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Show FATHER O'RYAN'S BEAUTIFUL PRAYER AT THE OPENING OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. O Almighty God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we acknowledge ourselves to be Thy children. We believe thou art light to our blindness, wisdom to our folly, strength to our weakness. We ask Thy blessing and guidance upon this assembly. Direct them by Thy holy inspiration. Grant that no meaner desire, no narrower ambition may guide them than that which springs from their faith in that philosophy phil-osophy of human government which i T we believe Thnu didst give to their fatheirs and hast preserved to them as their richest heritage. Thou who didst bless of old patriot-Ism patriot-Ism in th" widow of Bethulia and in the children of Matthathias, bless it in these. And not these alone, O Lord, but guide by Thy wisdom all the people of this fair land in the present clashing clash-ing and struggle of principles. Give them to know that the lesser nations, the little peoples, are also Thine; that because Thy love overshadows all men, the rightful liberty, which the reason Thou has given us tells us is Thy desired de-sired portion and blessing for all men shall not be denied them. Lead us, O Lord, as Thou didst lead of old Thy people. Light again Thy guiding pillar of fire. The way is growing dark. Enlighten and strengthen strength-en us as Thou didst enlighten and strengthen our fathers. Grant that the true knowledge of liberty perish not in this land. Thou knowest that the olden fires Thou didst enkindle in this nation are faint in many hearts, are gray ashes j In some. Enkindle all hearts, O Lord. ; as Thou didst in by-gone times. And j as Thou wpst with Washington and Jefferson and Lincoln, as Thou madest j their souls great , to dare and achieve high things for this people, be with us again. Wt fear not the enemy from without; save us from the traitor against the liberty of Thy people, who is w ithin. Keep Thou our flag unsullied, let it ever remain the great sacrament of a noble people, the outward symbol of their inward grace. Preserve it, the inspiration of the oppressed of all lands; let it never be the token of the spoiler, nor the symbol of the stronger brute. I'nto Thine image, O Lord, hast Thou rashinned the least of Thy reasonable creatures. Grant that because of Thy fatherhood and Thine image in man I 'e may lve each other: not trespass- on each other's t-iehts; not op- ' ; 1 pressing one another: nr.t stretching j pitiless hinds to snatch from the weak: not bowing deeper the aching back of I the toiler; not greedily devouring th" I substance of the poor. Hinder, O ! Lord, that there should be raised to : Thy forgetting am! the injury of Thy little ones the golden calf as any god I to be worshipped in this land. Con-I Con-I found their designs who speak vain I and deceitful things of this idolatry I to Thy people. We humble ourselves I before" Thee, O Lord. |