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State of Maine.

By Albion K Parris,

Governor of the State of Maine

A Proclamation

For a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise:

The voice of civil authority can never be more beneficially, nor more honorably employed than in echoing the commands of that legislator, whose dominion is universal and supreme, and from whom all authority is derived. If it may ever speak with confidence, if it may ever claim to be regarded, it is when inculcating duties which He has enjoined. As He has made it the duty of His rational creatures “to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise,” a compliance with the custom, long since established by our ancestors, of appointing a day annually for the public and united performance of this duty, cannot need either warrant or apology. We cannot indeed expect to discharge in a day, the debt of gratitude which is due for the mercies of a year. The favors of which we daily receive as individuals demand daily thankful returns. But as the members of a civil community compose one political body, united by various ties, and as they are indebted to Him, on whom nations, no less than individuals depend, for many blessings in which they have a common interest; it seems highly proper that they should occasionally unite in more public and solemn acknowledgements of His goodness. I have, therefore, thought fit to appoint, and with the advice of the Council, do hereby appoint, Thursday, the twentieth day of November next, to be observed by the inhabitants of this State, as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise. And they are requested to assemble on that day in their respective places of religious worship, that we may, with united and grateful hearts “give unto God the glory which is due to His name,” and acknowledge in a suitable manner, the unnumbered mercies which He has bestowed on us the last year. In the name of that “One Mediator” through whom all our blessings flow, let us offer him our most hearty thanks, that while the dispensations of His Providence, during this