Proclamation to the people of the Confederate States
When a people who recognize their dependence upon God, feel themselves surrounded by peril and difficulty, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government, to acknowledge His goodness in times past, and supplicate His merciful protection for the future.The manifest proofs of the Divine blessing hither to extended to the efforts of the people of the Confederate States of America to maintain and perpetuate public liberty, individual rights and national independence, demand their devout and heartfelt gratitude. It becomes them to give public manifestation of this gratitude, and of their dependence upon the Judge of all the Earth and to invoke the continuance of His favor. Knowing that none but a just and righteous cause can gain the Divine favor we would implore the Lord of Hosts to guide and direct our policy in the paths of right, duty, justice and mercy, to unite our hearts and our efforts for the defence of our dearest rights; to strengthen our weakness; crown our arms with success, and enable us to secure a speedy, just and honorable peace.
To these ends, and in conformity with the request of Congress, I invite the people of the Confederate States to the observance of a day of fasting and prayer, by such religious services as may be suitable for the occasion, and I recommend Thursday, the 13th day of June next, for that purpose; and that we may all on that day, with one accord, join in humble and reverential approach to Him in whose hands we are, invoking Him to inspire us with a proper spirit and temper of heart and mind to bear our evils, to bless us with his favor and protection, and to bestow His gracious benediction upon our Government and country.
