A Heart of Thanksgiving

Below is a note from Michael Farris that he had posted this morning on Facebook. Mr. Farris’s beginning comments are thought-provoking and appreciated. President George Washington’s Proclamation (I almost prefer to call him General George Washington, here.) is absolutely beautiful.

Today, (Thanksgiving, specifically; but generally, I also mean these difficult days we are living.) Washington's words are especially poignant. After a Presidential election that seemed to reveal an electorate that no longer understands freedom and the American Dream, we can garner much wisdom from our first President as we contemplate deeper his words.

This is an extremely important proclamation still relevant, if not even more so, for today. The knowledge of to Whom we should offer our thanks; the understanding of the need for repentance; the conviction to preserve freedom; and the desire to be a light and friend to all nations is succinctly covered in Washington’s words. So much is expressed if one will only stop to contemplate the heart behind the messenger. General Washington’s message overwhelms me as I read it again and again. This is not only America’s beginnings, this is America’s heart.

Especially important for me – and not necessarily the most important part of his message – is a quote I wish to emphasize:

“…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 government, peace, and concord.”*

That is what America was conceived and born to do. America has always been a nation to understand the need to help others, to lead in freedom without concern for power, and to represent Righteousness, our Savior Jesus Christ to a watching world. That is the true American Dream. This is what I am thankful for today, and my prayer is for generations that will continue, and even more, once again fully understand. This dream simply can’t continue without the desire “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.”

Happy Thanksgiving!  ~ Jan

 

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A Thanksgiving Note from Michael Farris, HSLDA Chairman.

I am thankful today for George Washington. He did more to make this nation free than any other single individual. Yes, he was a great general. Yes, he was our first president. Yes, he presided over the Constitutional Convention. But, Washington's greatest contribution to American freedom was walking away from power--twice.

First, he walked away from power after winning the War for Independence. George III said that if Washington went back to farming as he planned to do after winning the war, he would be the greatest man that ever lived. No general ever walked away from power in such a situation.

Second, he walked away from power after two terms as President.

Finally, George Washington knew that God was the author of freedom--and he said so publicly--not just once but many times. Here is our nation's first Thanksgiving Proclamation, from George Washington.

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Proclamation of National Thanksgiving
George Washington

City of New York, October 3, 1789

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 tranquility, 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 shown 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.

* Emphasis in bold lettering is mine.