The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-05-17

fullness of time 70 Thy chosen
people whom Thou didst lead
by Thy own right hand through
the pillows of the deep; land OF
vast extent, of towering mountains and
broad plains, OF unnumbere products
and of untold treasurers. We thank Thee
TOR the fathers of our couTItry; men of
mind and of might who end nred privation
and sacrifices, who braved multiplied dan
gers rather than defiie their consctences or
be untrue to their God; men who laid on
the broad foundation of truth and Justice
WE PRAISE THEE
for the closing century, for Che founders of
, our republic; for tire immortal Washing
ton aud his associates; for the wisdom
WITH which they planned, sndthe firmness
and heroism which, under Thy blessing,
led them to their triumphant success.
Thou vast their shield in hours of danger,
their pillar OF clOVd by day and
their pillar of fire by night.
MsF we. their sons, walk In their
tbsnS Thee for social and national pros
perky and progress, for'valusble discov-
/ cries aud multiplied inventions, for labor
saving machinery relieving the tolling
masses, for schools free as the morning
light for the millions of our rising genera
ton, for books and periodicals scat
tered like the leaves of autumn over
the land, for art and science, for
freedom to worship God according to the
dictates OF our own conscience, for q
church unfeaered by the trammels OF
state. Bless, we pray Thee, the president
of the United States and his constitu-
tionsl advisers, the judges OF the Supreme
Court, the senators and representatives IN
Congress, tho governors OF our sew
eral commonwealths, the officers of
the army and the navy, and all who
are in official position throughout our
land. Guide them, we pray Thee, with
the counse,s of wisdom, and may they
ever rule in righteousness. We ask Thy
blessing to rest'upon the president and
the members of the Centennial commis-
sion, and upon those associated with
them in the various departments who
have lsboxed long and earnestly amidst
snxieties and difficulties for the sue
cess of this enterprise. May Thy
special BLESSING, o thou God of all
the nations OF the earth, rest upon
Ger NATIoN's GUESTS,
our visitors from distant lands. We
welcome them to our shores, and we re-
joice in their presence among us, whether
they represent thrones or culture or re-
search, or whether they come to exhibit
the development of industry, in the
progress of civilization. Preserve Thou
them, we beseech Thee, in health and
safety, and in due time may they be well
coined by their beloved ones again to their
own, their native lands. Let Thy bless
ing rest richly on this Centennial
celebration. May the lives and
health of all interested precious
in Thy sight. Preside in its
assemblies. Grant that this association
may bind mole closely together every
part of our great republic,so that our union
may be perpetual and indissoluble. Let
its influence draw the nations of the earth
we pray Thee, may all dis
puted questions be settled by arbitration,
and not by the sword, and may wars for
ever cease among the sons of men. May
the new century be better than the past,
more radiant with the light of true philo
sopby, warmer with the animation OF a
world wide sympathy. May capital, gen.
by the establishment and application of
such principles of justice and equity as
shall reconcile the diversified interests.
BIND IN IMPERIsHABLE BONDS
all parts of society. We pray Thy bene-
diction especially on the women of
America who tor the first time In the his
tory OF our race take so conspicuous a
place in a national celebration. May the
light of their intelligence, purity and en-
| terprise shed its beams altar until in distant
lands their sisters may realize the
beauty and glory of Cbl istian freedom and
elevation. We beseech Thee, Almighty
Father, that our beloved republic may be
strengthened in every element of true
greatness until her mission 1t accomplished
| by presenting TO the world an illustration
| OF the happiness of a Tree people with a
/ Tree church in. a free state under laws OF
their own enactment, and under rulers OF
their own selection, acknowledging SUI
preme allegiance only to the King of Kings
and Lord OF lords, and as Thou didst con-
| descend to give 10 one of its Industrious
| sons FIRST to draw the electric spark
from heaven which has since girdled
the globe in its celestial whisper of "Glory
to God in the highest, peace on earth and
| good will TO men," So to the latest time
may the mission of America, under
divine inspiration, be one of affec-
ton, brotherhood and love for all our
race, and may the coming centuries
be filed with the glory of our Christian
civilization, and unto Thee, our Father,
through Him whose life is the lie of men,
will we sscribe the glory and praise, now
/ and forever. Amen.
Then came the singing of
wHITTIER's CENTENNIAL HYMN.
Our fathers Cod from out whose hand
| The centuries fail like grains of sand,
We meet to-day united, free,
And loyal to our land and Thee,
To Thank Thee for the era done,
| And trust Thee for the opening one.
Here where of old, by Thy design,
| The fathers spalxe that word of Thine
| Whose echo is the glad refrain
| OF rended bolt and falling chain,
/ To grace our festal time ON all
| The zones of earth our guests we call.
| Be with us while the New World grests
| Tne Old World thronging all its streets,
dwelling all the triumphs won
by art or toll beneath the sun;
And into common good orcain
| The rivalship OF hand and brain.
| Thou who hast here in concord furled
The war flags OF gathered world,
| Beneath our western skies fulfill
| - The Orienps mission OF good will,
And freighted with Loves golden fleece,