Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-03-18
STATE OF VERMONT.
A p ROC l. A NJ A L 10 n +,
BY THE GOVERNOR,

Bl TIE Wv bhNOh'
A thoughtful survey of our past lives
and conduct must ever present TO our
view abundant reason for repentance and
self AMUSEMENT. Our lngratllude TO the
Giver of all good for the unnumbercd
blessings which we have been continual
Iy receiving from HIS gracious hand and
our numerous violations of His holy law,
appear before us to ill our souls with con-
fusion and shame, and warning us that we
have exposed ourselves to the righteous
judgments of Acknowledgements which
we cannot hope to escape, unless by
timely repentance aud humblng ourselves
before God, the just anger of the hIngh-
~ be turned away And to the exercise
Of such repentance and humiliation we
are the more urgently and impresslvey
admonished when the judgments OF God
are, as now, so maniles,Iy abroad in some
portions Of The earth.
d., therefore, hereby appoint Friday,
the SECOND day of april next, TO be
observed throughout this State as a day OF
Public HnmiLiMiOn, Fasting, and Proyr.
And recommend to the people of The
State to lay aside, on that day, all recrea-
tons and pursuits inconsistent with the
proper observance OF such an occasion.
Let us, on that day, in our public
places of worship, and in our private
dwellings, humby confess our sins, both
as individuals and as a peoples; our III
gratitude for the blessings which have
been conferred upon us, and all our nu-
merous departures from the path of duty.
And while We humby mpIore forgive
acss for ali our offences, thro' Christ our
Redeemer, let Us resolve in the strength
OF Divine Grace 10 break off from our
iniqnlies, that we may keep such Fas'
as will be acceptable 10 Ihe Lord
And, incumbent, as It is, upon III ever
TO be afflicted in the Affections Of our fel- !
low men, let us not, on this occasion, for
get the condition OF those who are now
fuliering from FAMINE ard all the various
ills which ordinarily follow in lis train. -
Let US recognize the hand of Heaven in
this inniction and remember that It may
be designed, not only TO remind US Of our
dependence upon God, but to give exercise
&, to our keep sympnthiss with our fellow
men, and to teach the Natl, rs IL lesson of
charity and kindness, Let US therefore,
not think of contcnting ourselves by say
ing to these our hungcring brethren-"be
ye fed" but according TO the means
which God has given US, let US contribute
freely to their reio!-trnsing that the
lorbearing Mercy Of our God may now be
ready to say to the Destroying Angel, "it
is enough" and that nothing waits but
that we should do the work which Heaven
assigns US. Thus may we be prepared
to pray in sincerity and in faith that the
supplies which we have aided to furnish
m4y be borne safely and speedily across
the deep, restoring gladness to hearts
from which it has long been stranger
and staying the desoIatIng progress Of that
sore distress under which nation
mourns.
And let US for ourselves, look heediuIly
10 our own ways and endeavor fully TO
learn the will of the Most high, les, in
turn lie lay His heavy hand upon US also.
Let Us 50 humble ourselves before him and
so heed the admonltons which His deal
ings are designed to give, that we may,
not need to be ourselves visited with His
sore chasisemen,s before we shalt suitably |
learn that great truth which lie designs the
aations of the earth should learn and
know-the truth that there is a God in
Heaven. Let US endeavor more constant.
iy to recognize His benilicence as ever
active in providing for our welfare, and
as necessary 10 give lurherence and sue
cess to all our plans and purposes ofgood
"A benlhcenoe Of which we arc prone to
be the more mindful, because its boun'ies
nave been won't to come down to us in new
ar failing streams.
And thus deeply impressed with a sense
Ct ouruoceasing Jspendeac on the pre-