Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-04-17

was planted with fish according to thei1
usual manner in those times; yet at
length 1t began to languish sore, and
some of the drier grounds was parched
like withered hay, part whereof was
never recoyed. Upon which they set
apart solemn day of humiliation, to
seek the Lord by humble and fervent
prayer in this great distress; and He
was pleased to give them q. gracious and
speedy answer, both to their own and
the Indians admiration. y Smith re-
marks that the religious exercises, on
this occasion, continued eight or nine
hours. In 1887, "a fast appointed ~
authority" was kept in all the churches,
on account of, as Winthrop, the histor-
ian of the period, mentions, among 9TH
er things, "the miserable estate of the
churches in Germany; the calamities
upon our native country the dangers of
those at Connecticut, and of ourselves
also by the Indians; and the dissensions
in our churches. Another historian
sagely remarks ''the fast had not done
its Office" We refer to these facts sim
ply for the purpose of calling attention
to the fact, that the observance of special
seasons or days for fasting and prayer is,
and has been, of universal prevalence,
and is as old as time itself, and, also, to
the further fact that there is nothing
'ssectarian" or s'local' about such days,
but that they have been set apart by
Divine and ecclesiastical. as we'll as by
the civil authority. 1t will be noticed,
also, that in times past, the day has been
observed with peculiar soemnity, by an
| abstinence from usual avocation, by
! fasting and worship In these latter
times, although day is annually ap-
pointed, we fear that the solemnity has,
! in great measure, departed therefrom.
! Our churches are open for worship, to
be sure. but few attend to take part
therein. Instead of ''abstaining from
| labor" business goes on as usual, and If
there is any abstinence therefrom, il Is
only for the purpose ct recreation or
holiday enjoyment, Our ancestors may
have carried their asccticism in religion
too far, but we 90 to the other extreme.
1t is surely not too mach To ask OF a
Christian people. to lay aside for one
brief day in the year, the ordinary cares
and troubles of lif.. give business the
go-by, humble themselves before their
Creator and Savior, confess their sins
and, in penitence and contrition, resolve
to live for the future in accordance with
His will and law. The divine wrath
was thundered against both the bodies
and souls of His chosen people, should
they not humiliate themselves and all
stain from work on the appointed day.
Has the duty of humiliation, prayer and
abstinence from work passed away with
the Jewish dispensation Will He.
think you, pass us by if we neglect His
express commands? ? Leteach and every
one think of and decide this matter fol
: himself We can only say, in conclu
sion, in the language of the Governor
''let us confess our sins and implore par
don through our Lord Jesus Christ. Le
| us seek His counsel and aid in all on
affairs. Let us invoke His blessing
: upon our labors in the field, factory, of
: fee and store-house. Let US endeayo
: to learn how to do justly, to love mercy
5 and walk humbly with God.