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the noise of the battle to cease from our shores, and may friendship, and 

 love, and righteousness prevail. Make us to know that wisdom is better 

 than weapons of war, and a peaceful heritage than much spoil. May the 

 spear of the warrior be speedily exchanged for the plough and the pruning- 

 hook, and the dread thunder of batde for the shout of thanksgiving to 

 God. 



^^ Guide us ever in the choice of our rulers, that the wisdom and virtue of 

 the nation may appear in the characters and deeds of those who may be 

 honored with majesterial distinctions. May the praise which is sounded 

 by thy Church be echoed from the high places of the republic, and re- 

 echoed from the multitudes of the people, until, like the rushing of many 

 waters, the voice shall go forth proclaiming the Lord Onmipotent to be our * 

 God. And in the pursuits of our liA^es, in the expressions of our lips, and 

 in our daily worship, may we prove that we know no other God but him. 



'' With thy favor we beseech thee to behold and bless thy servant the 

 President of the United States, and all others in authority, and so replen- 

 ish them with the grace of thy holy spirit, that they may always incline 

 to thy will and walk in thy way. Teach thou our Senators wisdom, that 

 they may establish sueh laws as are wholesome and good. Direct thou 

 the minds of our judges, that they may decree justice, and that their judg- 

 ments may be rendered with equity. Imbue the people with a spirit of 

 patriotic devotion, and enlighten them with heavenly wisdom, that they 

 may bo zealous of their country's honor, and exercise with prudence the 

 fearful trust of freemen which is comniitted into their hands. Make us a 

 people fearing thee and honoring thy most holy name; loving each other 

 as brethren, and living for the good of mankind. 



" We invoke thy blessing upon this present undertaking of thy servants. 

 Grant that the st'-ncture here commenced under the eye, and, we trust, by 

 the direction of thy Providence, may be roared up in thy name, and re- 

 dound to thy glory. May the building here to be erected as a depository 

 of the curious works of art and nature, and emblems of national distinc- 

 tion, be more than sntlicient for this worthy and honorable purpose. May 

 it become a monument of usefulness to us as a nation, and a matter of 

 admiration to the nations of the world. In the deposite of national sym- 

 bols, may it be a central point of peace and friendship for the kingdoms 

 and governments of the earth. And may the nations which shall be rep- 

 resented in its halls find themselves in union, firmly leagued for the en- 

 couragement of national prosperity, the promotionof art and intelligence, 

 and the increase of human happiness. May it be as a central sun of sci- 

 ence, about which systems may revolve, and from which light and knowl- 

 edge may be reflected throughout every clime and kingdom of the globe. 

 And, in the accomplishment of these greai and important results, may the 

 blessings of the nations follow the memory of the projector, and America 

 become the almoner of a bounty whose benefits siiall not cease to flow 

 until time shall be no more. 



" In all our civil and domestic relations may we remember our religious 

 duties, and contribute of our means and services and characters to the in- 

 crease of thy Church, and the advancement of thy glory; that we may be 

 a people truly serving thee, honoring thy name in our vralks and works of 

 righteousness, and in the possession of happiness under thy smiles and. 

 favor. 



" Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints 



