Observe today as a day of thanksgiving to God

George Washington was the first president to declare a national day of prayer and thanksgiving. To this end, he proclaimed "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."

Almost every president after George Washington made a yearly proclamation for a national day of prayer and thanksgiving to God until Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday. He issued his proclamation, passed by an act of Congress.

"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy …

"I do, therefore invite my fellow citizens … to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving to God and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens … (it is) announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is Lord … It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and grateful acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."

Remember what has been said here this Thanksgiving and give thanks to God.

BRADY SMITH

Sagle