Happy Thanksgiving PCS families! Pastor Joe here with some thoughts for Thanksgiving… In 1789 President Washington issued the first presidential proclamation – to observe a national day of Thanksgiving on the 26th of the following November. (1) On that first Thanksgiving, Dr John Woodhull - 5th great-grandfather of my wife Amy - delivered a powerful sermon. (2) Below are some excerpts which might be appropriate to consider or discuss at the Thanksgiving table… (Note the original reason for Thanksgiving in the title.) - - - A Sermon, for the Day of Publick Thanksgiving Appointed by the President, On Account of the Establishment of the New Constitution by Dr. John Woodhull Is 63:7 - I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us. THE being and perfections, the providence and government of God, lie at the foundation of all true religion—of all real happiness—of our very being—and, of the universe in general. Take away these foundations, and what a yawning gulf do we hang over!—how soon would all shrink back into their native non-existence!—for an independent creature, is an absurdity. As God is the author and preserver of the universe, so his providence, both general and particular, reigns over every part thereof. WHILE we behold the divine agency in the spires of grass, and in the opening flowers, and acknowledge Gods superintendency over the meanest insect; we cannot exclude it from man, and the kingdoms of men; but rather say, here is its proper empire, here it reigns in a more peculiar manner. With respect to us in these United States, wise observers have, with grateful admiration, remarked a kind and powerful hand of providence, conducting us from the feeble state of infancy and dependence, through darkness—through dangers—and through a long and bloody contest, to our present state of greatness and glory. …[President Washington] is now, by his authority, calling on us, and on all united America, to join with him this day in bowing before the LORD, with adoration and praise for his abundant goodness and mercy—and with ardent supplications for a continuance of them. WE will begin the survey with a view of that which holds the highest rank of all blessings to our fallen world—I mean the gift of Gods own son; a gift which leads all others after it—for he that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Through him we receive the common bounties of providence in this world; and through him only, we have the hope of eternal life in that which is to come. Want of time will make it necessary to pass over the variety of goodness which our fathers have experienced, for whom God prepared a place in the wilderness—led them as by the hand—and was as a wall of fire round about them—and come, to what more immediately respects ourselves; to our late, though ever memorable contest with Great-Britain. Who, like Pharaoh and the Egyptians, with respect to Israel, being jealous of our growing strength and numbers, thought it wise to lay their heavy hand and galling yoke upon us, in order to secure to themselves our subjection and service. And, when they saw the great soul of America disdain such bondage, instead of admiring her virtue, they sent forth their armies like a flood to overwhelm her. And surely we may say, if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us—the proud waters had gone over our soul. We, being but little more than in our infancy as a people, used to the walks of peace, unaccustomed to the arts of war, and destitute of the means for carrying it on; went forth, like the stripling David, with a sling and a stone, against an overgrown Goliath clad in steel. And the success in either case, must not be ascribed to human power or skill; but to a gracious and overruling providence, whereby the race is not always given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. {Note: Based on the opening scripture, “mention the loving kindnesses,” there follows discussion of 6 aspects of the Revolution that he ascribes as Providential, outlined as follows… 1) Overarching (supernatural) confidence 2) Raising up of unique leaders 3) Disposing others to favor our cause (allies – esp. France) 4) Ruining the counsel of the enemy (esp. spy discoveries) 5) Undermining the successes of the enemy – “baits in the train of Providence” 6) Calling nature to our aid (several examples listed) End of Note… direct quotes resume} The elements have been on our side: a thick fog covered our retreat from Long-Island; the snow covered our attack upon the Hessians at Trenton; and the winds and the waves conspired to bring the fleet and army of our allies before Yorktown at the very juncture they were needed, in order to complete the capture of Cornwallis and the British army: and did thus perform a very important part, in that great concluding scene of the war, which exhibited to admiring millions, Britain and tyranny humbled, America and liberty triumphant; and Empire, which had been for ages travelling from the east, securely arrived on this Western World. O Empire! millions hail thee welcome! And while the British yoke lies broken beneath thy feet, may liberty be seated at thy right hand, and justice, mercy and truth, be enthroned in thy heart; and thus mayest thou dwell with us, till time shall be no more! {Note: Following a description of the hand of providence in the creation of the new Constitution, the second part of the opening scripture - our returns (“praises”) are discussed. Again outlined as follows… 1) Observe the hand of the Lord – be sensible to the Author of the benefits; not passing them off as chance or fate 2) Esteem God; be filled with reverence and awe. 3) Show outward praise “…making our salvation our song.” 4) Remember (long term memory) what God has done for us 5) Love – “lively and supreme” – for God and man 6) The blessings constrain us to “ready and willing” obedience 7) Trust in God for the future. End of note… direct quotes resume} God usually, and I believe always, treats nations, considered as publick bodies, according to their general moral character. The Judge of all the earth will do right; he will render to every individual and nation according to their works. And as nations exist only in this world, they must here receive their reward. Hence, if we look through the history of nations, we shall find, that so long as any have been remarkable for justice and righteousness, they have also been remarkably blessed: but when they became unjust, and abandoned to vice, God abandoned them to misery and ruin. … the way of prosperity and ruin are both before us. And as a new empire, we are now to make our choice… in which the fate of millions hangs… and in which the eyes of heaven and earth are upon us!—May infinite wisdom direct us!—I hear its gracious voice proclaiming, “RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION.” Here then lies the road to prosperity and honour—justice to man, obedience and gratitude to God, lead to the summit of national glory; in this way, man will look up to us with reverence, and God look down with approbation, and own us as his people. On the other hand, iniquity and vice are the way to shame, contempt and ruin… O my Country! shouldest thou choose this forbidden path, thy prosperity and peace will pass away, thy greatness will be lowered with dishonour, thy sun will set in darkness, and thy God will forsake thee. Trembling thought! flee from this way of darkness and danger, and walk in the path of the just, which shines brighter and brighter to the perfect day; here peace and safety await thee, here riches and honour allure; yea, to this, the goodness and love of God constrain, and bind thee: O! break not these cords, but yield to almighty love—be wholly the LORDS; and henceforth wear engraven on every heart; His hand hath loosd my bands of pain, And bound me with his love.(3) (1) wilstar/holidays/wash_thanks.html (2) quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/n17826.0001.001… (3) Hymn – Watts – “What Shall I Render to My God?”
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:57:04 +0000
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