The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-05-14
President Sets May 80 For Public
Humiliation, Fasting and
Prayer.
WANTS SPEEDY PEACE
Protestant Churches Will Prepare
Common Service Program and
Catholic Churches Will Issue
Message to Parishioners.

Washington, May 14.-President
Wilson designates Thursday, May 30,
as Memorial day in a proclamation
issued as a day of public humiliation,
prayer and fasting.
The people of the nation are asked
to gather in that day in their places
of worship and pray for the victory
bring a peace founded upon mercy,
justice and good will.
The proclamation, issued in re-
sponse to a resolution by Congress,
follows:
"By the President of the United States,
A Proclamation.
Whereas, the Congress of the Unit
ed States on the second day of April
last. passed the following resolution:
Resolved, by the Senate (the
House of Representatives concurring)
that it being a duty peculiarly incum-
bent in a time of war humbly and
devoutly to acknowledge our depend
ence on Almighty God and to implore
His aid and protection, the President
of the United States be and he is
hereby respectfully requested to rec
ommend a day of public humiliation,
prayer and fasting, to be observed by
the people of the United States with
religious solemnity and the offer OF
fervent supplications to Almighty God
for the safety and welfare of our
cause, His blessings on our armr and a
speedy restoration of an honorable and
lacting peace to the nations of the
earth:
"And whereas, ii has always been
the reverent habit ofsthe people OF
the United States to turn in humble
appeal to Almighty God for his guild
ance in the affairs or their common
life,
Now, therefore, !, Woodrow Will
son, President of the United States
Of America. do hereby proclaim Thurs
day, the thirtieth day of May, day
already freighted with sacred and
stimulating memories. a day Of public
humiliation, prayer and fasting, and
do exhort my fellow citizens of all
faiths and creeds to assemble on that
day in their places of worship and
there, as we'll as in their homes, to
nay Almighty God tha He may for
We our sins and shortcomings as
: people, and purify our hearts to see
| and love the truth, to accept and de-
fend all things just and right, and
| % purpose only tho~e righteous acts
and judgments which are in conform
| ity with His will, beseeching Him
tha He will give victory to our armies
as they fight for freedom, wisdom tc
those who take counsel on our behali
in these days of dark struggle and
| perplexity and steadfastness to oul
people to make sacrifice to the utmost
support OF what is just and true
bringing ua at last the peace in which
mems hearts can be at rest because
il Is founded upon mercy, justice ant
good will.
SIN witness whereof have hereuntt
set my hand and caused the zeal o
the United States to be affixed
Done in the District of Columbi;
this eleventh day of May in the yea
of our Lord nineteen hundred ant
eighteen and of the independence o
the United States, the one hundred
and forty-second.
WOODROW WILSON,.
"By the President:
ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary of State"
The Federal council of the Church
es of Christ in America, the general
secretary, the Rev. Charles S. Mac
Farland, announced would contribute
to carrying out the Presidents proc
lamation by preparing a common
program for all Protestant churche:
for use on Memorial day. The Rom
an Catholic churches will issue ,
message to their parishioners.