The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-05
the REV. DR.. De Wit.

TINE REV. DR.. De Wit.
.o>v~>(~~>~~~.>oo.>~o~~~~
Dutch Reformed Church, Corner Of La
fayette Place and Fourth street.
The day Of national fast and humiliation observed
with religious at the Reformed Dutch church Of
Rev. Dr. De Witt, corner Lafayette place and Fourth
street. The services Of q most impressive
and fervent character, and the church was SO
crowded that il impossible TO seat the entire
assembage, and large number were compelled to
remain standing inside the vestbule. The prayers
characterized by unusual earnesness and fervor
and the hymns and psalms selected for the occasion
particularly appropriate the object which had assem-
bsed the congregation together
Rev. DR.. DEwrrr, m opening the services, said that
they called upon to perform solemn or
important duty, and trusted that they came with
prepared hearts, He then read the Presidents Proclama
nation which was listened to with deep attention,
and gave out the 4S0th hymn
Lord, teach US how TO pray Alright,
With reverence and with fear;
Though dust and ashes in Thy sight,
Wenay, must draw near.
Al the conclusion Of the singing Dr. Dc
Wit proceeded to read selection from the
Scr pSures, seymg that he knew no more
suroprate passage than the prayer offered by Daniel
.Apd set my face the Lord to seek by prayer an
with suppcatios with fasting and sackcloth and ashe
and Eyed un.o the my God, and made my co
seeson and said, o Lord have sinncd, nd
have committed iniquity, and have done wickedy, lnf
have rebetcdeven by departing from Ply precepls at
from Thy judgement. Neither have hearkened un.O
Thy servants PROPHETS which spake in Thy na'
our kings, princes aud our fathers, am;
10 all the people OF the land. 0 Lord, right
eousness belongcth unto Thee, but unto US CO usion
of faces rs o: this day /" D. Lerd
belongeth confusion Of face to our king TO
princes and to fathers, because wo hay sRnee
against thee. To the lord cod boonG. me- ces and
forgiveness, though have rebeicd aga nst Him
Neither have obcyed the voice of thea1 rd our God
His laws which lie before by His SEA wants, the
prophcts y Therefore the co rise is poured
upon ne And He hath dirmed Ills
words VIII Oh spake against u.s. and agsi t our jadge
that Judged us, by bringing upon us greet evil
All this evil is upon us. o3A Td, according
% all hteousness beseech Thee lorT line anger and
Thy fury be turned away 2 bccsusef orol snsand
m,ou,t,es Now therefore, our Cod hear the
prayer of thy servant and his supplicas< I'd cause
Toy shine upon Thy sanctuary tbats desc ate s
tbe Lords sake
Al the conclusion 81 reading the reverend Sn 70
,uan made remarks in relation tc Che day ID its
object The hand God had been upon u.s. prosp ring
blessing until the present time a. he had not s
with any people before. But now the Union was in W
rlied They had assembled with common feelings q
fa,h in DIVINE Providence that by prayer and supple
zion the country might be rescued ircm the dang
which threatened it.
q God he said, would humble ourselves before Thee
upon thus ccclsion Thou hast the power to punish and
forgive We thank Thee that Thou hast an ear TO
hear the prayers of Thy people when they ask for the re-
ssion OF their SINS Hear the contested Of those who
now bow themselves before Thee We have sinned IN
dvidnaly and as a nation God, give US The grace 10
heartfelt confession OF sins and have con-
acic-sness Of our guilt II js pleading by the
merit OF our acdeerner that we come to Thee
and pray Thee that the spirit OF grace aud
~.pr.icaton may he poured upon this asscmblage
we hunbly pray Thee TO look down upon us and we
,ha,k Thee for past go9dness We have been permitted
bars nd pntOy pprD
ses whilst other nations have been rent asunder Per-
INIT us stu TO 90 81 stay Thy hana On th SIcSsGa ana
We would JOIN with all the people Of these United
Ms m.nd with ms grace and wisdom, and may those
around him. his coutseors aud assistants, be guided IN
All their actions by .hee with national repre-
eutatives IN Congress assembled, and defer not Thy
The MAJ nal by ma Il ,be church ,hcn sung
IN Thee, our guardian Cod We call
Before Thy ,hrone OF gface We ish.
Sec, we repent, we weep, we mourn,
To oar forsalen Lord we turn.
Oh spare osrgary country, spare
The church winch thou hast planted there
Chancellor Ffsris alluded the selection OF Scripture
i.oad by r. Dewitt and sad that u was the prayer OF
snadc. common supphca.o, with the guilty. The most
private and mos, utd'siingushed citizen q ~;
SS '''I prayers ssT sisud so joined in common s1h
whose possessed 81 rank, authority aud power for
~cunci.son ne prayed God when He regarded tie
ssupplacne d one mortal inight loof down upon the
u
oniry befosc hec besocc,g Thee not 70 turn Thy tase
fam US. Thy Sagbsih has been violated. have dol
1zed cur public and Institutions and orgotten
Thee. God bae been in al cur thoughts snd plans
and Intentions. would bunbe ourselves TOR our
s.ns az individuals and haitian. o. look upon us m
ahs ecuI Of and bless President an6 lead
b9o corIeol Grant that every evil male 0vnr-
: srd and forget not IN this hour 81 our nccsAsiy
Tbs Odd hymn was then sung
O Cod ol Bethel by whose band
Thy people sill are fed,
Who through this weary Pig image
Hast all,our fathers led
Rev. Dr. BxTToS offered stirring prayer MA
fcns, he sail did stand such for Judgment bsoss
che throne of God lnda dnals Judged. not nate
sud therefore behoovee every 10 confess hs cs1
ains and outlines.
psalm was then sung, commencing
They raw the wonders wrought,
And then thy praises sung;
But soon the works OF E,wer forgot,
And murmnred with tlssir tongue
nv. Dr.. BfIHrSEprayed that Coz might work faith
the government which or&aned under His o
Gucnce and TO remove the evil which had excited His
IssdgnSScn.
Rev. Nv HHpF,nrRGH next offered up n prayer that
S,xsg might arrest the course 81 wheu distracted
s,A AZ The country; that harmony might enslc
a,l lsoiheiy oyc be restored. He had faith FOR the
f,1trrr from God q dealings with in the past.
nc ffh, SIKH erd seventh vcrfcs u the 10th Psalm