The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-04-30
NATIONAL PRAYER AND HuuuX.
ALTON.
by Ne President Of the United States of
America


WHEREAS, The Senate of the United
States devoutly recognizing the supreme
authority Snd just government of Almighty
God IN all affairs Of men and of nations.
has by resolution requested the Presi.
dent TO designate and set apart day for
National prayer and humiliation; and,
WHEREAS, 1t is the duty Of nations as
well as OF men, to own their dependence
upon the overriding power of God, to con.
Tess their sins and trsnsgressions, in hum
bic sorrow, yet with assured hope tba,
genuine repentance viii lead 10 mercy
and pardon, and to recognize the sublime
truths announced in the Holy Scriptures
aud proven by history, that those nations
only srs blessed whose God is the Lord !,
And. inasmuch as we know that BY His
divine law, that n4ii> ~, like Individuals,
are subject to punishment and chastise-
menss IN this world, may we not Justly
fear that the awful calamity of civil war,
winch now desolates the land, may be but
a punishment inflicted upon us for our
presumptuous sins. to the needful end of
our nstrouxi reformation as whole Peo.
pie ? We have been the recipients of the
choicest bonnties Of Heaven. We have
been preserved these many years in peace
and prosperity. We have grown in num-
bers. wealth and power as no other nation
ever has grown. But we have forgotten
God. We have forgotten the gracious
hand which preserved US in peace, and
multiplied and enriched us-and We have
vainly imagined in the deceitrulness of our
hearts that all these blessings were produ.
ced by some superior goodnes, Of our own
Intoxicated with unbruken success ws
have become too self-suffi cient to fesl the
neeess'ty Of redeemiDg and preserving
grace, too proud to pray to G cd that made
US.
IL behooves us then, to humble our
selves before the offended Power. to con-
Tess our national sins, and pray for elem
eney and forgiveness.
Now, Therefore IN compliance with the
request. and fully coneudug in the views
OF the Senate, | do. by this my proclaim
alton, designate and set apart Thursday.
the 3Oth day of April. 1868. as a day u
national humiliation, fasting and prayer.
And do hereby reque,t all the people to
abstain on that day from their ordinary
secular pursuits, and to unite, at their
several places Of public worship and their
respective houses. in keeping the day holy
10 the Lord. and devoted to the hamlie lie
discharge of the religious duties proper 10
that solemn occasion.
All this being dene in sincerity and
truth, then let Us rest bumbly in the
hope, authorized by the Divine Teachings
that the united cry Of the Nation will be
heard on high. answered with blessings
no less Than pardon for our national sins.
and restoration OF our now divided and
suffering country TO its former happy con.
dition OF unity and peace.
In witness whereof, have Lcreunto So,
my hand, and caused the seal of the Uni.
ted States to be affixed.
Done at the city Of Washington this
thirtiesh day of March. in the year
Of our Lord one thousand eight
Us. hundred and sixty three, and Of
the independence of the United
States the eighty-seventh.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.