![]()
President Woodrow Wilson, wrote, “If a nation does not remember what it was yesterday . . . (then) we are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been.”
This year, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, our nation is in turmoil. Why? Is it because we’ve forgotten that the divine Hand of Providence molded our country? Thomas Jefferson, writing in his day, asked, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure, when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” I read Jefferson’s warning and shudder, because our country appears determined to erase all references to God within our borders––to our peril.
President Wilson’s admonition that we not forget where we came from, led me to research Presidential Proclamations of the past. I was blessed by what I found: almost all of our presidents have expressed an abiding faith in Almighty God. Excerpts from some of their writings might be meaningful to us at this special time of year.
NOVEMBER, 1792: President George Washington
Whereas: It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God . . . to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor; we recommend to the people of the United States a day of thanksgiving and prayer . . . rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of our country.”
THANKSGIVING DAY 1863: President Abraham Lincoln:
“. . . In the midst of a civil war, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict . . . I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the (world), to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”
THANKSGIVING 1917: President Woodrow Wilson:
“It has long been the honored custom of our people to turn in praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for His many blessings and mercies to us as a nation. That custom we can follow now even in the midst of the tragedy of a world shaken by war... because we can see the great blessings God has bestowed upon us, blessings that are better than mere peace of mind and prosperity of enterprise.”
THANKSGIVING DAY, 1943 President Franklin Roosevelt:
“God’s help to us has been great in our march towards worldwide liberty. Our gallant men have won victories, and have laid the foundation for freedom of life in a world which will be free. Our farmers, Victory gardeners, and crop volunteers have gathered and stored a heavy harvest in the barns and bins and cellars. . . .”
NOVEMBER, 1925: President Calvin Coolidge:
“The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.”
THANKSGIVING DAY, 1953: President Dwight D. Eisenhower :
“As a Nation much blessed, we feel impelled at harvest time to follow the tradition handed down by our Pilgrim fathers to render thanks to Almighty God for His bounties. It is fitting that we incline our thoughts to His mercies and offer to Him our special prayers of gratitude. . . .”
THANKSGIVING DAY, 1967: President Lyndon B. Johnson:
“. . .Thanking God for His goodness, we thank Him as well for the promise and achievement of America. Our reasons for gratitude are almost without number.... Much as we are grateful for these material and spiritual blessings, we are conscious, in this year, of special sorrows because we are engaged in a painful conflict in Asia. We pray that (our soldiers’) sacrifice will be redeemed in an honorable peace. . . . ”
Belief in the Bible has never threatened our country––Instead, our nation was built upon principles from the Word of God. Yet we seem to forget that, to our peril. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
Is there hope for our country? I believe so, because the sovereign ruler of the universe is eager and ready to extend His mercy if we turn our hearts to Him. II Chronicles 7:14 tells us how to do it.: “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” It is our hope and promise.
Evelyn R. Smith
© 2003 Bible Center Church
Back To Main Page / Archive of Previous Articles