.MTU1Mg.MTc1MDA

State of Maine.

By Albion K. Parris,

Governor of the State of Maine:

A Proclamation,

For a Day of Public Humiliation and Prayer.

As we are dependent upon our Creator for life and health, and every favor, it becomes us constantly to spread out wants before Him by prayer and supplication: Being offenders in His sight, our prayers should be attended with confessions of sin, and flow from contrite hearts. The command to pray without ceasing does not supercede [supersede] the necessity of devoting special seasons more exclusively to that duty. If the family should offer their daily devotions; if the christian congregation should appear before the Lord in His courts, as often as the holy Sabbath returns; it is no less becoming for the people of a whole State whom God regards in may respects as one collective body, to seek His favor at the opening of each returning season, and celebrate His praise with thanksgiving when He has crowned the year with His goodness:

From the first settlement of our country it has been deemed proper and convenient that the Chief Magistrate should designate and recommend a day for each of these purposes by public proclamation: In conformity with this usage, I have thought fit, at the return of the usual period, to appoint, and with the advice of the Council do hereby appoint, Thursday, the first day April next, as a day of Public humiliation fasting and Prayer throughout this State; requesting that all denominations of christians, and all ranks and orders of men, would assemble in their respective places of public worship, that we may unitedly implore the favor of God for ourselves and each other, for our State, our Country and the whole family of man.

While approaching the Father of Mercies in supplication, may we not be unmindful of our debt of gratitude. Let us thank Him for the civil and religious blessings with which our country abounds; for the multitude of His mercies pertaining to this and and the future would, with which our years and days are filled. Let us bless Him for His kindness to our fathers and to ourselves; For