Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-11-09
THE PEOPLES FORUM

time of trials he has compelled our
boys" to entrain oftentimes and start
on their journeys to the training
camps on that day, when another day
would have done just as we'll. In
many ways we live as if there were
no God.
We have now entered upon "a
righteour war" while we ourselves
have not yet sought to get right
with God" Our President has given
utterance. to lofty sentiments in great
state papers that will live through
the years. In compliance with the
Senate's request he issued the call
for concerted prayer to Almighty
God for His devine aid in the succesG
of our arms" The churches all over
our land observed the day and earn
est supplication went up to God. But,
oh, why can we not learn, as a ma
ton, that the heavens above rs must
be brass If we do not remove from
between us and our God the things
which will hide His face from us and
hinder His hearing our prayer? In
many cases the prayers offered con-
tanned confession, but the nation
through its rulers must confess for
the nation, and why did this call not
embrace a call for humiliation and
confession according to Gods ap-
confess that God must be approach
ed through Christ to Whom He has
given all power? Is religion after all
only a sentimental thing? and is the
call to prayer only a concession to q
religious superstition more or less
widely prevalent? We do not for
moment make such a charge, but we
do feel that a grave error has been
made by failure to call for humIlia-
So Ill
for success for our arms.
1t was not so with the Senate of
1868. The resolution offered by Sen
ator Harlan, of Iowa, in that time
of stress, and unanimously adopted
reads:
Resolved, That devoutly recog-
nizing the supreme authority and
just government of Almighty God in
the affairs of men and nations, and
sincerely believing that no people,
however great in numbers and re-
sources or however strong in the
justice of their cause. can prosper
without His favor, and at the same
time deploring the national offenses
which provoked His righteous judg-
ment, yet encouraged, in this day of
trouble, by the assurance of His
word to seek Him for succor accord
ing to His appointed way, through
Jesus Christ. the Senate OF the United
States do hereby request the Presi-
dent of the United States by his
proclamation to designate and set
apart a day for national prayer and
humiliation, requesting all the peo-
pie of the land to suspend their secu-
lar pursuits and unite in keeping the
day in solemn communion with the
Lord of Hosts, supplicating Him to
enlighten the counsels and direct the
policies of the rulers of the nations
and to support the soldiers, sailors,
and marines and whole people in the
firm discharge of duty. until the ex-
listing rebellion shall be overthrown
and the blessing of peace be restored
to our bleeding country"
Have we, rs a nation, not entered
too boastfully upon this war? and
are we not relying too much upon
our own strength and resources? God
heard this cry of the eos. May He
grant that we may not wait so long
at this time before we shall "be obe-
dent to the divine teachings" con-
cerning the way of access to the
Throne.
B. z. P. PRUGH.
Harrisburg, Pa,
Nov. 5, 1917.