Volume 34, Number 2 - Fall 1994
Sign of the Times
St. Louis, Oct. 27, 1844
To His Excellency the Governor of Missouri
Sir:
It is a regulation of the Church of which I am a minister to observe the first Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, "or such other day as shall be appointed by the civil authority." The near approach of that day and the fact that the civil authority has not as yet appointed any other day induces me to ask you Sir, if it be your intention to appoint a day of Thanksgiving the present year.
The late Governor was the first I believe who introduced this custom in our state and as there appears to be no settled rule on the subject I am at a loss to know whether to observe the day set apart by the Church or wait the action of the civil authority. May I respectfully request you Sir, to inform me what your design is? It will be necessary to have a reply the present week in order to give due notice to our congregation. My breth[r]en in the Ministry of the Episcopal Church are absent from the city and doubtless they would join me in this application. We would all prefer to unite with all our fellow Christians in keeping the same day, as we have common blessings to be thankful for, but to do this the day must be set apart by that authority which we all equally acknowledge. Your earliest attention to this request is solicited.
Truly Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Whiting Griswold
Rector St. John’s Church
St. Louis
Courtesy Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.
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