Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-01-03

VIA. EDiToR E haze read the proclamation OF
Times Baehlntn Ia regard to a day of fasting
and PRAYER t. be observed 10y this nation in order
that the Or, id.a c,lauitics that now threaten
L, ovcrwhein us "a. nation, may be averted
After Designating Friday, tie ia OF January. as
the time for observing il, he recommends ..that
thc people assemble on that dly according To
their several forms Of worship to keep it as q
solemn fasf.''
Does any one suppose, for a moment, that
N'thcut the fruits of repentance accompanying
aud following these outward forms OF humilia
son, these evils, which now hang over ~ like a
lark and angry cloud, ready 10 burst upon u,
will be removed. and peace, order, aud harmony
&c restored TO thi> nationl We may rest assured
that NJ external modification Os devotion will
toe OF any use, 1T Ne, nation, do not turn from
the owl 81 our WAYS. la connection with the
is-t that God requires, there must be unmst
liable evidences OF true repentance on the part ol
The nation, or all these outward ceremonies will
avail nothing. In order that the outward OBJ
servanees OF that day prove acceptable to God
the nation, from its Chief Magistrate and rulers
down 20 lts humblcst citizens, must 'brng forth
works meet for repentance"
~ nation, We are guilty of great many
Gins. and fer Which Ne ought To- humble ourselves
in the dust before God; but the greatest of all
our national sins Is the oppression and ensavc-
ment OF 1.oJl ,OOJ OF humtn beings. No bodily
modification. or forms OF worship on that day
will prove to he real peniteuts in the sight OF
holy God, that does not especially look to the
removal, 10y all lawful aud righteous efforts, OF
that stupendcous system of wickedness, which il
- antagonists ~ the law and the Gospel of
Christ, aud violation of every human right.
| am ia favor of keeping such day ii il bs
fh.sa
as cloak TO oppression, or the compromising OF
the principles OF freedom aud humanity.
Ii any man in this nation ought to hume Il
himself, on that day before God, il is James
Buchanan. lie has done all he could 10 build uT
and establish oppression in this land, by sending
the troops of the General Government to Kan
sas to help the border ruisians murder the FIRE.
settlers, crush out liberty, and establish slavery
The enslavement and oppression OF the poor
we're the principle sins for which the Jews wer,
so awfully punished, and stripped Of all thei
religious and political privileges, and carrie,
e1ptivcs % Babylon. Before the judgments o
Cod were poured out upon them they resorteC
50 fasting; but it was only cloak to cover W
.heir sin, or a Communication for their oppression
Hear Gods voice to them, and let it speak t.
vs., for there is a striking similarity between US
Isaiah So: l-9.-"Cry aloud. spare not. Inf
up thy voice like n trumpet. and shew my peop
their transgression, and the house of Jacob thei
sins.
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know
my WAYS a nation that did righteousness, an,
forsook not the ordinance their God: they asl
of me the ordinances OF Justice; they tax
delight in approaching to God.
Wherefore have we tasted. say they, and tho'
seest mott wherefore have We afflicted our soul
and thou takest no knowledge Behold, in tn
day of your fast We find pleasure, and exact al
your labours.
Behc Id. We fast for strife and debate. and 4
smite With the fist of wick edness: We shall no
fast n We do this day, TO mike your voice to b,
heasd on high.
Is il such fast that | have chosenl day 70
nan to aifiict his sou,l is it 10 bow down hi
head as bulru>h. and to spread sackcloth an,
ashes under him' wilt thou call this fast, AM
an acceptable day to the Lordl
Is not this the fast that have chOsenl q
loose the bands Of uickednsss, 10 undo the hear
baraeHs, and 10 lstfhe oppressed 60 free, and tha
ys break susry yoke7
Il 1t not to deal thy bread 10 the hungry, an,
thu; thou bring the poor THAI are cast out TO tn
housei when thou secst the naked, that tho
cover him; and that thou hide not thy self from
thine own feshl
Then shall thy light break forth as the morn
ing. and thine health shall spring forth speedily
and thy righteousness shall go before thee; tn
glory OF the Lord shall be thy reward.
Then shall thou call, and the Lord sLal
snswer; thou shall c-v, aud he shall say, Here
am. IL thou take awav from the midst of the.
the yoke, the putting forth Of The finger, ar.
speaking ranity.