The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-08-18
sUPPLICATIONs OF
THE sCRAPPERS

At the top Of this page we run
two prayers in verse; one German
and one British. Unless most of the
causes OF the world-war have been
Enlsrepresented to US, they greatly
reflect the spirit of the two leading
nations-Germany and Britain.
The Star does not desire to treat
with any irreverence the spirit that
causes men to pray in times of deep
emotion. ANY human being who has
been in deep trouble has felt some
thing that will put him in at least
a little sympathy with a dusky
heather praying to his idol of clay
The savage makes his god The civ
1lized man believes his god makes
aim In each there is less or more
Of the spirit that has evolved the
man from the beast, and will yet
lead man to the place where he will
not misrepresent the Supreme Power
even to himself.
The difference in the two causes
is very we'll expressed in these two
prayer hymns. The German, to be
exact, addresses his emperor more
than his deity. He is perfectly sure
ne is right, advises rather than sup
qlicates God to help him, and in
forms the Lord just what will hap
pen if the petition is denied. Not
understanding, it has the spirit of a
strong man, confident in the justice
OF his cause, and no one has right
80 scott at it.
The Briton shows more humble
spirit. He is not so sure of either
his righteousness or his success; he
asks for help and does not demand
IT. So far as the Star is a judge, it
IS an utterance more likely to please
the deity than the other. Very few
Of us, however, can help believing
that what will please us should
please the Supreme Being.
1t has been the custom of men for
uncounted ages to pray to their gods
bnf0re going to battle. Until COM
narafiwely little while ago, it was
also their custom to offer human or
other sacrifice. We have so far
progressed now that only the most
&1,enighhed savages offer anything but
prayer, and, in the case of some
nations, incense.
So far as the Star is concerned,
Tt can't conceive of the Almighty
paying any attention to such pray
ers. 1t would be willing to believe
He listened to the prayers of those
Fighting in self-defense or for some
good cause, if there were not SO
many instances of good causes being
crushed by superior might. Napol-
cons remark, THE deity is always
ions" is not strictly true, but when
the strongest battalions do not win
there is always some good material
reason why they are defeated. 1t is
SO very natural for man in trouble
70 ask for divine help that it is
hardly possible that any good cause
mas lacked petitioners, and if it was
the practice of the deity to pay at
Eention to such things, bad causes
would have stopped trying to wiz
long centuries ago.
But whether God helps man OF
not in return for prayer, a man
generally helps himself. If he prays
In a good cause, his faith helps hin
either to win or bear defeat with
better spirit. If he prays in a baC
cause, the same spirit is likely tt
make him more just to the van
quished if he wins, and more resign
ed to his fate if he loses. Eithe1
rs helpful to his own nature AM
that of those with whom he comes il
contact
We Americans, safe behind GU
seas, do not understand the million
that are praying and preparing t.
die for their countries in Europe
Our SNUG souls comprehend but lit
tie of the tremendous pail that hov
ers over their lands. If we face
such odds as Germany and Austri
are facing, only the most finty
souled among US wouldn't pray.
Years ago, the writer knew bo
who was always making unexpecte
remarks. This boy had friends an
relatives on both sides of our grea
civil war. He knew they were goo
people and believed with full SINGER
aag in the righteousness of their II
Epective causes. He knew the
prayed with hope and devotion, til
one for the South and the other &c
1he Union. One day he said witt