Year: 1863

We have read the first prayer offered
in the Continental Congress, and of the
subimity and imprcssiveness of the
scene, as the assembled body knelt while
Jehovah was praised for the workings
of His providence in ordaining the free
dom OF America.


Independence Square yesterday saw a
sight emulating in its solemn grandeur,
and presenting spectacle Philadelphia
never before witnessed-pever may a.
gain The tidngs of the progress Of the
Union arms brought it about. When
first promulg ted, large number of
the members of the Union League met
coincidently at the League rooms. The
throng increased until the place was
nearly filled Everybody had left their
places of business, and the members in
stinctivcly sought the League house
for mutual congratulation.


1t was proposed that something more
than an informal rccog gnitlon of so bount-
iful blessing Of victory should be made,
and the gentlemen present took steps to
make it. Birgteld's band of forty-six
instruments was secured, and with this
at its head the Union League. headed
by the Rev kinston Goddard, and Rev.
DR.. Brainerd, moved down Chestnut
street to Independence Square, keeping
step to the glad strains of na;ional airs
that have been familiar since the dear
days of " uth's earliest dreams.


As the end of the line reached the
square, all uncovered. The line filed
to the right and left, when Hon. Charles
Gibbons asccndcd the steps of lndepcn-
dence Hall. The concourse OF peopl:
that now poured into the squire were
thousands in number. They spread over
surface teyond earshot of the loudest
cnunciaton


Mr. Gibbons made brief address. -
He said that this day the beginning of
the end is in view. The rebels are los
ing their strongholds, the cause of the
Union is approaching its final triumph.
He drew picture of what We were as
nation, what we are, and what, IN Gods
pro idince, we shall be. He spoke
briefly and to the point, but was so over
whemned with cheers that we failed to
catch his speech as he uttered.


Rev. DR. Brainerd now bare" his head
and instinctivey-we believe reverently,
as by an intuiti9e impulse every man
was uncovered A hush fell upon the
depsely crowded assemblage as the hand
of the Rev doctor was raised, and an
invitation given to the multitude to fol-
low him in rendering thanks to Heaven
for Its many mercIes and for crowIlug
the arms of the country with victory


Amid more profound silence, we verb
ly believe, than an equal number OF peo-
pie ever kept before, Dr. Bralnerd gave
praise. He thanked the Almigty for
victories that were now crowning our
arms. He had chasteDed US in HIS dis.
pleasure, and alike in that ch astening
as now in the blessings up on our work
he recognized the hand of the Omnipo-
tent. lie implored the Divine blessing
upon the country and its people-that
religion, and truth and justice might
take the place of pride and arrogance and
vain glory and that this people might
recognize in every event Of life the rul-
ing Of Divine power. He prayed for
the President and Cabinet; for the con-
tinued success of our arms, and for the
restoration of our national unity for lib
erty to the oppressed for freedom to
worship God everywhere, and for the
coming of that day when His kingdom
shall extend over the whole earth.


When at the close Of his prayer the