Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-08
rAsr nav READING.

JAxxs FARRow of South Carolina, towards the close Of
the last session of Congress- and unanimously agreed
t.. The resolution was unanimously CONQUERED in by
the Senate and received the approval Of the President
Who soon after the adjournment Of Congress, issued
the foIl swing:
PROCLAMATION
BIT TEE ParsIprxr OF THE oosYEDERATK STATES OF
AMERICA.
The Senate and House Of Representatives Of the
Confederate States of America have sgnhed their DC.
sire that day may be recommended to the people, ID
be set apart and observed as day OF humiliatioo,
fasting and PRAYER In the language following, TO wit:
"Reyeren,ly recognizing the Providence of God in
TIE slirs of MAJ and gratefully remembering tho gni-
Dance support AID deverance grated to our Patriot
Fathers in tho memorable war which resulted in the
Independence of the Amsrc Colonies snd nov repo.
sing in him GU. supreme confidence and hope IN ths
present struggle for Civil and Religious Freedom, and
for the right to live under Government Of our own
choice and deeply impressed with the conviction that
without Him nothing is strong, nothing wise and moth
ing enduring; in order that the people Of this CoDede
rscy may lave the opportunity at the same tine, OF
osring their alteration to the great Sovereign OF the
Universe, OF psniteny con'essing their sins and
strengthening their and purposes of amendment
in humble reliance upon His Gracious and Almighty
power:
"The Congress OF the Confederate States of Amer.ca
do resolve That it be recommended to the people Of
next be set apart aud observed day OF Humilia-
ton, Fasting and Prayer, tha. Almighty God would SO
preside over public counses and authorities; that
He would 80 inspire armies and their leaders with
wisdom, courage and perseverance,; and so manifest
Himself in the greatness Of His goddess and msjssy
of his power, that we may be safely and successfully
led through the Christening to which are being sub
iected 10 the attainment Of honorable peace SO
that whlls we enjoy the blessings Of free and happy
Governm. Mt may ascrbe to Him the honor and the
glory of our independence and prosperity"
recomms ndatien so cong NAL to the feelings of the
people will receive their hearty concurrence and il is
a grateful duty to the Executive to unite with their
Representatives in inviting them to meet in the Couts
of the Mos. High. Recent events awaken fresh graft
tuie to the Supreme Ruler of nations. Our enemies
have suffered repeated defeats, and nearous scheme
TO burn and plumber our Capital, and TO destroy
civil Government by putting 10 death the chosen SER
wants of the people, has been bssd and set at naught
Our armies have been strengthened our finances pro
mise rapid progress satisfactory condition; aud
whole country Is animated with hopeful spirit aud
fixed discrimination 10 achieve independence
In these circumstances it becomes u.s. WITH thankful
hearts, to bow ourselves before the throne of the Most
High, and while gratefully acknowledging SO many
merces confess that our sine as People Rave justly
exposed us to His chsstisement. Let recognize the
suferipgs which we have been called upon TO endure
as administered by iatberly hand for our improve
ment and with resoute courage and patient endurance
let us wait on Him for our deliyerance.
In furLheranoc of these objecs, now, Therefore,
JEFFERSON DAVIS, President OF the Confederate
States oil Americs, do issue this, my reclamation, calf
ing upon the people of the said States in conformity
wi the desire expressed by their Representatives to
set apart FRIDAY, the 9Th day Of April, a day Of
HuI iliaton Fasting and Prayer, and do hereby in
vte them that day to repair to their several places
OF public worship and beseech Almighty God 10 pre-
side over our public csuDses and inepire armies
and leaders with wisdom, courage and perseverance, ;
aud so to manifest Himself in the greatness of His good
ness and in the msjesty of His po~er, that may
cure the blessings of honorable peace and Of free
government; and that we, as people, may ascrbe oil
10 the Honor and Glcry of His Name"
~ Given under my hand and the seal of The
IcpI Confederate Safes of America, at the city
'hAh of Richmond, on this 18th day of March, in
49, the year of Oar Lord thousand eight
hundred and sixty four JEFFERSON DAVIS.
By the President.
]. P. BEsJAMIN, Secretary of State.
DKYISIrIox OF RELIGIOUS FASTING.
The EncycoI lila of Religious Kno1l.dge gives the
fcllo wing definition OF reg gu, fasting:
Religious fasting CONSISTS !. Ia ab,Lnence from
every animal indulgeo, and from food far health
and circumstances will admit 2. In the humble con-
fsssion of our Eins to God, with contrition
for them 3. An earnest depreciation Of Gods dspsa
sure, and humble suppcnon mat he would avert bis
tual and temporal blessing upon ourselves and others
as are needul.
1t does not appear thai our Saviour instituted any
particula fast, but left It optional. Any state Of ca
lamity aud SORROW however, naturally suggests this.
The prOpriety of religious fassicg appears, l. From
many examples recorded in Scripture. By plain
and undenabe differences from Scripture Mat. g. l6
s. From divine comm inds given on come occasions,
though there are no commands which prescribe it
constant duty. The ends aad uses Of are these /.
natural expression Of our sorrow. 2. help to devo
tional exercses.
Howlopg person should abstain from food depends
on circumstances The great end to be kept in view is
humiliation for and abstinence from sin. "If s1Js
Marshall abstinence divert our minds by reason of
gnawing appetite thea you had better cat spariugly
as Daniel in his greatest fast" Dan. 10: 2, g. They,
however, WHO in tm.s of public distress, whom the
judgments of God in the EARTH and when his Prov
dence seems to call for humiliation will retq lsh
any of their sensual e3joy nens deny themselves
in the least BIO justified; since good in al
ages more or less, have humbled Themselves on such
occasions; and reason, well Scripture, evidently
proves it to be our duty.
Although the first Christians, says Dr. Neander, did
not by any means retire from the business of life, yet
they were accustomed 10 devote many separate days
entirely to examining their own hearts, aud pour
ing them before God while they dedicated their
life anew to Him with uninterrupted prayers In order
that they might again return to their ordinary cccupa
TONS with renovated spirit of z,al and seriousness,
and With renewed powers Of sancticaton. These days
Of holy Devotion days of prayer and penitence which
individual Christians appointed for themselves, accord
ing to their individual necessities, were often kind of
fast-days In order that their sensual feelings might
less distract and impede the occupation OF their heart
with ts holy contsmpations they we're accustomed on
these days to limit their corporal wants more than
usual or 10 fast entirely In tho consideration Of this
we must not overlook the peculiar nature of tia; hot