THE CHAIN PRAYER

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11786, 24 March 1924, Page 6

THE CHAIN PRAYER

ARRIVES IN WELLINGTON “SHOULD GO ROUND THE WORLD THREE TIMES.” “IT’S D IDIOCY.” / The chain prayer, which started in America and found its way to Auckland a few days ago, has now reached Wellington, but so far as one individual is concerned it will not be copied and passed on to nine more persons. “It’s d idiocy,” said the gentleman, who Handed it to a “Times” reporter. “You can’t tell what effect a thing like that is going to have on a neurotic woman or anyone of nervy temperament.” STARTED IN AMERICA. There were three sheets, containing about SO names of persons who had kept the chain going, at the end of which it said: “Copy this and send to nine people to whom you wish good luck. The chain was started by an American officer, and should go round the world three times. Do not break the chain, as whoever does will have bad luck. Do it within 24 hours, and count nine days and you will have some (?) luck. Let’s go smiling through 1924.” It says “some” luck, not "good” or “had.” The list starts off with the names of four generals, two majors, six colonels, and two captains. If the fifty people whose names are appended each sent to nine others, and these neople followed suit, the snowball would long ago have enveloped the world. Try and work it out! The “Times” representative asked what would ho done with the chain—whether the requests contained in the letter would be obeyed or not—and the reply received was so forcible that the “Times” columns are not strong enough to hold it!