More Thankful Than Ever

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, November 26, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. In September 1789, Congress sent a historic message to President George Washington. He was asked to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed [to acknowledge with gratitude], the … favors of Almighty God [who gave us] the opportunity [to peaceably] establish a Constitution of government for [our] safety and happiness.”

In response, Washington recommended that the people of the United States devote November 26th “to the service of that great and glorious Being … the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be …” and sincerely and humbly thank Him for His kind care and protection in the course and conclusion of the late war. That was in the city of New York on October 3, 1789.

74 years later in October 1863, President Lincoln built upon Washington’s initiative by creating an annual day of Thanksgiving to directly tie together America and the Heavenly Creator, Who is the source of American rights. In his proclamation, Lincoln acknowledged the Civil War but focused on God’s blessings and providence by saying, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me … that [His gracious gifts and mercy] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. Let us be thankful for a land that will for such religion stand” and with that, Thanksgiving Day became a yearly celebration in the U.S.

The original document was written in long hand by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and was then signed by George Washington. The original document was lost for 130 years, but was placed in the National Archives in 1921, when Dr. J.C. Fitzpatrick, assistant chief of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress found the proclamation at an auction sale held at an art gallery in New York. Dr. Fitzpatrick purchased the document for $300.00 for the Library of Congress, where it now resides. It was the first official presidential proclamation issued in the United States.

Clearly, history substantiates our Christian heritage, which is being attacked from every side. But remember this: “Greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, whatever the problem or the challenge or the need, our Most High God, Who was honored by Washington and Lincoln with a special day of thanks, has not moved away from us. But many of us have moved away from Him. Let’s move back. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.