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pursuit may be suitably rewarded, and so directed as to promote the welfare and happiness of all classes of the community. That our civil, literary and religious institutions may be sustained and prospered. that all dangerous excesses of party excitement may be allayed and the several departments of our National and State government may have wisdom to adopt and firmness to pursue those measures which shall preserve the harmony and most advance the prosperity of our country.

Le us offer up our supplications, that a Divine blessing may attend our schools and seminaries of learning and the means of early and general education; that our religious instructors may receive strength and power faithfully to perform their duties, and successfully inculcate those principles of love to God and love to man, which constitute the great doctrines of the holy religion we profess; that every people may be enabled to withdraw their affections from the sinful allurements of the world, and place their chief delight in conforming to the will, and obeying the laws of their Creator. So that all may know for a truth, that the only path to happiness in this world is through a life of usefulness, virtue and piety, and that it will surely lead to a state of never-ending peace and rejoicing in the world beyond the grave.

And the inhabitants of this State are requested to abstain from all labor and recreation inconsistent with the usual appropriate solemnities of the day.

Given at the Council Chamber in Portland, this twelfth day of march, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one, and in the fifty-fifth year of the independence of the United States of America.

Samuel E. Smith.

By the Governor,

Roscoe G. Greene, Secretary of State