Dakota Beacon

Halloween and Veterans Day 2024 are history. Autumn marches on. In this season many folks assume an attitude of gratitude for what we have and how we got it. Not surprisingly, this sentiment of “giving thanks” involves overindulgence at a well-set table. But that is another story.

“Giving thanks”, of course, presumes there is Someone to whom thanks would be due. Unfortunately, under pressure from liberal naysayers and fringe groups, the notion of “giving thanks” has slowly morphed into a puddle of muddled feelings. Thanksgiving deviates into a one-size-fits-all four-day weekend.

Despite attempts to debunk the Thanksgiving story, a certain historical truth offers evidence of a bedrock foundation for the Thanksgiving Spirit. Unfortunately, this evidence may no longer be transmitted throughout the public square and in the classroom. This was not always so.

On September 25, 1789, Elias Boudinot of New Jersey introduced into the US House of Representatives a resolution that requested President George Washington “...recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer…”

George Washington accepted the congressional request as a cultural consensus regarding the prevailing Christian precepts. On October 3, 1789, President Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation.

Washington’s proclamation contains an unmistakable religious focus. Intellectual honesty demands we acknowledge Washington’s use of capitalized pronouns such as “He” and “Him” and “Providence” in the context of Biblical Christianity flowing from Reformation Europe.

At this time of year, it is appropriate to again read George Washington’s Thanksgiving proclamation. He affirmed “...a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

For what should Americans give thanks?

            “...for His kind care and protection of the people of this country...;”

            “...for the...manifold mercies...of His providence...;”

            “...for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have...;”

            “...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have...established constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted...;”

            “...for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...;”

            “...and, in general, for all the great and various favors, which He has been pleased to confer upon us....”

Amen!

President Washington continued his proclamation by suggesting six petitions to place in prayer before “the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” These petitions are as appropriate today as they were in 1789.

            “...and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions...;”

            “...to enable us all...to perform our several...duties properly and punctually...;”

            “...to render our national government a blessing...by...being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws...faithfully obeyed...;”

            “...to...guide all...nations...and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord...;”

            “...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue...;”

And, finally, “...to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”

Today, George Washington would be spurned as a bigot, extremist, racist, and white supremacist for issuing such a Eurocentric proclamation loaded with religious freight.

Nevertheless, in the recesses of many hearts a flame of Christian heritage is rekindled like a beacon in the night. With that, a remnant will carry on the Spirit of Thanksgivings past.

We can all exhibit glad hearts. But, without an attitude of gratitude, Thanksgiving becomes just another day of indulgence.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and football. Most of all, give time to reflect on George Washington’s God-inspired words and the Person who made our lives and good fortune possible.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)