The Washington herald., 1913-07-13
Have Been Printed N Booklet
Form, BY Special Order,
with Introduction By
Speaker Champ Clark.
~ RALPH w. BENTON.

By RALPH w. BENTON.
Eloquent and. polished and full Of
beauty and human sympathy were the
prayers delivered by the Rev. Henry N
Couden, d. D., blind Chaplain Of the
House of Representatives, during the
three sessions Of the Sixty-second Con.
Gress. An interesting booklet. contain.
| ing the prayers. together with q fe-
| iicitous introduction written by Speaker
Champ Clark, has just been printed by
order Of Congress.
| Mary persons would think that q COM
rilation of prayers would be decidedly
uninteresting reading, and such wouio
doubtlessly be the case In many In
the blind chaplain. They have beauty
and rhythm that are enchanting. a hope
full philosophy that Ii comforting, Q
strength of appeal that Ii inspiring. n
deep sympathy that Ii soothing. and q
broadness OF vision that IL elevating.
Probably no chaplain in the history of
the House enjoyed such universal popu.
larity among Representatives OF al
| creeds and party beliefs as DR.. Couden.
\ This is proved by the fact that he Eas
been elected Chaplain by ten Houses. in
no one of which more than q dozen men,
bers OF his religious faith sat. The blinc
| Chaplain Is a Universalist. He Is also
Republican, but despite that fact, has
twice been unanimously reelected BY
Democratic Houses. The nearest paral-
| lei to DR.. Couden's case Is that Of DR..
Milburn. a Democrat, who, after being
tie Chaplain of several Democratic
Houses, was reelected by one Republican
House.
Tribute of Speaker Clark.
1T is true" says Speaker Clark in the
introduction to the booklet. that though
, the members Of the House are fond Of
DIR. Couden as counselor, guide. and
| friend, they would never have ordered
his prayers printed in book form were
they not of excellent character In both
form and matter. They are full OF piety,
sympathy, and philanthropy. They are
earnest, helpful. and hopeful
I'm publishing this little book we
! think we are rendering a public service
and We send 1t forth with our blessing
upon the blind Chaplain who occupied
warm place in our hearts.
An interesting point Is that nearly all
of the prayers are very brief PROBABLY
the shortest OF all the prayers during
the Sixty-second Congress was delivered
April &c. 1911 II was as follows:
20, Thou Great Father. soul from
whom all blessings flow, feed us with the
bread of heaven. that We may be strong
of mind pure Of heart. fearless Of ac-
ton. ever ready to follow wheresoever
Thou dost lead in the spirit of Him who
died that We might live. Amen
The following interesting prayer was
delivered on April II. 1911. the tercenten-
nial Of the King James version OF the
Bible:
Our Father In heaven we thank fnee
that the Enslish-speakins people all over
the world are pausing at this time from
the busy whirl and turmoil OF mes ae-
tivities to celebrate the tercentenmai OF
the King James version OF the Bioie7~a
light which shone out OF tne aarkness'
the basis OF our civiiization. 1000 iof tne
hungry, water Tor the tnirsty' strenstn
for the weak, rest Tor the weary. COM
fort for the sorrowing, and hope for the
dying. very present. help In every
trouble.
Grant. o most mercifnl Father, that
1t may bind us so closely together that
war between US will be forever impossi-
BILE: that we may march forward shoul-
der to shoulder in the peaceful pursuits
Of life to the higher civilization which
waits on those who serve the Lord. And
Thine be the praise forever. through Je-
sus Christ our Lord. Amen
For Love between Sections,
-
oeauthui appear ior the ooii'era'ioh
Of all ill-feeling between those sections
NJ the countrv that once onnosed eacb
othar q, ,rv,. r.. ned. a. ~. rr.y.,
- NJ, N ,a,, T, no. .,,,.S..
- <,
u VI ."e as ", ooo
anu ouf oou' VIC oess my noiS name
ior .he sp'r,' oi seSen'y-siA' ~hich
ihoveo our Iorefatnefs ana our iore-
motners 10 deeds OF heroism and glory,
"hich gave to US the precious heritage,
government OF the people. by the peo-
pie, Tor the people: and for the spirit of
sixty-one. which moved their sons and
daughters to deeds Of heroism and glory,
which saved that government from de-
struction. And grant, o most merciful
Father, as these sacred Memorial Dav.
recur. North and South, that the ts.,,
Of the Blue and GRAY NAV n,n1,s ,o-
Sether over the graves of their r,rec,n,,s
dead; that IL there were feeling. NJ Mt
terness, animosity. hatred thew n.v y.
buried so deep that thew n.v.- -.
can be resurrected. that Ola c,o,, ~
float on in tr,umnh vet =. nay
a united country; one nag. oneIIand ~.
heart one nation evermore; and glory
ana honor be Thine forever. Amen"
Ihere Is touch OF the inspiring In the
ioilowing prayer:
% God. our Father, how great Thy
mysteries, how inscrutable are Thy
ways, yet Thy holy influence touches the
hearts Of men and inspires to deeds of
heroism and glory. The day of mira cl..