North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-08
Presidents Proclamation for Day of HUI
initiation and Prayer,

initiation and Prayer,
Whereas, the Senate of the United States,
devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority
and just Government of Almighty God, in all
the affairs of men and of nations, has, by
resolution, requested the President to desig.
nate and set apart day for National prayer
and humiliation.
And, whereas, it is the duty of nations, as
well as of men, to own their dependence up
on 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 truth, announced in
the Holy Scriptures and proved by all his
tory, that those nations only are blessed
whose God is the Lord.
And, inasmuch as we know that, by his
Divine law, nations, like individuals, are sub
jected to punishments and chastisements in
this world, may we not justly fearsthat the
awful calamity of civil war, which now de-
solates the land, may be but a punishment
to the needful reformation as whole people
We have been the recipients Of the choicest
bounties of Heaven. We have been pFeserv-
ed, these many years, in peace and prosperity
We have grown in numbers, and wealth as
no other nation has ever grown. But we
have forgotten the gracious hand which pre-
served US in peace, and multiplied and ell
riched and strengthened us /; and we have
vainly imagined, in the dece'tfulness of our
hearts, that all these blessings were produced
by some superior wisdom and virtue OF our
own. Intoxicated with unbroken success
we have become too self-sufficlent to feel the
necessity Of redeeming and preserving grace,
too proud to pray to the God that made US :
1t behoovea US, then, to humble ourselves
before the offended Power, to confess our ma
| tional sins, and to pray for clemencv and for
giveness.
Now, therefore, IN compliance with the re-
quest, and fully concuriipg in the views OF
the Senate, | do, by this my proclamation,
designate and set apart Thursday, the Both
day of April, 1863, as day of national hu-
initiation; fasting and prayer. And | do
hereby reque t all the people to abstain OH
that day fl ON their ordinary secular pursuits
and to unite at their several places Of public
worship and their respective homes, in keep
ing the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to
the humble discharge Of the religious duties
| proper 10 that solemn occasion. All this be-
ing done, in sincerity and truth, let US, then
rest humbly in the hope, authorized by the
Divine teachings, that the united cry of the
nation viii! be heard on High, and answered
with blessings, no less than the pardon Of
| our national SINS, and the restoration of our
now divided and suffering country to lis for
mer happy condition OF unity 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 cf March, IN the year OF our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty three,
and Of the independence Of the United States
| the eigaty-seyenth.
Isl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President:
WM. Ii. SEWARD, Secretary of State