PRATER FOR SOLDIERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1489, 23 December 1915, Page 2

PRATER FOR SOLDIERS.

A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE.

The 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 asks that at 8 a.m. on Christmas Day all citizens of New Zealand make the following prayer to Almighty God : Heavenly Father, bless our soldiers and sailors this Christmas day, and hearten them

for that good 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 and approval. Referring to the matter on Tuesday, the Minister said : “ In order that they may know at the front what we are doing, I am communicating with General Godley, and with others concerned at Home, Egypt, Malta, Gallipoli, and elsewhere, and with the High Commissioner at Home, that they may let those at the front and in the hospitals know what we are doing.” The same message will also be issued to the troops in New Zealand. The Minister on Tuesday received the following cablegram from Chaplain Captain Tobin 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 be was making ail these details public at this early stage so that all in New Zealand including those in remote places, may be given the opportunity of joining in this silent message to the gallant men who are so ably representing us away from home.