PRAYERS FOR PEACE OR "VICTORY''

New Zealand Tablet, 29 August 1918, Page 34

PRAYERS FOR PEACE OR "VICTORY''

When speaking at North Fitzroy on Saturday afternoon, August 3 (states the Tribune), his Grace Archbishop Mannix had this to say: "To-morrow will be the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of war. I hope that whatever other people pray for to-morrow, you will pray for speedy peace —peace that will be honorable and lasting. Pray that God's hand will protect our soldiers and bring them back safely to Australia. I want peace for the whole world, and there is nothing to be ashamed of in concentrating our efforts on that. Other people may pray for something else. That is what I am praying for, and I hope you will pray for it also." This prayer does not meet with the approval of Dr. Rentoul, for the reason that his Grace did not specify "for whom he wanted peace." Dr. Mannix distinctly stated that he wants "peace for the whole world" on an honorable and lasting basis. What on earth more does this Presbyterian Chaplain-General want? The whole civilised world is at war—directly or indirectly—at the present time, and when peace comes it must come for all. How, then, in the name of common sense, can Dr. Rentoul talk about "peace"" for this side or that side. If he had said "victory," we would have understood that this Christian chaplain was not prepared to accept peace until one party or the other had been "beaten to their knees." Here is a sentiment that comes with bad taste from a Churchman: "Those who pray for peace now pray for the victory of Austria and the trampling of Poland." Surely the reverend gentleman does not desire to make any stipulation with Almighty God as to when and under what conditions it shall please Him to extend the hands of mercy to a warstricken world, and bring an end to the atrocities, barbarities, and hatreds which for the last, four years have ravaged Europe. We are sure that those who prayed so earnestly for peace on Sunday last did so in humble submission to God's holy will, and without any stipulations.