An American Holiday is Born

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

 

Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and I thought I would share with you some information about this special day.

My new friend, Dr. Robert J. Morgan, who will be with us for Memorial Day Weekend in 2023, wrote a great book called “100 Bible Verses That Made America.” It’s a powerful read, and I gave you the link to Christian Book Distributors. They have great prices and lots of amazing books at a reduced rate.

According to Morgan, on September 25, 1789, Congress was working on twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution – the Bill of Rights. Elias Boudinot introduced a resolution calling on the President to issue a proclamation of prayer and thanksgiving. There was debate about this, and finally, Roger Sherman of Connecticut (who was the only one to sign all four founding documents) gave a masterful argument as to why this was a necessary proclamation for the United States.

 

The motion passed and on October 3, 1789, George Washington set aside November 26th as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving:

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”

– Morgan, Robert J.. 100 Bible Verses That Made America (p. 125). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

On Thanksgiving Day, Rev. John Woodhull, First Presbyterian Church in Freehold, NJ preached a sermon, “A Day of Publick Thanksgiving, Appointed by the President, On Account of the Establishment of the New Constitution and Congress.” His text was from Psalm 97:1, “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice.”

It is reported that many Presidents offered similar resolutions, but it wasn’t until 1863 that Thanksgiving Day became an annual federal holiday, established by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

In a day when so many political leaders are trying to take away our Christian liberties and distancing themselves from the Judeo-Christian tenets set by our founding fathers, I am thankful for these men who were brave enough to establish Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday.

For all of us, Thanksgiving Day should be part of our daily walk. The grandson of our founder, Dr. William Raws, said “Our daily walk should be one of ‘thanksliving'” – which is God’s will for your life and mine:

“IN everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you!” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

With a thankful heart,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Email Bill at: bwelte@americaskeswick.org

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27