PRAYER RELAY

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 11

PRAYER RELAY

UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE “ If this had been a ‘ fifth column J movement, I might have understood the small attendance,” said Dr Herbert Sutcliffe, at the rally held in the Concert Chamber last night to inaugurate the daily 24-hour prayer movement locally. “ As it is a ‘ sixth column ’ movement, I am rather surprised. Or would this hall have been filled if it had been fifth column? One never knows.” Mr D. Love' introduced the speaker, and tendered apologies from the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and the deputy-mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron). “ When I was in England during this war I realised the enormous forces that we have been' up against,” said ,the speaker. He had been in Franco and Switzerland in the previous year, and it had been his opinion that the moral strength of the people there would not be strong enough. He knew we must look to a Higher Power. A still, small voice, had sent him from New York to New Zealand, and on August 13 the opportunity came to form the movement. The psychology of thought projection was being used by the enemy in greater proportion than ever before,

and we ou our side were doing nothing to counteract it. Paul had said, “ Pray without ceasing,’’ and the object of the movement was simply that we as a nation should pray without ceasing. The slogan was “ Pray and be cheerful.” Dr Sutcliffe explained in detail the history and the work of the movement and the benefits to be derived from participation in it. At the close of the meeting membership cards were issued.