Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-03-20
State of Vermont.
A PR OCLAMATION

luz Instructive teacnlnBs OF ulstory,ooth sacreu
and profane point unerringy to the certain desti-
ny of the nation which sins against the Lord The
melancholy doom of those ancient monarchies,
which trampled on the rules of Jastice and moral
ity and turned their affections and services away
from the one true God, is full of significant adj
monition 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 sure
ly is God, whose vengeance never sleeps over
guilty communities who fails not to visit with
His judgments the people who trample on His
law, disregard 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 quick
ened by sore calamity, but which by timely pen-
tence and humble confession secures the blessing
of Heaven.
The hour of adversely is not the only fitting oc-
casion 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-
sins. We are now in the midst ofplenty, enjoying
in the fullest measure the highest civil and reli-
gious privileges ; but whilst we are thus favored
of Heaven, we are beset by public vices and iadi.
vidual sins, offensive to our Maker, and sure to
bring upon us those calamities which have fallen
upon other offending nations
1t is eminently fit that there should be set days
and occasions, when the whole people of State
may ass emble to make public confession Of theii
sins and suppicate the mercy Of the Creator and
Judge. Our Fathers were wont to set apart day
at the opening of the year, for conrite confession
and sole mn prayer, thus manifesting becoming
sense of the Divine claims upon them.
In the light, then, of holy Revelation, as vel
as in conformity with the hallowed custom of ouI
ancestors, let the people of Vermont ever keep
dly for such n worthy purpose.
To this end I do hereby appoint FRIDAY, tn,
TENTH DAY OF APRIL NEXT, as day o
FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER.
On that day let the people of this Commonwealth
with one accord turn from their ordinary pursuit
and abstaining from all mere amusements, devout
ly mble in their respective places of worship
and with united hearts and voices, in the name 0
cur Sh'louT, III nulnoIe aupplcatlOH, invoke u
pardon Of our individual and public offences
Let pr aver go up to the Giver of all good tina
He will crown the coming year with His mercie
and pc UT out His blessings upon all our varie
public and private interests. Let US earnestly
pray that our nation may continue to enjoy it
I widely extended material prosperity, and ma,
take no backward steps in the cause of Liberty
that slav cry may soon cease to disgrace and en-
danger our land, contradicting and impairng al
the fundamen tai principles Of our government
that every attempt to extend baneful influence
from whatever source, whether emanating from
the Legislative, Executive or judicial department
| of tho nation NAV ha uttarlv oonE,nndad-tha
| intemperance may soon cease its terrible ravages
and that every vice disturbing the we'll being o
Society may be far removed; above all. that Chri
tianity may accomplish its glorious purpose o
raising man to his true dignity, and making " al
tho ends VI tue Eurtn svv the salvation uuu.
May that day prove such fast as was require,
of the people Of old, and be indeed an acceptable
day un TO the Lord
G'Vcn an der my hand and the seal Of the State, a
Carsndish this Ism dag Of March, m The gear Of oa
Lord oae tho Hsand oigh hundred and ffV sspe1 an,
Of Tie Independence Of The United States, the eiglt,
tr8t. RYLAND FLETCHER.
By the Gopoue,,
WILLIAM g. SHAW, Secretary.