A Call to Honor God

“And now it is clear, by the plainest and most convincing evidence, that the miseries that until lately weighed on the whole human race have been banished from every part of the world. This has come about through the power of Almighty God, and through the counsel and help that he is pleased on many occasions to give by our means. It remains, then, for everyone, each person singly and all together, to note and seriously consider how great this power is and how effective this grace. It has wiped out and utterly destroyed this generation, as I may call them, of the most wicked and evil men. It has brought joy back to the good and spread it over every land. And now it guarantees the fullest freedom both to honor the divine law as it ought to be honored, with all reverence, and to give due respect to those who have dedicated themselves to the service of that law. These, rising as if from some dark abyss, and seeing clearly the present course of events, will from now on give its commands the fitting reverence and honor that suit their devout character.

“Let this decree be published in our Eastern provinces.” [a]