The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-09
''FICHT AND PRAY"
 INJUNCTION OF THREE CARDINALS
Gibbons, Farley and O'Con- nell Issue Appeal to Peo-
 pie of America.

New York, July 9-An appeal to the American people by Cardinals Gibbons, Farley and O'Connell to pray three times daily flor the guid- ance of our rulers, the success of our arms, the unity of the nations and the welfare of heroes was made public yesterday.
 The appeal was entitled flight and Pray" and read in part as follows:
 From the moment when our coun- try made it's momentuous decision to enter this tremendous conflict the whole Catholic population of America has enthusiastically and whole-heart- edly accepted its full share of work and sacrifice, and has unstintingly put forth all it's resources to stand with all all other Americans in the defense of our sacred principles of right and national duty.
 We need scarcely record this ob- vious fact. The whole world knows it and realizes it's efficacy and import ance. The Catholics of America are in the vanguard of the nations ser vice on land and sea, to the trenches and in the works. And until this fierce combat is finished and the cause For which we fight has triumphed their efforts will increase. "Our President has clearly stated the high principles upon which that sacred cause rests-they are as uni versal as they are unselfish. We bat tie for the welfare of men of every nation; asking no special indemni- ties for our sacrifices other than those which all free men always seek. Surely this raises our aims and pur- poses up to the noblest standard of action and sets thes oul of the na- ton above the meanness and petit ness of selfish conquest of unchristian hate
 "Just for this reason, may we turn with fullest confidence to the God of l justice and mercy, beseeching Him to | accept our sacrifices, guide our rulers and give success to our arms. | From every corner of America arises the cry of souls to God. The nation is on it's knees to the King of Kings. That is the surest sign that America will lead the nations of the earth to the victory over mere might For God is our surest help, as He must be our strongest hope. And the prayers of a nation fighting, not for gain but for good, will certainly be answered.
 "If we fight like heroes and pray like saints soon will America over- | come mere force by greater force and conquer lust of power by the nobler power of sacrifice and faith.
 Animated by this undaunted spirit i let the whole nation turn to God in prayer while our army courageously confronts the foe in battle. While we utilize every possible source Of ma terial power, let us fortify it all by the greatest of all spiritual power - prayer. But recently our Holy Father set aside the feast of Sts. Peter an6 Paul as a special day of prayer. Lei us continue our obedience to his re- quest and fervently offer our peti tions to our Lord and Savior, Jesu. Christ, that all the nations may set the way to mutual concord Yad un l derstanding.
 | Let us, moreover, each day, unti the peace for which we fight crowd
 our efforts, say daily three times morning at rising noon and in tn, evening the Angelus, for the guidance
 of our rulers, the success of ou1 arms, the unity of the nations and tn
 welfare of heroes.
 And may the Almighty and Eter
 nal God hearken to the prayers of { united nation and grant speedily tha peace which surpasseth understand ing.'