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State of Maine.

By the Governor of the State of Maine.

A Proclamation

for a day of

Public Thanksgiving and Praise.

By and with the advice and consent of the Council, I appoint Thursday, the first day of December next, to be observed throughout this State as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise. And the People are requested on that day to meet in their respective places of Public worship, to offer up to Almighty God their united and grateful acknowledgments for the increasing prosperity of our Country, and the manifold blessings by which He has so signally distinguished us above the other nations.

In this eventful age of civil commotions, we have abundant cause to be thankful that our invaluable political and religious privileges have been continued to us unimpaired; that from the first settlement of our country we have always been free, and no power, barbarous or civilized, has ever been suffered to prevail against us. The Arm of the Lord has truly been our shield in all times of danger, and our pious Ancestors looked unto Him, as their “cloud by day and pillar of fire by night,” to direct them in every undertaking.

During the past year, our Heavenly Father has mercifully preserved us from the wars, pestilence and desolating judgements with which other portions of the world have been afflicted; He has smiled upon us with seasonable sunshine and showers, and crowned the fields with his abundant goodness; Our Commerce, Navigation, Manufactures, and the honest industry and exertions of all classes of our fellow citizens have been unusually prospered; the means and institutions for Literary, Scientific and Religious Instruction are increasing in number and usefulness; and the charitable exertions of the Benevolent throughout the world have been eminently successful in promoting the happiness and improvement of mankind. With few exceptions in distant parts of our nation, the year that is drawing to a close has indeed abounded in blessings and an unprecedented degree of Health and Prosperity has prevailed throughout our State. Truly we have reason to exclaim, “the Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”

While gratefully acknowledging the Infinite Goodness of a Kind

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