The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-11-09
PRAYER GUAGE.
How the IsiOus Colonel Moody and
the Lord Used 10 Assist the Lieu
tenamt.ColOnel and the Boys
10 Whip The Il ea,eIs.

~ whip thC AGCDC'Ss
From the Washington Capital.
There is a heather, a scoffer, an intidel, but
very learned man, known to fame and Boston as
Professor Tyndall Now, thi, gentleman has
created furious row by prop sing a prayer
guage." We have called attention to this novel
proposition in former issue of the CdpSta( but
We could not then chronicle the row, for it had
not developed the huge proportions since attain.
ed. If the efficacy of prayer could be proven
and fairly guaged, as it were. what famous
result would be achieved We have heard some
telling prayers in our time. They were power.
full appeals, some in shrill tenor, but mostly
they were in deep bass. Your deep bass is the
approved voice. 1t is common for a heavy Jung.
ed brother to get on his knees, close his eyes, and
tell the Lord what to do in certain trying emer.
geucies. We have heard this over and often but
we never could determine precisely how far the
Lord listened to the advice of the heavy-lunged
brother, or acted upon the suggestions thunder.
ed out upon the occasion. Sensitive people are
apt to be shocked by such performances and dis.
posed to consider them rather blssphemous than
Otherwise. But 10 our subject. If prayer
guage could be established it would be al eX-
celent thing, and 20 far to confound the skepti-
cal unbelievers and give comfort TO the faithful
There are difficulties in the way, of course.
There are obtacles aud troubles attending all re.
forms. Had George William Curtis and his
enthusiastic associates, such as our friends Ell
liott and Dave Cox, stopped to consider what a
row they were about to kick up by their compe-
titive examinations, would we have ever had our
beautiful civil service reform, which asks an
ambitious clerk il he had the prickly heat, and
if so, how many, and other questions Of like
depth and Importance No, never! Let the
prayer-glugers, then, not be disheartened The
Right Reverend Colonel-or Brigadier.Genera
Granville Moody, of Ohio, for one is prepared
for the guage, and has evidence in point. When
he was in command of that famous Ohio regi.
ment that 50 distinguished itself during the late
war, Colonel Granville Moody, on going into
battle, woald turn his command over to his
Lieutenant.C Colonel, and retiring to some seques.
tered shade, pray to the Lord for victory, and
his prayers were always responded to in prompt
and handsome manner The rebs invariably ran
away, and small wonder when we remember that
they were opposed not only by superior numbers
but the Rev. Granville Moody and the Lord
This came to be a fact SO we'll settled that the
men were always uneasy ON the eve OF an engage
ment until they saw their pious commander
relinquish the command and go to praying. The
boys in blue were we'll satisfied that their Col.
onel was better at prayer than pitch battle;
and then, if at the head of his regiment, in the
midst OF the fight, he were to be cut down be.
fore the Lord had time to flank the enemy, the
efficacy would be lost and the boys would have
to retreat instead of the rebs.
On another occasion the Right Reverend and
Brevet Brigadier General Moody saved Nash.
vile by prayer. We have heard him relate this
miracle and therefore warn scoffers: "The
bricks are there to testify, SO deny them not" 1t
was understood that General Buell. was falling
back, before Bragg, and about to abandon Nash.
vile. The pious Colonel full of patriotic wrath,
sought Governor Johnson-the inebriated Andy
at his headquarters, and found that distin.
Suished gentleman full of disgust and liquor.
They gazed at each other in gloomy silence for
few moments, and then Andrew suddenly
exclaimed, damn it, Moody, let's pray"
Moody responded "lets," and down they drop.
ped, and Moody prayed long and loud, and with
such eloquence that Andrew crossed the rool
on his knees and throwing his arms around old
Granville, wept like a water-cart. The prayer
was answered; the Lord strengthened the black.
bone of the little General, and willed him to
have sufficient force in the threatened town of
Nashville to protect its inebriated Governor.
Who does not want O prayer guage after that