Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-03-26
State OF Vermont.
By Charles X, Williams,
GOVERNOR,
GOV EEsNOhs.
4 Proclamation for a day OF Public IIumil.
iation. Fasting and Prayer.


The return of spring reminds us that it is n
season which has been heretofore appropriated
to Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer. Convn-
ced of the proprictv of setting apart day for
that purpose, as has heretofore been usual aAd
customary, have thought proper to appoint,
and do hereby appoint, FRIDAY, THE Ninth
DAY OF APRlL NEXT, to be observed a. day
of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer,
throughout tins State.
On that day, which, by a large portion of the
Christian world, is observed as a day of hum-
ation for the death OF the Saviour OF the world,
and in comnemoratlon Of that great and inter-
estng event and at the season when the civil
rulers of New England have ever been accus-
toned to appoint General and Public Fast
request ministers and people Of every denomln-
alton to assemble in their several houses of
public worship, and, III humble reverence and
plous devotion, call to mind and confess their
| individual sins Of every nature, and remember
that the aggregate Of them constitutes our ma
! tlonal sins and transgresslonS, which so Justly
! expose us to national Judgments. and to the
dlspledsure and rcbuke Of ALMIGHTY GOD. In
the dispensatIon of the Providence of the Most
High, we have penary evidence, that He looks
with favor on "a nation, as well rs on lndlvld-
uas who confess their sins, are afflicted and
mourn on account of their transgresslons, and
with pentence and deep contrltlon implore His
grace and favor. The people Of tins state,
who have been hitherto highly favored Of the
Lord, and have experienced so much OF Ills
loving kindness, and mercy towards them as a
people. aud State, should in special manner
be grateful to Him, for His protecting prov-
dence, and tathery goodness IN beatowlng
these tavor5 upon them, and devoutly turn
from their SINS by repentance, and, by prayer
and suppcaton. undcavor to obtain contnu-
ancc oil His goodness and mercy, and no longer
disregard His warning Judgments, and the pre-
cepts of His Holy Word.
And while we are thankful for His forbear-
ing love, and the display of his goodness, lie
las fervenlly implorc uIs grace to continue lls
iavors to Us that He would prosper the : tate,
and every individual therein, in all their lawful
undertakings; that lie would favor all the
means of cducation, both moral and lntelectu-
al that our schools, academies, colleges, and
Seninares OF learning may not only promote
the cause of science and literature, but incucate
the principles OF ahIgh and christian morality
founded on, and cmanatng from, the Holy
| SCRIPTURES and theCospei of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Let us besecch Him to bless the
! Government Of the United States, and OF
this State that both rulers and people may
feel their accountability, and ever act IN the
fear of God which Is the beginning OF WIS
dom, and so conduct that there may be
IL mutual trust and confidence IN each
other: and while there should be no lnsubordina-
ton among the people, and while the people
look to the powers that be for protection, lei
them not be disappointed, and experience d
neglect Of their interests, and disregard OF
their wishes and expectations and may hey
nave no reason to say, we 'lGOkod for ludglnen
and behold oppression, for righteousness bu,
behold "A crv." And let us all, in our respec
tive stations, fulfil our duties to ourselves, oul
neighbors, and our God, humblng ourselves II
Ills presence, lest our daughter be turned in
mourning, and our Joy to heayiness," feeling
sensible that the Lord will lift up those wn,
are truly afflicted, and mourn, and weep to
their transgress!pnS.
/ earnestly cntreat the people of this State
individually to abstain from all unnecessary la
Dor and recreation on that day, that they may
not he among those who disregard and set a
nougLt days appointed for fasting, humiliation
ami prayer. bgHt'y esteem the customs OF an
Gent and modern safes, the institutions Of on
torefltheIs and the feelings OF the christian
community, lest they should justly call dow
upo. as the fearful sentence and dcnuncl4lIon
that we are "loIncd 10 our idols" and the Al
mighty should say, let them alone"
Giren unda my hand, and the !Scal of The State
+ at Rdim'd, his thirteenth day Of March, in Il
gear q our Lori, one MouSand eigM hundre
an! .Uiy-iiro, and Of the Iadepcndcace Of III,
Inaed Aia!eS tie secenty-Sirth.
Gil. X. WILLIAMS.
BY THE GoNERNoR,