, 1863-04-27


house.
In pursuance Of the Presidents Proclama.
tion, setting apart Thursday, the Soth inst,
as day Of fasting and prayer, Bishop White
house has issued thefollowing pastoral letter,
which is to be read in every church in the
diocese this morning, and repeated on each
occasion Of divine service during the day:
PASTORAL LETTER.
To the Cltrgy aud Laty OF the Diocese Of Illinois
DEAR RRETnRES-The President, moved thereto
By solemn resolution Of the Senate Of the United
thorsty and just government of Almighty God. in
all the affairs Of men and Of nations, does, by his
proclamation. dated the 9Th day Of March, 1861:
april, as day Of National humiliation, llstlnss
and prayer"
No lngragc Of mine can 50 we'll act forth the
grounds and object OF this appeal Of the Chief Ex-
ccutiSe, to the conscience and heart OF tho nation,
rs its own true and Cody words. Every should
hear them. Every foul should bow over them in
pure itself In eobfvty and loyal truth, to respond
by personal service to ths Gry for help, 60 deep
and vide, fF9m 3Rt those IT. authority oss1 ns ts
tism and felisiol,-thc welfare Of the present and
the unborn-lhe whole interests Of social stability
and t. advance; wosldwdsmare 90 concentrated !:
which isokcs the united CIT Of tho nation " fox
the pardon Of our natio1Ial sin-, AMI the restora
its former lappy condition OF Unity and Pcacc. -
'rethrcn beloved hear this let us psny na the cry
con1se back from the ncarens above, PEAE, PKAr.
'.WRENEAs. It is the duty Of nations, ss we'll as
of men, to own tleir dependence upon the over
ruling power OF God. to confess their sins and
transs1cssions. in humble sorrow: yet with assured
koEc that genuine repentance will lead to mercy
mud pa1aon, and to recognize the sublime truth,
announced in the Holy Scriptures. and proven By
all history thst those nations only are blessed
And, insotnuch rs we know that, by His Divine
law, nations, like Individuals. are subjected tc
punishments anu .chastisements in this world
may, we not Justly fear that the awful calamity o
civil WAT. which now desolates the land, may ht
but punishment inflicted upon lie for our pte
snmptnous gins, to the ncedfnl end Of our nationa
recipients OF the choicest bouutics Of heaven. r.
have been preserved, these many ycers, III peact
| AID prosperity. We have grown in numbers
grown. But we have forgotten Cod. We have fo1
| gotten the gracious hand which preserved Us Ii
peace, and multiplied and enriched aud strength
ceitfulness Of our hearts, tha, ali these blcsalu.
| were produced by come superior wisdom and VT
tue Of our own. Intoxicated with un5ro1en sEc
cess, we have become too self euficient to feel th
ntcesetF Of redeeu1ng gcace, too proud to pray II
the God that made us.
1tbehooves us then, to humble ourselves befo.s
| tho ofunded Power, to confess our National sirs
and to pray for clen'ency and forgiveness.
| Now: therefore. in compliance with the request
uuQ 1u45} CQntuIIlDE III Tue views cI TIE senate,
| do, By this my Proclamation. designate and Sc
npntt. Thprsdar, the thirtieth day Of april 1863
q day Of national humiliation, fasting aud prayer
on that day from their ordirs7y Fecuiar pursuits
and to unite at their seyeza pisces Of public wor
ship and their respective homes. in kceplng th'
discharge Of thc religious duties proper to tia
solemn occasion.
All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let u
then rel hnmbly in Me hope. authorized IN th
will ba heard on high, and answered with bless
tngs no less than the 12rdon Of onr national sins
and the restoration Of our now divided md suffer
ing country to its former Happy condition Of unit
With glad mind fer this testimony, that OF
| rulers and stotesr1tn acknowledge the true rcla
tions to onr offended God, and yet merciful Savior
IN His 1cdecn.ins md preserving Grace, and a
the heasc1 OF Prayer, hereby recommend Thurs
day. the thirtieth day OF April, to be observed ii
of Illinois, n day of : Humilatca Fsating an
Prayer, ASSURED that my beloved flock will wit
al humility and readiness Of mind faithfully OF
To this effect, earnestly recommend that a
ordins1y business shall. as Il: a. practicable, b
suspended; that deyout effort be made to gsthe
hat The exercises there of the palpit as vel as t
sacred desk, may be in harmony with one solem
purpose Of humiliation 21de! conscious zin:
nation against Us imnioring from Him pardon Il
tl;e past, pity IN our sorrows, guidance IN o.
sesa5ss ssesh IL IL aaa soa
this be Gopc with pure heart fervently: NOT o7l
in public but in prlyate, 90 that in the pity Of OF
compassionate sar!our. the plague whsei: is be%u
| may be stayed; and the anger turned away, whic
or unthankfulnees;; pride and corruption, has
.ind as aims giving, With the works q mesc
with lervcnt prayer and humble pcnitcnce. {
would Ircconmend that on that day the Gifts
the people should be gathered, and otf:rsd Oh God