The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-04-29
FaStiAg and Prayer.

q day OF National humiliation, 10 be OBJ
served with fasting and prayer. He is
sued his proclamation to this effect, in
accordance with the desire of the u S.
Senate, as expressed in an unanimous
resolution adopted at the close of its
session.
Will the people of Evansville observe
the day in BETTING manner, or will
they treat the Presidents request with
indifference and cOntempt2
As with individuals, sowith nations,
There's divinity that shapes our ends.
Rough-hew them how We will.
The punishment of individuals for
their manifold sins, may be reserved
for future existence, and during this
life, they may have great power, and
spread themselves like a green bay
tree but national sins must be expiated
in this world. Whilst there may be,
ought to be, and no doubt are, suitable
rewards and punishments prepared for
the children of men, as they may do well
or i'll in this life, to be designated in a
future state, governments and nations,
while they have an existence as such,
must expect to answer for their national
crimes. As we have no evidence that
nations will ever have spiritual exist
ence, we must conclude that their re-
wards and punishments are melted
Quito them in time, that they are prosper
GUS. and happy, as they are humble and
thankful; but pride precedes fall. Rev
elation and history confirm this truth.
How essential, then, in the midst of
our sore punishments and trials, that
we recognize, with becoming humility,
the Christening hand inAicting the blows,
and by repenting of our national trans
gressions, realize that "whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth" The nation
which becomes so exalted and pulled up
by the manifold blessings showered up
on it by smiling Providence, as to re-
fuse to be BUNDLED by the lessons of ad-
versity taught it by the same Beneficent
Being, is ripe for destruction, and may
-A4IorIS ~ -Sr.-4.Sfos-S. II wy
ly were the Egyptians afflicted, because
they hardened their hearts and stiffened
their aecks. Shall the first born of ev-
cry family in all our fair land be slain
before we humbly bow ourselves before
the Great Ruler and ask,-''if it be pos
ible, let this cup pass from u.s." Threat
ened punishments were often averted by
timely repentance on the part of the
jews. The Ninevites saved their city by
needing the warning of a stranger, and
repenting of their sins in sack-cloth and
ashes. Shall we disregard the warning
coming from our Chief Magistrate?
1t is not for US to point out what are
our national sins. They are diverse in
character and multiplied in number. 1t
may not be improper for US to suggest
what we conceive 10 be one of the great
est magnitude. The great, preponder-
ating evil of our time, and especially of
our people, is the glove of money" The
magnitude of this sin has been emphatic
ally announced. 1t is declared to be the
"root of all evil" Have our readers
forgotten that, among other decisions by
which the rebel leaders succeeded in
arrayiug the Southern States against
their Government, none was more pow-
erful than the assertion that the people
of the Northern States were a race Of
sbopkeepers, and would not fight; that
their love of money would induce them
to recognize the Confederacy; that their
patriotism was subservient to their pock-
cts? If, then, this desire for wealth has
been used as means to bring trouble
'pro- ''e-i s the fostering and STRENGTHEN
ing of the desire calculated in any way
TO end it? Is it not apparent to every
calm, rejecting observer of the events OF
the two years past, that it will require
the guidance of a higher order of intelli-
genee, a more far-reaching mind, than
any that has yet appeared or is likely to
appear among US, to happily extricate US
from our difficulties? Why not, then,
invoke the assistance of the Great Author
of Intellect the Great Constructor OF
Mind? How can we do this, as nation,
so well as by Fasting and Prayer on a
day appointed By our Chief Executive
For one day, then, let us cruelty our
desire for money. Our workshops and
stores ought to be closed. VIII they be ?
The busy hum of trade ought to give
place to silence that begets meditation.
The sound of the hammer and saw ought
to be heard nowhere within the limits o.
the city. The churches ought all to b.
thrown open, and crowded with meel
suppliants at Great Creators throne
Whatever religious belief we may enter
tain, or whether we discard all creeds
we cannot think our people would eve
have reason to regret that one day hat
been devoted to meditating upon tn,
past, examining the present, and-witl
confidence that the Great Author Of Lib