The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-27
The National Recognition of a Personal
God.

The usual proclamation by the President
appointing Day OF Thanksgiving has been
issued by President MCKINLEY. We say
usual because the custom began with
LINCOLN in 500. or more than generation
ago. Originally, however, it was confined to
the Governors Of New England States
though during the Revolution national
thanksgiving was annually recommended
by Congress. general thanksgiving for
peace was appointed in 1884, but not
until 1889 was it again recommended by
WASHINGTON, at the request OF Congress-
Afterward in 1895 he issued second pro-
clamation for thanksgiving for the sup
preston OF insurrection. and in 1915 MAD
IsoN called on the people to give thanks to
COP for peace secured. day was not
regularly set apart for the purpose by the
Governor OF New York until 1917, and the
practice was adopted by the Southern States
slowly, Governor WISE Of Virginia, declin-
ing to issue such proclamation so lately
as 1857. on the ground that he had no
authority to interfere in religious affairs.
The official appointment OF Day Of
Thanksgiving Is an emphatic declaration
that the American people believe in per-
affairs OF the world, and in the efficacy OF
devout prayer to Hmm other words,
that they are religious people, who recog-
niZe their dependence on Divine help and
attribute to the Almighty their prosperity
and regard their adversely as just punish
ment at His hands for their sins. Nor can
it be said that the appointment Of a COM
mon Day OF Thanksgiving annually by the
President and the Governors OF States Is a
mere perfunctory official performance. 1t is
unquestionably responsive to the demand
OF the religious sentiment OF the people,
or the population OF the United States in
1890, more than one-third were included in
the actual membership OF religious com
munions and probably twice as many were,
directly or indirectly, under the influence
of the churches and were religious believers
who recognized their dependence on the
Divine Ruler. and the obligation of
obedience to His commands as expressed
in the Bible.
1t is true that there Is no such formal
recognition OF GOD in the National Consti-
tuition, and the omission has stirred loud
protests from certain religious consciences.
The preamble OF the New York Constitution
is: 1--WE, the people OF the State OF New
York, grateful to Almighty GOD for our
freedom" &c; but that OF tho National
Constitution does not go beyond the people
themselves
ave. the people OF the United States In order to
form perfect union. establish justice insure
| domestic tranquility provide for the common de-
fence promote tho general welfare and secure the
blessings OF liberty to ourselves and posterity.
| do ordain." &c.
The Declaration OF Independence, how
ever. contains four references to Cop and
mans dependence on Divine favor, though
1t was written by THOMAS JEFFERSON who
was much under tho influence OF the con-
| temporary school Of French sceptics. This
devout recognition by the Government OF a
| personal GOD, as we have said, appears
also in every National and State Thanks
| giving proclamation, as now by Presi-
dent MCKINLEY's calling for "fervent
prayers to the Most High for a continuance
OF the Divine guidance. without which
mans efforts are vain" Moreover,
Thanksgiving Day has become one of the
most universally observed holidays OF the
year; it may not be kept consistently
with its theory 30 much as n secular
| festival, but that criticism would apply
to all other religious holidays. The
annual setting apart Of it throughout
the American republic is unquestionably
an Official announcement that this Is
a nation Of believers in Cop and In the
efficacy OF prayer TO Him as the actual Gov
ernor OF the world, personal Being to be
loved and obeyed 1t implies also, necessa-
rily, belief in the immortality OF conscious
personal existence by man. in mans future
accountability for his acts, and his obliga-
ton TO render to his Creator the oblation Of
prayer and praise
Our correspondence indicates that all this
is an open question with many minds at
this day, but it Is questionable II the doubt
prevails more now than it did among the
members OF the convention which adopted
the National Constitution more than CEN
tury ago. The method Of approaching and
discussing ting subject has changed, though
where there'ls doubt or denial it Is no