The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-17
A Proclamation. by the President
Of the United States.

Whereas the Senate of the United States
devouty recognizing the supreme authority
and just government of Almighty God, in all
the affairs of men and nations, has, by reso
luton, requested the President to designate
and set apart day for National prayer and
humiliation:
And whereas it is the duty of nations, as
well rs of men. to own their dependence
upon the overruling power of God, to confess
their sins and transgressions, IN humble sor
row, yet with assured hope that genuine re-
pentance will lead to mercy and pardon. and
to recognize the sublime truths announced in
Holy Scriptures and proven by all history,
that those nations only are blessed whose God
is the Lord:
And, insomuch as wc know that, by His
divine law, nations like individuals, are sub.
jected to punishment in this world, may we
not Justly fear that the awful calamity of
civil war. which now desolatcs the land, may
bc but punishment inflicted upon MS for our
presumptuous sins, 20 the neerilul end Of our
national reformation as whole people? We
have been the recipients Of the choicest boun-
ties of Heaven. Wo have been preserved,
these many years, in peace and prosperity.
We have grown in numbers, wealth and
power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. We have for
gotten the gracious hand which preserved us
in peace, and multiplied and enriched and
strengthened us and we have vainly imag.
incd. IN the deceitfulness of our hearts, that
oil these blessings were produced by some
superior wisdom and virtue OF our own. In.
toxicated with unbroken success, we have
of redecming and preserving grace, too proud
to pray to the God that made us
1t behooves us, then, to humble ourselves
before the offended Power, to confess our ma
tioual sins, and to pray for clcmency and for.
giveness.
Now, therefore, in compliance with the
request, and fully concurring in the views Of
the Senate, do, by this my proclamation,
designate and set apart Thursday, tho Both
day Of April, 1868, as day of national
humiliation, fasting and prayer. And do
hereby request all the people to abstain from
their ordinary and secular pursuits, and to
unite, at their several places of public wor-
ship and their respective homes, in keeping
the day holy to the Lord. and devoted to the
humble discharge Of the religious duties
proper to that solemn occasion.
All this being done in sincerity and truth.
let us then rest hunbly In the hope, author.
lied by the Divine teachings, that the united
cry of the Nation will he heard on high, and
answered with blessings. no less than the
pardon of our national sins, and restoration
Of our now divided and suffering country to
its former happy condition ofunity and peace.
In witness whereof, | have hereunto set
my hand, and caused the seal Of the United
States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington this thir.
tieth day Of March, in the year Of
our Lord one thousand eight hum
fL.s.] dred and sixty.thrce, and Of the in
dependence Of the United States
the eighty-sevcnth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President:
WILLIAM II. SEWARD, Secretary Of State.