PRAYER.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2552, 28 August 1915, Page 3

PRAYER.

Sir,—l was'' hoping that the" letter signed "A Trooper's Mother," which appeared in your paper of August 14, ivould have called forth further appeals of the same sort. Such people as "A Trooper's Mother" are the salt of the earth, and their influence at the present time is badly needed beyond their own homes. Yes, is it not only too true that "as a people, we have neglect-, ed prayer,- giving. ourselves up toamusement .and 'money-making even on. the Sabbath Day." And, further, "A Troopor's Mother" fears that until a spirit of penitence permeates the nation ■ wo shall look in vain for victory. "Weeks of carnival, and'one day of prayer": but, instead of on'o day of prayer.' why not every day? I don't know what is being done in Wellington, but country people, or some , of them, are willing to be helped by the example set at, the Metropolis: Tho: spirit of prayer will iiot, he enkindled in us by nn act of devotion, which, costs us Jjttla piyaofchinE. but/.rather, hx 40155.,,

sacrifice which at first seems hard and severe.' , Therefore,'-1 venture to suggest, for the Wellington Anglicans, _at any rate, an early morning intercession service, to bo held perhaps in different Darts of the town on different days. How impossible it is'ever to, have effaced from one's .memory hallowed thoughts, of wonderful services, in the old;days, and/in,'the' dear Old Land, held in the old'church, lit up before daybreak., on cold.and often wet or snowy..winter mornings. _ A London vicar, .when speaking of his many; Lenten services, referred, to "one as. being the best of' all.:It was' held every Thursday morning at' 5 a.m. Another vicar, whoso church was near the hospitals, always had a service at the same hour, over.v . Thursday, '; especially , for, nurses- Would it bo too much of a feat for some of us to,meet in the early mornings, say, 6 a.m., or earlier, if you like, to pray for the boys at the front, and for the North Sea Fleet, and a few others? What aro they doing for us? How about, the in the motor transport who, before enlistment, was well known' iri business circles in the city. Ho had como back from the . firing line wjth his motor, and. thoueh worn and'weary with fifty hours of duty, could not pass by, but brought, his car to -rest, and his ears. worn with| the; thunder of .battle, eagerly drank in' the soft oadences of the oid familiar hymns: ! - - 1 : > . , Abide with mo, fast falls tho eventide,; Tlie darkness deepens, Lord with me' abido. . • Fifty hours of duty, that's all ; but the private, tells ,us of "a sweet, silent presence that goes ? where I-go." Five years ago Canon Stuart told us that twelve men ,'could scatter righteousness through Wellington.; Well, I don't know : but I do believe that a few people liko "A Trooper's Mother" can do a little'towards it. ';" Revive Thy works, 0 Lord, Disturb this sleep of death; . Quicken the smouldering 'embers now By Thine Almighty breath.'. —I am. olfl.. CHURCHMAN. August 2-1, 1913. .