Worcester daily spy., 1861-11-06
by His ExcelIency,
j o II N a. "A N d r II w
GOVERNOR.
"A PROCLAMATION
For a Day Of Public Thanksgiving and Praise

For Day OF FuDuc AndnkSBlV1us anu ErSAse'
The example of the Fathers, and the die.
tates of piety and gratitude summon the peO
ple of Massachusetts, at this tie harvest season
crowning the year with the rich proofs OF the
wisdom and love of God, to join in solemn
and Joyful act of united Praise and Thanks
giving to the Bountitul Giver of every good
and perfect gift.
| do, therefore, with the advice and consent
of the Council, appoint THURSDAY, the 2lSt
day of November next, the same being the
anniversary Of that day, in the year of our
Lord sixteen hundred and twenty, on which
the Pilgrims OF Massachusetts, on board the
Mayhower united themselves in a solemn and
written compact OF government to be observed
by the people Of Massachusetts as a day of
Public Thanksgiving and Praise. And | in
woke its observance by all people with devout
and religious joy.
"sing aloud unto God, our strengths make
joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
"Take psalm, and bring hither the
tmbrell, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
uBlow up the trumpet III the new moon,
in the time appointed, ON our solemn feast day.
'For this a statute ior Israel,
and law Of the God Of Jac0D."-PSa!1iS, 81,
4. to4.
80 bless our God, ye people, and make the voice
of Ills praise 10 be heard
(which hOldetu our soul III lie, ana suueretn not
For thou, Q g. cd, hath proved us; thou hast
tried us as silver is tried "-PsaIBS G6, u and 8.
Let us rejoice in God and be thankful for
the iuliness with which lie has blessed us in
our basket and in our store, giving large reward
to the toll of the husbandman 50 that "our
paths drop tatness =
For the many and gentle alleyiations OF the
hardshps which, in the present time Of public
disorder, have afflicted the various pursuits OF
industry -
For the early evidences Of the reviying ener-
gies OF the business OF the peope:-
For the measure of success which has at
tended the enterprise of those who go down TO
tile sea in ships, of those who search the depths
OF the ocean to add to the food of man, and Of
those whose busy skill and handicratt combine
to prepare for various use the crops Of the
earth and the sea -
For the advantages of sound learning,
placed within the reach OF all the children OF
the people, and the freedom aud alacrity with
which these advantages are embraced and
improved =
For the opportunities of religious instruc-
ton and worship, universally enjoyed by
consciences untrammelled by any human au-
. thOrty -
For "the redemption Of the world by Jesus
Christ, for the means OF grace, and the hope
Of glory"
And with one accord, let us bless and praise
God for the oneness OF heart, mind, and pur"
pose in which lie has united the people OF this
ancient commonwealth for the defence of the
rights, liberties, and honor of our beloved
country =
May we stand forever in the same mind, re-
memberng the devoted lives of our fathers,
the precious Inheritance Of Freedom, received
at their hands, the weight Of glory which
awaits the faithful, and the infinity Of blessing
which it is our privilege, if we will, to trans.
nit to the countless generations OF the future.
And, while our tears flow in stream of cor
dial sympathy with the daughters of our peo
pie, Just now bereft by the violence of the
wicked and rebel!iOus, OF the fathers and hus-
bands and brothers and sons, whose heroic
blood has made verify sacred the soil of Viz.
ginia, and, mingling with the waters Of the
Potomac has made the river now and forever
ours, let our souls arise 10 God on the wings
OF praise, in thanksgiving that lie has again
granted to us the privilege Of living unseltish-
ly and OF dying nobIy, in grand and righte-
Gus cause
For the precious ald rare possession of so
much devoted valor and manly heroism;
For the sentiment ot pi-u duty which dis
tinguished our fallen in the camp and in the
field;
Aud for the sweet and blessed cOnSolatlons
which accompany the memories of these dear
sons Of Massachusetts on to Immortality
And in our praise let lis also be penitent.
Let us "seek the truth and ensue ii" and pre-
pare our minds tor whatever duty shall be
manifested hereafter.
May the controversy in which we stand be
found worthy in its cCnsummation of the hero
ic sacrifices of the people and the blood of their
sons, OF the doctrine and faith of the fathers,
and consistent with the honor OF God and with
justice to all men.
And
'Let cd arise, let his enemies be scattered: let
them also that hate him flee before him. "As
smoke is driven away, so drive them way."-PSalan
6S, Z. dHd2
"Scatter themby thy power, and bring them down,
o Lord, our shield. ."-PSdlm 50, .. Il.
Given at the council chamber this thirty first
day OF October, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and
the eighty,sixth OF the independence of the
United States of America.
JOHN A. ANDREW.
By his Excellency the Governor, with the ad.
vice and consent of the council.
OLIVER WARNER, Secretary.
God saUe the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts.