The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-08

them when they cried unto Thee at the be-
ginning and through all the years Of the
glorious century which we this day celebrate
Be pleased 10 hear us and bless us in'like
manner, even BY the manifestation Of Thy
favor, by Thy signal approval OF the work Of
our hands, by the bestowal Of Thy counsel
and guidance, and by our delverance from the
power of all who would deprive us Of any
right which Thou hast designed To be inalien
able.
Thou God Of life and liberty we do bless
and praise Thee, from hearts inll Of Joy and
gladness, for this fair land We iondly call our
own--this goodly heritage which Thou hast
given us--grandiy stretching away, in noun.
tain heights aud broad valleys, from ocean To-
ocean, and enriched with all varieties Of eli.
mate and production that can render land
desirable; but more especially do we praise
Thee for the records and the memories we
have, Of the character and deeds Of the men
and women who during the past century have
occupied this fair domain, and who, under
Thy protection and guidance were made the
instruments Of founding and establishing our
free institutions which are the glory OF the
age. We thank Thee for the grand founders
OF our Republic, and for all their sacrifices to
secure TO us the blessings we now enjoy; for
Washington and his noble associates and
successors; for the soldiers who fought our
battles on land and sea, and many OF whom
poured out their blood for the cause Of liberty;
for the trainers and supporters of our Consti-
tuition; for all the great Statesmen and Ora
tors, Philosophers and Divines, Historians
and Poets, Artisans and Mechanics, for all
the Thinkers and Workers of every class,
whose names adorn our country annals and
whose productions of mind aud hand have
helped to make our country what it is o.day.
We thank Thee for all the social and national
prosperity aud progress that have character.
ized the century now closing; for the dlscoy-
cries and inventions that have been made in
the arts and sciences; for the improvements
for human convenience, comfort and thrift
for the increased facilities for divine worship,
for the acquisition of valuable knowledge and
the performance Of useful labor. We thank
Thee for civil and religions freedom, for pub.
lie schools, for an untrammeled press, and
above all for the rights Of conscience and the
diffusion Of the light Of the glorious gospel Of
Thy dear son.
Endne US, 0 God, we pray Thee, with wis.
dom and courage that we may be enabled to
maintain and perpetuate the important and
DIltillplcs VI lEttuOll Niu NlEhutf
that we may hand down to posterity, unfair
nished and uninpaired, the blessings which
have descended from our fathers to us. For
bid that we should ever by abusing or neg
lecting them, call d'nSn upon ourselves Thy
displeasure. Save US, we most earnestly en-
treat Thee, from false pride and vanity, from
sordid ayarice and mean illiberality, from
sinful luxury and wasteful prodigality, from
ignorance and superstition, from idolatry and
lrrehglon, from RIGHTEOUSNESS and drunken
ness, from Sabbath desecration and profanity,
from bribery, corruption and dishonesty, from
every form of vice and every spirit OF evil,
and make us to be as distinguished among
the nations for righteousness as we already
are for civil and religious privileges and adj
yaniages.
Preserve, we beseech Thee, to us and to
all the nations of the earth the blessings of
peace, which, in Thy good providence, now
SO generally prevail. Let the spirit of good
will which is now exhibited by the gathered
thousands from every land, who celebrate
with us on our own soil of brotherly love, the
hundredth anniversary OF our nations free.
dom be the spirit that shall henceforth be
manifest among all nations. Hasten, o Lord,
the glorious time when the strife for pre-emi.
nence in mere physical might, shall give place
to universal seeking after the knowledge
and practice of truth, virtue, and right
Especially do we pray that the precepts Of
Thy Son, our Saviour, the Prince Of Peace
and Righteousness, may be fully established
among the people Of our own country, and
control all those who are in authority as well
as those under authority. May the ties of
our national Union be strengthened. and never
be broken; and may each State be emulous
OF distinction in vigor and constancy Of effort
70 extend and perpetuate the true dignity and
glory of the whole nation.
We deyoutly implore Thy blessing upon
Thy servants the Chief Magistrate Of the
United States; and upon the members of the
National and State Legislatures, and Of the
Supreme and subordinate judicial councils of
the land. May they all have wisdom and
understanding from Thee, that the laws may
be such, and may be so administered, as best
to promote Thy glory and the welfare of all
the people. We pray for our Armyand Navy,
that, while ever ready and willing if truth and
justice demand, they may yet never have oc-
casion to 20 into another war, ut home or
abroad, but iftruih and justice should require |
so terrible an ordeal that our cause may be |
such that we may confidently look to Thee |
for victory. May the century to come be
ever better than the past; more radiant with |
me iisht 81 true philosophy aud warmed with |
the emanations of worldwide sympathy. |
Give prosperity to all the wholesome indus
tries of the land, and life and power for good
TO all our institutions for the advancement of
sound learning and virtuous education. Let
the blessed Gospel of Thy dear son have free
course and be glorifed, and Thy church
universal be preserved in purity, and made |
prosperous all over the earth.
These blessings, with all others which Thou |
seest needful for us and our children, and for |
all mankind, we humbly ask in the name of |
Jesus Christ, Thy sou, our Saviour, To whom |
with Thee, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be |
glory and honor, dominion and power, now
aud ever. Amen.
Music by the Mount Pleasant Band.
Reading Of the Declaration Of lndepen-
dence by DIR. +. I. Shaw.
Mugif. he Fair Nsa,,, Rail