PRAYER FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2650, 22 December 1915, Page 5

PRAYER FOR SOLDIERS

A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE.

; Th Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) has expressed ■' an. earnest desire that , the New Zealand : soldiers and sailors at the front and the sick and wounded in .hospital shall know that they are particularly in the hearts and minds of the people of New Zealand during the Christmas'season. With this object in view, Mr. Allen 'risks that at 8 a.m'. on Christmas Dajvall citizens of New Zealand make the .following prayer to Almighty God: — ".Heavenly Father, Mess our soldiers and sailors this "Christinas Day, and hearten them for that Rood fight which alone can bring true peace." The form of the prayer has been submitted by the Minister of Defence to all the religious bodies in the Dominion, and it has met with unanimous consent slid approval. : , Referring to the.' matter . yesterday, the Minister said: — • „ "In order that they may know at t'he front what we are doing, I■ am communicating 'with General Godley, and with others concerned at Home, Egypt, Malta, Gallipoli, and 'elsewhorje, and with the High Commissioner at'.Home, that they may let 'those at the .front, and in the hospitals know'what wo are doing." The same message will also be issued to the troops in New Zealand,' The Minister yesterday received tho following cablegram from Chaplain. Captain Tqbin in Egypt?:— "Christmas message being circulated. Please convey to the people of New Zealand Christmas greetings from all New , Zealanders at . Malta. Signatures by mail." • The Minister further said that he was making all . these details public at this early stage so that, all in New Zealand including those in. Temote places, may be given tho opportunity of joining in this silent message' to the gallant men who are so ably representing us away 'rom homo.