First Thanksgiving Proclamation 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 persuaded 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.”
