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The
First Thanksgiving Proclamation
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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