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Pastoral Letter

TO THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS OF THE CHURCH IN ARKANSAS.
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BRETHREN :

In the Providence of God, we are fallen upon troublous times. After agitation which has reached every
hearth and home among us, a crisis has arrived. The solemn Future just before us cannot be as the Past. It
must bring to us either a return to peace and brotherhood, or a wider estrangement and an angrier strife.

The Church of Christ is not comissioned to be a judge, or a divider among individuals, states or nations.
In matters of State policy, she has no authority to pronounce judgment. It is a grateful recollection that
throughout this period of sectional strife, the Protestant Episcopal Church of America has lent no breath to fan
the flame of unholy discord. But yet she has vocation and authority. It is hers to enunciate in the name of
God the great principles of morals, and the just rules of human conduct. In every time of apprehension her
voice should be heard, bidding us to look above the troubled waters to Him who holdeth the winds in the hollow
of His hands, and who stilleth the tumult of the people.

I exhort you then, in this crisis, to intercede with God for our common country. We have been a singular-
ly boastful people ; and in our unexampled, national propserity, have been little mindful of our dependence upon
Divine Providence. Let us with penitent heart confess this our sin. As Christians, we believe that God orders
all things, even the Sparrow's fall. Let us realize that He is Governor among the nations. He can bring light
out of darkness, and order out of confusion. Let us look unto Him, and cry daily unto Him, until He send de-
liverance.

And, especiallly, as citizens, let us be grave and serious in our deliberations. This is no time for noisy disputants to
lead us. We should ask counsel of the experienced, the sober, the God-fearing men among us. We may follow
peace, and yet guard our country's rights ; nor should we in concern for our own, forget the rights and duties of
others.

Lastly, we should remember that we are the subjects of the Prince of Peace, and that He has pronounced a
blessing on the peace-makers. If words of healing can be found, let them be uttered rather than words of bitter-
ness and contumely. May he who maketh men to be of one mind in an house, be evermore our Helper and De-
fender !

The following prayer for wise counsel is set forth and authorized to be used in the congregations, at the dis-
cretion of the Minister, until the fourth day of March next.

I remain yours in the bonds of Chtist,

HENRY C. LAY,

Missionary Bishop of the South-West.

FORT SMITH, ARK., December 6, 1860.

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A PRAYER FOR WISE COUNSEL.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who didn't raise up to Thy people Israel, judges and counsellors, whensoever they cried unto Thee; and who hast
promised to give liberally to such as lack wisdom and ask of Thee; look graciously upon us Thy unworthy servants and upon all the people
of this land : leave us not comfortless, but send to us the Holy Ghost to comfort us.

Send to us, O Lord, in this our day of trouble and disquietude, righteous judgment and prudent counsel. Save us from all error,
ignorance, pride and prejudice. Grant us peace in our borders, and security in all our lawful employments. Prosper the right and let not
wicked men prevail. Help us to be valiant for the truth, and to put all our trust in Thee ; for Thou, O Lord, sittest in the throne judging
right, and therefore we make our supplication unto Thee. Thous art the great God who hast made and rulest all things: be gracious unto
Thy servants and save us for Thy mercy's sake. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name. O deliver us, and be merciful
unto our sins for Thy name's sake.

O blessed Saviour, who didst preserve Thy disciples in a great tempest of the sea, hear, hear us, and save us, that we perish not ; for
we do acknowledge Thee, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God over all, blessed forevermore. Amen.