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Thursday, November 25, 2010

On Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Jean Sexton writes:

I was going to write an essay about the things for which I give thanks, but I think George Washington in 1789 wrote it far better than I ever could. I thus share his words with you.

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 favourable 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 favours 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 publick 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 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.


We at ADB, Inc. wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving.