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For as much as it is the indispensable duty of all men, to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God, to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of: And it having pleased him, in his abundant mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence and establishment of our inalienable rights and liberties; particular in that he hath been pleased, in so great a measure, to prosper the means used for the support of our troops, and to crown our arms with most signal success. It is therefore recommended to the Legislative or executive powers of these States to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next for solemn thanksgiving & praise; that at one time and with one voice

the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts & consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor And that together with their sincere acknowledgements and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favour, and their humble & earnest supplication, that it may please God through the merits of Jesus Christ mercifully to forgive & blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him, graciously to afford his blessing on the governments of these States respectively and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea & all under them with wisdom and fortitude, which may render them fit instruments, under the Providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, independence and peace. That it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labour of the husbandmen, that our land may yet yield its increase: To take schools & seminaries of education so necessary for cultivating the principles of true Liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand; and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion & enlargement of that kingdom, which consisteth in “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

And it is further recommended, that servile labour and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, may be omitted on so solemn an occasion

Extract from the Minutes

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