desired by Lord Roberts to ask you to be so kind
as to distribute to all ranks under your command the "Short Prayer
for the use of Soldiers in the Field," by the Primate of Ireland,
copies of which I now forward.

'His Lordship earnestly hopes that it may be helpful to all of her
Majesty's soldiers who are now serving in South Africa.

'Yours faithfully,

'NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN, Colonel, Private Secretary.

'To the Commanding Officer.'

THE PRAYER.

'Almighty Father, I have often sinned against Thee. O wash me in
the precious blood of the Lamb of God. Fill me with Thy Holy
Spirit, that I may lead a new life. Spare me to see again those
whom I love at home, or fit me for Thy presence in peace.

'Strengthen us to quit ourselves like men in our right and just
cause. Keep us faithful unto death, calm in danger, patient in
suffering, merciful as well as brave, true to our Queen, our
country, and our colours.

'If it be Thy will, enable us to win victory for England, and above
all grant us the better victory over temptation and sin, over life
and death, that we may be more than conquerors through Him who
loved us, and laid down His life for us, Jesus our Saviour, the
Captain of the Army of God. Amen.'

We venture to speak of the issue of this beautiful prayer as the most
notable fact in the history of the war. We do not remember that anything
of the kind has ever been done before. It testifies to the personal
trust of the British general in God, it takes for granted that ours was
a righteous cause, and it recognises the fact that above the throne
which we all reverence and respect there is another throne--the throne
of God.

[Footnote 6: _Army and Navy Messenger_, April, 1900.]

=The Christian Influence of Lord Roberts.=

Lord Roberts had been for years the idol of the troops. It was touching
to hear our Christian soldiers at Aldershot pray for 'dear Lord
Roberts,' or familiarly speak of him as 'our Bobs.' All their fears went
when they knew he was going to the front, and they were ready to follow
him anywhere. Moreover, the Christian soldiers always remember that he
was the founder of the 'Army Temperance Association,' which has become
such a power for good all over the world.

He is a gentle, lovable man. The story is told that soon after the entry
of the troops into Pretoria Lord Roberts was missing, a