A DAY OF HUMILIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2508, 27 May 1893, Page 2

A DAY OF HUMILIATION.

A circular note has been issued by Dr. Goe to the clergy of the diocese of Melbourne, which reads as follows “ Bishopscourt, 4th May, 1893.—Reverend and Dear Brethren, —It is admitted on every side that the present is a time of national disaster, such as has seldom, if ever, befallen this colony. The proclamation qf Monday last is sufficient evidence of this. Multitudes of unemployed men throng the streets of the metropolis, and there are many silent sufferers who have lost the savings of a lifetime through the collapse of trusted institutions. Trade and commerce are embarrassed and the credit of the colony is seriously injured. Winter, with the many hardships which it inflicts upon the poor, is close pt hand. As Christians we believe that nothing happens without God, and that it is onr duty and privilege to recognise His almighty hand in all events, whether they affect ourselves or the community at large. We believe also that in everything by prayer an 4 Supplication with thanksgiving wo are encouraged to ‘ make our requests known upto God.’ Accordingly a desire has been expressed that a day should be set apart for special humiliation before God and for prayer to Him that He will graciously remember us in our trouble and restore to us times of prosperity. I trust that no one will take exception to the use of the word ‘ humiliation,’ for the pourso of God’s providence and the repeated declarations of His Word show that there is a intimate connection between sin and suffering. It is my desire that the day should be kept not only as a ti ne of earnest prayer, but also as a dry of humiliation on account of sin, accompanied by a penitent confession of sin, and by that broken and contrite heart which God will not despise, The day which, after consultation with others, I invite you thus to observe is Wednesday, 17th May. Each clergyman is at liberty to keep the day in his own parish in such a manner as he thinks best. If services be held in church it would be very suitable to use the Comminatiou or portions of it. The proper lessons and proper psalms for Ash Wednesday are applicable to the occasion, as also are the following passages ;—Ezra ix., 5 to the end, Nehemiah ix. ? or a part of it, Daniel is., 3 to 20. It is desirable also that if practicable meetings for

prayers should be held either in private houses or in public halls or in both, invoking the blessing of God upon your ministrations at all times, and especially at this time of national distress.—l am your faithful servant in the Lord, F. F. Melboubne.”