The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-28
STATE OF VERMONT
BY EYLAND FLETCHER, Governor.
a. PFoCIA

The instructive teachings of History. both
sacred and profane, point unerringIy to the
certain destiny of the nation which sins a.
.ainst the Lord. The melancholy doom of
those ancient monarchies, which trampled on
the rules OF justice and morality and turned
their affections and services away from the
one true God, is full of significant admoni-
zion to US. Those proud empires Of the East,
against which, as the reward of their sins,
the Prophets of God were commanded to
proclaim Ills righteous disp'easure, have
been blotted from the face of the earth, and
their seats of grandeur and power convert
cd into dreary deserts. There surely is a
God, whose vengeance never sleeps over gull
" 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 re.
cognition of the divine claims upon their
constant devotion and faithful services does
not require to BIZ Quickencd by sore cal
ty, but which by timely penitence and hum
Die confession secures the blessing of IIea-
ven.
The hour of adversely is not tho only fit.
ting occasion for dependent beings to pause
and consider their relation to Him, in whom
alone they live. Prosperity brings its dan.
gers, and duty enjoins us to turn from the
pleasures of lite to serious contemplation and
humble confession of our manifold sins. We
are now in the midst Of plenty, enjoying in
the fullest measure the highest civil and reli.
gous privileges; but whilst we are thus ia
vored of Heaven, we are beset by public vices
and individual sins, offensive to our Maker,
and sure to bring upon us those calamities
which lave fallen upon. other offending ma.
tiOns.
1t is eminently fit that there should De set
days and occasions, when the whole people
of State may assemble to make public CON
fesson Of their sins and suppicate the mercy
of the Creator and Judge. Our Fathers
we're wont to set apart day, at the opening
Of the year, for contrte confession and SOL
emn prayer. thus manifestng a becoming
sense of the Divine claims upon them.
In the light, then. Of holy Revelation. a.
we'll as in conformity with the hallowed
custom of our ancestors. let the people of
Vermont ever keep day for such worthy
purpose.
70 this end do hereby appoint FRIDAY,
the TENTH Day OF APRIL NEXT, as
day of FASTING, HUMILIATION and
PRAYER
On that day let the people o. this Ccmmon-
wealth with one accord turn from their o-di-
nary pursuits and abstaining from all mere
amusements, devoutly assemble in their re-
spective places Of worship and with united
hearts and voices. in the name of our Saviour.
in humble duplication, invoke the pardon
Of our individual and public offences.
Let prayer 90 up to the Giver of all good
that He will crown the coming year with
His mercies and pour out His blessings upon
all our varied public and private Interests.
Let us earnestly pray that our nation may
continue to enjoy its widely extended mate
rial prosperity, and may take no backward
steps in the cause of Liberty-that Slavery
may soon cease to disgrace and endanger
our land, contradicting and imparing all the
fundamental principles Of our government
that every attempt to extend baneful inAu-
ence, from whatever source, whether emana-
ting FROM the Legislative, Executive or Judi.
cial departments of the nation, may be utter
ly contounded-that intcmperance may soon
cease its terrible ravages, und that every
vice disturbing the we'll being of Society may
be far removed above all, that Christianity
may accomplish its glorious purpose Of rails
ing man to his true dignity, and making ''alI
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
ian acceptable day unto the Lord"
Given under my hand and the seal of the
State.at Cavendish. this 18th day of
March, in the year Of our Lord one thou
sand eight hundred and fifty seven, aad of
the Independence of the United States,
the eighiy.6rst
RYLAND FLETCHER.