Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-11-03
OFFICIAL.
CoMM0NwEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
BY HIS EXCELLENBY,
EMORY WASHBURN,
GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS {:
ID ID n M rIT.NAT

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
BY HIS EXcELLENBY,
EMORY WASHBURN,
GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
A p r. o OIL A M A TON
FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC
Thanksgiving md Praise.
PRAISE is the instructive impulse of CRATE
full heart. There are periods when even the
heart of nation swells with emotions of
gratitude for signal mercies, and finds utter
ance in songs of thanksgiving. Such were
the manifestations of Gods Ancient People,
when, in his sensible presence, they lifted up
their voices in nations anthem. Such was
the feeling with which the early men of New
England, in scarcely less conscious commun-
ion with the Most High, come together at Pc
RODS of general prosperity or of special mer-
cy, and in the Congregation offered to him
their sacrifice of praise. And such are the
offerings which this favored community should
now bring before Him.
The season has been crowned with His
goodness Amidst the alarm at the withhold
ing of the latter rain, He has not forgotten
the promised harvest, and the husbandman is
rejoicing in the fruits of his labor. Health
has been vouchsafed to us, and while disease
and pestilence have shed gloom and sorrow
over other portions Of our land, the destroyer
has not been suffered to come nigh our dwell
ings.
Industry, in every department of honest la
Dor, has been successful and upon sea and
land, in the workshop and on the farm, has
found a competent reward. While the phys
ical wants of the community have been sup
piled, the great ends of civil government have
not been suffered to fail /; under the guardian
ship of wise laws, the people have reposed in
safety.
Our schools and colleges have been accom-
plishing their work in the education of the
young, and the Christian religion, in its pow
er, has been seen in the lives and conduct of
men, restraining vice and turning the sinner
to repentance. The cause of human freedom
has gained new strength from trials, and, i'll
the light of Gods Providence, we may be as
sured of its ultimate triumph.
While these blessings have been showered
upon this community, there are few who have
not shared in these bounties of Providence.
Few are the homes to whose inmates poverty
denies the means Of enjoying the return of
that holiday, which our fathers inaugurated,
and their posterity have consecrated to he
rites of hospitality and the reunion of scatter
ed households.
10 celebrate the goodness which has mark
ed tbs closing year, to render the devout trib-
ute of grateful hearts to the Author of all good,
10 CHeIlSu INC love OI country, ana strengthen
the ties that bind society together, and to fos-
ter the kindlier instincts of our nature, that
minister to each others wants, 1 do, by and
with the consent of the Council, appoint
THURSDAY, THE THIRTIETH DAY OF
NOV EMBER current, day of public Thanks
giving and Praise.
And l do earnestly recommend that the
people should assemble in their respective
places of worship on that day, and in spirit
which He shall approve, dedicate it to the
praise and worship of Almighty God. And
while remembering His mercies, let them
seek for His guidance and His aid in all the
affairs of life. Let them unitedly and devout-
ly ask for blessings on our common country,
and for the Fastening of that day, when the
knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole
earth, and from every nation and tongue there
shall go up song of Praise and Thanksgiving.
Given at the Council Chamber, in Boston, this
first day Of November, IN the gear -four Lord
one thousand eight hundred and ftty-four,
and Of the independence oftbe United States
the SeUenty-aintb.
EMORY WASHBURN.
By His Excellency the Governor, with the
advice and consent of the Council.
EPHRAIM M. WRIGHT Secrctary
God save the Commonw ealth of Massachu-
sets