The 73rd Congress: FIRST REGULAR SESSION

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THE 73rd CONGRESS

THE GRACE OF GOD is called down daily upon the Senate and the House by Chaplains Ze Barney Thome Phillips (right in cut below) and James Shera Montgomery, respectively. House Chaplain Montgomery (Methodist) was less flowery than Senate Chaplain Phillips (Episcopalian). On opening day last week the latter began, "God of our fathers, Fountain of light and love, before whose boundless gaze the seasons roll in majesty and might, and man, Thy miniature divine, was made to walk the earth in joy; incline, at this momentous hour of the newborn year, our thoughts to prayer, our lips to praise. . . ."

In the House, Chaplain Montgomery prayed: "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.

"We wait on Thee, of whom we are fragments and from whom all virtue flows. . . . Our President, do Thou keep him in the circle of divine love and care. With Thy presence, Lord, do Thou bless our Speaker, the Members, the officers, and the employees of this Congress, and may all hearts confess that from Thee cometh all our benefits. O spread the mantle of happiness and good health upon all hearthstones. Almighty God, let these days be a prelude of the triumph that is to come. Merciful Father, come with us, and marvels shall come to our Nation reborn. Let self-sacrifice, heroism, and idealism make their irresistible appeal to our Republic until all citizens shall realize their brotherhood in one common Father. . . . O righteous God, frown upon all Mammon worship and hasten the time when the world over shall become just and generous, and by Thy touch man everywhere shall receive the blessing that he needs. In the name of our Elder Brother and the world's Saviour. Amen."