I think our ancestor Leonard Calvert, had proclaimed that Thanksgiving
be a holiday....but since he died in 1647 and this was written in 1676 how
can this be the correct one? can anyone tell me please if this is the
correct text, or the correct porclamation, or is this a later one? Or ? Or
is there another text for Leonard's Thanksgiving proclamation?
Thanks, (and Happy Thanksgiving)
Jill
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
June 20, 1676
"The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his
Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen
Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his
own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern
that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having
remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for
our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and
regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and
attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our
Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage
to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's
mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive
Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or
destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many
Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible
people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him
with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th
day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God
for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be
Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions,
have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may
behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the
Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of
this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that
being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people
offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and acceptable Service unto God
by Jesus Christ."
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Aloha from Jill mauifun(a)maui.net
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Pleased to share!
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