New Meaning Uncovered In An Old Prayer

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 6

New Meaning Uncovered In An Old Prayer

YESTERDAY, in church, one prayer in particular took on a new meaning for me. It could have been written yesterday. I refer to the "Colleat for Peace" in Morning Prayer. It is a very ancient prayer, and is found in the Sacramentaries of Gelasius (A.D. 492) and of Gregory (A.D. 590). It has been in constant use in the English Church for at least 1200 years.

By Rev. C. W. Chandler

"O God, Who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of Whom standeth our eternal life Whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us Thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in Thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen."

It is surprising how this? and many other prayers, instead of being just "vain repetitions," as in normal times they are apt to be, become suddenly filled with new meaning and power.

All our sanauags, mules, dugouts and brown paper strips with a thousand Gunga Dins are worse than useless without the calm assurance that comes from using such a prayer as this. It is a certain antidote for fear. Fear Robs Us. Fear robs us of the power to think, and attracts disaster. Some of you may know that magnificent shorter poem of Kipling known as "The Song of the Little Hunter. "Ere Mor the Peacock flutters, ere the Monkey people cry, Kre Chil the Kite swoops down a furlong sheer. Through the jungle very softly flits a shadow and a sigh— He is Fear. O Little Hunter, he is Fear. Very softly down the glade runs a -waiting, watching shade. And the whisper spreads and widens far and near, And the sweat is on thy brow, for he passes even now— He is Fear. O Little Hunter, he is Fear. When the slivered pine-trees fall. When the blinding, blaring rain-squalls lash and veer. Through the war-gongs of the thunder rings a voice more loud than all— Tt is Fear, O Little Hunter, it is Fear! Now the spates are banked and deep; now the footless boulders leap— Now the lightning shows each, littlest leaf-rib clear— But thy throat is shut and dried, and thy heart against thy side. Hammers. Fear, O Little ,Hunter —this is fear."

I missed out the second verse. Look it up. It is worth reading more than twice over.

Christian people anove all others are on trial to-day. Now is our testing time. A dauntless imperturbability should be ours in face of the worst that can befall us.

"Fear not. little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Who but a craven wretch could fear in the face of such Divine assurance?