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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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