Year: 1861

Offered by Rev. DIR. Deems, at the Opening
Ofthe Conv1Tom ofNOrth Carolina. on the
day of the signing of the Ordinance of Sc
cessiOn.


Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, to whom
all hearts open and all thoughts are known.
and from whom secrets are hid, we most hum
bly, beseech Thee to grant us grace whereby we
may present unto thee our humble and solemn
sacrifice of ksgiving and prayer.


We adore Thee for all Thy good Providence
over us as a people, from our beginning down to
this present time. Thou b as plant
u.s. and cared for us, and blessed the
growth of our prosperity. Thou hast been with
fathers in all their most solemn deliberations
Thou hast led our people in battle. Thou hast
given to us many very great fruits of freedom
richly to enjoy. And Thou hast brought
us together into this Convention to perform those
acts, upon which the future welfare Of all
people, under Gods blessing must depend.
0 Lord God, hear our prayers. Thou art our
hope and trust. Vain is the help of man Cursed
is he who maketh flesh his aim, and trusteth in
the children of men. We do not depend upon
ourselves, upon our skill, or force, or numbers,
The Lord reigneth Thou art King. and Thou
art the Lord of all hosts. And Thou, 0 Lord, has
taught us in all time of temptation in all time of
conflict, in all time Of trouble. to call upon Thee.
Let our prayer come up before Thee incense,
and the lifting up our hands as the evening sac
rafire


Almighty and most mercful God, the high and
mighty Ruler of the Universe, who from Thy
throne dost behold all the dwellers upon earth,
we most humbly beseech Thee, with thy great
grace to visit and bless thy servant, the President
of these Confederate States, Thy servant the Cor
! ernor of this Commonwealth, Thy servant the
President Of this Convention, and all these Thy SER
wants who have assembled and met together in
! thy name, to perform the most solemn national
! act possible among men. Cleanse the thoughts
of the hearts of Thy servants by the inspiration
! Of the Holy Spirit. From all pre- ejudice and pas
| sion, from all selfshness and intrigue, from all
| 7 Ap1i
| Coming to affix their names to a documement
which resumes the sovereignty of this Common
wealth, may they have grace so to perform this


kingly act those who are in the fear OF God, IN
the love of Christ in the most reverential awe OF
thy Holy Spirit. and in the remembrance of that
! dread day, where for this, for all things, they
must give an account at the judgement seat OF
, Christ Thou Ruler of nations, Thou Controller


of all events grant that the results OF this act may
! bring peace, prosperity and honor to cur people
| and that for what this day do, our children
and chidrens children, may cherish our memory


and have joyful memory of this day down to the
last generation of men.


O! Lord God of Hosts, we beseech Thee tc
! visit and bless our fellow citizens exposed tc
| tho dangers of camps, and our sister States. who


perhaps while bow here in prayer, are in the
| smoke and blood of battle. Great God, Ihor
| knowest our hearts. Thou kuowest that We


have pursued peace and deprecated war. Thor


knowest that we have not coveted our uelghbor


land nor servants, Thou seest that our enimie


have cast Thy word behind them, have broker


their ancient faith, have flung away the bond O


brotherhood, and gathered themselves togethe


to lay waste heritage, and to desolate ou


homes


And now, Holy God, to defend all Thou has


given and made dear to US, in Thy name, W.


put ourselves in array. and submit cause t.


Thee. God, be merciful to us, and bless u.s. AM


cause the light of Thy countenance to shine up
on us, that Thy way may be known on earth an


Thy saving health among all nations. Bring u
; out of these troubles, into a large and wealth.
place. Defeat the designs of our enemies, pei
, plex their counses, ,and bring them to confusion
Have mercy upon our enemies: Pardon an
forgive them Turn them from their evil wars
And finally, establish peace in our day and brin
us to the life everlasting.


God, the Father, have mercy upon US!
God, the Son. pardon and forgive US
God the Holy Ghost, cleanse and sanctify us


Our Father, who art in Heaven, sc.