Thanksgiving Day by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 9, 1882

Thanksgiving Day.

By Editor

THE following proclamation has been issued by the President of the United States:—

In conformance with a custom, the annual observance of which is justly held in honor by this people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby set apart Thursday, the 30th day of November next, as a day of public Thanksgiving. The blessings demanding our gratitude are numerous and varied—for the peace and amity which subsist between this Republic and all the nations of the world; for our freedom from internal discord and violence; for the increasing friendship between the different sections of the land of liberty, justice, and constitutional government; for the devotion of the people to our free institutions, and their cheerful obedience of the civil laws; for the constantly increasing strength of the Republic, while extending its privileges to our fellow-men who come to us; for improved means of internal communication and increased facilities of intercourse with other nations; for the generally prevailing good health of the year; for the prosperity of all our industries, a liberal return for our mechanics' toil, affording a market for the abundant harvest for our husbandmen; for the preservation of the national faith and credit; for wise and generous provisions to effect the intellectual and moral education of our youth; for the influence upon the conscience of the restraining and transforming power of religion, and for the joys of home. For these and for many other blessings, we should give thanks. Wherefore, I do recommend that the day above designated be observed throughout the country as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, and that the people, ceasing from their daily labor and meeting in accordance with their several forms of worship, draw near to the throne of Almighty God, offering to him praise and gratitude for the manifest good which he has vouchsafed to us, and praying that his blessings and mercies may continue. And I do further recommend that the day thus appointed be made a special occasion for deeds of kindness and charity to the suffering and needy, so that all who dwell within the land may rejoice and be glad in this season of national thanksgiving.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at Washington, this 25th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and seventh.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

FREDERICK T. FRELINGHUYSEN, Secretary of State.