One of the defining characteristics of the Civil War generation was an abiding belief in Christianity and God. Though not universal, these beliefs sustained the majority of Civil War soldiers, civilians, as well as politicians and leaders of both sides. While some historians have claimed Lincoln to be an agnostic or one who openly scoffed at religion, anyone who has spent any serious time considering the life and writings of our 16th President knows that Lincoln took Christianity and God very seriously, especially during the war years. On August 12th, 1861, 150 years ago today, Lincoln issued a public proclamation calling for a day of prayer and fasting to deal with the crisis facing the nation. Current events beg the question of what would happen if a president were to issue such a call today, but that is not the point of this post. When faced with an ever growing crisis threatening the future of American nationhood, Lincoln turned to God, both privately and publicly.
By the President of the United States of America,
A Proclamation:
Whereas a joint Committee of both Houses of Congress has waited on the President of the United States, and requested him to "recommend a day of public humiliation, prayer and fasting, to be observed by the people of the United States with religious solemnities, and the offering of fervent supplications to Almighty God for the safety and welfare of these States, His blessings on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace:"
And whereas it is fit and becoming in all people, at all times, to acknowledge and revere the Supreme Government of God; to bow in humble submission to his chastisements; to confess and deplore their sins and transgressions in the full conviction that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and to pray, with all fervency and contrition, for the pardon of their past offences, and for a blessing upon their present and prospective action:
And whereas, when our own beloved Country, once, by the blessing of God, united, prosperous and happy, is now afflicted with faction and civil war, it is peculiarly fit for us to recognize the hand of God in this terrible visitation, and in sorrowful remembrance of our own faults and crimes as a nation and as individuals, to humble ourselves before Him, and to pray for His mercy, -- to pray that we may be spared further punishment, though most justly deserved; that our arms may be blessed and made effectual for the re-establishment of law, order and peace, throughout the wide extent of our country; and that the inestimable boon of civil and religious liberty, earned under His guidance and blessing, by the labors and sufferings of our fathers, may be restored in all its original excellence:
Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do appoint the last Thursday in September next, as a day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all the people of the nation. And I do earnestly recommend to all the People, and especially to all ministers and teachers of religion of all denominations, and to all heads of families, to observe and keep that day according to their several creeds and modes of worship, in all humility and with all religious solemnity, to the end that the united prayer of the nation may ascend to the Throne of Grace and bring down plentiful blessings upon our Country.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed, this 12th, day of August A.D. 1861, and of the Independence of the United States of America the 86th.
By the President:
Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
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