Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
    let the distant shores rejoice.

• Psalm 97:1

“On September 25, 1789, Congress finished work on twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution-the Bill of Rights-and prepared to take a break. Before the session adjourned, Elias Boudinot rose to introduce a resolution calling on the president to issue a proclamation of public prayer and thanksgiving. Boudinot’s motion was hotly debated. Some congressmen felt the custom was too ‘European.’ Others believed the federal government had no authority to issue national proclamations; that was the prerogative of the states. And those who still harbored unhappiness with the Constitution had no reason to thank God for it.
“Roger Sherman of Connecticut-the only person to have signed all four of the great founding documents of the United States (the Continental Association; the Declaration of Independence; the Articles of Confederation; and the Constitution)-argued in favor of the resolution, saying the act of national thanksgiving is ‘warranted by a number of precedents’ in the Bible, such as ‘the solemn thanksgiving and rejoicing which took place in the time of Solomon, after the building of the temple.’ The motion passed, and on October 3, 1789, George Washington set aside November 26 as a national day of prayer and thanksgiving, saying,

“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.”

• Robert J. Morgan, 100 Bible Verses That Made America

In my recent trip to visit the grandchildren, the oldest of them went with me to Nashville, to sell used books and games.  One of the books that I purchased in return was 100 Bible Verses That Made America by Robert J. Morgan.  As we approach the 250^th anniversary of the birth of the USA, I thought I would do a condensed mini-series on some of these verses, four posts per week for a few weeks – maybe not all 100 verses.

Note in the quote that the initial delegates who approved the constitution were not against thanksgiving.  They argued that it should be set up on a state by state system.  This was the biggest fight in establishing the Constitution.  How much power should the federal government have?  Sure, some of this concern was due to where the taxes will go.  They had just freed themselves from tyranny that involved taxation without representation.  Creating a monstrous federal government has the earmarks of creating the same monster in the USA.

Oddly, the representative form of government was proposed by Presbyterians among the delegates.  It worked within the church, so why not the government.  These days, the Presbyterians are being devoured from within due to unbelievers gaining membership and obtaining a voice at the General Assembly.

But as for the resolution, it was approved on biblical grounds.  Washington established the date, which became a stormy day and few people attended at St. Paul’s where Washington attended the Thanksgiving celebration.

But this was a one-time event.  Some states had a day here or there.  It was not until Sarah Josepha Hale wrote to five presidents in a row asking for a permanent day for thanksgiving that it became a holiday.  President Lincoln consulted with Ms. Hale as to what had happened when the Pilgrims gave thanks.  And the tradition in the USA was established.

The date changed over the years, but it was finally given its present position in the calendar by FDR.

So, it was not for lack of thankfulness that these founding fathers argued against Thanksgiving Day.  They knew to whom we should be thankful.  When we give thanks, do we know?

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.