Categories: Historical Documents

This is a proclamation by President John Adams for a day of “solemn humiliating, fasting, and prayer” set for April 25, 1799. This proclamation was not only printed as the below broadside but also published in numerous newspapers. Below are pictures of the broadside as well as one newspaper from Massachusetts. The text has been slightly modified by inserting paragraph breaks for easier reading. To see a sermon preached on the fast day, click here.

By the President
Of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

As no truth is more clearly taught in the Volume of Inspiration, nor any more fully demonstrated by the experience of all ages, than that a deep sense and a due acknowledgment of the governing providence of a Supreme Being, and of the accountableness of men to Him as the searcher of hearts and righteous distributor of rewards and punishments, are conducive, equally, to the happiness and rectitude of individuals, and to the well-being of communities; as it is, also, most reasonable, in itself, that men who are made capable of social acts and relations, who owe their improvements to the social state, and who derive their enjoyments from it, should, as a society, make their acknowledgments of dependence and obligation to Him who hath endowed them with these capacities and elevated them in the scale of existence by these distinctions; as it is, likewise, a plain dictate of duty, and a strong sentiment of nature, that in circumstances of great urgency and seasons of imminent danger, earnest and particular supplications should be made to Him who is able to defend or to destroy; as, moreover, the most precious interests of the people of the United States are still held in jeopardy, by the hostile designs and insidious acts of a foreign nation, as well as by the dissemination among them of those principles subversive of the foundations of all religious, moral, and social obligations, that have produced incalculable mischief and misery in other countries; and as, in fine, the observance of special seasons for public religious solemnities, is happily calculated to avert the evils which we ought to deprecate, and to excite to the performance of the duties which we ought to discharge, – by calling and fixing the attention of the people at large to the momentous truths already recited, by affording opportunity to teach and inculcate them, by animating devotion and giving to it the character of a national act:

For these reasons I have thought proper to recommend, and I do hereby recommend accordingly, that Thursday, the 25th day of April next, be observed throughout the United States of America as a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer. – That the citizens on that day abstain as far as may be from their secular occupations, devote the time to the sacred duties of religion in public and in private: That they call to mind our numerous offenses against the most High God, confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore His pardoning mercy, through the great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgressions, and that, through the grace of His Holy Spirit, we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience to His righteous requisitions in time to come: That He would interpose to arrest the progress of that impiety and licentiousness in principle and practice, so offensive to Himself and so ruinous to mankind: That He would make us deeply sensible that “righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people”: That He would turn us from our transgressions and turn His displeasure from us: That He would withhold us from unreasonable discontent, – from disunion, faction, sedition, and insurrection: That He would preserve our country from the desolating sword: That He would save our cities and towns from a repetition of those awful pestilential visitations under which they have lately suffered so severely, and that the health of our inhabitants, generally, may be precious in His sight: That He would favor us with fruitful seasons, and so bless the labors of the husbandman as that there may be food in abundance for man and beast: That He would prosper our commerce, manufactures, and fisheries, and give success to the people in all their lawful industry and enterprise: That He would smile on our colleges, academies, schools, and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of sound science, morals, and religion: That He would bless all magistrates, from the highest to the lowest, give them the true spirit of their station, make them a terror to evil doers and a praise to them that do well: That He would preside over the councils of the nation at this critical period, enlighten them to a just discernment of the public interest, and save them from mistake, division, and discord: That He would succeed our preparations for defense, and bless our armaments by land and by sea: That He would put an end to the effusion of human blood, and the accumulation of human misery, among the contending nations of the earth, by disposing them to justice, to equity, to benevolence, and to peace: And that He would extend the blessings of knowledge, of true liberty, and of pure and undefiled religion, throughout the world.

And I do, also, recommend that with these acts of humiliation, penitence, and prayer, fervent thanksgiving to the Author of all good be united, for the countless favors which He is still continuing to the people of the United States, and which render their condition as a nation eminently happy, when compared with the lot of others.

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States of America, at the city of Philadelphia, this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine of the Independence of the said States the twenty-third.

John Adams.

By the President,

Timothy Pickering,

Secretary of State

John Adams (1735-1826) Adams was an attorney, diplomat, and statesman; he graduated from Harvard (1755); leader in the opposition to the Stamp Act (1765); delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-77) where he signed the Declaration of Independence (1776); appointed Chief Justice of Superior Court of Massachusetts (1775); delegate to the Massachusetts constitutional convention (1779-80) and wrote most of the first draft of the Massachusetts Constitution; foreign ambassador to Holland (1782); signed the peace treaty which ended the American Revolution (1783); foreign ambassador to Great Britain (1785-88); served two terms as Vice-President under President George Washington (1789-97); second President of the United States (1797-1801); he and his one time political nemesis- turned-close-friend Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; Adams was titled by fellow signer of the Declaration Richard Stockton as the “Atlas of American Independence.”

This is the text of a national day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer issued by President John Adams as printed in the Columbian Centinel, April 4, 1798. This proclamation was issued on March 23, 1798 declaring May 9, 1798 the day of fasting for the nation. To read a sermon preached by Jeremy Belknap, in Boston, on the day of the national fast, click here.

By the President of the United States of America

A PROCLAMATION

AS the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety, without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed; and as this duty, at all times incumbent, is so especially in seasons of difficulty and of danger, when existing or threatening calamities, the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity are a loud call to repentance and reformation; and as the United States of America are at present placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation, by the unfriendly disposition, conduct and demands of a foreign power, evinced by repeated refusals to receive our messengers of reconciliation and peace, by depredations on our commerce, and the infliction of injuries on very many of our fellow citizens, while engaged in their lawful business on the seas: —Under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country, demands at this time a special attention from its inhabitants.

I HAVE therefore thought it fit to recommend, that Wednesday, the 9th day of May next be observed throughout the United States, as a day of Solemn Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; That the citizens of these states, abstaining on that day from their customary worldly occupations, offer their devout addresses to the Father of Mercies, agreeably to those forms or methods which they have severally adopted as the most suitable and becoming: That all religious congregations do, with the deepest humility, acknowledge before GOD the manifold sins and transgressions with which we are justly chargeable as individuals and as a nation; beseeching him, at the same time, of his infinite Grace, through the Redeemer of the world, freely to remit all our offences, and to incline us, by his holy spirit, to that sincere repentance and reformation which may afford us reason to hope for his inestimable favor and heavenly benediction; That it be made the subject of particular and earnest supplication, that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it; that our civil and religious privileges may be preserved inviolate, and perpetuated to the latest generations; that our public councils and magistrates may be especially enlightened and directed at this critical period; that the American people may be united in those bonds of amity and mutual confidence, and inspired with that vigor and fortitude by which they have in times past been so highly distinguished, and by which they have obtained such invaluable advantages: That the health of the inhabitants of our land may be preserved, and their agriculture, commerce, fisheries, arts and manufactures be blessed and prospered: That the principles of genuine piety and sound morality may influence the minds and govern the lives of every description of our citizens; and that the blessings of peace, freedom, and pure religion, may be speedily extended to all the nations of the earth.

And finally I recommend, that on the said day; the duties of humiliation and prayer be accompanied by fervent Thanksgiving to the bestower of every good gift, not only for having hitherto protected and preserved the people of these United States in the independent enjoyment of their religious and civil freedom, but also for having prospered them in a wonderful progress of population, and for conferring on them many and great favours conducive to the happiness and prosperity of a nation.

Given under my hand and seal of the United States of America, at Philadelphia, this twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the said States the twenty-second.

JOHN ADAMS

By the President,TIMOTHY PICKERING,

Secretary of State

Increase Sumner (1746-1799) was the governor of Massachusetts from 1797-1799. He had previously been a member of the House of Representatives, a Senator, and a justice in the Massachusetts Supreme Court.

This proclamation was issued by Increase Sumner on March 1, 1798, declaring April 5, 1798 the day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer for the state. The text of the proclamation comes from The Salem Gazette on March 9, 1798. To see a sermon preached on the fast day in Massachusetts, click here.

I have thought fit, by and with the advice of Council, to appoint THURSDAY the FIFTH of APRIL NEXT, to be observed throughout this Commonwealth, as a day Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer. Calling on ministers and people of every denomination to assemble on that day, in their respective places of public worship, and with united hearts penitently to confess their sins, and implore the favor and blessing of Almighty God, through the great Mediator, upon the concerns of the ensuing year.

In particular, that He would be pleased to guide and prosper the administration of Civil Government within this Commonwealth.

That He would afford His guidance and blessing to the President of the United States, and that the councils and determinations of our National Government, being founded in wisdom and justice, may promote the true interest and happiness of the United States. That He would be pleased to strengthen the union, and not suffer any design that may be formed against us to prosper.

That he would inspire those in civil authority with a just sense of the trust committed to their care, and enable them to discharge it with fidelity.

That the people may be endued with a public spirit, and true love of their country; properly estimating the blessings of civil and religious liberty, by which they are distinguished And that truth, piety and righteousness, which exalt a nation, may universally prevail.

That He would be graciously pleased to bless the labors of the husbandman, and so to order the seasons, as that the year may be crowned with a plentiful harvest.

That He would guide and direct our University and other seminaries within this Commonwealth, so that the rising generation may be properly instructed in every branch of useful learning, and impressed with the principles of true religion and virtue.

That He would protect our Commerce, Navigation and Fishery from unjust sizable obstructions, and give success to all our lawful undertakings.

That He would be graciously pleased to continue Health in our habitations, and prevent the spreading of mortal contagious diseases; and that through his abundant mercy we may be preserved from every desolating judgment.

That by His gracious influence we may be protected from Internal Commotion and Foreign Invasion.

That the overtures for adjusting differences in Europe may be successful, and permanent peace be established.

And finally, that Wars and Commotions may cease in all parts of the earth; and that mankind, sensible of their mutual dependence, may live in the practice of benevolence, charity, and every other Christian virtue, as become children of one common Parent.

And I do earnestly recommend that all servile labor and recreation, inconsistent with the solemnity of said day, may be suspended.

Given at the Council Chamber, in Boston, this first day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight and in the twenty second year of the independence of the United States of America.

Increase Sumner

By his Excellency’s Command, with advice and consent of the Council.
John Avery, Secr’y.

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

This is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer issued by Oliver Wolcott, Governor of the State of Connecticut. This proclamation was issued on March 17, 1797, declaring April 14, 1797 as a day of fasting for the state.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY

Oliver Wolcott, Esq.

GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT,

A PROCLAMATION

AS it peculiarly becomes a Christian People, at particular and state Seasons, by Humiliation and Prayer, to pay their devout Homage to ALMIGHTY GOD;–

I HAVE thought proper to appoint, and do hereby appoint FRIDAY, the Fourteenth Day of April next, to be observed as a Day of public HUMILIATION, FASTING and PRAYER, throughout this State; recommending to all the People, in their solemn Assemblies, on that Day, devoutly to acknowledge their Dependence on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and with sincere Repentance for our many Sins, humbly to implore, of a merciful GOD, their Forgiveness and Remission, the gracious Aids of his Spirit, and the Blessings of his Providence.

That he would continue to us and successive Generations, the Gospel of Peace and Salvation;-teach the Hearts of all Men to know its Truth and Excellence, and to obey its holy Precepts:-Succeed the Means of Education and Learning; bless your Youth, furnish their Minds with useful Knowledge, and enrich them with the christian Graces:-That he would smile on our Husbandry; give and preserve to us the goodly Fruits of the Earth:-Prosper our Commerce, restrain the arbitrary Enterprizes so extensively practiced upon it, and cause the Nations at War, to observe towards our Trade and Navigation, the Laws of Justice and good Faith;- save us from desolating Diseases; and grant that in all our lawful Business and Vocations, we may experience the Divine Care and Beneficence. And moreover, humbly to beseech the Throne of Grace, that the God of Wisdom would enlighten the public Councils of this State, thereby to increase the Means of social Improvement and Happiness among the People, and to confirm and perpetuate the public Order, Liberty, and Tranquility.

That the United States may continue to be under the Superintendence and holy Protection of the Sovereign Arbiter of Nations:-That he would inspire all our Citizens with a Love of their Country, and each other; cement our Union; impart to all Departments of the Government Wisdom and Integrity, uprightly and ably to conduct the public Interests confided to their Care:-Still continue graciously to smile on our earnest and faithful Endeavours to preserve our Peace;- cause the

Negociations with the French Republic to issue in the Acknowledgement and secure Establishment of our just Rights, and the Restoration of Amity and good Agreement between the two Countries.

And that it would please GOD to afford his gracious Aids to the President of the United States, in the Discharge of the arduous Duties on which he is entering; and that he may be enabled, by a wise and impartial Administration of them, to preserve that Confidence of the People in this Branch of our Government, by which it has been so eminently distinguished:-That the Benedictions of Heaven may attend the late President of the United States, in his Retirement from his long, useful and disinterested Services to our Country.

And may God, who is the Author of Peace and Lover of Concord, restrain the Rage and Pride of warring Nations, and Cause them to submit to righteous and equitable Terms of Peace.

And that all those to whom the Ministration of the Gospel of Christ Jesus is committed, may be influenced by that Spirit which the Gospel is adapted to inspire; and that the Effect of their Ministration may be the Advancement of the peaceful Kingdom of the Great Redeemer among Mankind.

ALL SERVILE LABOUR ON SAID DAY IS FORBIDDEN.

GIVEN at Litchfield, this seventeenth Day of March, in the Year of our LORD one thousand seven Hundred and ninety seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the twenty-first.

OLIVER WOLCOTT.

By his Excellency’s Command,

SAMUEL WYLLYS, Secretary.

Samuel Adams (1722-1803); Samuel Adams was a leader in the opposition to the acts by British Parliament which precipitated the American Revolution; he formed Boston’s Committee of Correspondence in 1772; was a member of the Continental Congress (1774-81) where he signed the Declaration of Independence (1776); he helped draft the Articles of Confederation (1777); was a delegate to the Massachusetts constitutional convention (1779-80); served as president of the Massachusetts senate (1781); was a member of the state convention to ratify the Federal Constitution (1788); Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts (1789-94); and Governor of Massachusetts (1794- 97). He is justly titled both the “Firebrand of the Revolution” and “The Father of the American Revolution” for his important leadership in the cause of American independence.

The following is the text of a proclamation for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer issued by Samuel Adams as Governor of Massachusetts. This proclamation was issued on February 28, 1795, declaring April 2, 1795 the day of fasting for the state of Massachusetts.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

By the Governor

A Proclamation

For a Day of PUBLIC FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER

THE supreme Ruler of the Universe, having been pleased, in the course of his Providence, to establish the Independence of the United States of America, and to cause them to assume their rank, among the nations of the Earth, and bless them with Liberty, Peace and Plenty; we ought to be led by Religious feelings of Gratitude; and to walk before Him, in all Humility, according to his most Holy Law.-But, as the depravity of our Hearts has, in so many instances drawn us aside from the path of duty, so that we have frequently offended our Divine and Merciful Benefactor; it is therefore highly incumbent on us, according to the ancient and laudable practice of our pious Ancestors, to open the year by a public and solemn Fast.-That with true repentance and contrition of Heart, we may unitedly implore the forgiveness of our Sins, through the merits of Jesus Christ, and humbly supplicate our Heavenly Father, to grant us the aids of his Grace, for the amendment of our Hearts and Lives, and vouchsafe his smiles upon our temporal concerns:

I HAVE therefore thought fit to appoint, and with the advice and consent of the Council, I do hereby appoint Thursday, the Second Day of April next, to be observed as a Day of Public Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer throughout this Commonwealth:-Calling upon the Ministers of the Gospel, of every Denomination, with their respective Congregations, to assemble on that Day, and devoutly implore the Divine forgiveness of our Sins, -To pray that the Light of the Gospel, and the rights of Conscience, may be continued to the people of United America; and that his Holy Word may be improved by them, so that the name of God may be exalted, and their own Liberty and Happiness secured.-That he would be graciously pleased to bless our Federal Government; that by a wise administration, it may be a sure guide and safe protection in national concerns, for the people who have established, and who support it-That He would continue to us the invaluable Blessings of Civil Liberty; guarding us against intestine commotions; and enabling the United States, in the exercise of such Governmental powers, as are devolved upon them, so that the honor and dignity of our Nation, upon the Sea and the Land, may be supported, and Peace with the other Powers of the World, upon safe and honorable terms, may be maintained.

That he would direct the administration of our Federal and State Governments, so that the lives, liberties and property of all the Citizens, and the just rights of the People, as Men and Citizens, may be forever acknowledged, and at all times defended, by Constitutions, founded upon equal rights; and by good and wholesome Laws, wisely and judiciously administered and duly executed.

That he would enable Legislators and Magistrates of this Commonwealth, to discharge the important duties incumbent on them, that the People may have good reason to feel themselves happy and safe, and lead quiet and peaceable lives in all Godliness and Honesty.

That he would incline the Natives of the Wilderness, to listen to reasonable offers of Peace, that tranquility and security may be established on the Frontiers Of our Country;-That he would graciously regard the Lives and Health of the People of this and our sister States, and preserve them from contagious and wasting diseases: To crown the ensuing Year with Plenty and Prosperity, by his blessing on our Husbandry, our Fisheries, our Commerce, and all the labor of our Hands-to affect our minds with a sense of our entire dependence upon Him, and of his great goodness towards us, that when we may present ourselves before Him, at the close of the Year, with our thank-offerings, our Hearts may by his grace, be prepared to do it in a manner acceptable to Him.

That He would be graciously pleased to establish the French Republic, and prosper others who are contending for the Rights of Men, and dispose all Nations to favor the same principles , and return to Peace and Friendship.

That He would in his great Mercy, remember the unhappy state of our Fellow-Citizens and others, who are groaning under bondage, in a foreign Land. That He would soften the Hearts of those who have led them captive, inclining that People to show them favor during their Captivity, and in His own due time open a door for their relief: -And finally, that He would over-rule all the confusions that are in the Earth, of the speedy establishment of the Redeemer’s Kingdom, which consisteth in Righteousness and Peace.

And I do recommend to the People of this Commonwealth, to abstain from all unnecessary Labor and Recreation on the said Day.

GIVEN at the Council-Chamber, in Boston, this Twenty-eighth Day of February, in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-five, and in the Nineteenth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

SAMUEL ADAMS

Attest: John Avery, jun. Secretary

GOD save the COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS!

This is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer issued by John Hancock, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The proclamation was issued on March 4, 1793, declaring April 11, 1793 as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY

John Hancock, Esquire,

GOVERNOR of the COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS.

A PROCLAMATION

For a Day of Public FASTING, HUMILIATION, AND PRAYER.

WHEREAS it hath been the Practice of the People inhabiting the Territory of this Commonwealth, from their first Settlement, at this Season of the Year, unitedly to acknowledge their entire Dependence on the SUPREME BEING, and to humble themselves under a Sense of their utter unworthiness of his Favors, by Reason of their Transgression; and whereas the Practice appears to have a Tendency to cultivate the Fear of God, and a due Regard to HIS LAWS:

I HAVE THEREFORE THOUGHT FIT, by, and with the Advice of the COUNCIL, to appoint, and I hereby do appoint, THURSDAY, the Eleventh Day of April next, to be observed throughout this Commonwealth, as Day of solemn FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER:— Calling upon Ministers, and People of every Denomination, to assemble on that Day, in their respective Congregations; that with true contrition of Heart we may confess our Sins; resolve to forsake them, and implore the Divine forgiveness, through the Merits and Mediation of JESUS CHRIST, our SAVIOUR— Humbly supplicate the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to prosper the Administration of the Federal Government, and that of this Commonwealth, and the other States in the Union; enduing them with Firmness, Wisdom, Unanimity and Public Spirit; and leading them in their respective public Councils, to such Determinations as shall be adapted to Promote the great end of Government:— The Welfare and Happiness of the People:— To restore and maintain Peace in our Borders: Continue Health among us, and give us Wisdom to improve HIS Blessings, for HIS Glory, and our own Good:— To smile upon our Agriculture, and mercifully prevent the diminishing the Fruits of the Earth, by devouring Insects, unseasonable Weather, or other Judgments; that so our Land may abundantly yield its Increase:— That HE would protect and prosper our Navigation, Trade, Fishery, and all the Works of our Hands:— To confirm and continue our invaluable Religious and Civil Liberties:— To prosper the University, and other Seminaries and Means of Education:— To cause Industry, Frugality, and all Moral and Christian Virtues to prevail among us:— To bless the Allies of the United Sates, and particularly to afford his Almighty Aid to the French Nation, and still Guide them into such Measures, as shall tend effectually to establish a Government founded upon Reason, Justice, and the Welfare of the People.— And finally to over-rule all the Commotions in the World, to the spreading the true Religion of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, in its Purity and Power, among all the People of the Earth.

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

GIVEN at the COUNCIL-CHAMBER, in Boston, the Fourth Day of MARCH, in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three, and in the Seventeenth Year of the Independence of the United States of America!

JOHN HANCOCK.

By His Excellency’s Command,

with the Advice and Consent of the COUNCIL,

JOHN AVERY, jun. Secretary.

GOD save the Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS!

Printed at BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, at the State Press, by THOMAS ADAMS, PRINTER to the HONORABLE THE GENERAL COURT-1793.