GORDON'S "PRAYER-MAT."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1675, 15 February 1913, Page 12

GORDON'S "PRAYER-MAT."

■ —_4 , . AN INTERESTING. RELIC. A gift of extraordinary interest, ""'received by Bishop Qwynne from ono of General Gordon's family, lias juilt been, brought by tho latter to Khartoum, viz., the "prayer-mat" used by Gordon when Governor in tho Sudan fr0m,1875 to ]87J). It is a piece of woollen needlework about a yard Ion? and 18tn. .wide, and; is tho thing ft devout Moslem'would always carry; with him to kneel on when' nrayii If. Gordon adopted tho sanlo idea' for. His own use. -| In a country where one may ,bo frequently camping in tho open or in tents, or at unfurnished "rest-houses" jon the road, and where carpets are often liot used on the mud or stone floors of cVeli the more pretentious houses in tho towns; such a "prayer-mat" is even now an obvious necessity to anyone who. is in {.lie hnbit of praying regularly. TJio mat has been placed for tho present in the Gordon .Memorial dispell in the cathedral here as a. "kneeler" in llie'sanctuary, and this will probably be its permanent place, so that it will not become a mcro sliow-p.jfjcc for sight-poors, but will bo continually, in use for its original purpose. Tho Gordon Chapel has only temporary furniture in it at present, nor is the stonework of the sanctuary steps yet Luilt, but when funds admit this will'lie undertaken, and if this prayer-mat fits tiro slops it will probably bo decided to keep it there permanently.