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Issue link: http://magazine.kcm.org/i/189276
Continued from page 24 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.... Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789...that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection. National thanksgiving proclamations occurred sporadically following this one, and most official Thanksgiving observances still occurred only at the state level. Much of the credit for the adoption of an annual national Thanksgiving may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, editor of "Godey’s Lady’s Book." For 30 years she promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting president after president with her recommendation. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln responded by setting aside the last Thursday of November, declaring: We often forget the Source from which the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies come.... No human wisdom hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.... I therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States...to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. For the next 75 years, presidents followed Lincoln’s precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday. As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, remember the original spirit of the oldest of all American holidays—gratefulness to God. Amid all the hustle and bustle, take time to give thanks and praise “to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” God. V David Barton is the founder and president of WallBuilders, a pro-family organization which seeks to educate grass-roots society to rebuild America’s constitutional, moral and religious foundations. For more information go to wallbuilders.com; call 1-817-441-6044; or write to WallBuilders, P.O. Box 397, Aledo, TX 76008-0397. Additional Quotes: I…appoint…a day of public thanksgiving and praise…to render to God the tribute of praise for His unmerited goodness towards us…by giving to us…the Holy Scriptures which are able to enlighten and make us wise to eternal salvation…. And to pray that He would forgive our sins and…cause the religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be known, understood, and practiced among all the people of the earth. —Governor John Hancock, 1790 I appoint…a day of public Thanksgiving to Almighty God…to ask Him that He would…pour out His Holy Spirit on all ministers of the Gospel; that He would…spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth…and that He would establish these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue. —Governor Thomas Jefferson, 1779 ********************************** Each year on Thanksgiving, we gather with family and friends to thank God for the many blessings He has given us, and we ask God to continue to guide and watch over our country. …In want or in plenty, in times of challenge or times of calm, we always have reasons to be thankful. America is a land of abundance, prosperity, and hope. We must never take for granted the things that make our country great: a firm foundation of freedom, justice, and equality; a belief in democracy and the rule of law; and our fundamental rights to gather, speak, and worship freely. These liberties do not come without cost. Throughout history, many have sacrificed to preserve our freedoms and to defend peace around the world. Today, the brave men and women of our military continue this noble tradition. These heroes and their loved ones have the gratitude of our Nation…. This Thanksgiving, we again give thanks for all of our blessings and for the freedoms we enjoy every day. Our Founders thanked the Almighty and humbly sought His wisdom and blessing. May we always live by that same trust, and may God continue to watch over and bless the United States of America. -- President George W. Bush Thanksgiving Day, 2003 ********************************** Click and Watch Riley Stephenson, KCM's evangelistic outreach minister: about ministering to your family. N OV ' 1 3: B VOV: 25