Many prayers, grateful words, and speeches have been voiced about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving since that historic event in the “new world” almost four hundred years ago.
“…let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles… through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary. Let us cherish these sentiments… in full conviction that that is the happiest society which partakes in the highest degree of the mild and peaceful spirit of Christianity.” (Daniel Webster, 1851)
“Let us, in the midst of these reflections, have our hearts enlarged in thanksgiving to God for his merciful favor to our fathers and to us…. Let us piously acknowledge the hand of God in all that has been done for them and us and to the whole, cry grace, grace…. Let our gratitude be to our father’s God and ours. And out of gratitude to God, let us improve the blessings of life with sobriety and maintain our liberties with an honorable Christian firmness.” (Charles Turner, 1773)
“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone to many. Yea, in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.” (Pilgrim leader William Bradford, 1600’s)
This hope and laboring in Christianity as expressed through the years are at the root of this nation’s origin. Unfortunately these beliefs are not as widely held today as they were in previous centuries. It is that foundation that made us strong, and without it our strength diminishes.
Some fear we have reached a point of no return. I hope and pray that we haven’t and that we will return to the attitude of the first Thanksgiving participants. It is, after all, our choice. Every day we have a choice to be humbly grateful — or grumbly hateful. I believe history proves which is the better choice.
4 Replies to “PILGRIMS: LABORED in HOPE”
Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and
I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to offer one thing back and help others such as you
aided me.
I want to show my thanks to you just for rescuing me from this type of instance. After browsing through the world wide web and getting ways which were not powerful, I assumed my life was gone. Existing minus the strategies to the difficulties you have resolved through your guideline is a critical case, as well as those that might have adversely damaged my entire career if I hadn’t come across the blog. Your own personal mastery and kindness in maneuvering all the pieces was priceless. I’m not sure what I would have done if I had not come upon such a step like this. I can now relish my future. Thank you so much for your impressive and result oriented guide. I won’t think twice to endorse your blog post to any person who requires assistance on this matter.
I’m writing to make you know what a amazing discovery my daughter went through using your webblog. She noticed a wide variety of pieces, which included what it’s like to possess an ideal helping nature to let many people easily know precisely a variety of grueling matters. You actually exceeded her expectations. Thank you for distributing such invaluable, trusted, informative and also unique tips on the topic to Ethel.
Thanks for all your effort on this site. Gloria really loves making time for internet research and it’s easy to see why. A lot of people know all about the dynamic tactic you produce efficient solutions through your web site and therefore foster participation from website visitors on that point so our own girl is actually becoming educated so much. Have fun with the rest of the year. You’re the one performing a superb job.
Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and
I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to offer one thing back and help others such as you
aided me.
I want to show my thanks to you just for rescuing me from this type of instance. After browsing through the world wide web and getting ways which were not powerful, I assumed my life was gone. Existing minus the strategies to the difficulties you have resolved through your guideline is a critical case, as well as those that might have adversely damaged my entire career if I hadn’t come across the blog. Your own personal mastery and kindness in maneuvering all the pieces was priceless. I’m not sure what I would have done if I had not come upon such a step like this. I can now relish my future. Thank you so much for your impressive and result oriented guide. I won’t think twice to endorse your blog post to any person who requires assistance on this matter.
I’m writing to make you know what a amazing discovery my daughter went through using your webblog. She noticed a wide variety of pieces, which included what it’s like to possess an ideal helping nature to let many people easily know precisely a variety of grueling matters. You actually exceeded her expectations. Thank you for distributing such invaluable, trusted, informative and also unique tips on the topic to Ethel.
Thanks for all your effort on this site. Gloria really loves making time for internet research and it’s easy to see why. A lot of people know all about the dynamic tactic you produce efficient solutions through your web site and therefore foster participation from website visitors on that point so our own girl is actually becoming educated so much. Have fun with the rest of the year. You’re the one performing a superb job.