America Invoked to Praise the Lord: A Discourse Delivered on the Day of Public Thanksgiving through the United States of American, February 19, 1795.

Printed At Salem: Thomas C. Cushing, 1795. Full Description:

WADSWORTH, Benjamin. America Invoked to Praise the Lord. A Discourse Delivered on the Day of Public Thanksgiving through the United States of American, February 19, 1795. Printed At Salem: Thomas C. Cushing, 1795.

First edition (?). Small octavo (). 31, [1, blank] pp. With half-title.

Stitch-bound in contemporary drab paper wrappers. Uncut. Previous owner's ownership inscription dated 1799 on recto and verso of half-title. Some minor foxing throughout. Overall very good.

This is Rev. Wadsworth's sermon in response to Washington's second Thanksgiving Day proclamation. "Washington issued a proclamation on October 3, 1789, designating Thursday, November 26 as a national day of thanks. In his proclamation, Washington declared that the necessity for such a day sprung from the Almighty's care of Americans prior to the Revolution, assistance to them in achieving independence, and help in establishing the constitutional government... The 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation, however, did not establish a permanent federal holiday. Washington issued another proclamation in February 1795 to recognize the defeat of a taxation rebellion in Pennsylvania." (Mount Vernon dot org).

"The text of Presidential thanksgiving proclamations reveals a the dramatic evolution of the idea and meaning of Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving proclamations began as a call to participate in a day of solemn reflection and expression of thanks to a Supreme Being. Over time, however, the Thanksgiving Proclamation has evolved to evoke a distinctively American history and celebration of certain core values. Washington (in 1789 and 1795) and Madison (1815) proclaimed that there be a day of reflection and public thanksgiving for peace and abundance. " (Evolution of the Thanksgiving Proclamation By John T. Woolley).

In this present sermon, Wadsworth praises the "supreme ruler" as well as the "Illustrious Washington" for the "happy fruits and effects of one of the most memorable revolutions, recorded in all history." He goes on to say "We rejoiced in our trans-atlantic parentage... we gloried in calling Britain's King, ours. But no sooner did the patriotic sons of America discover the deep concerted scheme, than they sounded the alarm. The tidings flew. Soon the fire of liberty spread, and rose to political enthusiasm. Liberty was the native privilege of America son; and never would they tamely submit, to have the shackles of slavery riveted upon them."

"On February 26th, 1775, the first armed resistance by the colonies to British authority occurred on the North Bridge in Salem. When reports of illegally held ammunition were in North Fields, the British sent Colonel Leslie and 300 British soldiers from Boston to seize them. The citizens of Salem had been forewarned of the approaching British forces, so they gathered at the North Bridge and raised the draw. No blood was shed that day as a compromise was reached between Colonel Pickering and Colonel Leslie. However, this event was nonetheless the unofficial beginning of the American Revolution." (Salem MA dot gov). "By the time Leslie had reached the North Bridge in Salem, the draw was raised, and the opposite side of the river defended by men from Danvers and Salem, armed with muskets, pitchforks, clubs and other rude weapons, who dared them to proceed at peril of their lives. Among them was Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, pastor of the First Church, who shouldered his musket and hastened to the scene." (Chronicles of Danvers, Tapley).

"Benjamin Wadsworth (1750-1826), a Danvers, Massachusetts, minister, was born on July 18, 1750, in Milton to Esther and Benjamin Wadsworth (1707-1771), a deacon and representative to the Massachusetts General Court from 1769 to 1771. The younger Wadsworth graduated from Harvard College with an AB in 1769 and received an AM in 1772. He served as minister of the First Congregational Church of Danvers. Wadsworth was a member of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and the Massachusetts Humane Society. He was the first president of the Danvers Moral Society. In 1816 he received a D.D. at the Harvard Commencement of 1816. He died on January 20, 1826. There is no known relation between this Wadsworth family and Harvard President Benjamin Wadsworth (1670-1737)." (Hollis Archives, Harvard Library).

Evans 29825. Sabin 100917.

HBS 69089.

$1,250.