DEAR BRETHREN:--The following prayers are appointed to be used in this Diocese, at the discretion of the Clergy, during the continuance of the present calamities. Commending you, and commending our beloved country to the protection of Almighty God, I remain most affectionately,

Your friend and brother,

HORATIO POTTER,

Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of New York

NEW YORK, APRIL 23, 1861

O MOST powerful and glorious Lord God, the Lord of Hosts, that rulest and commandest all things: Thou sittest in the throne judging right, and therefore we make our appeal to Thy Divine Majesty, in this our trouble, that Thou wouldest take the cause into Thine own hand. Stir up Thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us. Save and defend our country in this its hour of peril. Revive in all hearts a spirit of devotion to the public good. Let Thy Divine Protection and Guidance be over all who serve in Council or in the Field, and so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands that they may preserve to us the goodly Heritage which Thou gavest to our Fathers. Mercifully forgive the grievous sins which have drawn Thy judgments upon us. Help us to look to Thee in all our troubles and adversities, and at last to rejoice in the greatness of Thy Salvation, through the merits and mediation of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

O ETERNAL GOD and Heavenly Father, the Aid of all who need, the Helper of all who flee to Thee for succour: We commend to Thy Almighty Protection all those Thy servants now gone forth in our defence, for whose preservation amid the perils of war our prayers are desired. Guard them, we beseech Thee, from the dangers that beset their way, from sickness, from the violence of enemies, and from every evil to which they may be exposed. Give them comfort and sure confidence in Thee; and of Thy great goodness restore them to us in due time, in peace and safety, with a grateful sense of Thy mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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