Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-26
State of Vermont.
A PROCLAIM ALTON,

The springng Of the year is specially suiteo 10
mind US OF our dependence, and bring into Il Ne att
tude of humility before God. We have been sus tanned
by him through the seventies Of another winte r. and
brought to the opening Of the season, whose fruit
ulness TO depend for future subsisler &C.,.
The earth with its power Of production, is His The
sun shines, and the rain descends by his ordinan CO..
He openeth His hand, and we are hled with good He
hdeth His face, and troubled; He taketh way
our breath, and we return to dust.
That we may the deeply feel the force Oft hese
truths, and enter upon the abors Of the year. with
pencnt, humble, confdng, and grateful spirit, do
recommend that FRIDAY, the TENTH DAY OF
APRIL next, be observed a. day Of Fasting Hum-
aon, aud Prayer throughout this States and that the
people thereof do attend, that day, to those obsr
vances which may, according 10 the approval Of their
own conscencies in the sight Of God, render il such
fast as He hath chosen, and make il acceptable day
to the Lord.
Let us, In deep humy, confess our individual 81 u.s.
the sins of this community, and the sins Of this Matte
before God; and that may do il the more accept a.
bly,, let open the volume that reveals His will, ad
il with ieachable spirit, and mark the broad extent
OF its holy aud just demands upon human obedience.
With this pure and perfect standard before us-tkie
Gilt OF which demands our unceasng giatitude-et nus
earnestly enquire why it exerts little practical nt'-
upon our why the objects Of sense so alb
sorb our Affections and command our energies while
those Of faith so real, transcendant in importance
and go enduring in their relations our highest good
make so feeble and transient impression u.s.
Let those who profess and call themselves Chris
/
and solemn import Of the Christian profession what
il becomes them to do in order TO be truly the follow
ers Of Christ and whether any service but that Of
the whole heart can be acceptable to Him; and whether
that does not involve singeness Of purpose, self.
denial, and spirit Of conservation, far above the stand
ard at which they practically aim.
Let our prayers ascend to Heaven for the Church
universal-that Il may everywhere come up to this
higher standard, and thus become, truly, the light Of
the world-the faithful Representative OF Christ upon
earth-engaging in His service in the spirit of entire
conservation and illustrating and recommending the
religion He taught by the well doing which alone
put TO silence the ignorance of fosh men.
Let US pray for the whole world, with hearts which
go down into the depths Of human misery, and that
ready 70 labor and TO suffer- as well as to pray for the
good Of man.
Let bear our hearts, with peculiar affection and
sohcitude. the interests Of this Commonwealth. Let
US pray for the blessing Of Heaven the efforts to
develope its mineral, agcultura intellectual and
al resoufces,-especisy invoking the Divine blessing
on the efforts to elevate the standard Of education
among US, and give children the mental and NOR.
al training, which shall fl them for the duties and re-
sponsbilities Of citizens Of Christian Republic.
Let pray ferventy for this Nsiion-that wise and
understanding hearts may be given TO its ruleTs-thst
they may be just men, ruling the fear OF God and
that both Rulers and People may habitually recognize
the government of God in the affairs Of men, and be
impressed with the truth, that neither great wealth.
nor extended national domain, nor formidable means
of defence, nor all combined exalt and protect
nation, Righteousness and the spirit of Peace; and
that however high may be apparent prosperity the
day Of adversely will surely come il we do not listen TO
the voice Of God, and obey His will, for that it will
forever remain true, that the nation and kingdom that
will not serve Him, shall be utterly wasted and shall
perish
And finally, let pray that God would inspire the
Rulers and People Of this nation, and the Rulers and
People of every nation, with the charity of the Gospel
the spirit that overcometh evil with good to the end
that wars may utterly cease, and that the mighty
erges that have long been perverted the purpose of
human buchery, may be employed in cultivstng the
arts Of peace-in teaching TO love one another,
and in sending the Gospel, with its redeeming nluen
ces and aboundng blessings, every abode of man.
Given under my hand Mlddlebury, this fourteenth
day Of March, in the year OF Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and fortysx, and Of the Independence
Of the United States the seventeen.
WILLIAM SLADE.
By the Governor,
| Csc. II. BEAMAE, Secretary.