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Show ! AGAIN THE CHAIN PRAYER. Xot withstanding repeated denunciation and the unmistakable pit-marks of superstition, deceit and absurdity on the face of them, such chain prayers as this are circulating among the people: "The Prayer: "Oh! Lord .lesus, we beseech Thep to have mercy on all mankind and keep us from sin by Thy precious blood, and take us to be with Thee through eternity. Amen.' It is said that all those who write this prayer, commencing on the day they receive it, will on the ninth day receive some great joy. It is said that those who do not will meet with some misfortune. It is said that at Jerusalem, at the Holy Tomb, that all those who repeated this prayer were -delivered from all calamities. calami-ties. Do not break this chain. It was sent to me by a friend. I send it to you as a friend. Make a prayer when you a re writing." Then follows: "From a friend to a friend. Will you kindly copy this prayer and send it to one of your friends, and see what will happen?" 0 There is nofhing so very objectionable in the prayer itself, but the promises, threats ami conditions condi-tions attached to its recital or non-recital are absurd ab-surd and foolish. Only those having spiritual authority au-thority and jurisdiction have the right to prescribe prayers for the faithful and attach to them the promises and spiritual benefits claimed for this prayer. To all ihose receiving this prayer, or anything like it. our advice is to throw it in the fire and to pay no attention to any religious prayer, circular or appeal coming unsigned and from unacredited sources. |