Thanksgiving
The Continental Congress issued its first Thanksgiving Day proclamation for Dec.
18, 1777. The purpose: “That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People
may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to
the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, Together with their sincere
Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their
manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and
earnest Supplication that is may please God through the Merits of Jesus Christ,
mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; that it may please him
graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively,
and prosper the public Council of the whole.”
18, 1777. The purpose: “That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People
may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to
the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, Together with their sincere
Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their
manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and
earnest Supplication that is may please God through the Merits of Jesus Christ,
mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; that it may please him
graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively,
and prosper the public Council of the whole.”