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The First Thanksgiving Proclamation June 20, 1676
"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, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst
of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered
his footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for
our sins, with many singular intimations of his fatherly compassion,
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,
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:
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 perswaded
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."
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