Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-30
The Presidents Proclamation for a Day NJ
Fasting and PRAYER.

WHEREAS, The Senate and House of Represen,.
tives, at their last session, adopted concurrent
Of July, instant, and which was in the words follow
ing, namely:
aThst the President of the United States be "a.
quested to appoint day for humiliation and prav
er by the people of the United States; that he r.
quest his constitutional advisers at the head of IT,
Executive Departments to unite with him as Cbief
Magistrate of the Nation, at the city of Washine
ton, and the members Of Congress, and all maois
trates, all civil military and naval officers all so
1iers, sailors, and marines, with all loyal and law
abiding people, to convene at their usual places d
worship, or wherever they may be, to confess ami
repent of their manifold sine; to impIore the com
passion and forgiveness of the Almighty, that i,
consistent with HE wil the existing rebellion NAV
be speedily suppressed, and the supremacy of The
Constitution and laws of the United States NAV
be established throughout all the States; to in
plore Him, as the Supreme Ruler OF the world not
to destroy us as people, nor suner US to be de-
stroyed by the hostility conniyance Of other ma
tons or by obstinate adhesion to our own eoun.
sels which may be in conflict with His eternal puT
pose, and to implore Hin to enlighten the mind
of the nation to know end do His will, humbly be-
lieving that it is in accordance with His will that
our place should he maintained as united peonIa
among the family of nations; to lnplore Him 10
grant to armed defenders and the masses of the
people that courage, power OF resistance and en-.
durance 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 effusion of blood may be stayed
and that unity and fraternity may be restored and
peace established throughout all our borders
Now, therefore, /, Abraham Lincoln, President
of the United States, cordially concurrng with the
Congress of the United States in the penitential
and pious sentiments expressed in the aforesaid
resolution, and heartily approving of the devotion
al design and purpose thereof, do hereby appoint
the first Thursday of August next to be observed
by the people of the United States day of
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 magis
trates, and all other persons exercising authority
in the land, whether civil, military or naval, and
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
mighty and merciful Ruler of the universe such
homage and such confessions, and to offer to HiH.
such supplications the Congress of the United
States have, in their aforesaid resolution, SOL
emnity, Sc earnestly, and so reverently recon-
mended.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set INV
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 OF our Lord one thou.
tsEAL sand eight hundred and sixty-four, and OF
the independence of the United States the
eighty ninth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.