The national Republican., 1861-01-07

The OBSERVANCE OF FAST DAY.-In ac-
cordance with the proclamation of the Presi-
dent of the United States, Friday last was very
generally observed in the Federal Metropolis
as day of fasting and prayer. The Govern.
ment Departments, the schools, the banks, and
places of all kinds of business, were entirely
closed, and perfect Sabbath quiet reigned.
In most of the churches, during the morning,
devotional services, consisting mostly of prayer,
we're held. 80 n
Exercises in the U. s. House of Representa-.
Gres 1t having been announced that exer.
cises would take place in the Hall of the United
States House of Representatives at two o'clock
in the afternoon, an immense throng were
gathered, which completely filed the floor,
galleries, and all the doors leading thereto.
Rev. DR.. Gurley, Chaplain to the United States
Senate, commenced the exercises by an earnest
prayer, in which he dwelt upon the present
state of the country, and hoped that the clouds
which were now hanging over it would soon
pass away, and give place to brightness more
brilliant than ever. After the reading of the
Scriptures Rev. Thomas II. Stockton, Chaplain
of the House of Representatives, spoke as fol-
lows:
Before commence my address, l am in
duced, by an editorial in the Constitution of
this morning, to say once and for all, that am
no party man, either in church or State. but
try to improve little Of the life and strength
left unto me, by speaking for God and for hu-
manity. Conscience, when enlightened by the
Bible, and subject to its authority, is more than
the Chaplaincy, more than the Presidency, or
any other position on earth.
He then drew comparison between the con-
dition Of the country now, and its condition on
Thanksgiving day, two months ago, when, COM
paratively speaking, all was peace and hsrmo.
ny. Two months ago, the Governors of our
States with grateful joy, invited their fellow
citizens to unite in the celebration of day of
thanksgiving and praise. Then there was no
sectional animosity suspended over any section
ofthe globe. Within whose boundless spherela
such domain, where reigned truth and peace,
or such society Of personal, domestic, social,
civil, and religious freedom, wisdom, purity,
power, and glory, as glittered upon the vision
Of men, saints, angels, and Christ, and of God
himself, the Father Of all, within the golden
circle of the American Union? 1t might well
have been anticipated, that on the opening of
the appointed and hallowed festival, there would
60 up one universal song of praise and joy,
such as no nation on earth ever offered before.
But was it so? Alas though the day was so
fair, and the feast so bountiful, and so many di.
vided families reassembled in old homesteads,
and though the laugh of childhood was as clear
as the tinkling of the cymbal, and the songs of
youth and maidens were merry as the chimes
of wedding, still, among all the mature and
thoughtful of the land, there was chilly gloom,
sorrow, and fear, in all the temples Of religion.
And cheerful tribute for Divine mercy in the
past was almost subdued by lamentations over
present human follies, and trepdations of future
wrath and woe.
What now? Two weeks after Thanksgiving,
. 20, ,,,,aI Not do, by
Governor, and communicated to State, but
proceeding from the President, and extending
throughout the Union.
Marvellous revolution! Hark! the Union OF
of the States is at the present moment threat
ened with alarming and immediate danger.
Two months ago, how different. Again famine
and distress of fearful character prevail
throughout the land. Two months ago. how
different. Again our laboring population are
without employment, and consequently deprived
of the means of earning their bread. Two
months ago, how different. Again mist seems
to have encircled the minds of men. All classes
are in a state of confusion and dismay, and the
wisest counsels of our best and purest men are
wholly disregarded. All this, how different two
months ago. And so, in solemn haste, we turn
back to the God of our fathers as our only re
sort Of relief from the awful effects Of our own
crimes and follies. Instead of coming in thanks
giving, though we have infinitely more to be
L. thankful for than we are worthy to enjoy, We
L. come in selfabasement with selfafliction, ant
pour out our souls in most penitent and earnes
supplications. Well may we thus come; fol
, this day there is no section OF the sky, sus
pended over any quarter of the globe, whose
clouds are blacker, or on whose horizon sucl
f scenes are witnessed, of ingratitude toward
c God, disparagement Of blessings, dishonor o
: national and universal brotherhood, intent mad
ness If fanaticism and pride, and terrific immi
l nence of all unspeakable and perhaps endles
evils, as those which disgrace and threaten t.
Q destroy, from centre to circumference in spite
9 of all mankind, this same American Union.
4 He here proceeded to speak Of that which HI
said he regarded as being more timely, NOR
g important, and more imperative duty. SOM
!. might regard it as divergence from the pro
prieties ofthe occasion, but he knew it was not
The day, the place, the interests of the QUITE
: world, all demanded such an utterance. II
It making it, he only attempted to reach tn
;. height of this great argument, and vindicate tn
ways of God to man. Now as of old there wer
J. many antChrsts in the world. To these
Deists, Atheists, Thests, and infdes-he a
tributed all our present troubles. Faith in Goo
and obedience to his holy commands, was a
that could save US. Referring again to tn
present condition of affairs in our country, h
said
And can it be that South Carolina is deter
mined to destroy this Union? And can it b
that other States encourage her rebellion An
that suddenly evil has come upon u.s. which
is already too late by any means to arrest? An
no,o shall our enemies rejoice over US? Gu
enemies Who are they? Where are they
By the blessing of God, the world is full of ou
friends. By the greatness of our Union, W
have become the chief among the nations of tn
eth mud h, tho Eairnass of cnndnct "