The Holt County Sentinel

Every evening in our city, the church bells ring at 7 o'clock—a tender appeal to our people to prayer, that they may unite in prayer for the country and for the victorious return of our soldiers from overseas. The bell is called the "War Angelus." The idea of the bell summoning to prayer is as old as the early churches. In the Roman Catholic countries the ringing of the angelus has been one of the most impressive and picturesque ceremonies during the centuries. "Angelus Domini"—"Angel of the Lord" were the opening words of the short prayer, and hence the name.

But the church bell is non-sectarian, for every house of God has its brazen herald to call the people to worship. Hence no one can object to the evening bell as it is rung.

And these war times are fading out the divisional lines of religious sects. There is a broader comprehension of our neighbor's creed and a deepening respect for his special formula of belief. We are nearer the borderland of one universal faith than we have ever been in the history of the world, for it is mankind and not individualism that has become the watchword of our service.

And so it is this national bell summons—call it angelus or call something else—is a direct appeal to men just at the wistful, mystical end of the day when the heart is free of the burdens that have weighted it and we are reaching out for a consolation for the night. From the lips of the whole nation may go up such a prayer as each may formulate in his needs and necessities.

"Angel of the Lord, be with those we love in peace and war, and bring back our own to us with the palms of a victory that mean Thy glory forever."

Is there any heart in America that cannot pray a prayer like that while the bells peal one to another across the wide expanse of our land from which liberty must not perish.

Let every community in our county where there is a house of God, join the National Angelus.