The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-07-22
From tho Philadelphia North American jay sth.
A soIsmniy Impressive Scene.

We have read the FIRST PRAYER offered in the
Continental Congress, and Of the sOiemuity anu
impressiveness OF the scene, a. the assembled
body knelt while Jehovah was praised for the
workings Of His providence in ordering freedom
30 America
Independence Square yesterday saw sight
emulatIns &c IA solemn grandeur, and presenting
a spectacle Philadelphia never before witnessed
never may again. The lidings Of the progress
Of the onion arms the fall OF bicAsbGrgl
brought 10 about When first promulgated
large number OF the members Of the Union
League met eoincideuty al tue League rooms.
The thrOng increased anti the place nearly
filed. Every body had leiE their places OF Dusl
ness, aud the members instiuctively sought the
League house tor mutual congratulation.
IL was proposed that something more than al
Informal recognition OF so OOuutful a blessing
Of victory should be made, and the gentlemen
present took steps u make il. Bngfrid'a 0aud
Of fOrty-sx Instruments vas secured and "Itl
this az IL head the Union League, headed Dy the
Rev Kingston Goddard aud Rev. Dr.. Barnard,
moved down Chcsnut street ~ Independence
Square, keeping step 10 tie glad strains Of nd
uOnsi airs that have been familiar sine the days
OF youths earliest dreams
As the end Of the line reached tRe Square, al
uncOVered, she hnc hed 10 right and LETT when
dependence Hail The concourse Of people that
nov poured into the square were thousands ia
number. They spread over The surisce beyond
ear-shOt of the ioudesf enunciaton.
Mr.. Gibbons made brief address. He said
that this day she beginning OF TAG end s in view.
The rebels are losing their strOnghO.is the
cause OF the UniOn Is approaching liz hnai trl-
Smph. He drew picture o. What were As
q nation, what we are, aud what, in Gods prov
dence, We shall b.. lie spoke briefly and 10
the pOinS bus wAs 50 oyer~ hened With cheers
that We tailed 20 catch hi- speech he uttered IT,
Rev. Dr.. Brainafd nov barred his head, aud
instucuVely-~e believe reyerently, by n-
tuiIye impulse-eveIy man preseHt WAS uHcOg-
cred. A hush tell upon the deusely crowded
assenblage the hand OF the reverend doctor
was raised, aud an invitation given TO tue multi
tude TO follow him IN rendering thanks 10 heaven
for Its many mercIes, ana for GROWING the arms
Of the country With victory.
Amid more prOtOnd silence, We verify believe
than al EQUAL nuuDer OF people ever kept be
fore, DE-. Bralnard gave praise. He thanked the
Almighty for the victories that we're nov crown
ing our arms. lie had chastened us in Hls dis
pleasure, and alike in that Christening, az now in
the blessing upon our word, he recognized the
hand OF the OmnipOtent.
He impored the Divine blessing upon the
and justice might take the place OF pride and
arrogance aud vain glory, aud that this people
might recognize in every event OF hie the ruling
OF Divine power. He prayed for the President
and Cabinet, for the continued success OF our
arms, and for the restoration Of our national
unity; for liberty 70 the oppressed; Tor freedom
to worship God everyu where, and for the coming
OF that day when His kingdom shall extend over
the earth.
When al the close OF the prayer, the Christian
minister pronounced the word Anne q, the whole
multitude took up the Greek dissy liable, and, as
With one mighty voice, re-echosd it reVereRtly
and solemnly, amen"
While this prayer vas being offered, the band
silently disappeared. As the final word OF the
application was pronounced, a strain Of sacred
music burst from overhead The band mad a.
cendsd 10 the STATE House steeple, and shere
played with effect that no tongze can adequate
ly describe, the air Of Old Hundred written by
Martin Luther, tive centuries ago.
simultaneously gentlemen mounted post,
and started the melody 10 the words
Praise God from whom ali blessings flow"
The whole multitude caught it up, and dox
ology was sung with a majesty that Pbiladel pha
never before heard. Every voice united. The
monster oraIorios that we have heard, With a vo
cal chorus Of three hundred singers, dwinded
into insigniheance, in comparison 20 it. Rev.
DR.. Goddard then pronounced the bsnediction,
and the vast audience again covered themselves,
and slowly dispersed. The whole scene was re-
markable- 1t was touching illustration OF the
TACT that down deep in every mans heart, no
matter what may be the uuerance Of his p, or
his daily walk aad conversation, there Is recog-
milton OF the fact that the Lord rsigneth.