The First Thanksgiving
Proclamation
June 20, 1676
Commentary by Reverend Paul Michael Raymond
Even by a superficial reading
of the First Thanksgiving Proclamation, the reader is immediately confronted
with the people's faith and reliance upon the Almighty, Sovereign Lord.
1
In the opening sentence, the Holy God is acknowledged as the cause of the
bitter-sweet providence of chastisement resulting in great adversity and
affliction for God's people. This simple acknowledgement is proof that these men
and women of 1676 understood that God brings consequential sanctions for
obedience and disobedience. 2
They also acknowledge that these bitter adversities were a direct result of their own sins, and rebellion, against the Law of God. There is no shunning of blame here, but rather a humble confession and thanksgiving for God's mercy. 3
Identifying themselves as His Footstool, also indicates that they had an sensitivity to Covenant Hierarchy. He was seated upon the Throne as King, while they were His servants - His Footstool. 4
Thanksgiving is then humbly made for God's working on their behalf against their enemies, subduing them and destroying them, thus showing their understanding that God performs His Will in the confine of time, on earth, and in history.5
Unlike modern messages today, this proclamation shows an over-all concept of Victory rather than defeat which manifests itself on earth in the area of time, and not at some future eternal realm. 6
There is also a warning attached to the Proclamation. Knowing the tendency to forget or take lightly the Lord's favor and mercy, the Proclamation cautions against such a grievous mistake. 7
In an effort to give Glory and Thanksgiving to God for His kindness and Fatherly compassion, the people set forth this document for the entire community to read, understand and obey.8
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
1 2"The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present War with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, return [return to commentary]
3 4 yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstoolin the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, return [return to commentary]
5 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, return [return
to commentary]
6 7
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: [return
to commentary]
8 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 persuaded by the mercies of God
we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and
acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ." [return
to commentary]
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