The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1863-03-19
DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER

ton of our President, appointing the 2Ith
day Of this month % day of solemn fast
ing and prayer to GCd, has been everywhere
read, and is no doubt heartily approved
It needs no recommendation to secure its
general observance. And yet to pass by
in silence time set apart for such ma
tiOual solemnity, would seem like treating
it with indifference.
Every serious mind must be grati6ed to
know that the history of this great struggle
will be marked by devOut and repeated re-
c,Onitions of Him who stitch in the heav-
ems. and whose kingdom ruleth over all. With
all their sius, the people of this land have
not said, ''who is the Almighty, that We
should fear MINI His hand has been lf'ed
up, and they have not refused to see it
They have owned bis providence in the visl
tations upon US. From our Chief Magistrate
down TO the most obscure citizen, they have
again and again BUNDLED themselves with
fasting. and besOugbt bis mercifOi interposl-
ton. We are thankful that such will be
the record of history. These repeated sp-
pointments have been generally and de-
vOu'ly kept.
Nor have they been in vain. None but
8 miserable Atheist viii say so. We can
look back a year ago, and remember how
appalling was our condition. 1t was OF
unlike that of the ship in which the
apostle sailed to Italy, when neither sun
moist in many days appeared, and no
snail tempest lay on US" From some "al
hope that we should be saved was then
taken away" 1t was in such distress the
hearts Of our people we're bowed before the
throne,
Who can doubt that those prayers enter
ed into the ears of the Lord of hOsts3 From
that period on to the present, his mighty
arm has been stretched ont for our PrOtec-
ton, an by his help our foes have been put
to shame. Their dsf-ats have been both ter
rb'e and disgracsful. There was, short
time ago, an extensive hope, the fruit in
part Of universal wish that the worst was
over, and that We should soon be revisited
by peace This expectation has generally
vanished. It is perfectly plain that cur in
fltuated foes are about 10 hurl ufon us their
mightiest forces. Their deadly malice
their diabolical purposes are every day more
manifest The day is upon us. We have
absoluttl " no choice. Every man and woman
of our nation knows that if we are not lost
10 all We should hold dearest, we must fight
ss,o the last Of our blood and our breath"
n people could we'll sink down under a
more ignomuious bondage if we fail. No
u. 81 esn sok fairly oye- tbe whole ground,
and not conclude that il were better for us
t. perish than submit our ueckStO the de-
grading CALLING yOk- prepared for US ~
men hat hate US
But trih ,rhoa Is The rjc'orY? Oar fate
is folded up in the decision Of that question.
Dee or two Of our newspapers have at times
not obscurely limited their appreciation of a
u AKIN Napoleon is reported to have sane
toned. that God was always on the side of
the strongest regiments, and the heaviest
artillery. The remark, whether from the
great n ,pOleon in France, or malignant
vikings here, is an atheism our Christian
na,ion will disdain to take upon its lips
Our people do believe tha' the Almighty
God holds our destiny in the hollow of his
hand. We may engage our highest skill,
bring out every resource, exert our utmost
power, avd BY all means should do this; but
beg oud his good pleasure nothing can pros
per. If ne casts us down, our sins have de-
served it; If he lifts US up, it is the hand of
mercy that does it.
Now then, while our armies are girdiUg
themselves for the shock of battle, deter
mined to quit them like men, let them, and
all f US feel how precious is the invitation
to look up to the eternal throne. Call upon
me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver
thee" Prayer has power with God. 1t is
the diviuely appointed means Of assistance.
1t has the promises exceeding great and
precious" attached to it. 1t has the record
of wonderful experience to encourage it
Answers to it have adorned the history of
the believing in every age. 1t Is, therefore
the resource of the perplexed, the agitated,
in every trouble, every danger ExtraOrdi-
nary, united praJer is called for, with hun
bic confession of sin before God.
We trust that the day appointed will be
more generally aud sacredly kept than
any before it. Let us go in penitence and
faith to our unfailing Friend. Let every
NJ an lay his Eff ring unresefvedly upon the
Gross. Let hun honestly commit himself.
and our whole mai II to the hands of our
ora, AID, ocate wirb the Father. IF God
b TOR us, who eau be against Us 3''-is the
lesson of the past. D. that it may he that
OF ii q fu'ure! If so, our enemies may gath r
t,gir legions and make their boast; may