On this day that we are to be reminded to be thankful, I think it appropriate to reflect on Abraham Lincoln’s profound thoughts on the matter:
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
Remember this also when atheist historical revisionists try to tell you that this nation was not founded on Biblical principles.
10 Responses
November 24th, 2005 at 8:35 am
So the mention of a higher being is suddenly Biblical? I would say its just one man’s political move to sound Biblical.
November 24th, 2005 at 9:03 am
On what basis do you call this a cynical political move, AK?
November 24th, 2005 at 12:47 pm
Ya know, Abraham Lincoln didn’t exactly found this nation, and I refuse to let any Christian historical revisionist tell me otherwise…
November 24th, 2005 at 2:33 pm
Eugene, it wouldn’t be the first time he did something for political reasons…ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation? (which btw, didn’t free much of anybody other the Union from impending European aid to the Confedracy)
November 24th, 2005 at 4:01 pm
Simply because a right action accomplished other goals does not make that action any less right.
I did not say that Abe Lincoln founded this nation. His actions, however, are indicative of the Christian morals that this nation was founded upon. Here, 87 years (1776-1863) after the founding of our nation, was this nation’s leader acknowledging God in the most specific and humble of ways.
AK, I don’t think that you are really Biblical. I think when you talk about God, it’s just your personal move to sound Biblical.
November 25th, 2005 at 6:53 pm
Okay, now that was an insult. It was a very low blow. I’m not going to say I’m offended, but if that’s the only thing you can level at your opponents, you have got problems.
Evidence, man. I really do want to believe Biblically and live Biblically, so if you do find something that is not Biblical, please tell me, but please don’t resort to low insults.
November 25th, 2005 at 11:51 pm
Not at all. I don’t really believe that about you. I was just pointing out the ridiculousness of your logic. If I would follow your own logic about yourself, I would come to that conclusion. However, I hardly subscribe to that “logic” and don’t think that about you at all.
November 26th, 2005 at 1:39 am
Coward that I am:
…
Hans, your first statement sounds a lot like an expression of your opinion and little like a defense of your opinion. Perhaps we ought to make a distinction?
You had your chance to try to draw a parellel. Let me take mine. Imagine a TV evangelist yelling at the top of his lungs to “give of your firstfruits today so that you don’t burn in hell forever!” It would be a likely guess that his use of “burn in hell” was for monetary gain, not for the religious wellbeing of his audience.
Nobody in his right mind would argue that the evangelist is seeking monetary gain because he used that phrase; it’s a very narrow argument and difficult to sustain (what about the time the evangelist lost his job for yelling at his boss to “burn in hell”; was that for monetary gain?). On the other hand, one could argue that the evangelist picked that phrase specifically so he could strike fear in the hearts of his listeners and maybe fill his own pockets.
I say all this because it seems like you’ve missed the whole point of what AKauffman was saying and have set up a very nice straw-man. Don’t confuse the expression of an opinion with a defense of that opinion.
Okay, I’m off my soapbox. Excuse me while I return to my cowardice…
November 26th, 2005 at 12:11 pm
AK, he’s simply rephrasing your comment on Lincoln. Notice – all he did was change the people involved, and the statement still made sense.
You got the point Hans was trying to make very well, as your reply shows. I think it’s about the same thing Hans thought about your earlier comment:
I concur, Jlapp. Lincoln was a politician.
(Was that an unsubstantiated insult?)
November 27th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
Sorry, AC, I’m not following you at all…
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