Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-28
STATE OF VERMONT.
BY RYLAND FLETCHER, GovEnSon
A PROCLAIM ALTON.

The instructive teachings Of History, both sacred
and profane, point unerrngly to the certain destiny
Of the nation which sins against the Lord. The
melancholy doom of those ancient monarches,
which trampled on the rules Of justice and moral
ity and turned their affections and services away
from the true God, is full Of significant admon-
iton to us. Those proud empires of the East
against which, as the reward Of their sins, the
Prophets of God were commanded to proclaim His
righteous displeasure, have been blotted from the
face of the earth, and their seats of grandeur and
power converted into dreary deserts. There surely
is God, whose vengeance never sleeps over guilty
communities; who fails not to visit with His judg-
ments the people who trampe on His law, disre-
gard His Sabbaths and profane His name. Happy
is that nation, whose recognition of the divine
claims upon their constant devotion and faithful
service does not require to be quickened by sore
calamity, but which by timely penitence and hum
BILE confession secures the blessing of Heaven.
The hour Of adversely is not the only fitting &C.
casiou for dependent beings to pause and consider
their relations to Him, in whom alone they live
Prosperity brings its dangers, and duty enjoins us
to turn from the pleasures of life to serious con-
temptation and humble confession of our manifold
sins. We are now in the midst of plenty enjoy
iigious privileges but whilst we are thus favored
of Heaven, are beset by public vices and indi-
vidual sins, offensive to our Maker, and sure to
bring upon those calamites which have fallen
upon other offending nations.
1t is eminently fit that there should be set days
and occasions, when the whole people Of q State
may assemble to make public confession of their
sins and supplcate the mercy of the Creator and
Judge. Our Fathers were wont to set apart day,
at the opening Of the year, for contrite confession
and solemn prayer, thus manifcsting becoming
sense of the Divine claims upon them.
In the light, then, of holy Revelation, as well as
in conformity with the hallowed custom of our an
cestors, let the people of Vermont ever keep day
for such worthy purpose.
To this end do hereby appoint FRIDAY, THE
TENTH DAY OF APRIL NEXT, as n day o.
FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER.
On that day let the people of this Commonwealth
with one accord turn from their ordinary pursuit:
and abstaning from al mere amusements, deyout-
ly assemble in their respective places Of worship
and with united hearts and voices, in the name o.
our Savior, in humble supplcation, invoke the
pardon of our individual and public offences.
Let prayer 90 up tothe Giver Of all good tina
He will crown the coming year with His merciei
and pour out his blessings upon all our varied pub
lie and private interests. Let us earnestly pray
that our nation may continue to enjoy its widely
extended material prosperity, and may take nj
backward steps in the cause of Liberty--that Slav
cry may soon cease to disgrace and endanger ou
land, contradcting and impairing all the funda
mental principles of our government-that ever,
attempt to extend bancful influence, from what
ever source, whether emanatng from the Legisla
ture, Executive or Judicial departments of the ma
ton, may be utterly confounded- that intemper
ance may soon cease its terrible ravages, and tina
every vice disturbing the we'll being of society ma;
be far removed; above all, that Christianity MAJ
accomplish its glorious purpose of raising man Il
his true dignity, and making call the ends of tn
Earth see the Salvation of God'
May that day prove such fast as was require,
Of the people of old, and be indeed can acceptable
day unto the Lord
Given under my hand and the seal of the State, a
Cavendish, this 18th day of March, in the yea
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ff
ty-seven, and of the Independence of the Unitet
States, the eghty-frst.
RYLAND FLETCHER
By the Governor,
WILLIAM G. SHAW, Secretary.