Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1812-10-19
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
CALEB STRONG,
GOVERNOR or THE CoMaoNwEALTH,
A PROCLAMATION,
FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKsCIv.
hNG AND PRAYER


FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKsCIV-
SSG AND PRAYER
AS new mercies are continually de-
scending upon US we ought renewed
ly to express the grateful fentiments
of our hearts for the bleQings impair
ted to ourfelves and others, and TO
make il our employment even in
times of adyerlity and districts TO &C
knowledge the divine goodness,
which can direct the mof affective
difpeniations of Providence to cur
greateft advantage. 1t becomes US,
therefore, az the ciofe of the prefent
fesfon, to appropriate day TO be en-
ployed in the offices of religious wor-
fhip that we may unite in humble
acknowledgements of our unworthi-
ness, in fervant prayer for Divine for
giveneis and mercy, and in public
expreiIions of reverence and gratitude
to our Almighty Creator, PreGerver
and Benefactor, for all the bounties
Of Providence which He has vouch-
fafsd to US, and Especially for the blef-
fngS of grace and the hopes of i'm
mortality.
l do, therefore, with the advice &
content of the Council appoint
THURSDAY, the t1vsnty.fxtb day
Of NoUember next, to be oblerved by
the People of this State as day of
public Thanksgiving and Prayer; thar
with one accord we may join TO pay
our homage to the COP of our mer-
cies, and recoilea His goodness with
thofe emotions of heart which an at
tentive and gratefulreview of the ben
ehts we have received is capable Of
exciting and to offer Him our fac
ridce of Thanksgiving for all the pub
tic and perfonal blenings He has be-
flowed upon us-For the general
health which the people have been
favowed with-For the degree Of
plenty with which He has crowned
the year-For quietnels and fafety in
our dwellings and that He has pre-
ferved US from the ravages Of War,
and the violence Of lawless and vim
di6tiVe men-For the numerous in
fances in white He has delivered US
from public calamity or domelfic diff
trels-For His goodness in prefer
wing the lives of 10 manv Of our fell
low citizens who have been expofed
10 the perils of WARRIOR His care
10 providing for our individual wants
For the pleafuTes of focal life, and
all thoie improvements which reEder
life more commodious and agreeable
And above all for the difplay of the
riches Of His wifdom and love, in de-
vifing fuch an admirable method for
the redemption of mankind BY the
death of His Son, in which He has
mott eminently illufrated and gleri6-
ed both His jultice and His grace.
And while with gratitude we re
count the benefits we have received,
Ter US humbly acknowledge that, by
cur fins, we have expofed ourfelves
to the calamities we fuffcr. And let
US unite in earneit Implications to the
GoD Of our Fa- .ers for the peace &
PROPERTY of our country; aud be.
feech dim, that He would fill be
our refuge and ltrength, very pres
ent help in trouble; and that He
would not correct US in His anger,
left He bring US to nothing That He
would fave Us from the deitrudive in
1uence Of any foreign power: That
He would preferve The union and in
dependence Of thelc States, and af-
ford to the PRECEDENT and Congrels
His guidance and direction That
our National Rulers aud the govern
ment of Great Britain may be influ-
enced by coirit of moderation and
jufice That the people of both
countries may remember they are
defended from the fame ancefors,
and believe in the fame Gofpel Of
Salvation and that all obltruictons
10 the eitablifhment of an equitable
and Iaiting Peace may be removed.
That in the mean :ime He would
preferve the lives of our folders and
ieamen and prevent the further effu
aon of human blood. That whaiev-
CT affective events are before US, we
may have unrefervsd confidence in
the wildom and reCfi,ude of His adj
miniitration and be iatis6ed, that
though now, clouds and darkneis are
round about Him, vet his WAYS will