In 1863 the United States was facing very troubling times. The nation was in the midst of a bloody war that had seen not only the nation but even families torn apart. With daily reports of the dead and wounded trickling into Washington and Richmond from the field, there was just reason for pessimism.
President Lincoln also had his own personal struggles. He had lost his 11 year old son Willie to fever just one year before. Lincoln also suffered with what we know today as clinical depression. He had every reason to be angry, bitter, cynical, and withdrawn. Today, we would say that Lincoln had every reason to be atheistic or at least politically correct. President Lincoln, however, couldn’t have been more politically incorrect if he had tried.
In the midst of all of this grief and turmoil, Lincoln recognized one salient point: It was sin that was wrong with man and the answer to our problems lie in the mercy and blessing of God. To illustrate this I would like for you all to read the Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by President Lincoln on October 3rd, 1863. I have posted it below and highlighted a few of his words for emphasis. I hope you enjoy it and remember to whom and for whom we as a nation and as individuals have to be truly thankful.
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. 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. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State
It is only natural this time of year for people to pause and think about the things for which they are thankful. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I try to express my gratitude to the Lord everyday. There is, however, something special about Thanksgiving that really causes me to reflect on my blessings.
The hero of Thanksgiving is not Indian or Pilgrim, but God
