NULL
Illustration
Object:
Prior to accepting the cabinet position as Secretary of
Agriculture, in President Dwight David Eisenhower's administration,
Ezra Taft Benson made one request: that all cabinet meetings begin with
a few moments of silent prayer. Benson, a man of deep religious
convictions, believed that this was the only way to conduct government
business. Eisenhower quickly and gladly agreed to Benson's request.
When the first cabinet meeting was held in the White House, the president forgot the previous arrangement and the prayer was mistakenly omitted. Benson wrote the president a memo, reminding him of the talk they had in New York regarding prayer and cabinet meetings. In the memo Benson wrote that he would not mention the issue again.
At the next cabinet meeting, held on February 6, 1953, Eisenhower inquired of the other officials if opening the meeting with silent prayer was acceptable to them. Everyone agreed to the practice. They then decided that the prayer would be silent, unless one representative on a particular occasion desired to pray verbally.
Henceforth, cabinet meetings followed this format: The secretaries would seat themselves around the mahogany table. When the president entered the room, they would stand out of respect. Once seated, each man bowed his head until the president ended the brief silence with the words, "Thank you."
Thanksgiving Day is the time we recognize our national heritage and the multiple blessings we have as Americans. It certainly leads us to a prayer of thanksgiving and the words, "Thank you." Doing so we will know, as Paul wrote, "And the God of peace will be with you."
Ron L.
When the first cabinet meeting was held in the White House, the president forgot the previous arrangement and the prayer was mistakenly omitted. Benson wrote the president a memo, reminding him of the talk they had in New York regarding prayer and cabinet meetings. In the memo Benson wrote that he would not mention the issue again.
At the next cabinet meeting, held on February 6, 1953, Eisenhower inquired of the other officials if opening the meeting with silent prayer was acceptable to them. Everyone agreed to the practice. They then decided that the prayer would be silent, unless one representative on a particular occasion desired to pray verbally.
Henceforth, cabinet meetings followed this format: The secretaries would seat themselves around the mahogany table. When the president entered the room, they would stand out of respect. Once seated, each man bowed his head until the president ended the brief silence with the words, "Thank you."
Thanksgiving Day is the time we recognize our national heritage and the multiple blessings we have as Americans. It certainly leads us to a prayer of thanksgiving and the words, "Thank you." Doing so we will know, as Paul wrote, "And the God of peace will be with you."
Ron L.
