It is with the utmost joy and gratitude that I remember the settlers that came to America. Their endurance through perils at sea, the desire to quell the divisions that arose during their 2 month travel, and the dedication these families had during the first winter here in America. The 102 travelers on the Mayflower in the fall of 1620 came with perseverance for the hope that was in them that they may expand to the far reaches of the earth.
What, or why did they desire such expansion? As we are reminded of their sacrifice, hardships, pains, and even the death of almost half of them that first winter, I seek to remind my fellows of the purpose of the 41 men who submitted themselves under their first governing document as settlers known as the Mayflower Compact.
What, or why did they desire such expansion? As we are reminded of their sacrifice, hardships, pains, and even the death of almost half of them that first winter, I seek to remind my fellows of the purpose of the 41 men who submitted themselves under their first governing document as settlers known as the Mayflower Compact.
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our
dread sovereign lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and
Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and
honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of
Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of
another, covenant, and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better
ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions,
offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general
good of the colony: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness
whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names; Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the
year of the reign of our sovereign lord King James, of England, France and Ireland
eighteenth and of Scotland fifty-fourth, Anno Domini 1620.
These men came with the supposition that they would settle in the new land and, for the glory of God, advance the Christian faith. Not all of the settlers made it through the winter that year, and many did not make it through the first couple months, including women and children. With each undertaking of the men of our past, there came trials and tribulations that were not foreseen. Thanks to the natives, these settlers were shown what could be grown, harvested, and eaten in the new land to survive. It was not but 154 years later, their posterity separated from the very governing body that their father’s had sought to expand and it became a new body politic, the united States of America.
Though we have much to be thankful for in this season, we must remember to Whom we are giving thanks. For without a recipient, our thanks is in vain. As we sit down with our families,
or help serve our communities this day, let us not forget where the direction of our thanks should lay. Our framers of this nation made clear to whom they gave the glory and thanks, and
as new States came to form, each had their own way of expressing the same. Here are a few examples, though not close to a complete list of all the people’s references…
Alabama Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Alabama...invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God...
Alaska Preamble:
We the people of Alaska, grateful to God...
Arizona Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God...
Arkansas Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God...
California Preamble:
We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God...
Colorado Preamble:
We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe...
Connecticut Preamble:
The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God...
Delaware Preamble:
Through Divine goodness,...serving their Creator...
Florida Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God...
Georgia Preamble:
...we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God...
Hawaii Preamble:
We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance...
Idaho Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God...
Illinois Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Illinois — grateful to Almighty God ...which He has permitted
us...His blessing...
Indiana Preamble:
...WE, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD...
Iowa Preamble:
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being...our dependence
on Him...
Kansas Preamble:
We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God...
Kentucky Preamble:
We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God...
Louisiana Preamble:
We, the people of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God...
Maine Preamble:
We the people of Maine...with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the
Universe...imploring God's aid and direction...
Maryland Preamble:
We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God ...
Massachusetts Preamble:
We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness
of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence...devoutly
imploring His direction...
Michigan Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God...
Minnesota Preamble:
We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God...
Mississippi Preamble:
We, the people of Mississippi...grateful to Almighty God, and invoking his blessing on our
work...
Missouri Preamble:
We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and
grateful for His goodness...
Montana Preamble:
We the people of Montana grateful to God...
Nebraska Preamble:
We, the people, grateful to Almighty God...
Nevada Preamble:
We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God...
New Hampshire Part 1, Article 5:
Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God...worshipping God in the
manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
New Jersey Preamble:
We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious
liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
New Mexico Preamble:
We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God...
New York Preamble:
We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God...
North Carolina Preamble:
We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of
Nations...our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings...
North Dakota Preamble:
We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God...
Ohio Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God...
Oklahoma Preamble:
Invoking the guidance of Almighty God... we, the people of the State of Oklahoma...
Oregon Article 1, Section 2:
All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates
of their own consciences.
Pennsylvania Preamble:
WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God...
Rhode Island Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Rhode Island...grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious
liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina Preamble:
We, the people of the State of South Carolina...grateful to God...
South Dakota Preamble:
We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God...
Tennessee Article 1, Section 2:
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the
dictates of their own conscience;
Texas Preamble:
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and
establish this Constitution.
Utah Preamble:
Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah...
Vermont Chapter 1, Article 3:
That all persons have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God...which to them
shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God.
Virginia Article 1, Section 17:
That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be
directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence;
Washington Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe...
West Virginia Preamble:
Since through Divine Providence ... we, the people of West Virginia...reliance upon God...
Wisconsin Preamble:
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God...
Wyoming Preamble:
We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God...
And even recent territories have done the same…
American Samoa Article 5, Section 6, oath of office:
So help me God.
Guam - Organic Act Subchapter 3, Section 1423d, oath of office:
I solemnly swear (or affirm) in the presence of Almighty God that I will well and faithfully
support the Constitution of the United States…
Puerto Rico Preamble:
We, the people of Puerto Rico...placing our trust in Almighty God...
William Mohr II
USTPM Chairman