Then. On July 3, 1849, during a cholera epidemic that ravaged the United States, President Zachary Taylor proclaimed a National Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, stating:

It is recommended to persons of all denominations to abstain as far as practical from secular occupations and to assemble in their respective places of public worship, to acknowledge the Infinite Goodness which has watched over our existence as a nation, and so long crowned us with manifold blessings, and to implore the Almighty in His own good time to stay the destroying hand which is now lifted against us.

Now. Government makes it illegal to go to places of public worship and tells everyone to stay home.

The Best of Laurence M. Vance