Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-23
The Presidents ProeIama ton for a Day Of
Fasting and PIxyer.

WHEREAS, The Senate and House Of Representa-
tives, at their last session, adopted concurrent
of July, instant and which was in the words follow
ing, namely:
auested to appoint day for humiliation and pray
er by the people of the United States that he re-
quest his advisers at the head OF the
executive Departments to unite with him as Chief
Magistrate of the Nation, at the city of Washn s.
ton and the members of Congress, and all magis-
trates all civil military and naval officers, all SOL
diers, sailors, and marines, with al ioyai ana Ia"
abiding people, to at their usual places OF
worship, or wherever they may be, to confess and
repent of their manifold sine; to impore the COM
passion and forgiveness of the Almighty, that, II
consistent with HE will the existing rebellion may
be speedily suppressed, and the supremacy OF the
|. Constitution and laws of the United states may
be established throughout all the States; to i'm
More Him. as the Supreme Ruler of the world, not
to destroy as a people, nor suffer US 20 De de-
stroyed by the hostility or conniyance OF otner ma
tions or by obstinate adhesion to our own coun-
sells which may be in conflict with His eternal pus
pose, and to implore Him to enlghten the mind
of the nation to know and do His will, humbly be-
ieving that it is in accordance with His viii that
our place should be maintained as united people
| among the family of nations; to implore Him 10
grant to armed defenders and the masses OF the
people that courage, power of resistance and en-
| durapce necessary TO secure that result; to i'm
plore Him in His infinite goodness to soften the
hearts, enlighten the minds and quicken the con-
sciences of those in rebellion, that they may lay
down their arms and speedily return to allegiance
to the United States that they be not utterly DE
strOyed. that the etfuelOn OF DloOQ oe staJ
and that unity and fraternity may be restored, ana
peace established throughout all our borders.
Now, therefore, /, Abraham Lincoln, PTeslaent
of the United States, cordially concurring Wit the
Congress of the United States in the penitentlal
and pious sentiments expressed in the aforesaid
resolution, and heartily approving OF the aevouon-
al design and purpose thereof, do hereby appoint
| the first Thursday of August next to be observed
by the people of the United states as DAY OF ma
| tional Humiliation and prayer.
/ do hereby further invite and request the heads
| of the Executive Departments OF this GoVernment,
together with all legislators, all judges and mags-
trates, and all other persons exercising authority
in the land, whether civil, military or naval, aud
all soldiers, seamen and marines in the national
service, to assemble in their preferred places OF
worship on that day. and there to render to the Al
mighty and merciful Ruler of the universe such
homage and such confessions, and to offer to Him
such supplications as the Congress Of the United
States have, in their aforesaid resolution, SO SOL
emnity, earnestly, and so reverently recon-
mended
In testimony whereof have bereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States to
be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this seventh day
of July, in the year oil our Lord one thou
IsEALl sand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of
the independence of the United States the
eighty.ninth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President
WILLIAM II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.