Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-08
Day of PRAYER.

Uoon the eve of momsntous campaign, within the
period of which lie undiselOse ed events nseTuta0e 10
the most earliest gaze affecting the destny-'he very
existence, perhaps-O people as free people, 1t
IL meet for Us 10 bow in reverence and ave at the
fOotstool OF that Providence who OVerruss the uni
verse. The Giver Of all good ihings Al-presen; ane
Au-poEerful not unmindful OF the sparrow that ces,
or even the number OF the hairs Of the head eAnnob
uamindful Of the susrngs and s clions, in body, IN
mind and 10 SOUL now visited upon our people. Let Us
acc pt the chas.isement as His ehasement, without
reoinirgs II We cannot adhere the Scrptu;al con-
maud 70 'Sory in tribu atODs' which work 'plsiercs
aad experience aud hope let at least unite IN the
suppGeaion that the 'tribulaiion and anguish uFoa
every sOuI may give place, = promised BY the APO
tie, 'tO glory, honor and peace" Let light anew at
the same altar from time to time and at AL times the
6res OF Religion and Patriotism. Let US guard tho
6res and not allow them be e1dnguished; but let be
our IN that they bum With pursr and brighter Aime
Let US aim to keel alone in bravery and deeds Of
arms but in works of bsneVOleuee charity and Chris
tisn virsue
Suffering, in itself, is not an evil No material Ie
ioc ng ever brghseus the weary journey Of life Withcu
suffering. All great and essential good man ever
shares bu in proportion to The trials and Anguish OF
attaining il. Religion, philosophy and every day's
experience confirm this As with individuals it is the
same in this respecs, with nations. That creates
suhsring Of all to communicates state Of var-let u
confidently hope the fOrerunner Of the create
blessing ID our community of S.ates-Our indeperd-
snce. And in proportion to the srffsrirg we go
through nov let estimate the value and permAnence
Of It's reward.
This day is recommended to the people Of the Con-
fedsrae States by Congress- to be set aIar: and Oh
served as day Of prayer. Our people are invited TO
prostra themselves the foot Of the Throne Of Grac
invoking the blessing Of the Almighty upon cur Peep
a. large that He will 'preside plbIic counsel
add authorities" that He "Wl inspire armies aud
their leaders With courage, perseverance, and wisdom
tina. He will spare the lives Of brothers in the I'd
aud in duo time restore them Us that He will shield
and defeud them, and all others Of our people, in ali
hours Of peril aud danger tina. he viii lock with ply
upon the suerngs Of those in want and the sorrOWs d
those under bereavement; that He will increase to
thu fruits Of tie earth that He will turn the hearts q
our enemies and will confuse their Councils and divide
oas against another them who persist in prosecuting
that He will raise Us up friends; that He will Ill Us CoD
tinuAy with hope, and in His own good time essabh
Us as peO pie among the family Of nations, and bless and
prosper Us.
The solemn invocation Of Congress and the President
to this observance may be lightly esteemed by needless
aud unthinking persons but the sOber-minded AID
wise will see in it becoming recognition of our de-
pendenee on Him without whose aid wisdom in eoun-
sci nor bravery in battle nor fortnde in piiVaiion
Will profit people.