CAUSES FOR NATIONAL HUMILIATION

A Discourse, Delivered on the Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, Recommended by the President of the United States, September 26, 1861This question, justly considered, will bring our minds to the proper subjects of contemplation to-day, and may aid our hearts to proper feelings in view of them. The answer to this question presents itself in a two-fold light - causes arising from conflicting views and interests among the peo ple themselves, as divided into the two great sections now at strife, and causes arising from the sins of the whole nation, which have justly provoked and brought down the judg ments of God upon us, as war in all its forms, whatever may be its secondary causes, is always regarded in Scripture as a visitation of God upon nations for their offences against the principles he has laid down for their conduct.It is highly proper for us to examine the causes involved in both branches of the subject. If we can view them justly, weighing their real merits, and can be suitably affected in heart by the view, and can be led to a right conduct thereby, we may, in our worship, enter into the true spirit of the first part of our text