Year: 1861

The Convention which consummated this greatest event
Of the age assembled the 4th Of February at Mont
gomery, Alabama and in due form proceeded to the
grave deliberations before them. Hon. r. M Barnwe
of south Carolina being appointed temporary chairman,
the Divine blessing was invoked by Rev. DR.. Basil
Manly.


We give this first impressive prayer in the Congress Of
the confederacy below and further add, Illus
tration OF the religious by which the dele
gates were one and all animated, that the ministers
OF Mont ngomery were invited to open the deliberations
each day with invocations to the Throne Of Grace


Oh, Thou God Of the Universe, Thou madest all things;
Thou thadest upon the earth; Thou hast endowed
him with and capacity Tor government. We
thank Thee that Thou hast made at this late period Of
the world and in this fair portion Of the earth, and hast
amongst US We thank Thee for eli the haowed memories
connected with past history Thou hast been the God
Of our fathers OH be Thou our God List paease fbes
to vouchsafe 1hy sacred 70 this assembly On,
Our Father area 10 Thee, the searcher Of hearts,
for the purity and sincerity Of our motives. If we are


violation Of any compact stall obligatory upon with
those states which have separated order to
set up governmen-f we are acting in rebellion


u ow %e %
and blessing But oh, Thou heart searching God, we
trust that Thou sees are pursuing those rights which
guaranteed to by the solemn covenants OF
fathers and which cemented by their blood. And
now we humbly recognise Thy band In the Providence
the spirit Of wisdom Thy servants, with all necessary
grace they may act with debcraton and purpose
and that they will wisely adopt such measures IN this
Il ing condition of affairs shall rebound TO Thy
glory the good Of country SO direct them that
they may &c the lust for spool and the desire for
office into the patriotic desire for the welfare OF this
great people oh God assist them TO preserve our re-
publican form OF and the purity OF the forms
Of religion without interference with the strongest form
Of civil government. May God In tender mercy bestow
upon the deputies here assembled health and strength
Of body, together with calmness and soundness
OF mind may they aim directly at the glory Of God and
the welfare of the whole people, and when the hour Of
trial which may supegvene shall come, enable them 10
stand firm in the exercise Of truth with great prudence
and just regard for the sovereign rights Of their con-
sttuents Oh Cod grant that the union Of those States,
and all that may come into this union, may endure as
long the and moon shah last and until the Son OF
Man shall come second time " judge the world in
righteousness. Preside this body in It's organiza
ticn the distribution Of its Offices Let TRUTH and
JUSTICE and equal rights be secured 30 government
And now Our Father in Heaven acknowledge Thee as
our God-do Thou rule in u.s. do Thou sway US, do Thou
control us and let the blessings of the Father son and
Holy Spirit rest upon this assembly now and forever
Amen.


A. r. Lamar, Esq of Georgia, was then appointed tom
porary secretary and the deputies from the sovere
ccdng States represented presented their credentials In
alphabetical order and signed their names to the roll Of
the(nnycption,