Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1918 — PRAYER OF THE ARMY MEN [ARTICLE]

PRAYER OF THE ARMY MEN

At the going, when we stumble up the gangway to the ship, While we wish, and curse the wish, that we could stay; On the channel, as we watch the yearning cliffs of England dip, Help us. Lord, to hide our sickened hearts away! On the marches—oh the marches with the blisters on our feet. When our kits weigh not much less than half a ton. And our one idea of heaven is a place to sleep and eat— Give us strength. Lord, till .our thirty miles are done! Through the weary, starlit vigils when we guard the sleeping tents. When they huddle- gray behind us in the gloom, Bid us challenge every phantom that our fear of death Invents; Keep your ears alert to hear the creeping doom! In the trenches, with the bullet-ridden earthworks spurting dust. And the peering rifle muzzles spitting flame; In the sweating bayonet charges, with the thrust and wrench and thrust. Hear us when we, dying, call upon Thy name! In the winning, tn the losing, In the triumph, the despair. Be we victors or the holders of defeat. Keeps us mindful of the honor of a nation that we bear; Let our souls, Lord be above the fate we meet!— —— —,, —Kenneth Proctor Llttauer, In Leslies.