Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-20
STATE OF VERMONT.
A PROCLAMATION,
BY TIE GOVERNOR.

The springing or the year is especially suited
to remind us Of our dependence, aud bring US
into the attitude Of humility before God. We
have been sustained by Him through the sevcr-
tiles Of another winter, and brought tn the open.
ing of the season, on whose fruhfulness we are
to depend for our future subsistence. The earth
with its power Of production, is Ills. The sun
shines, and the rain descends, by his ordinance.
He opene,h his hand, and we are filled with
good; He hdclh his face and we are troubled
dust.
That We may the more deeply feel the force
Of these truths, and enter upon the labors of the
year, with a penient, humble, confdng, and
grateful spirit, d. recommend that FRIDAY,
the TEN III DAY OF APRlLnext, be obscrv.
ed as Gay OF Fasting Humiliation, and Prayer
throughout this State and that the people
thereof do attend, on that day, TO those observ
ances which may, according to the approval of
their own consciences in the sight Of God rem
der it such fast as He hath chosen, and make
it an acceptable dav 10 the Lord.
| Let US, in deep humility confess our individ.
ua sins, the sins Of this community, and the sins
Of this Nation, Before God; and that we may
do it the more acce 2tab!y, let us open the vol.
ume that reveals His will, read it with teach.
able spirit and mark tho broad extent of it's holy
With this pure and perfect standard before
us-lhe gift Of which demands our unceasing
gratitude. let us earnestly enquire why il excr,s
| so little practical influence upon our lives
why the objects Of sense absorb our affections,
and command our energies, while those of faith,
so real--so trancen1ant in Importance, and So
enduring IN their relations to our highest good.
make SO feeble and transient an impression on
US.
Let those who professs and call themselves
Christians, make this an occasion for consider.
ing the deep and solemn import of the Christian
profession, what il becomes them to do, in or
der to be truly the followers of Chris, -whetb.
er any service but that Of the whole heart can
be acceptable to Him and whether that does
not involve singleness Ut purpose, self deni-
al, and a spirit of conservation, far above the
standard at which they practically aim.
} Let our prayers ascend to Heaven for the
J Church unversal-.tha it may everywhere come
up to this higher standard, and thus become ,ru-
" the light of the world-the faithful Represen.
tive of Christ upon earth-engagng in his ser.
vice in the spirit Of entire conservation, and il
Illustrating and recommending the religion He
taught, by the well doing which can alone put
TO silence the ignorance Of foolish men.
Let us pray for the whole world, with hearts
which go down into the depths of human mise.
!
) well as pray, for the good Of man.
Let us bear on our hearts, with peculiar af-
, lection and solicitude the interests Of this Com.
monwealth. Let us pray for the blessing o
: Heaven on the efforts to develope its mineral
agricultural intellectual and moral resources,
especially invoking the Divine blessing on the
efforts TO elevate the standard of education
among us, and give to our children the mcn,a
: and moral training which shall fit them for the
! duties and responsibilities Of citizens Of Chris
tian Republic.
Let us pray fervently for this Na,ion-tha
wise and understanding hearts may be given tc
is ru'ers-.hat they may be Just men, ruling il
the fear Of God and that both Rulers and PEG
pie may habually recognize the government o.
God IN The affairs Of men, and be impressed will
: the truth. that neither great wealth, nor extend
ed national domain, nor formidable means of de
} fence, nor all combined, can SO cxat and pro
! tee, a nation, as Righteousness and the spirit OIL
! Peace /; and that however high may be our ap.
parent prosperity, the day OF adversely will sure
ly come, if we do not listen to the voice of Gud
; and obey His wlll-ior that it will forever re
min true, that the nation and kingdom that vii
not serve HIM, shall be utterly wasted and shall
perish.
And finally, let us pray that God would inspire
the Rulers and People of this nation, and the
Rulers and People OF every nation, with tn,
f charity OF the Gospel-,he spirit tina, overcom
eth evil with good, to the end that wars ma,
+ utterly cease, and that the mighty energies tina
have SO long been perverted TO the purpose o
human bulchery, may be employed in cultvat
+ ing the arts of peace Elm teaching men TO love
, one another, and in sending the gospel, with i'll
i redeming influences and aboundIng blessings t,
every abode Of man.
Given under my hand at Mdilebury this four
teen,h day OF March, in the year of our Lord on,
i thousand eight hundred and fo,y six, and of tn,
independence Of the United States the seven
toth. WILLIAM SLADE.
By the Governor.
GEO. II, BEAMAN, Secreiary