Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving,1941: Freedom, Brotherhood and Justice


THANKSGIVING DAY - 1941

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION

I, FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate and set aside Thursday, the twentieth day of November 1941, as a day to be observed in giving thanks to the Heavenly Source of our earthly blessings.

Our beloved country is free and strong. Our moral and physical defenses against the forces of threatened aggression are mounting daily in magnitude and effectiveness.

In the interest of our own future, we are sending succor at increasing pace to those peoples abroad who are bravely defending their homes and their precious liberties against annihilation.

We have not lost our faith in the spiritual dignity of man, our proud belief in the right of all people to live out their lives in freedom and with equal treatment. The love of democracy still burns brightly in our hearts.

We are grateful to the Father of us all for the innumerable daily manifestations of His beneficent mercy in affairs both public and private, for the bounties of the harvest, for opportunities to labor and to serve, and for the continuation of those homely joys and satisfactions which enrich our lives.

Let us ask the Divine Blessing on our decision and determination to protect our way of life against the forces of evil and slavery which seek in these days to encompass us.

On the day appointed for this purpose, let us reflect at our homes or places of worship on the goodness of God and, in giving thanks, let us ray for a speedy end to strife and the establishment on earth of freedom, brotherhood, and justice for enduring time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this 8th day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-sixth.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

In Roosevelt's proclamation, I believe we can see evidence of the many challenges that those in power face and the importance of where those leaders look for solutions to them.

I also feel that there is evidence in his words that he was leading a nation of people that were praying for their leader.

With the issues facing our leaders today seemingly being even greater, the need for us to be in constant prayer for our leaders is that much more urgent.

May we not take lightly our responsibility to call on God to guide those in power, that they might lead our country and the world faithfully in the direction of peace, justice and love.

Thanks for the post. I can think of no better way to end a Thanksgiving day, than to give Him Thanks for the sacrifice given and the ability to pray that we would not have, save The Name through which we do so.