Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1905 — PRAYED FORTHEIR MAYOR. [ARTICLE]

PRAYED FORTHEIR MAYOR.

An Extraordinary Spectacle in Philadelphia. An extraordinary no American municipality ever before witnesses! anil which many think does little credit to its participants, howsoever efficacious their prayers may be, because it lays religion bare to ridicule, was given in Philadelphia the other day, when all the advocates of reform joined in a day of prayer for the city officials. About 200 preachers met in Holy Trinity church and prayed that the "shackles of the gang be. stricken from our sinful Mayor.” About 300 Others held services in their own churches. Prayer meetings were 'hehl in lioiiles aniUTii one church 1.000 women prayed and, fasted the entire day. Thousands upon thousands of prayers were made between the hours ot 10 and 4. Before the meetings men paraded the streets with banners inscribed "Pray for the Mayor.” Some prominent business men protested against the gathering, asserting that it was an absurdity. The pray”er meetings were part of the anti-vice crusade which is being waged in Philadelphia. The Mayor, who is a prominent church man, has been appealed to to bring about reforms and has been asked to remove the head of the police department and failed to do so.