The Indianapolis journal., 1883-02-27
"RARE OLD Rem {"

There lies in Westminster Abbey all that
remains of one "Rare Old Ben," and there
lies in the Massachusetts State-house
another England and the drama
may felicitate themselves upon the one.
America and the new school of politicians
have the sole right to be proud over the other,
who is very much the rarer of the two. We
have before us the text of the fast-day pro-
clamation issued by Rare Old Ben the Second,
to the people of the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts, in which he commands the observ-
ance of Thursday, the 5th day of April next,
as "a day of public humiliation, fasting
and prayer" in that Commonwealth. 1t is a
rare document worthy to be reprinted in
full. 1t is lengthy and covers all things for
which such an exercise could be possibly or
fairly recommended that to which he sttlif1
mons the loyal people of the old Bay state.
Governor Butler begins his suggestions to the
public for their fast-day supplications with
the following paragraph:
"While we bow in humble alteration be-
fore the Most High, let us render Him our
unfeigned thanks for the numerous in
stances of His continual bounty toward us
and our fathers, whom he planted in this
fruitful soil, and, in an especial manner that
He endow us with wisdom to render this a
land of piety, freedom and order And, in
asmuch as we have disregarded their example
and neglected those principles by which they
obtained and transmitted to US the inestin-
able blessings of the Christian religion, of law
and of liberty, let us earnestly beseech Him
to haal hanlrelidinOc aph tO uq to
that temper and conduct by which alone we
can hope to be happy in this world and in
that which is to come"
There is refreshing grace about this, con-
sidering its authorship, which, to say the
least, is certainly unique. But the devout
and suggestive Governor proceeds in enumer-
ating the favors for which Almighty God is
to be beseeched upon this fast day, to urge
the people to pray that He would relieve
our commerce from the embarrassments with
which it is burdened, and grant that pros
perity may again distinguish our navigation
the sea in ships and do business in great
waters may have abundant reason to praise
His holy name"
General Butler does not forget his old
clients the Gloucester fishermen, and he gets
in slap at the navigation laws and at the
fishery clauses of the treaty of Washington, all
of which he has fought with but poor success
before the Legislatures and courts of earth,
and now wants the pious people ITO
unite with him in an appeal to higher trib
unal. 1t will also occur to the thoughtful
cialIy noted for devoutness ana for the eager
ness with which they go about to "praise His
holy name" it is that class which ego down
to the sea in ships and do business in great
waters" AS a rule it is among the sailors,
the 'longshoresmen, the men before the mast,
whalers, and fishers for smaller piscatorial
species in the salt sea, not to speak of inland
anglers, who snare the willy trout and toy
with the ambitious bass, that men of all ages
have looked for the most reverent and de-
vout praise. 1t is greatly to be hoped that
the ''catch" of the next season will be such
as to warrant the Nation in expecting to hear
one long, loud and continuous hallelujah
all along shore from Passamaquoddy
Bay to Cape Cod, with Buttercup
Butler lifting up his deep-soundinseontra
in the chorus.
Governor Butler closes his proclamation
with this 'clincher:''
Il do specially exhort the ministers of the
OOSOal NJ that 0aV feed their Hooks with
the divine word, and not discourse upon
political and other secular topics which may
divert the serious thoughts of the people
from humble worship of the Father" n
This is hitting the preachers below the belt,