American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-01-18

/ chGre1, pure and uncontamlnated. AND as II u
impossible to secure thy favor, and to remain q
happy nation without religion and virtue; as it is
an incontroverble truth shat Righteousness exateth
a nation, and sin is the ruin of people'-we be-
seech thee Heavenly Father, to pour out thy Spl'
rit upon the inhabitants of our countryside spirit
of repentance and reformation Of all our national
sins-we beseech thee to enighten our eyes, and
give US such deep sense of the evil OF sin, and oil
the importance and necessity OF an holy heart and
life, that we may carefully abstain from all impiely
and unrighteousness, and live as becometh thy peo'
pie, godly, righteous and sober life, to the glory
Of thy holy name.
Lord, we would commit TO thee all the important
concerns of our country. We pray that we may
be permitted to live in safety, and enjoy thy bles
sing in tranquility and peace-that we may escape
the destructive evils which thou hast threatened to
wicked natons-and that religion and virtue may
$50 prevail among US, that our privileges may be
transmitted to succeeding ages. BE pleased to give
the fruits of the earth in their and to bless
all orders of men, in the diligent discharge Of their
respective duties And do thou, in mercy, give
success to all the means employed among us, for
lnstructing the young, for retaining the vicious,
and for establishing the well disposed.
And we would particularly pray thee to enligh-
ten, to direct and to prosper the President OF the
United States, and all who are invested with author
ity in the government of the United States.
We would beseech thee to enlighten, TO direct,
and to prosper the Governor of our State, and all
who are invested with authority in the State. May
They're men fearing thee, and hating coyetousness,
and all manner Of niquity-may all their power and
influence be exerted for the promotion of the well
fare of the people, and the advancement of thy
glory. And under their government, may justice
and judgment, be impartially administered.
And as this building in which we are assembled,
is now to be dedicated and appropriated TO the SEES
sons OF the Legislative bodies Of our state Heavenly
Father, desire to thank thee that thou hast pre-.
served and protected the workmen engaged in bull
ding it so that no lives were lost and no tears of
widows and orphans were caused by its erection.
And we pray, that thou wouldst take this house
under thy protecting care in fuure--that thine
eyes be open upon 1t night and day. We know,
" that except the Lord build the house, they labour
in vain that build it, and except the Lord keep the
city, the watChmen wake but In vain" 0 let then
thine eyes be open unto this house night and day;
do thou watch over it and preserve it from fire and
from lightning, and from every thing that can in
Jure it.
And, o thou great and good and benevolent Father
OF the human family! grant that whenever the
members of the legislature enter into their respec-
tive Chambers, to attend to the duties assigned
to them, they may always consider that the
welfare OF thousands may depend upon their delib
eraons, and that they are accountable beings, who
will once have TO give an account oil their steward
ship, TO the Just and impartial Sovereign Of the Uni
gerse.
These are the petitions which we, on this solemn
1ccasion bring, before thee, the Most high-the
Cod Of Heaven and OF Earth. . hear them for
bur Savior's sake--to whom, with thee, the Father
and the Holy Spirit, we would ascribe glory and
honor for eyer.--Amen.