The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-04
-, STATE OF MAINE.
3 ~ TUE oovExxoh
A p 0CL AM ALTON
A Ssy sfPsSlie Hs.iiiasiss Fsssias a.A
Prayer.

In pursuance Of ungc established and
continued by our patriotic, faithful and
pious ancestors, with the advice of tho
Council, l do hereby appoint THURSDAY,
the seventeenth day Of April next, to b OBJ
served In this State as Q day Of public, hr-
miidiion, Jasting and prayer; and the people
arc requested 70 abstain from all unncccs-
ary labor and from al recreations inconsis-
tent with the duties Of tho day, and 10 As
scmble In their several places Of public wor-
ship for the performance Of those acts Of
devotion appropriate 10 the occasion.
IL 70 our duty 10 humble ourselves before
our Maker, Cor our numerous and aggrsyst-
cd sins-for our disobedicnce to His COM
mands tho observance Of which, prescribed
for our highest good, would render us hap
py here, and happy hercafter-for our dis
regard Of His loving kindncss-our alliena-
ton from Him, and forgctfdlncss Of Him.
Upon the return Of Spring, after the de-
parture Of long and severe Winter, when
the fruits Of the earth arc nearly consumed,
In our helplesness and dependence II d o.
pccially incumbent on u to look 10 the new
or failing source Of life and sustenance-to
LllIu WuOcJ DDuutcOu1 unuu DOtu uIlQ
clothes us-and by fasting and contempla-
ton prepare our minds for clearer per-.
ception OF the goodness and benevolence Of
Him who has constantly preserved us amid
numerous pcriis and dangers, and whose
voice may be heard In our hearts, inviting
US to turn to Him and prepare ourselves for
participation In the unspcakable joys Of
an immortal life.
Let Us oil unite, on that day, In Offering up
our sincere, devout and earnest supplications
TO tho Giver Of oil good, that be would con-
continue his protection 10 our State and Ma
tion, and be our God rs lie has been Of our
fathers; that he would protect our free and
happy government, founded In sslf.denial
and suffering, not only from foreign aggres-
sion, but frUm those who would destroy IL
by revolution and civil war that lie would
give to us wise laws and just and upright
rulcn; that lie would change our hearts
from tho love Of evil TO the love and pnc-
tice Of good, and inspire In us true and
genuine religion, and o sacred regard 10 JUS
tioe, temperance and truth that he would
foster and give success to ell our industrial
pursuits, ard command tho earth W yield
It's increase and products in reward to the
labop Of tho husbandman, crowning them
with fruitful seasons and abundant har-
vests.
And while we present our warm desires
for the temporal happiness and prosperity Of
ourselves, our friends and neighbors, let US
pny that at last, when wo shall leave all
earthly things and the places that now
know us, wa may all, through our Blessed
Redeemcr and Saviour, enter into dwellings
not made with hands, eternal In the heay.
| ems.
Given ut tho Council Chamber, in Au.
gusta, the twcnty-soycnth day Of
March, in the year Of our Lord,
eighteen hundred and ffty-siI, and
in the cightieth year Of the indie.
pendence Of the United States.
SAMUEL WELLS.
BY the Governor:
CALKB r. ArrR, Secretary Of State.