The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-17
STATE OF VERMONT.
A PROCLAMATION.
RY THE GOVERNOR.

The springing of the year is specially suited 10
remind us of our dependence, and bring US into
the attitude of humility before God. We have
been sustained by Him through the seventies of
another winter, and brought TO the opening of the
season. on whose fruilfulness We are 10 depend
for our future subsistence. The earth with its
power of production, is His. The sun shines, and
the rain decendS, by his ordinance. He openeth
his hand and we are filled with good He hideth
his face and we are troubled; He iaketh away
our breath, and we return 10 dust.
That we may the more deeply feel the force OF
these truths and enter upon the laborS of the year
with peniient, humble, confiding, and grateful
spirit, do recommend that F X d A Y, the
TENTH DAY OF APRIL next, be observed
as day Of Fasting Humiliation, and Prayer
throughout this State; and that the people thereof
do attend on that day, to those observances which
may, according TO the approval of their own con-
sciences in the sight Of God. render il such fast
as He hath chosen, and make it an acceptable
day 10 the Lord.
Let US, in deep humility, confess our individual
sins, the sins of this community and the sins Of
this Nation, before God and that we may DO it
the more acceptably, lei US open the volume that
reveals His will, read it with ieachaLle spirit,
and mark the broad extent Of its holy and just de-
mands upon human obedience.
With this pure and perfect standard before us
the gift Of which demands or unceasinS graft
tude-let us earnestly enquire why it exer,S so
little practical influence upon our lives why the
objects of sense so absorb our affections, and
command our energies, while those of faith, so re-
also trancendant in importance, and so cndur-
ing in their relations 10 our highest good, make
feeb lie and transient an impression on us.
Let those who profess and call themselves
Christians, make this an occasion for considering
the deep and solemn import of the Christian pro-
fession, what it becomes them 10 do, in order TO
be truly the followers of Christ-wheihcr any
L Il Ill. l..
able 10 Him and whether that does not involve 4
singleneSS of PURPOSE self denial, and spirit
of conservation, far above the standard al
which they practically aim.
Let our PRAYERS ascend to Heaven for the Church
universal-thatit may everywhere come up to
this higher standard, and thus become truly the
light of the world-the faithful Representative of
Christ upon earlh-engaging in his service in The
spirit Of entire conservation, and illustrating and
recommending the religion He taught, by the well
doing which can alone put 10 silence the ignoT-
ance of foolish men.
Let us pray for the whole world, with hearts
which go down into the depths Of human misery
and that are ready TO labor, and TO suffer, well
as pray for the good Of man.
Let us bear on our hearts, with peculiar afec-
ton and Solicitude the interests Of this CCmmoI,
wealth. Let us pray for the blessing OF Heaven
on the efforts 10 develope its mineral aSTicullura
intellectual and moral resourceS,-esrecially in
vohinS the Divine blessing on the efforts to elc
vate the standard Of education among us, and give
TO our children the mental and moral training
which shall fit them for the duties and response
bilties Of citizens of Z Christian Republic,
Let us pray fervently for thiSNation-that wise
and understanding hearts may be given 10 its ru-
lers-that thew may he Just men, ruling in the fear
of God; and that both Rulers and People may
habiiuay recognize the government of God in
the affairs of men, and be impressed with the
truth, that neither great wealth, nor extended ma
tiona domain, nor formidable means Of defence
nor all combined, can so exalt and protect ma
tion, as RighteousneSsand the spirit fPeace and
that however high may lie our apparent proSperi-
ty the day of adversely wiz surely come. five do
not listen TO the voice Of God, and obey His will
for that it will forever remain true, that the na-
ton and kingdom that will 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
kRulers aid People of every nation, with the char
ity of the Gospel-the spirit that overcomeih evil
with good 10 the end that warS may utterly cease,
and that the mighty energies that have so long
been perverted to the purpose Of Of human butch
cry, may be employed in cultivating the arts Of
peaee-in teaching men 10 love one another and
in sending the gospel, with its redeeming inhuen-
ces and Astounding blessings TO every abode of
man.
Given under my hand at Middiebury this four
teenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and forty six, and of the
Independence ofthe United States the seventeen.
WILLIAM SLADE.
BY the Governor,
Gee. II, BEAMIS .ScTetary.