The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-01-24
ELOQUENT INVOCATION.
Prayer OF Rev A. A. Marshall, D. D.,
of the Baptist Church, Delivered at
the Inauguration of Gov. Aycock, as
Taken From the News and Observer

Taken From the News and Observer
Oh, thou infinite and Allwise Gov
ernor and Ruler of the Universe,
whose wish is supreme among the
angels, and whose DEGREES become
the fixed laws of nature. into Thy
presence we come this glad day to
thank Thee for Thy providences and
Thy love. We know that Thou art
Just and Holy and Wise; possessed
with infinite resources and power.
For Thine are the glories of field and
mountain and sea; Thine the splen-
doris of starry armament, and Thine
the alteration of angels. Yet Thou
do.t invite us to call Thee father and
hast manifested the keenest interest
in the affairs of men.
OF old Thou didst visibly rule among
men; later Thou didst give judges
and kings to Thy people to rule in
Thy stead, and hast assured US in
Thy revealed word that even now the
powers that be are ordained Of God.
Recognizing then, Thine appointment
of this man, through the election Of
the sovereign voters of the Common
wealth to be Governor of this State,
we ask for him and his fellow officers,
Thy richest blessings. Be Thou wis
dom unto them, and in all the delicate
and difficult tasks which they must
perform, help them, that they may
be guided from above.
AS this Governor may, by messages,
communicate with the legislative
branch of the government, SO guide
him as that he shall recommend only
such wise and proper measures as
shall be conducive to the peace and
prosperity Of the State. And mas
much as the common law which con-
.titutes the great body of our legal
system has justly been regarded the
perfection of human wisdom, so guide
every department of our government
that there shall be no improper or
hurtful law grated upon this wise
and just system of Jurisprudence
whose customs have existed '.time
whereof the memory of man runneth
not to the contrary" AS there shall
come into the presence of this Cover
nor fearful women pleading for exec
utive clemency for hayward sons and
erring husbands, may he feel for
them that proper sense of human
sympathy as shall win for them a
| considerate hearing. and may he ever
appreciate the excellence of we'll be-
slowed mercy. May he also be SO
les shall warp his judgment or con-
troll his official action. May he have
due regard for human weakness, and
vet be so ust in society and to the
State as that in Thy name, and in the
name of this sovereign State he shall
preserve order, and even as thou
will, do, punish wrong-doing and
avenge the violetion of law. AS the
chief executive of the State, charged
with the responsibility for the add
| ministration of all law, may he up
hold the constitution of this State
| and the constitution of the United
States, and see to it that in every sec
| ton of the State, the rights of life
and liberty and property guaranteed
by the con institution, are assured alike
| to all men, irrespective of color or
creed or position, and rising above
partisanship, may he be the Governor
Of the whole people.
Standing as we do today, under the
shadow OF the State House, where
| patriots have wrought, and where
| brave men have done deeds of daring;
standing as we do in the presence Of
the bronze image of an illustrious
son of thi. Commonwealth. himself
thrice a Governor; may the memory
OF heroes departed and the glorious
achievements of others inspire this
man to like heroism. and like loyalty
| to duty. May he be in the highest
| sense, man, IA man worthy of the
confidence of the people; man after
Gods own heart.
Help him to appreciate the high
| dignity of his station, and as he shall
in part initiate the functions of deity
in ruling over others, may he also
| initiate the excellencies of the God
head, that his administration may be
clean and secure the approval Of all
good men. May he do Justly and
love mercy, and walk humbly before
God. Upon him, upon his wife, and
upon his family we invoke the divine
blessing and benediction, praying
for them life and health and happi-
ness and salvation: and we ask it all
in Jesus name. Amen.