Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-10
AN ADDRESS TO THE People.

Fasting is a duty enoinei upon man in his fallen
state, in order that he may be humbed, and made
90 feel his dependence on the Giver Of all good
No means which man can employ seems 50 well
adapted 10 this end, Itprepares the mind and heart
or prayer. aud enables man 10 realize, spiritually,
shat be could Iot possess otherwise and it is ex-
,remcly doubtful whether any person in health can
enjoy vigorous spiritual growth who does not
practice it;
The benefits Of fasting have been very great to
individuals in time OF distress. So with families
And the authorities Of cities and nations have fire.
iusnty proclaimed fasts In times of great public
.alsinity. aud when the people have observed them
properly. they have always had the desired effect
BU there seems to be very grave error per-
fading the minds OF our peoPk in regard TO public
.,,t,.
Many seem to think that professors Of religion
uly are 10 observe them. Hence, SO far as the
writer has observed, national fast days here
oiore the people generally have not tasted; and
many have acted as though they were not concerned
Il al IN the object Of them Now, if this war Wee
r.scd against the churches Mone; ii christians
we're the only sufferers, then there would be some
-xcuSe for their course but we are all suffering
rom great national calamity, "a each individual
IS concerned in the fast which has been proclaimed,
nod every person ought to Seep it in the most sacred
manner.
But the uncOnyerted are ready 10 say "Surely
you do not mean that are'to fast and pray."-
Most asSuredly. "But will the Lord hear the wick
ed t' He ,cR hear the prayers Of the wicked upon
one condition--that they forsake their sins and all
our faStngS aud all our prayers, will be Of avail
until this is done Der sins are the cause Of our
listreSs and until they forsaken, calamity after
calamity will oefsIuS. 1t matters not that our cause
is Just; that our generals are wise that our SOL
diers are brave. We are sinners, and until ace re-
Dcat and torsG&e GA. sins zee shall not prosper
III We regard iniquty in our hearts the Lord will
not hear US. But If We forsake our sins the Lord is
,althful and Just TO forgive US our sins"
Hear what the Lord said to nation under Simi-
lar circumstance found in the first chapter of
Isaiah
'Why should ye be stricken any morei Your
country is desoate, your cities are burnedO with
fire your land strangers deyour it IN our presence
and it is deSOate, Oyerthrown by Strangers
Wash You, make You clean put away the evil of
= our doingS from before mine eyes cease to do
evil learn to do we'll seek Judgment, relieve the
oppressed, judge the therless, plead for the widow.
Come now let US reason together, saith the Lord
though your sins be scarlet they shall be white
snow though they be red like crimson they shall
be as wool If We be williAg and obedicnt, We shall
eat the good OF the land but We refuse and rebel,
We shall be devoured by the sword for the mouth
OF the Lord hath spoken it,"
But some are ready TO say that this scripture will
not apply to rs, Why not
If we were an innocent nation We should not
suffer. Nations receive their rewards and puns!
nents during time; and Just God who stitch
upon the circle Of the heavens; and ruleth m
righteousness among the nations of the earth will
not permit an innocent nation to suffer such a
,couree, as that with which We are cursed If sin
then be the cause Of our trouble the remedy is
plain
Bat We have had many lasts heretofore and many
are ready TO say with Gods ancient people:
wherefore have We fasted and thou seest not p
Wherefore have we afflicted our souls and thou
takest no knowledge ip God answers them BE
hold, in the day 'of your fast We find pleasure and
exact allyour labors. Wit thou call this s-fast and
unacceptable day unto the Lord Is not this the
fast that have chosen Is it not deal thy bread
70 the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that
are cast ont u tiny house 2 When thou geest tie
naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not
myself from thine own deshl Then shall thy light
break forth as the morning, and thine health shall
pring forth speedily. aad tay righteousness shall