Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-03
A nay of Fasfins and Prayer
A Proclamation

WHEREAS, The Senate and House of
Representatives, at their last session,
adopted q Concurrent Resolution which
was approved on the second day OF july
instant, and which was in the words fol
towing, namely: |
THAT the President of the United
States be requested to appoint a day of
humiliation and prayer by the people of
the United States; that he requests his
constitutional advisers at the head of the
Executive Departments to unite with
him as chief Magistrate Of the nation, at
the city of Washington. and the mem
bers of Congress. and all magistrates, all
civil, militaryk and naval officers allsol
diers, sailors and marines, with al loyal
and law-abiding people, to convene at
their usual places of worship, or wherever
they may be, to confess and to repent Of
their manifold sins, and to implore the
compassion and forgiveness of the Al.
mighty, that, if consistent with His will,
the existing rebellion may be speedily
suppressed, and the supremacy of the
Constitution and laws ofthe United States;
to implore him, as the Supreme Ruler of
the World, not to destroy US as a people,
nor to suffer US TO be destroyed by the
hostility or connivance of other nations,
or by obstinate adherence to our own
eounsels, which may be in conflict with
His eternal purposes, and to implore Him
to enlighten the mind of the nation to
know andsto do His vii, humbly 'beliey-
ing that it is in accordance with His will
that our place should be maintained as a
united people among the family of ma
tions; to implore him to grant to our arm
ed defenders Ind the mas of the people
that courage, power of resistance and en-
dCrance necessary TO securs that result,
to implore Him in His infinite goodness
to soften the hearts, ~eriighten the minds,
and quicken the consciences of those in
rebellion, that they may lay down their
arms and speedily return to their allie
glance to the United States, that they
may not be utterly destroyed, that the
confusion Of blood may be stayed, and
that unity and fraternity may be restored,
and peace established throughout all our
borders"
Now, therefore, 1, Abraham Lincoln,
President Of the United States, cordially
c~oncurring with the Congress of the Uui-
ted States in the penitential and pious
sentiments expressed in the aforesaid
resolution, and heartily approving Of the
devotional design and purpose thereof,
do hereby appoint the first Thursday In
August next to be observed by the peo-
pie of Uuited States as a day of humilis-
ton and prayer.
lido hereby further invite and request
the heads of the Executive Departments
of this Government, together with all
Legislators, all Judges and Magistrates,
and all other persons exercising authori-
ty in the land, whether civil, military, or
naval, and all soldiers, seamen and ma
rines in the National service, and all 9TH
er loyal and law abiding people of the
United States, to assemble in their pre-
ferred place of public worship on that
day and there to render to the Almighty
and merciful Ruler of the Universe such
homages and such confessions, and to Of
fer him such applications as the Congress
of the United States have, in their afore-
said Resolution, SO solemnly, SO earnestly
recommended.
In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this sew
enth day ofJuly, in the year of our
Lord one thousand 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.