The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-01-09

BY . few hours that which, during my recent
sbssnes I had determined to bring 70 your ss-
Noes attention, 50 soon - should reach ny
home. And welI may We h.mble Ourselves b.
fore our Heavenly Father, and ash His counsel
in this trying hour Of our national existence !;
for never. since the formation of our Federal
eompsft fhHs sodaFk cloud obssurs4 the pros
pectsf Ear peJpllj But few jears sines sur
rounded IS we were by the manifold and count
less blessings which gracious God permitted
US to, enjoy, 4 might with truth be said, HE
hath not deah so with any nation. Ess,
through q restless and ruthless spirit Of fanati-
cism, the various sections Of our beloved ccun-
try are arraysd In hostile attitude against each
other, and we look around with amazement IS
well as sorrow, upon's dersnsed currency, the
destruction Of public credit the depreciation Of
property, the depression Or every kind Of bus
mess, the suspension Of all public enterprises,
tn, obstruction Of trade and commerce, and we
see large portion OF our citizens with arms in
their hands. demanding . severance Of those
federal ties which have hitherto bound us togeth-
er as one people. It would not become me, in
this place. to enter into detail Of the causes
which have led to this state of general agitation
and alarm. But, whilst forbear 10 view the
present stste Of our country with politicians
eye, I cannot, as member Of an injured and
suffering community, deny that thcreFs good
cause both for alarm and complaint in that por-
ton Of our land in which our lot has been cast
In addition to many previous assaults upon our
rights as secured to us BY our excellent Const-
tuition, our fellow-citizcns Of the North and
West have recently, by their suff,ases, inaugu-
rated policy which, though in conformity with
the forms Of the Constitution, is supposed by
many to endanger our lives and our liberties, as
well as our property, and to threaten us with all
acts Of unjust interference with our domestic
and social institutions, and the prospect Of fur
ther injury and insult the spirit Of our Southern
people is rising like the spirit Of one man, to
proclaim the future futility Of all further argu
gument or compromise or attempts ct concia-
ton, and to resolve that sefpreservaton, no less
than patriotism and honor, demands q prompt
and decisive remedy for these existing evils.
Whether that remedy is TO be found in full
and hearty concession of our just demands on
the part Of our aggressors, or in the establish
ment among US Of a separate, independent, ma.
tional government, it is for our fellow-citizens,
through ter regularly constituted representa-
tives, soon to decide. And oh how momen-
l. Al. 4. NY
the good or evil which il may entail upon us
What Christian or patriot but looks with painful
anxiety to the RESULT The ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
great nation is thing that cannot be regarded
fore, withhold, on this occasion, the expression
Of my hearty desire that an ovcrrulng Provi-
dence may yet, in its wisdom and goodness, de-
wise the means of keeping us a united people.
Ny fears, however, | must confess, prevail over
my hopes. The restless, insubordinate. and
overbearing spirit of Puritanism, still raging in
our public councils, as well rs among q large
portion Of our people, furnishes excuse, il it
does not fully justify our fellow-citizens in pro-
nouncing with almost one voice, that our differ
ences are irreconcilable. May He who can turn
the hearts Of men as he turns the rivers in their
course, so overrule the wills and affections of
all parties, as may be best for our good and His
glory. .,''1
And now, beloved brethren. what, in these
present trying circumstances, does It become us,
as men, A., patriots and as Christians, to do
Most wisely and commercially has our Execu-
tive thought fit to request the citizens of our
commonwealth to approach the coming issue
with prayer and fasting, and in spirit of hu.
initiation on account of our national and indi-
vidual sins. C;n any true patriot or professed
servant Of God, fail to approve and comply with
this call! VIII any minister Of our holy reli-
gion refrain, on that day, from gathering togeth-
er his flock, and invoking them to unite their
common supplicatons to Almighty God, that He |
will take from the several sections of our coun-
try the spirit of fanaticism and aggression on |
the one part and Of rashness and revenge on |
the other, that peace and brotherly love may
evermore prevail throughout our borders that |
the voice Of party strife may give way to a
thoughtful and calm consideration of the diff |
culties which surround us, and Of the work that |
is before us and that spirit Of wisdom and |
may characterize the counsels of the |
approaching representative Convention of our
citizens. ''-f fifl-4ti
In compliance, therefore, with the Executive
WILL as well as under a sense of duty to still
higher power, I now request both the clergy |
and laity Of my diocese, to observe the above
named day in the manner pointed out in the
proclamation, and in such other private devo-
tons as may be most likely to draw down upon
us the blessingof the God of all nations, and the
giver Of all good.
In addition to the usual services of such occa.
sions, I recommend the use of the following
prayer, on that day and during the session of
the Convention.
Your loving Pastor under Christ
w. n. GREEN.
PRAYER:
ALMIGHTY GOD, The Ruler and Governor
IF all nations upon the earth, look, we beseeeh
" |