The Van Buren press., 1876-05-23
; Opening Centennial Prayer


Tie following is Bishop Simpsons
prayer. al the opening Of the ccnten
NAL. 8 ~ &
Almighty anl Everlasting God. our
lIeaycuN Father in Heaven is Thy
thropd, and Thy earth is Thy footstool
Before Thy Majesty and Holiness the an.
gels veil their faces, and the spirits OF
the just made perfect bow in humble ad
oratiun. q Thou art the Creator of all
things, the Preaeryer Of all that exists
whether they be thrones, or deminions,
urapyiucipaities or powers. The minute
and tie vast atoms attest the ubIquity Of
Thy preselcr, aud the o'unipotenee OF
Thy sway. Thou, alone art the soEef-
eien ruler Of Tue nations, Thou raiseth
up ouc, aud ,casseth down another and
THOU gtvest tic Kingdoms Of the world
to .wAonsocyer Thou wilt. The past,
svitlfall its records, ,is tie unfolding OF
Thy couas1s aud The realizaiion OF Thy
gfal.d designs, We hail Thee as onl
ifgGtrut Ruler, the King eternal, immor.
tai an.i iu.inoibe, the only true God,
blessed foreyernofe. We come, on this
sla! !day, 0hgthoa God of our fathers.
iuto these gates with praise. We bless
for Thy wonderful goodness ia the past,
iafshe lind which Thou gavest to our
fathers--a .lsud vefcd from the ages,
iresa aheanciGtif Woiaa, hat revealed in
the ralness OF time 10 Thy chosen pee
" h.a,z .s..a shelst hadt hE Thine own
rs.ht, Laud through the 6illows of the
deep, Z iand of vast e&tant, of towering
iiIoantaiMs and broad piaius, Of unnam
I.ey,i prods1yts antiFoi, untold treasures,
,fsStlinak eIiiee for theeiathefs of our
country, mcn OF mind and Of might who
endured aprivations and sacrifices, who
braved multiplied dangers rather than
deGle their .consciences, or be untrue to
their Cod, men who laid on the broad
foundationsof truth and justice tho grand
structure sefs civil freedom. We praise
Thee f5r the closing century, for the
founders of the republic, for the minor
tai Washington and his grand associates;
for The wisdom with which they planned,
an M yt@Aas3 y@essas ae I'd teh to ~hn tanpf
ant success. Thou vast their shield in
hours of danger, their pillar Of cloud by
day, aud pillar of fire by night. May we
their sons follow in their footsteps, and
itni,ai q their virtues We thank Thee
for Social and national prosperity and
progress; for valuable discoveries and
luulliplied inventions; for labor-saving
iuacliilerv, relieving the tolling masses
for schools FREQ as tho morning light for
the. millions Of the rising generation; for
b5oks and periodicals scattered like the
leaves Of autumn over the land; for art
aid. Science, for fccedom to worship
A;ud according TO the dictates Of con
science for church unfettered by tram
yne!s of state. Bless, we pray Thee, the
president of the United States and his
constitutional advisers; the judges Of the
Supreme court, the senators ane repre-
seutatiyes ~. congress, the governors OF
our several common wealths, the officers
OF the army and navy, and ell who are
in otlieial position throughout our land.
Guide them, we pray Thee. with counsels
ofgwisdom, and may they ever rule in
righteousness. We ask thy blessing to
rest upon the president and members Of
the centennial commission, and upon
those conneetod with them in the various
departments, who have labored long and
earnestly amidst anXietics and diilicul
ties, lorstkes success of this enterprise.
NIsy Thysspecial blessing, Q. Thou God
OF all nations of the earth, rest upon our
national guests, our visitors from dis
tant lands. We welcome them to our
shores, and We rejotce in their presence
among US, whether they represent
thrones, or culture, or reaearch, OF
whether they come to exhibit the tri
uinphs of genius and art in tho develop
.ment of industry, in the progress Of ci
syilization. Preserve Thou them, we be-
sseeoh Thee, ii health and illness. In due
time may they be welcomed by loved
aones again to their own, their dnative
lands. Let Thy blessing rest richly on
this Centennial celebration. May the
lives and health of all Interested eprec
i,us in Thy sight. Preside in its Assem-.
hlles. - Grant that this ssoeiation in cf
fort may. bind more closely together eve
ry part ofsour great republic, 50 that oar
action may be perpetual and indiSsolueie
JIct its Influence draw the nations of the
aearlh ia happier unity hereafter, we pray
SThec.s Mag galI disputed questions be
settled by arbitration. and not 10y the
ssword,s ands may wars forever cease
among the sons Of men, May the new
seeu,urysbe better than the past; more ra-
diant with the light of true philosophy /,
WARMER with the animation of world
w,,le sympathy. May capital, genius and
labor be freed from all antagouism by the
establishment and application of all the
principles of justice and equity as shall
reconcile diversified Interests, and bind
in imperishable bands, all parts Of soci-
ETY.. HssYe pray Tig benediction especial
sHon the women of America, who, for
the Hrs ptime 9, Ia the history Of our race,
'fske 50 conspicuous a place in national
eeieMation Nay tie light of their in
steliigence. puritS and enterprise shed iis
hsafiy afaa, nptil, in. distant lands, tires
sisters may realize the beauty and glory
or rhffstian freedom and elevation. Ne
fsessSssK laee, .fhnighty Father, that our
i~lpysai repi,i,iic may be stfengshep ed IN
Hfsfy ctenrent VI true grehtness, until her
.s,isslen u ccompiishe,l BY presenting te
resdswoffd AZ illustration 81 the happiness
.xi,1s f..... :.