New-York tribune., 1901-10-13
THE QUESTION OF PRAYER.

The suggestion of the Archbishop of York
that day of national humiliation and prayer
be appointed for the purpose of entreatng God
TO bring success to British arms in South Africa
has aroused no response, and in fact is widely
criticised The English people are in no temper
for such mode Of ending the war. The pro-
Beers, of course, would not join in prayers for
the defeat of the Beers, and the rest of the
nation. which believes in standing by the gov
eminent whether right wrong when the
country Is in danger, is too resentful to enter
into the spirit Of such 4 service. 1t Is the gen.
eral belief that there is enough incidental hui
initiation in the situation now without going
out of the way to appoint a special day OF
, humiliation. And II prayer will help matters,
the suggestion is made that the bishops might
order such prayers daily, which would be more
effectual than merely one day OF prayers The
reception of the Archbishops recommendation
has indeed indicated that the belief in the eff
cacy OF such prayers is longer universal
among Christian people. At least one English
bishop some years ago disapproved of special
prayers for rain. and perusal of recent theo-
| logical literature reveals n strong disposition
to emphasize the subjective value OF prayer
and to limit II to petitions for spiritual strength
and help. A concrete petition for a victory in
battle appears to strike n jarring note in the
modern religious consciousness
Moreover, the Archbishops way of putting
the matter has created an adSltiOnal difficulty
for many persons In his address he called at
tention TO the fact that the Beers are pray
ing people, and that they have constantly
prayed for victory in this While, indeed.
they have not thus far received complete an
swer TO their prayers, those who believe in the
! efficacy of such prayers can fairly say that
bair %
the war was supposed to be over is evidence
that the Almighty has answered their entreat-
les The Archbishop, in fact appears TO take
this view. for he holds the Beers up to his own
countrymen example to be followed I'm
this respect. IF we had only prayed for vic
tory as the Beers have DONE" he says in ef
feet, "the result might have been very differ
lent. But 1t is not too late yet; therefore let
"us even now afflict ourselves and pray" That
is TO say, that God. Who has thus far been
/ enabling the Beers to prolOng the war because
they have prayed to Him, may be induced to
stop helping the Beers and turn around and
help the British If they will pray harder TO
Him.
This is n coldblooded way of stating the
case which the Archbishop could not approve
and which perhaps does not do justice TO his
attitude. But 1t is the rough and ready way
in which plain people unframed IN theolog1cai
language will interpret his suggestion. 1t seems
to them that the ArchbishOp's conception OF
God is belitting one The Deity is made to
appear a magnified man, acting not in ac-
cordance with the attributes of universal wis
dom, goodness and justice, but granting His
favors to those who most successfully cajole or
fatter Him. If, indeed. He has thus far helped
the Beers, 1t would seem TO most people that
He has done so because in His wisdom and for
His purposes they ought to win. But If in His
wisdom and for His purposes. and not from
| caprice, He is on their side, 1t is inconceivable
that He would turn against them simply be-
cause the Church of England appointed a day
| of prayer for victory