The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-03-14
CONGRESS.
The following prayer was offered on

thc 4tI oi MuIcii, ~ Tic oPeHuIS " tns
Senate, by the Rev. Sepsimus: Tuston,
chaplain ofsthe Senate:
Grest God! Thou art the fountain,
the perennial fountain, of all that is just,
OF all that is holy, and of all that is
good. We bless Thy name FOR that
heavenly inspiration which led our
foreiathers, of precious and glorious
memory, 70 pronounce the coloniesfree
and independent. We bless Thy name
for that success which, through Thy
blessing, crowned their patriotism and
their valor. Wehumbly and devoutly
pray that our priceless Institutions. pur-
chased by the best blood, with one
sublime and sacred exception, which
the earth ever received upon its bosom,
may be perpetuated and transmitted
unimpaired to our chidrcn's children
throughout all generations. May the
day lie far, far distant, when our ma
tional history shall be closed, and our
epitaph be written. On this eventlul
day, shine, o God! we humbly beseech
Thee, with the light Of Thy favor, on
these United Statesof America. Be-
stow Thy blessings upon the measures
of the past administration, so far as
these are in accordance with Thy will, !,
and are calculated to promote the per-
manent interests Of this glorious Re-
public. Bless the President Of the
United States, and the members Of his
cabinet now about to retire from the
responsible stations which, in Thy
Providence. they have been called to
occupy. May their days be many and
prosperous ndhappy. Bless, we be-
seech thee, O God, thy servant to whose
hands, in few moments, will be com
mitted, in some measure, the destinies
of this great nation. Bestcw upon him
the illumnations of celestial wisdom,
and qualify him abundantly for the
right, the honorable, and successful dis
charge Of every incumbent duty. May
his health, his life, and especially his
soul, he precious in Thy sight. Bless
those also who a,e about to be associa-
ted with him as the men of his coun-
Gil. Extend over them the shield OF
Thy heavenly protection. May they
in all things act under a sense Of the
Divine inspection, and with respect to
the solemn accou..t which we are all
destined soon to render at Thy great
and terrible bar. May nothing be per-
mittcd to transpire during the incoming
administration, which will bring dis
honor on Thy name, or tarnish the
bright escutcheon of our country's re-
nown. But may we, under the guild
ance of Thy Providence, become uni
ted, happy, contented, prosperous
people, as distinguished for our piety
as we are for our blessings. Bless, o
God, the members and officers Of this
Senate: and as we are about to be sep
arated, we pray that Thou wouldst 60
with those that go, and remain with
those that remain; and grant that the
changes which are continually transpi-
ring in the elements of this body may
lead them all to seek a permanent con-
nection with the general assembly and
church Of the first born whose names
are written in Heaven. Forgive all
our personal and national sins; and
when we have done with the duties and
obligations of the present scene, may
we all be permitted to exchange the
tolls and sorrows of earth for the re-
pose and felicity of Heaven, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.