Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-03-26


Governor, CAPTAIN General e Commend
er in Chief in and ovsr the State o.
Vermont.
A PROCLAMATION.
The volume OF nature explicitly de-
clares the being of God, who created,
upholds and governs all whose almigh-
ty hand stretched forth the curtain of the
heavens, spread out the earth and caus-
ed it to yield a rich supply for man and
beast: but the book Of inspiration, more
fully exhibits the perfection of his nature
and the displays Of his goodness. Being
thus indebted to him for the gift of life
with all its attendant blessings, and for
the glorious prospect of blessed i'm
mortality, it becomes Us rational crea-
lures, to acknowledge his right of 60
vernment over US, and with due reve-
renee and submission look up to him for
a blessing on the employment of our
minds and the labor of our hands; par
ticularly at season of the year, when
we are preparing our fields, and casting
seed in,o the earth, in hope OF a plcntl-
full harvest. 1t also bshoveth US in a day
Of adversely to consider; and while we
feel the chastenings of tho Almighty, to
humble ourselves in his presence, with
hearty confessions of our ingratitude for
former blessings: And Under sense
of our sins, which have provoked the
Most High to come out in judgment a.
gainst us, caused the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; to spread death and
distress through our land, the crimson
banner of war to be extended over Us,
and discord and division to prevail in our
once happy country, we ought to pros
tlate ourselves before our God, and bv
fasting and prayer, supplicate his par
doniDg mercy, and beseech him to in.
cline our hearts to righteousness, avert
the horrors of war, and restore peace,
health ano harmony, to our state and ma.
ton, and to the world of mankind.
] have therefore thought ht, by and
with the advice of the Council, to ap.
point, and do hereby appoint. Wcdnes-
day. the Twenty-first day of April next,
to be observed as day of Public Fast
ing, Humiliation and Prayer throughout
this state.
And / do hereby sincerely request mi
nisters and people of every religious de-
nomination, to assemble at their respect
i've places OF public worship on said day,
and there, with enc accord, unite in the
solemn and deyout worship of Almighty
God, with feryent desires that he would
be mereiful to our unrighteousness, and
our sins and iniquities remember no
more.
Let US with profound reverence and
holy fear, approach the throne Of Divine
Grace, and with truly penitent hearts,
confess our numerous and aggravated
offences against the Father of Mercies,
nd in the name of our blessed Redeem.
er, implore tie Lord our God to obIite-
rate all our sins, and turn Us from the
error Of our ways 10 the wisdom of the
Just And with humble entrea,y may
we beseech the God of our fathers to
look with propitious eye upon our state
and nation in this day of calamity.
Let Us also remember the former low
ing kindness Of the Lord, acknowledge
TIE abuse Of his mercies, and with sim
cere repentance and full purpose of
heart turn from our sins which have
provoked is anger, while his wrath is
kindled but little and by prayer and
fasting implore his tender compassion,
and intrcat that he would remember his
heritage, and remove his judgments;
.ha, he would stay the fatal disease
which brings death into our habitations,
say to the destroying angel it is enough,
put up thy sword that he wouldIcause
our fields to Weld their increase as ir
former times ; that he would heal all
eur unhappy divisions, which mar the
blessings of civil society, weaken the
hands of government, and endanser that
rational liberty, which is one OF the
choicest blessings of life. That be would
shield us freah the weapons Of our ene-
mics, and secure the frontier inhabitants
from the barbsrity of the savages that
be would put a speedy and final period
to the present war, with all ito evils. and
restore the blessings Of peace with the
full enjoyment of our national rights.
Let our earnest prayer ascend to CD
that every species Of superstition, hyPo'
cricy and in6delity may be done away,
and the pure and undefiled religion OF
our Saviour dwell in every heart, and q.
bundantly yield the peaceable fruits OF
righteousnyss that to this end he would
attend the preached gospel with the
power and demonstration Of his SPIRIT
elothe his ministers with salvation, give