Eastern times., 1855-03-22
STATE OF AINE.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
A PROCLAMATION


Public Humiiinrion, Fasting and Prayer.
The wisdom and goodness of God are mani
tested in all things around us, admonishing
the recipients of manifold mercies. of their OBJ
legation to love Him devoutly and serve Him
with contriteness of heart.
As nation. His peculiar care has been over
US since our earliest history. When wars have
been waged against us, His protecting hand
has saved our country from the oppressor 8
rule; with returning peace. the smiles of Prov
idence have rested upon our land, giving pros
perity to all the great interests of the nation.
How wise and proper. then, the custom of set
ting apart seasons each year for public acknowl-
edgement of Gods favors, of the common de-
pendence ofpeople and governments on the
Divine Being, for direction, forgiveness and
blessings
Influenced by the lessons and admonitions of
the Bible, and following the example of our
fathers, | hereby. with the advice of the Coun-
Gil, appoint THURSDAY. the 12h day of april
merit. TO be observed in this State as a day of
Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer and
the people are requested to abstain from all la
/. Dor and recreation inconsistent with the solem-
mites of the occasion.
On that day let us go to the House of Wor-
ship, and unite in fervent supp!ication that the
blessings we are enjoying. as people, may be
continued unto us. May we deeply reflect on
our numerous sins-our many violations of
Gods laws and the spirit of christianity-our
neglect of the demands of individual duty
and be led to humble ourselves before the Dis
poser of the Universe and Source of all Good
ness, and beseech Him to pardon our offences,
and remember in mercy our State and Nation I:
that war, which threatens to deluge Europe
with blood, may not reach our favored coun-
-. H. IL
and all in authority, may be directed by wis
dom from on high in the discharge of every
duty, and devoutly seek to lead the people in
the way of righteousness and peace.
Let us ask Divine aid, that spiritual and
temporal prosperity may distinguish this com
monweath-that our institutions of learning,
our moral and benoplent enterprises-all ex-
ertons for the spread of the Gospel and the
ameioration of the oppressed may be the OBJ
jects of His continued favor. That all lawful
efforts in business and trade, may be rewarded
that commerce, manufactures and the labors
of the husbandman, may be abundantly pros
pered.
Let US supplicate Him that the terrible evils
of intemperance may no longer spread destruc-
ton, crime and misery, in place of prosperity,
improvement and peace.
And as we invoke the blessings, may we re-
ailZe that Ooo Is Just ,-tnat he sees the mli-
lions of the creatures of His care whom this
nation holds in abject servitude-t that their
prayers continually 60 up to Him for deliver
ance-that our guilt is recorded IN the Courts
of Heaven. whittier we go for mercy and pro-
lection.
Given at the Council Chamber, at Augusta
this Fourteenth day of March, in the year
ofour Lord ono thousand eight hundred
and ffty-five, and of the Independence Of
the United States the seventy-ninth.
ANSON p. MORRILL,,
By the Governor
ALDEN JACKSON, Secretary of State.