Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-11
PRAYER OFFERED IN THE HOUSE OF REP


REsENTATIvEs BY A JEWISH RABEI.-lt is 4
gratifying evidence of the enlightenment fthe
age and the stand taken and continued to be
held by the Government of the y. 5. IN the
cause Of religious liberty, that Jewish clergy
man, and he, too, a nonresident OF the coun-
try, should be privileged to open Congress with
prayer, as was the case in the House on Tues.
day. The gentleman who so otficateG was
Professor Abraham de Sola, LII. d., of Mon-
trcal, whose eloquent aud non-sectarlan prayer
was as follows:
almighty and Everlasting God these Thy
servants, the representatives OF the people OF
the United States in Congress assembled, have
come to legislate in accordance with the prlncl-
ples of civil and religious liberty enunciated By
the founders of this Republic, and by perpet-
uating the same. to prove themselves worthy
The glorious heritage they have received. Then
look down from Thy holy habitation from hea
ven, and assist and bless them at this time
Pour out Thy spirit most plenteously. upon
them yea, let rest upon them the spirit OF
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of coun-
sci and Of ability, the spirit of the knowled ge
of the. Q Lord Let righteousness be the
girdle of their loins, and taithfulness the cine
lure of their reins And in all their delibera-
tons for the public veal let not personalo
san hostility find place, but suffer harmony, pat
riotism, truth, and Justice to pervade them,
50 that to bigotry there may be given no sane
ton, and to persecution no assistance. Let
such a spirit prevail in all they do and say Tor
this their country, and inspire them with an
enlarged sentiment Of peace and good Will to-
ward all other people.
We gratefully acknowledge 0 Lord: that
Snch a sentiment is signally manltestlng itself
in our day, and we render unto Thee our most
hearty thanks that Thou pcrmittest us. even
now, to witness victory of peace infinitely
greater than any victory achieved IN war at
any time and by any people, in that this ma
ton and its parent nation are settling their
differences, not by might, not by power, but
by Thy spirit in a manner best becoming those
OF one origin. language, and blood; by an ap-
peal to the arbitrament Of nations impartial
and dsinterested. And rs aforetime and
among other people many L vindlctlve and
bloody struggle, destroying both the material
resources and moral sense OF those engaged,
have originated in much less important conSld-
erations, We have special cause to thank Thee
that this evil was averted, and to ask that the
words of the Chief Magistrate OF this Rcpub-
lie NAV indeed be realized, that this example
may be everywhere followed, so rs to restore to
the productive industry of the world milllons
of men now engaged in training and prepara-
tions for war. Bless then, both these nations
who declare the glad tidipgs of peace to the
world; draw them yet nearer and nearer to
each other in mutual esteem and mutual conn
dence, and this not merely for their OWL, wei
fare, but for the blessing OF all the families OF
the earth to whom they are the hope, the
teachers of liberty and enlightenment
Supreme Ruler of the Universe May 1T
please Thee to let the light of Thy countenance
Shine continuously upon this land, Thou hast h,
hitherto so greatly favored; open unto 1t Thy
goodly treasure, and bless it with prosperity
within and tranquility without. Preserve; 1t
from bloodshed and from the. pestilence that
>talketh in darkness. Maintain within it the
grand character of liberty Thou hast inspired;
and as he who sacriligeously touched thine al
tar of old was accounted worthy OF death, SO
perish the unhallowed hand that would per
vert or destroy this Constitution Of wisdom,
Justice, and-liberty for the narrow purposes OF
scctarianism. And lastly, and above all, may
its people advance most in the fear of Thee
and in the love Thee, so that they may be
for name and praise among all the natloLs
OF the earth. Amen I"