The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-05-29
PLEA FOR THE DAY OF PRAYER

There are two imperative reasons
why the people of the United States
should faithfully observe tomorrow
according to the proclamation of the
president, as "day of humiliation,
prayer and fasting" Not simply the
church people is meant, but all the
| people, emitting none, since the obi
| cation rests upon all. Not only those
who are accustomed regularly to do
their religious duty, but those who,
processing to be Christians, are slack
| In the performance of their duty, and
also all those who never attend the
public worship of God, should united
| ly observe tomorrow, confessing them
sins, and praying God for pardon and
blessing, for guidance to the rulers
and leaders, and steadfastness for the
nation, and for victory which is apt
/ ly described in the presidents procla-
nation, as giving ''a peace in which
mems souls can rest because it is
founded upon mercy, justice and good
will
The first of these reasons is that it
is the nations religious duty. Mans
greatest obligation is to love God
whole heartedly. Many have forgotten
| God or forsaken Him. They have been
trying to guide the bark of their lives
through the stormy sea without the
compass which faith in God provides.
!. We must get back to acknowledging
God in all our ways. His promise to
ancient Israel is good for all nations,
and has been abundantly exemplifed
in the history of the chosen people,
that if they would obey God they
would prosper, but if they forgot Him
| they would have to suffer for their
sin. "The soul that sinneth, it shall
die" The nation that sins and will
not repent will die also. The convic-
ton of this truth should bring all the
people, old and young, into their ac-
customed place of worship tomorrow,
and should be the beginning of new
life to multitudes.
/ The second reason for the proper
observance of the day is that it is a
patriotic duty. Many religious bodies
and individuals have besought the
president for the appointment of this
requested him to do it. He has grant
ed these requests, and appointed to-
morrow land it behooves every loyal
man, woman and child of the nation to
be obedient. Those who are in author
ity have wrought wonders of prepar-
alton for the nations participation in
the war of freedom. Army and mer.
and ships and food are all necessary
for the successful prosecution of war,
but for the prosecution of righteous
war something else is needed. There
is spiritual equipment which is
even more important than all else.
This was the idea of Davy Crockett
when he said, "Trust in God and keep
your powder dry" 1t is the assembling
of this spiritual equipment that the
president has in mind when he calls
the nation to humiliation, prayer and
fasting. This is peculiarly the duty
and privilege of the people at home.
When Nebuchadnezzar, the ancient
prototype of Kaiser Wilhelm, invested
: Jerusalem, there were two praying
men in the city which baffied by their
: prayers the invading conqueror and
/, sent him back home humbled to his
doom. Tomorrow and all the days fol-
: lowing let US mobilize the praying CO.
horts of the land, and while our SOL
diers in France are plying those who
: insist upon being our enemies with
bullets and bombs. let US ply them
through the throne of grace with an
overwhelming attack of confession,
prayer and dedication Of our lives to
: God. Long ago God promised, ''If my
people which are called by my name,
t shall humble themselves, and pray
and seek my face, and turn from their
4 wicked ways; then will l hear from
!, heaven, and will forgive their sin, and
: will heal their land"
oI Tomorrow is call for religion and
patriotism. John R. Herndon.