Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-22
STATE OF VERMONT.
ny FREDERICK HoLBRooK, GOVERNOR.
PROCLAMATION.


A PROCLAMATION.
Until the coming of that blessed King
dem, when "he wolf shall dwell with the
lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with
the kid, and the calf and the young hon and
the failing together, and little child lead
tn, M" human life, whether individual or
collective, must be a conflict, and its achieve
menfs the result Of tolls, trials, foriitude and
faith. The discipline of adversely, rather
than the softer influences Of prosperity,
give character and power to people. As
the most precious odors exhale their choicest
fragrance when incensed or crushed, so a
people, chastened by adrersity, develope
their finer and nohlcr qualities, acquire for
tiude 10 bear with lofty cheer the trials by
which themselves and institutions are
proved, and energy TO surmount difficulties
and triumph over evil. 1t was through
dangers and difficulties that our fathers first
made a lodgment on the shores of New
England, and amid dscouragement, priva-
ticns and sorrows, which would have over
whelmed the spirit and shaken the faith of
other men, that they instituted and observed
day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise.
Under far more favorable circumstances
TO us, the season of the year, and custom
honored by time and sanctioned by religion
call for a day of Thanksgiving. In OBJ
edience thereto, and that we may give u
ni,ed expression to our gratitude, | do ap-
point THURSDAY, THE TWENTY
EIGHTH OF NOVEMBER, INST, to
be observed by the people of this State as
a day Of Thanksgiving TO Almighty God;
ans invite them to abstain from usual
secular employments on that day. and assem-
BILE at their accustomed places Of worship.
To offer to Him the service of Prayer,
Praise and Thanksgiving for the fruit
fulness of the fields and the evidences of
plenty which everywhere abound for the
prevalence of health, for the educational,
charitable and religious institutions of the
State /; for the homes Of peace and affection,
and of substantial comfort so generally en-
joyed by the people for equal and just
laws for the Government of the fathers,
so wise, benefcent and kind, and, though
wickedly assailcd, still standing firmly in
the affections and patriotism and power of
the people; for the redemption of the
world by Jesus Christ, for the means of
grace and the hope of glory"
Especially let our Thanksgiving be ex-
pressed, that at the first note of alarm, ihe
loyal American of all professions. pursuits
parties and opinions, so spontaneously rallied
in defence of our beautiful and beloved
country, as to give assurance tkat, with the
blessing of Providence, they will emerge
from the struggle bringing THEN institutions
with them, firmly established, and standing
before the world full demonstration of
the power and stability of free Govern
ment.
Let the fervent prayer arise for wisdom
and virtue to guide us in this momentous
perod, that we may acquit ourselves as be-
comes people SO favored by ancestry and
God. And though in our thanksgiving at
this time, there may be less carol than of
solem sound-yet, if thinking of father,
husband, brother, or son now upon the tent
ed field, or in the soldiers grave, let us
remember that it is noble to battle or die
for your country; and if affection must drop
a tear to the memory Of the departed, let
us also give thanks for their unselfish en-
deavors and heroic death, in grand and
righteous cause.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of
the State, in Executive Chamber, at
Montpelier, this eleventh day of Novem-
Der, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the
Independence of the United States, the
eighty-sixth,
FREDERIcK HoLBRooK.
BY his Excellency, the Governor.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS,
Sec'y OF Civil and Military Affairs.