The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-03-16
STATE OF VERMONT.
A PROCLAIM
BY THE GOVERNOR.

A thoughtful survey Of our past lives and con-
duct must ever present to our view abundant rea-
son for repentance and ESTABLISHMENT. Our in
gratitude TO The Giver of all good for the unnum-
bered blessings which we have been continually
receiving from His gracious hand, and our n1-
merous violations Of His holy law, appear before
US 10 fill our souls with confusion and shame
and warning us that we have exposed ourselves
to the righteous judgments Observation-Disclosures
which We cannot hope TO escape unless by time
ly repentance and humbling ourselves before
God the Just anger OF the Almighty lie turned
away. And 10 the exercise of such repentance
and humiliation we are the more urgently and
impreSsively admonished when The judgments oil
God are, as now, so maniiestly abroad in some
portions fthe earth.
! do, therefore, hereby appoint Friday the
SECOND day ofApril next, to be observed through
out this State as day Of PUBLIC HUMILIArION
FASTING, and PRAYER. And recommend to the
people of the State 10 lay aside, on that day, all
recreations and pursuits inconsistent with the
proper observance ofSuch an occasion.
Let us, on that day in our public places OF
worship, and in our private dwellings,, humblv
confess our sins, both as individuals and as
people; our ingratiIude for the blessings which
have been conferred upon us, and all our numef-
Gus departures from the path of duty. And while
we humbly implore forgivness for all our often
ces, through Christ our Redeemer, let us resolve
in the strength of Divine Grace to break off from
our iniquitieS that we may keep such Fast as
will be acceptable to the Lord.
And, incumbent as it is, upon us ever to be
afflicted in the Affections of ieowmen let us
not, on thisoc cason forget the condition of those
who are now suffering from Famine and all the
various ills which ordinarily follow in its train
Let us recognize the hand of Heaven in this in
Fiction, and remember that it may he designed
not only to remind us Of our dependence upon
God, but 10 give exercise 10 our deep SympathicS
with our fellow men, and TO teach the Nations
lesson of charity and kindness. Let us therefore
not think of contentne ourselves by saving 10
these our hungering bIciheren-"be We fed; :" but
according to the means which God has given us
let us contribute freely 10 their relief-truSting
that he forbearing Mercy Of our God may now
he ready 10 say TO the Destroying Angle, sit is
enough" and that nothing waits hul that we
should do the work which Heaven assigns us
Thus may we he prepared 10 pray in sincerity
and in faith, that the supplies which We have aid
ed TO furnish may be borne safely and speedily
across the deep, restoring gladnes> 10 the hearts
from which it has long Teen stranger, and stay
ing the deSsolatng progress of that sore distress
under which a nation nouns.
And lei us, for ourselves, look heedfully 10 our
own ways and endeavor fully 10 learn the will OF
the Most High, lest in turn He Law bis heavy
hand upon us also. Let us so humble ourselves
before Him, and so heed the admonIions which
His dealings are designed to give, that We may
not need to be ourselves visited with His sore
chastsements before we shall suitably learn that
great truth which He designs the nations of the
earth should learn and know-the truth that there
is God in Heaven. Let us endeavoI more con-
stantly 10 recognize His bcnefcence as ever &C.
tive in providing for our welfare, and as neces-
sary TO give furtherancc and success 10 all ouI
plans and purposes of good-a beneficence Of
which we are prone 10 be the more unmindful,
because its bounties have heen wont to come
down to us in never-failing streams.
And thus deeply impressed with sense OF
our unceasng dependence On the preserving
goodness of our Heavenly Father. lei us pray
that His smiles may rest upon The labors OF
The coming year; that blasting and mildew
may not cut off The fruits oftbe earth, but that
the kindly influences of sun q shower NAV be
given tobring them 10 maiuriiy-so that the
husbandman sowing his seed IN hope, may
reap his harvert with abundant Joy.
Let US pray, also, that there be no dearth
among us Of spiritual blessings, but that all
our churches may be visited with rich effu
sions Of Heavenly grace; thatthe Gospel may
be embraced by mulfiIudes who now refuse
obedience 10 IFS holy requiremt ntf; and that
religion, pure and indebted. may take root
and thrive in all our heorIs, an exert its be-
nlgn and sacred influence upon all our con-
duct.
Letu pray that all oar NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
may be preserved and prospered. and thai the
cherished privileges and blessings which flow
rom them may net only be perpeiuated 10 us,
but be dIffused and extended To- all our treth-
rem ofthe human race.
And finally, let us pray that war and strife
injustice and oppression, and immortality and
vice OF every name and character, may be
driven from our land, and that we may be-
come, in all our ways, such people as The