American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-03-20
For the Citizen


Mr. EDITOR Our noble President having
set apart by proclamation the 27th of this
month as day of fasting, humiliation and
prayer, and rejoicing we have a Chief Magis-
trate who realizes our dependence upon God
as the giver of all our blessings, your CORES
pendent wishes to present few thoughts to
the readers of your paper as they present
/ themselves to the writer
/ We are told in the Bible. which we regard
with reverence as the infallible word of cd,
that when His people desire any thing of
Him 81 He would be enquired of by the house
of Israel to do il for them" The necessity
for the humiliation &c, set forth in the
proclamation are believed to be so apparent,
that it is unnecessary to argue that point for
a single moment, and your correspondent
would merely make some suggestions to
the manner in which the day should be OBJ
served And first, let there be q holy con-
vocation, solemn assembly, and let there
be no serviIe work done therein" And to
keep a day holy to the Lord, we must alb
stain from usual employments. Again,
let the Planter, the Merchant, the Trades
man, and all classes of the community see to
it, that all their dependents observe this day
as an extraordinary Sabbath, and give them,
far as possible, an opportunity of attend
ing upon the public worship of God.
Let us come acknowledging our sins (for
verify we are guilty to God) and repent
ing of our sins, and then we can plead the
promise in our behalf.
This being seed time of the year, planters
are necessarily very busy in planting, but let
US O. not offer to God sacrifice that costs us
rothing;" and let us come with humility as
the Nineyites, the terms of whose fast pre-
cluded food and drink for man or beast, and in
view of which humiliation, God was pleased
to turn away His fierce wrath for a season
" from that great city, in which were more
than six score thousand persons that can not
discern between their right hand and their
left hand, and also much cattle" We think
lance and perhaps the overseer may object
to pass the day thus, on account of planting
corn to live upon, and Also to supply the
army. Now, tbring We all the tithes into
the storehouse, and prove me herewith,
saith the Lord of hosts, if will not open you
the windows of heaven, and pour you ont
blessing, that there shalt not be room enough
to receive it."
! no Theologian, but am a believer in
the efficacy of earnest, believing prayer, and
it would be easy thing for Gcd to give us
deliveranee from our enemies by the hands
of a very few men, as was the case with the
Israelites under Gideon. We believe prayers
should be offered for peace, subject to the
viii Of God. If it be His will to give, us
peace, it would certainly be desirable in these
times but if il is not Gods will, it would
be no blessing to US. Now let us all come,
and with humble resignation, let US bow
down ourselves before Him, and in the name
of the Great Mediator, pray that we may
gain the cictory over our enemies, and that
peace may speedily be established.
? In conclusion, Mr.. Editor urge the i'm
portanee of this subject upon your readers,
and you will thereby do a great service to
the country, in the opinion of
HUMBLE PLANTER.
March Is, 1868.