Acts & Facts - Institute for Creation Research

STEWARDSHIPA Heritage ofTHANKSGIVING“The First Thanksgiving”by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris(1863-1930)Perhaps no other custom reveals ournation’s original character as clearlyas the celebration of ThanksgivingDay. Other countries have adoptedsimilar observances, but America was the firstto nationally recognize its dependence on Godwith a special day set aside for thanksgivingfor His wondrous provision and deliverance.Although the exact date of the firstAmerican Thanksgiving observance maybe uncertain, there is no question that thistreasured custom sprang from our deepJudeo-Christian heritage. From early Spanishexpeditions in the late 1500s, to a small bandof settlers in Maine in 1607, each group heldservices to give public thanks to God. Twelveyears later, settlers in Virginia set aside a day ofthanksgiving for their survival on the shoresof this vast and uncharted land. And in 1623,Governor William Bradford created the mostfamous of all such observances at PlymouthColony when a bounteous harvest promptedhim to proclaim a special day to “renderthanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all Hisblessings.” 1In 1777, during the War of Independencefrom England, the U. S. Continental Congressset aside a day for thanksgiving and praise forthe decisive victory at Saratoga, marking theHenry M. Morris IVfirst time that all American colonies took partin such an event on the same day. The followingyear at Valley Forge, George Washingtondeclared a special day of thanksgiving uponreceiving news that France had agreed toprovide aid. And later, as the fledgling nation’sfirst president, he responded to a congressionalpetition by declaring Thursday, November26, 1789, as the first Thanksgiving Day of theUnited States of America.Since that first Thanksgiving declaration,many state and national days of thanksgivinghave been proclaimed for a variety of reasons.But it was the tireless crusade of one woman,Sarah Josepha Hale, that finally led to theestablishment of this beautiful observance asa national holiday. Her moving editorials sotouched the heart of Abraham Lincoln that in1863—even in the midst of the Civil War—heenjoined his countrymen to be mindful of theirmany blessings, cautioning them not “to forgetthe source from which they come,” that they are“the gracious gifts of the Most High God” whoought to be thanked “with one heart and onevoice, by the whole American People.” 2In this spirit, ICR invites allChristians—not just Americans—to again takepart in this beautiful tradition wrapped in thedeep heritage of our shared Judeo-Christianethic, and deeper still in our hearts. We declareour gratitude to God for the many blessings Hehas showered upon our ministry, our lands, andour people. And in this season of Thanksgiving,we are most grateful for our abundant harvestsand the productivity of our industries; for thediscoveries of our laboratories through thework of our researchers, scientists, and scholars;for the achievements of our writers, clergy, andteachers, physicians, businessmen, and publicservants, farmers, mechanics, and workers ofevery kind whose honorable toil of body andmind rewards them and their families andenriches our lands. Let us then thank God forour families, friends, and neighbors, and forthe joy of this heritage of thanksgiving that wecelebrate in His name.Let every house of worship, every home,and every heart be filled with the spirit of praiseand gratitude and love for our Great Provideron this Thanksgiving Day. As the psalmistsang, “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks,unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy nameis near thy wondrous works declare” (Psalm75:1). In this vein, won’t you prayerfully joinwith ICR to see that His wondrous works aredeclared throughout the land?References1. Governor William Bradford’sThanksgiving Proclamation,Plymouth Plantation,1623.2. Proclamation of Thanksgiving,Abraham Lincoln,1863.Mr. Morris is Director of DonorRelations.NOVEMBER 2008 • ACTS&FACTS17