20 JANUARY 1900, Page 14

GOD'S AID AND THE WAR.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

have just read with great pleasure your recent article bearing this title. There is an expression in one of our Collects which surely men who are puzzled as to whether they ought to pray for the success of our Army because the Boers are praying that victory may be theirs might consider,—viz., "our ignorance in asking." Surely all human prayers are made in "ignorance," but is this admitted ignorance a reason against prayer in general P "Still lift to Heaven the supplicating voice,

But leave to God the measure and the choice,"—

as rough, brave, pious old Dr. Johnson wrote (I hope I have quoted the lines correctly), and better, manlier words were never penned. If, however, tender consciences are troubled on this matter, is there not one prayer that all may fear- lessly use, that prayer which Claverhouse quotes before the skirmish, in "Old Mortality,"—" God show the right "—tam, Palazzo Sterbini, 41 'Via Balruino, Rome.