The sun., 1916-10-20
OYER PRAYER
FOR ARMY AND NAVY
Militarists Clash With Paci-
fists at Episcopal Cen
eral Convention.
OPPOSED RY DIR. MELISH
Deputies Finally Vote in Fa-
vOr Of Petition for Soldiers
and Sailors.

Sr. Louis, Oct. Is.-Militarist clashed
with pacifst In a debate on prayer in
the House Of Deputies OF the Protestant
Episcopal General Convention here to-
day. The issue, which arose over the
proposal of the commission on the en-
richnent Of the Book OF Common
Prayer to add prayers for the army and
navy, divided the body into two fac
tons.
The prayer on which mos, OF the dis
cussion was based. which was finally
adopted. was recommended bv the COM
mission. II asked the Lord. God Of
Hosts . to strengthen and pro-
tect the soldiers of our country. support
them In the day Of battle. and in time
Of peace keep them safe from evil" 1t
a,.o pleaded that "in all things they
may serve without reproach." A similar
prayer suggested by the commission for
ile navy also vas adopted.
one faction. led by the Rev. Joh
Howard Melish of Brooklyn. held thai
any war is unchristiau and thai no
soldier can serve without rcproach. The
other. Of which the Rev. Leighton Parks
OF New York was spokesman. although
not championing war, argued that II IL
the duty Of the church to pray for those
men who forsake civil pursuits in which
the remuneration might be greater for
the service Of tneir country.
World Peace Pra
Previously. several delegates had
urs ed the Inclusion in the prayer book OF
a prayer for world peace. The Rev. ".
II. Milton of Wilmington. y. g.. intro
duced a resolution TO this end. which was
referred to the commission.
As q result of the deba;e the prayers
recommended by the commission for the
army and navy. together with a substi-
tute offered by Or. Mclish. were recon-
nitted to the commission. and when.
after reconsideration. II rerorted nahil-
lty to change its first recommendations.
the v for the army and navy
recommended We're adopted. u APP
proved by the House Of Bishops. tn"
prayers vii he in tentative usr during
tho next three years. and Will be acted
on finally at the nsNt General con'en-
ton.
Ipr. Melish said that IT. these prayers
were adopted an ~irreparablc injury
would he done the youth of the nation.
81 do not desire 20 prccipitate u de-
bate on the question % national pre-
IN r.dness." Ire aid Bat 4 We adopt
these prayers W shall be doing an in
Jury to the youth OF this nation that Is
irrcparable. You are bringing upon this
nation in the years ahead Il catastrophe
similar TO that which is now overwheiin-
ing the nations beyond the Atlantic. !
want to oppose these two prayers. first
of all. on the ground that they have No
vision.
"Thc prayer IL without sense. II asks
for things that mo possibly bc
granted. II Is impossible for soldiers to
serve without reprosch.' a. the prayer
asks. We are asking Goo to Grant some
thing ~cntir,l, without meaning. for war
cannot be wased without %reprosch.'
Supported by >trtson.
: Dr. NIelish was supported ny tho Rev
T.. l.. Parsons OF Berkclsy. cal. "nuit'
man Of tho commits sion which mad. 'hs
recommendation the f,cv. J. II. Dunn ri
! Lynchburg, Va. and Francis Lyude Stet.
son of New York.
The Rev. pr. Parks in his argument
! did not support the cause of war. hut
said that it Is our duty to pray for H.,
men in our armies and navy.
Great numbers OF young men IN thi'
country have turned away from pa H.
that would lead to great fortunes ano
: devoted their energies TO serving the,i
country In our army and navy" he said
Whether II Is in active service or II
'watchtul waiting whether they sail Tho
seas or patrol our borders, the chIrcN
should pray FOR them. Most OF them are
! Christian men. Many OF them pr. on
communicates. We owe them our i,rt,
ers."
The commission reported that ~
PRAYER uttered by George Washinr.o'
when he aid dow the supreme .'u
mand Of the Federal armies 'Ju'i urt
IN its Judgment. b. substituted for tl'
prayer for our country recommended l'
tho commission. 4 movement 10 thi'
! end IL ncing sponsored by Kols"d :
Morris OF philadelphia. The propose
was sent back to the committee g. r.
consideration.