The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-09-09
FATHERsKEARNEY's INVOCATION.

l.. r. hearney, -. r., at the convention
OF the Ohio Democracy last week was
said to be so radical as to elicit the most
vociferous applause of the assembly.
Some pious Republicans were so scan
dalized that they sadly shook their
heads and declared that the invocation
OF the priest was malediction on the
Mckinley administration. To disabuse
the imperialists OF their erroneous opin-
ions respecting Father Kearney's elo-
quent petition to the Almighty we pre-
sent it in its entirety as follows:
Almighty and Eternal God, of in
finite wisdom and justice, by whom
"Kings rule and law-givers decree just
things" we humbly beseech Thee to
look down with favor upon Thy crea-
lures and servants here assembled.
They have come together for the pur-
pose OF expressing their convictions as
to those most fit to rule over us, the
people of the great commonwealth of
Ohio, and to present to our suffrages
for appreciation the principles and pol
icies which they deem to be most con-
ducive to the well-being of our state
and our country
Manifesting truly Christian spirit,
which must be edifying to our nation
and all the people of the earth, they
have hidden Holy Religion invoke a
blessing upon their deliberations and
their acts.
Realizing that "vain are the thoughts
OF men" unless inspired by Thee, and
that unless the Lord build the house,
they that build labor in vain," they call
upon Thee through Religions un-
worthy minister to enlighten and guide
and bless them that they may build
wisely and we'll.
Hearken, then, O Heavenly Father,
to the prayer that ascends from all
hearts here this morning and from Thy
throne of light and power and good
ness, pour forth abundant benedictions
upon this honorable assemblage.
Deign to direct its members in the
choice of those whom they shall recon-
mend as worthy to preside over the
destlnies of our state Give to them
the strength and courage to rise above
all selfish motives and considerations of
personal interests and to propose to our
people men of honor and integrity and
wisdom and ability who may command
our respect and conscientious loyalty;
men who, if called to power by the
voice of the majority OF Our citizens,
will rule wisely and prudently, unto
Thy greater glory and the happiness
and prosperity of the people.
Give to the members of this assem-
blage the spirit of wisdom, so that in
the enunciation of the principles which
they shall ask us to approve, and of the
practical policy which they shall recon-
mend to be pursued by our great nation
in the present hour, nothing may be
found which is not consistent with Thy
eternal law, with human rights, with
justice and liberty.
May their public profession of politi-
cal faith be such as to sustain and en-
nance the reputation of this land of Thy
prediction, this hallowed home of
freedom, the great republic of the
United States, the reputation estab-
lished by its founder and father and pre-
served unsullied by its people for more
than century,-the reputation of be-
ing the friend Of the poor and the weak,
the enemy of oppression, the champion
OF justice, the consistent asserter of
civil and religious liberty, the undaunt-
ed, unf1inching, unwavering supporter
OF the principle for which our fathers
bled,-the principle that government
based solely on might in opposition to
right, government imposed by brute
force upon an unwilling people, peo-
pie who sigh and weep and struggle for
freedom, is government of iniquity
that will never be sanctioned by heaven
nor approved by right minded men.
These things we ask of Thee, O Eter-
nal Father, through thy Son, Jesus
Christ, Our Lord and Redeemer, who
with Thee and the Holy Ghost lives and
reigns world without end. Amen.
Last Sunday Methodist minister,