Europe and elsewhere, by Mark Twain [pseud.] [with an appreciation by Brander Matthews and an introduction by Albert Bigelow Paine]

THE WAR PRAYER
warning that for their personal safety's sake they
quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more
in that way.
Sunday morning came-next day the battalions
would leave for the front; the church was filled;
the volunteers were there, their young faces alight
with martial dreams-visions of the stern advance,
the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the
flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the
enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender!them home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed,
adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With
the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy,
and envied by the neighbors and friends who had
no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of
honor, there to win for the flag, or, failing, die the
noblest of noble deaths. The service proceeded; a
war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the
first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ
burst that shook the building, and with one impulse
the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating
hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation"God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest,
Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!"
Then came the "long" prayer. None could remember the like of it for passionate pleading and moving
and beautiful language. The burden of its supplica,
tion was, that an ever-merciful and benignant Father
of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and
aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic
work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle
395