The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-03-25
ATE OF VERMO MT
A PROCLAMATION.


The instructive teachings Of History, both sa-
cred and profane, point unerringly to the GER
tain destiny Of the nation which sins against tho
Lord. The melancholy doom of those ancient
monarches, which tramped on the rules Of JUS
tice and morality and turned their affections and
services away from the one true God, is full Of
significant admonition to us. Those proud en-
pires Of the East, against which, MS the reward
Of their sins the Prophets of God were comman-
ded 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 visit with His judgments the people
who trample on His law, disregard His Sabbaths
and profane His name. Happy is that nation
whose recognition ofthe Divine claims upon their
constant devotion and faithful service does not
require to be quickencd by sore calamity, but
which by timely penitence and humble confess
sion secure the blessing of Heaven.
The hour ofadyersity is not the only fitting oc-
casion for dependent beings to pause and con-
slider 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 contemplation and humble confession of
our manifold sins. We are now in the midst of
plenty enjoying in the fullest measure the high
est civil and religious privileges /; but whilst we
are thus favored of Heaven, we are beset by pub
lie vices and individual sins, offensive to our
Maker, and sure to bring upon those calam-
tiles which have fallen upon other offending ma
tons.
1t is eminently fit that there should be set days
and occasions, when the whole people Of State
may assemble to make public confession of their
sins and supplicate the mercy of their Creator
and Judge. Our Fathers were wont to set a.
part day, at the opening of the year, for con-
trite confession and solemn prayer. thus mani
testing becoming sense Of the Divine claims
upon them.
In the light, then, of holy Revelation, rs we'll
as in conformity with the halowed custom Of
our ancestors. 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 a day of
public FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAY
ER.
On that day let the people Of this Common
wealth with one accord turn from their ordina-
ny pursuits, and abstaining from all mere a.
musements, devoutly assemble in their respect
i've places ofworship and with united hearts and
voices, in the name of our Savior, in humble sup
plication, invoke the pardon Of our individual
and public offences
Let prayer 60 up TO the Giver of all good that
He will crown the coming year with His mer-
cies and pour out His blessings upon all our va.
red public and private interests. Let us earnest
ly pray that our nation may continue to enjoy
its widely extended material prosperity, and
may take no backward steps in the cause of Lib
erty-that SLAYER. may soon cease to disgrace
and endanger our, land, oontradicting and i'm
pairing oil the fundamental principles of our
| government-that every attempt to extend its
baneful influence, from whatever source, wheth-
| err emanating from the Legislative. Executive or
| Judicial departments of the nation. may be ut
| terly confounded-that intemperance may soon
| cease its terrible ravages, and that every vice
| disturbing the well being of -oeiety may be far
removed ; above all, that Christianity may ac-
complish its glorious purpose of raising man to
his true dignity, and making g all the ends of
the Earth see the Salvation of Cod
May that day prove such fast as was re-
| quired of the people OF old, and be indeed &" an
| acceptable day unto the Lord
Given under my hand and the seal Of the State
at Cavenlish, this 18th day of March in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and fifty seven, and of the Independ-
ence of the United States, the eighty-frst.
| RYLAND FLETCHER.
BY the Governor,
WILLIAM G. SHAW, Secretary.