Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-18
humiliation. Fasting, and PRAYER.

We publish below highly important recommend
st,on from the President of the United States. If
ever there was time in the history of this Republic
for humiliation, fasting, and prayer, that time is
nov. The recommendation of the President if
rried o.t as it should be- will solemnize the minds
Of the people of the whole country, and may be
emnently useful, under Providence in REFRESHING
,be fanaticism of the North and in arresting the
rriue excitement which prevails IN the South:
From the Washington constitutional
TO TIE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
A RECOMMENDATION
Numerous appeals have been made to me by pious
and patriotic associations and citizens in view of
tIr, present distracted and dangerous condition of
our country, to recommend that day be set apart
for HUMILIATION, Fasting, and PRAYER throughout
the Union. In compliance with their request and
INV own sense of duty, | designate
Friday, the 18th day Of January, 1861,
for this purpose, and recommend that the people
assemble on that day, according to their several
forms of worship, to keep it as solemn Fast
The Union of the states is at the present moment
threatened with alarming and immediate danger
manic and distress a fearful character prevail
throughout the land our abo-ing population are
without employment, consequently deprived of
the means of earning their bread indeed, hope
seems 10 have ueSeTleu the minus oil men. All
classes are in a state of confusion and dismay; and
the wseSt counsels of our best and purest men arc
wholly disreg irded.
In this, the hour of our calamity and peril to
whom shall we resort for relief but to the God of our
Fathers? His Omnipotent Arm only can save us
from the awful effects of our own crimes and fol-
Te<-our own ingratitude and guilt towards our
Heavenly Father.
Let us then, with deep contrition and penitent
sorrow unite in humbling ourselves before the Most
HIGH in confeSSng our individual and national sins,
and in acknowledging the justice of our punish
ment Let us impore Him to remove from our
hearts that false pride of opinion which would impe
lis to perSevere in wrong for the sake OF consistency
rather than yield just submission to the unfore-
seen exigencies by which are now surrounded
Let us with deep reverence besecch Him to restore
the friendship and good will which prevailed, in
former days, among the people of the several States
AMI above all, to US from the horrors of civil
war and blood outlines" Let our fervent prayers
ascend to Ills Throne that He would not desert US
in this hour of extreme peril, but remember us as
He did fathers in the darkest DAYS of the Revo-
luton and preserve Constitution and our Union
the work of their hands, for ages yet to come. An
OmnipOtent Providence may ovcrrue existing evils
for permanent good He can make the wrath of
man to praise Him. and the remainder of wrath He
can restrain. Let me invoke every individual in
whatever sphere of life he may be placed to feel
personal responsibility to God and his country for
keeping this day holy, and for contributing, all in
his power to remove our actual and impending Ca
lamteS.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington Dec. II, 1860