A Proclamation, "In fine, that He would hasten the glorious reign of the Prince of Peace; and establish his Kingdom over all the Nations of the Earth"

Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS.

By His EXCELLENCY James Bowdoin, Esq; GOVERNOUR of the Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS.

A PROCLAMATION,
For a Day of solemn Humiliation and Prayer.

UPON due consideration of the difficulties and embarrassments, in which this Commonwealth is involved, and of the signal frown of Divine Providence, in permitting a Rebellion to disturb its peace, and bring its safety into hazard: By all which GOD is manifesting his righteous displeasure against us for our many and aggravated transgressions; and does loudly admonish us of the duty of a speedy and universal repentance and reformation: And considering also, that, for the various products of the current year, for success in our honest labours and employments, for direction in our public Councils, for a happy and successful administration of Government, and for every thing necessary to our public and private happiness, we are dependant on that Being, whose providence superintends the Universe:

I have thought fit, at the desire of the two Branches of the Legislature, and with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint, and do hereby appoint, THURSDAY the twenty-second Day of March next, to be observed as a Day of Solemn Humiliation and Prayer throughout this Commonwealth: hereby calling upon Ministers and People, in a publick and social manner, to humble themselves before Almighty GOD, by a penitent confession of their Sins, accompanied with sincere resolutions of amendment, and followed by real and general reformation: humbly beseeching Him, that He would be graciously pleased to bless the United States in Congress assembled by giving them wisdom, firmness and unanimity, in the conduct and management of our National concerns: That He would bless the Government of this Commonwealth, and direct to the best means of extricating it from its numerous embarrassments; and of speedily restoring to it peace and good order: That for this purpose, He would further succeed, and render effectual, the measures taken for suppressing the present Rebellion; and for bringing the Fomenters and Abettors of it to a sense of their duty, and to a willing submission to Constitutional Government; at the same time expressing their gratitude to the Father of Mercies for the success of those measures; and that so few lives have been lost in obtaining it: That He would give a public and patriotic spirit to persons of every rank and order, especially to such as are in civil authority: That He would endue the people with the spirit of Truth, Harmony and Concord; with a true sense of the value of the Liberties and Privileges they enjoy under our present happy Constitution; and with a disposition to regulate their conduct by the wise principles of it: That He would be pleased to bless our Husbandry, and grant us suitable Seasons for the Fruits of the Earth, and for maturing them in a plentiful harvest: That He would revive and prosper our Trade, Navigation and Fishery; and give success to all our lawful undertakings: That He would continue health to us; and prevent the spreading of any mortal, or contagious sickness: That He would put a stop to the progress of Profaneness and Impiety; and to that great dissoluteness of Manners, which, unless we reform them, threatens us with heavier evils: In fine, that He would hasten the glorious reign of the Prince of Peace; and establish his Kingdom over all the Nations of the Earth.

And I do earnestly recommend that all Labour, and unnecessary Recreation, be suspended on that Day.

Given at the Council Chamber, in BOSTON, the seventeenth Day of February, in the year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty--Seven, and in the Eleventh Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

JAMES BOWDOIN,

By His Excellency's Command, JOHN AVERY, jun. Secretary.

GOD save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.