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Omnipotent Being!
Thy glory filleth the universe. When we lift up our eyes above, and behold the firmament studded with numberless worlds, each sustained in its sphere by an inexplicable force, we marvel at thy look around us, and ponder on the formation of countless beings, from the huge elephant to the minutest animalcula, all symmetrically framed, all gifted with the power of vitality, we wonder at thy wisdom. |
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When we survey the ground
and observe how a few scattered grains, yield abundance of fruit for man and cattle, we are astounded at thy Providence; but when we regard ourselves and think of the station we hold in the creation, of the faculties which enable us to maintain ourselves elevated above all animate creatures, of the sublime knowledge thou hast taught us to illumine our reason, and guide it upwards, then, sentiments of love, of reverence and gratitude fill our shirt, for, “what is man that thou hast taken cognizance of him, and made him little lower than angels, and crowned him with honor and excellency.” (Psalms 8:5-6) Can his noblest act add ought to thy greatness, or his enormities tarnish thy glory? No, for thou art immutable and eternal, but, Thou dost assign for him a place so lofty, that he might strive after truth, and by imitating thy attributes, identify himself with that Unity which is the soul of the universe. Oh! let therefore thy intelligent creatures sing thy praise with unison of hearts. |
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Yes, O Father!
we have convened in thy holy house, to thank thee, for the air we breathe, for the food that sustains our lives, for the imperishable spirit Thou hast infused within us. |
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Our hearts O Lord!
overflow with gratitude to thee, because of the support Thou hast vouchsafed to our institutions, of the vindication Thou hast made of our national honor, and of the invisible power by which Thou hast thwarted the intentions of the ungodly. |
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But above all, our thanks are due to thee,
for having granted us to be born under that law, which instructs us in our duties towards ourselves and our fellow-beings. May the principles of charity and love embodied in that law, be ever developed in the political code of this generous country. May we, its citizens, never forswear our trust, but maintain it in its entirety, despite the impediments that may obstruct our course. |
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Grant O God!
that a confederacy of all the inhabitants of the world, may be established to thy everlasting glory, for, then there shall be but one flock, and Thou shall be their Shepherd. Grant that all the nations of the earth, may like us, acknowledge thy bounty, and sing to thy holy name, for, “Thou art a good God, and praise becometh thee.” (Psalms 33:1) Amen. |
This Thanksgiving Day prayer by Rabbi Sabato Morais was offered at the conclusion of a “The Watchfulness of Providence over Nations. A Thanksgiving Address delivered by the Rev. S. Morais, Minister of the Portuguese Synagogue, of Philadelphia, on the 20th November, 1856.” and recorded in The Asmonean (on 28 November 1856. It was preserved by Rabbi Morais in his ledger (page 8, clipping 007), an archive of newsclippings recording material he contributed to the press, among other announcements. A note next to the clipping reads, “His lecture aimed to oppose knownothingism (???) antagonism indirectly shown.” (Many thanks to the Library of the University of Pennsylvania for helping to make this resource accessible.)
Source(s)
Thanksgiving Day [1856] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 8, clipping 007) – a Thanksgiving Day [1856] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 8, clipping 007) – b
