The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-09-14
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Secretary of the Treasury.
National Fast DAY.

National Fast Day.
Pastoral Letter 10 the Cicrgy and Laitu of the
D'oceS Of the State Of M0rytund.
BEAR BROTHERS Eight months ago, at
the cali Of the Chief Magistrate of the country
then in office, invited you to the earnest
| Observance Of a day set apart for united
appeal, by public humiliation fasting and
prayer, TO the pardoning mercics of God in
behalf of this sinful and ch,stsed people.
We have too much reason to fear that the
humiliation of the nation at that time, how
ever general and loud in profession, was not
Of the kind which is eilectual to stay the
course of chastlsement. We had griveously
Sinned in proud elfsufficiency, boastine
complacency in our institutions aud their
attendant prosperity. and arrogant disregard
OF justice to the weak and courtesy to the
strong, in our national relations. We are
startled, rather than humblcd by the out
break of our great calamity. We yet failed
to be duly impressed with sense Of its fear
iul import, and the lnsuflicicncy of our own
might Of wisdom for our deliverance from the
pending evils.
In quick succession of thronging horrors
thoSe evils have come upon us and from a
land with the best blood of its inhabitants,
aIrayed against each other in hundreds OF
thousands, on scores of battle fields, we are
called on once more to send I'M the voice of
suppIication to the God to whom vengeance
belongcth, in entrcaty that lie will hold His
avengng hand, and deliver us from the lust
Judgment of our national sins.
In the fulflmcnt of my office it is incum.
bent on me again to lead you in the dis
charge of this solemn duty by the provision Of
appropriate services.
Remembering the example and injunction
of the Apostle Of the Gentiles with the
weak" to " become as weak, have made
llt:le change from the Form Of Prayer set forth
in DECEMBER last. The state of the nation
has changed since then. The relative posi-
ton of this State is ascertaned. The duties
of residents in Maryland as citizens are clear.
The authority by which we are now invited
to approach the throne Of grace is that which
God has set over us, and which lie bids us
recognize as His or resist only at the awful
peril Of rendering account to Hin. BY His
express command we are bound to make in
its behalf our applications, prayers and
intercessons,' and in that way seek the
attainment of"quiet and peaceable life in
all godlness and honesty" Other courses
involve US in the condemnation which the
VOID of truth denounces against those who
in "perilous times show themselves {" trail
tors, heady and highmindcd." In the pre-
sent circumstances of citizens of the United
States in Mary land there can be no reasona-
be donb in what direction our allegiance is
solcmnly pledged to the Searcher of hearts
when we pray to Him to deliver us from
scd'ion, privy conspiracy and rebellion.
Nevertheless, being painfully sensible how
largely even honest and pious men, in the
ptiable weakness ofhuman Judgment, hood
wnkcd by natural affection, social relations
and surrounding influences, may be hindercd
| from the PERCEPTION Of the strongest obliga.
tons of religious duty and desiring that in
| this, our common access to the throne OF
grace, there may be no stumbling block at
which any may have occasion to take offence,
| have taken care to pres cribe no petition in
which all who believe in the Just government
of God, and truly desire the accomplishment
| of his righteous will, may not from the heart
consent, without mental protest or reserva-
ton. If there bcany among US still disposed
| to cast their lot with those who are in arms
| against their Government. my office concerns
itself not with their political tenents or their
social bias, further than to warn them to
take good heed lest they be forSteling in
themselves deuson, the not unguilty fruit
OF self abandonment to the trammels of party,
and to the voluntary blindness of prejudice,
nurscd by pride Of station. of influence and Ct
! connection.
Now, ask their prayers with those o:
their brethren, that, God would be pleased
to open all our eyes to the perception of the
truth. as it concerns our duty to our country:
and all our hearts to the reception of His
grace, in order to our true repentance and
sincere amendment of life, each in his several
place and station, and all Of US conformity, as
a greatly SHINING and greatly punished
people.
What we want is faith, faith to perceive
that God is, and is rewardsr Of them that
diligently seek him; faith to believe in Him
and in Jesus Christ whom He hath sent :;
faith to find out that there are better things
to labor for than the good things of this pre-
Sent life, better uses Of our days and means
than making haste TO be rich; faith to lay
the evil secrets of our hearts before our
mcrciful Rcdcemer and claim the cleansing
influences of his precious bloodshedding and
prevailing intcrcession.
After the great gift Of faith let US jointly
implore the blessing of humanity, true
humility. which shuns pride of opinion as
selfidolatory, and can bear to forego its own
for others good Each estseming other
better than themselves. let US strive together,
who shall most perfectly copy in his own
life the lowly meekncss which our Master sets
before us as his example.
In faith and humility only can we honestly
seek peace and consistently pursue it; and
they, to be true, must be given us OF God,
and sought of him in earnest su?picallon,
with heavy avowal of our need.
10 this therefore, brethren, afiectionately
invite you, and implore you, not only in pub