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Blessings innumerable
have the heavens showered down upon fifty-five millions during the cycle of months now returning, and none has been more precious than a deliverance from a disease which covered the south of France and of Italy as with a pall. The agonies of death, and the anguish of its terrors were set before us in the gloomy picture which the submarine cable daily portrayed. |
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In it a figure stood out in bold relief,
and thereupon our admiring looks dwelt long— Humbert Ⅳ,[1] Umberto Ⅰ of Italy (1844-1900), who reigned from 1878-1900. heroic in the field of humanity, scattering broadcast the seeds of beneficence. His loving kindness to his cholera stricken subjects, is the brightest gem in his kingly crown. |
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From hence we greet
the consoler in the hour of trouble; him we hail a true nature’s nobleman, more royally great when in search of the hovel of misery than when seated upon a dazzling throne. |
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May he continue to merit
the loyal affection of the nation, he gently rules, by hygienic and social improvements which will render his self abnegation less needful. |
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May the visitation
which so sorely tried the successor of Victor Emmanuel[2] Victor Emmanuel Ⅱ (1820-1878) who reigned from 1849-1861, the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century. His successor was Umberto Ⅰ. be palsied when attempting to come near us. The Lord, who has spoken through creation and prophecy, bids us resort to wise measures which will paralyze the arm of a destructive infection. Cleanliness and continence, temperance and moderation and a serene confidence in the Sovereign Keeper of our Republic, will speed on to our rescue the angel of health, pure air, bringing food in abundance, heart rejoicing prosperity, without end. |
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To Thy guardianship O God!
we commit the permanence of this glorious monument of wisdom and righeousness. Thou stoodst by its founders when they designed it in a manner that depth and solidity might lie at it basis. Thou didst endow with a supernal power those who sustained it, when it might have tottered and fallen. Vouchsafe now to breathe a spirit of justice into the man whom a majority of this self-governing people have chosen as chief. |
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May the continuance of that grandest of monuments
towards which the freedom-loving of every clime hopefully look become the highest of his aspirations, the longing of his very soul. Grant that in his heart beatings he may hear Thy voice directing him to work with fidelity. |
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Accompanied by rectitude,
may he go forth to fill this land with happiness, “as the waters which cover the sea.” (Habakuk 2:14) Amen. |
This prayer in admiration of King Umberto Ⅰ of Italy after the passing of a cholera epidemic was preserved on page 246 of the Sobato Morais Scrapbook (a/k/a, the Morais Ledger) in a clipping from the Philadelphia Inquirer on 28 November 1884, “The Church and Its Duty: Rev. S. Morais on the Limits of Politics in the Pulpit.”
Source(s)
thanksgiving day prayer in admiration of Umberto I (aka Humbert IV) [Philadelphia Enquirer 1884-11-28] (Sabato Morais Ledger, p. 246)
Notes
| 1 | Umberto Ⅰ of Italy (1844-1900), who reigned from 1878-1900. |
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| 2 | Victor Emmanuel Ⅱ (1820-1878) who reigned from 1849-1861, the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century. His successor was Umberto Ⅰ. |
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