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Doc. 25. the Archbishop of Baltimore. Address to the Reverend Clergy of the diocese of Baltimore.

His Excellency, the President of the United States, having appointed the last Thursday of September as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and recommended its religious observance, in order to obtain Divine aid, and the return of peace and prosperity, the Archbishop of Baltimore directs that the collect Pro quacumque tribulatione,1 with the Litany of the [60] Saints, and the prayer for the authorities,2 be recited on that day in all the parochial churches of this diocese, at the hour which the respective clergy in charge shall appoint. In order to establish uniformity in the public offices of the Church, he also directs that the last-mentioned prayer — which was framed by John Carroll, the venerated founder of the American hierarchy, and was prescribed in the first Synod of Baltimore, held in the year 1791--to be recited on all Sundays at the parochial Mass, and which is entirely irrespective of all political and personal considerations, shall be henceforward read on each Sunday, as has been hitherto generally practised, in all parochial churches, without addition, diminution, or change.

By order of the Most Reverend, the Archbishop.

Thomas Foley, Secretary. Baltimore, Sept. 2, 1861.

--Catholic Mirror.

1 Despise not, O Almighty God, Thy people who cry to Thee in affliction, but for the glory of Thy name be appeased, and relieve those who are in tribulation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God for ever. Amen.

2 We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God! who through Jesus Christ, hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop N. N., the Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N. N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the way of salvation.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice! through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States; that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people, over whom he presides: by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all their proceedings and laws, framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.

We pray for His Excellency, the Governor of this. State, for the Members of Assembly, for all Judges, Magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow-citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us, with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relations, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation; and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors, who by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship, and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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