Thursday, November 22, 2007

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 Warr 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 soulds as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ."

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Voting such a neglected privalidge...

Sometimes it astounds me how we in America can live in a land where we actually have a voice, and yet do not use it except to complain...We have the ability to enact change, or to preserve things according to our conscious, and yet we don't exercise it. So many people around the world would give anything to have what we so carelessly throw away. It just saddens me to see such waste and neglect when it come to our freedom, and out children's freedom...I am reminded of a scripture in one of my core books which states that where much is given, much is required. IF we continue to not live up to the responsibility of such a privilege as freedom, we will wake up to discover that that privilege is no longer ours to claim...

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Why do people love Halloween so very much?

I have asked myself this many times. What I have decided it that this unique Holiday appeals to people in two main areas (this is not to say that there are other aspects of the holiday that do not appeal...) : 1- Their sweet tooth. Even though the fad of today is to be heath conscious, deep down even if they pretend otherwise, everyone has a sweet tooth...And a licences to indulge one's sweet tooth to one's heart's content once a year is to some considered a necessity...2- Their love of dressing up. In this world where image means so much, people often feel trapped in how people see them. Thus the idea of putting on a costume and different persona for even one night appeals on so many levels. It is freeing, it is fun, and it is safe feeling.