom, a great annual family and public festival.

When serious disagreements between the Colonies and England were being deliberated through petition and correspondence, the Continental Congress was established in 1774.  Many of the delegates were from the New England Colonies.  These delegates naturally included ideas and thoughts that were reflections of the New England way of life and religious practice.  In the autumn of 1777 to 1783, the Continental Congress issued its Proclamation of Thanksgiving.  On the day set aside by the Proclamation all secular activity and services were interrupted.

The first Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by the United States of America states,

"For as much as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation for the benefits received and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and that together with their sincere acknowledgements and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance.."

No Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued from 1773-1789.  On September 25, 1989 Elias Boudinot, a member of the National Congress, the Congress operating under the new Constitution of the United States, presented a resolution that a joint committee request President Washington to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.  On October 3, 1789, President George Washington issued the proclamation including this pronouncement:

"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 implore His protection and favor...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...' 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..."

It has been a practice to include the day of the week, with the date of Thanksgiving Day.  In announcing the date of the holiday a particular term was used to make the date of the proclamation a specific act of the President.  The terms used by them were; designate, set apart, set aside, appoint, proclaim and assign.  The term most commonly used was "set apart."  This designated this date and date for the specific purpose, nationally, for thanksgiving and prayer.

Some proclamations included a particular cause for thanksgiving.  "When we review the calamities which afflict so many other nations, the present condition of the United States affords much matter of consolation and satisfaction."  1795, George Washington.

"In the present time of public calamity and war, a day may be recommended to be observed by the people of the United States as a day of public humiliation and fasting and of prayer to Almighty God for the safety and welfare of these states."  1814, James Madison.

"It has pleased Almighty God to vouch safe signal victories to the land and naval forces engaged in suppressing an internal rebellion," 1862, Abraham Lincoln.

"The gifts of God to our people during the past year have been so abundant and so special that the spirit of devout thanksgiving awaits not a call, but only the appointment of a day when it may have a common expression."  1892, Benjamin Harrison

On December 26, 1941, Congress in a joint resolution, 55 State .862(5 U.S.C.87b) designated the fourth Thursday of November in each year as Thanksgiving Day a legal annual holiday.  As a National Holiday, all public offices are closed and the regular business of government is suspended.  it is also a national practice to close all schools for Thanksgiving Day and on the Friday following.

Thanksgiving Day, as proclaimed in the presidential proclamations, has a definite religious significance.   Some proclamations call for deep heart searching and penitence, others for a confession of personal and national sins, and generally for humility in acknowledging that our prosperity and tranquility are gifts from the hand of God.  The following excerpts from Thanksgiving Proclamations indicate the profound spiritual perception of the authors:

"To prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."

"It is further recommended, that together with devout thanksgiving, may be joined a penitent confession of our sins and humble supplication for pardon through the merits of our Saviour."

"I do further recommend that on occasion the whole people make confession of our national sins against His infinite goodness, and with one heart and one mind implore the divine guidance in the ways of national virtue and holiness."

"On this day of Thanksgiving let us generously remember the poor and needy so that our tribute of praise and gratitude may be acceptable in the sight of the Lord."

Thanksgiving Day is observed in many ways.  As a religious holy day, some churches or religious groups hold a service on Thanksgiving morning with a special thanksgiving theme of praise and prayer.

Thanksgiving Day to many still has a profound religious and spiritual significance.  It is a day of personal accountability to our God and Saviour.  It is first a recognition of favors and blessings that have been allotted to us through the goodness and mercy of our loving Father.  And as one of the Proclamations directs, "that together with devout thanksgiving, may be joined a penitent confession of our sings and humble supplication for pardon through the merits of our Saviour."

"What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me? 
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people"

King David in Psalms declaring his personal gratitude!