PRAYER AND FIGHTING

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 22, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 12.

PRAYER AND FIGHTING.

NOTWITHSTANDING the secular tendency of the present Hungarian Cabinet, it is said that the traditional prayer season still prevails in the Austro-Hungarian army. At a fixed hour morning and night the sentinel gives the signal. At once the officers and men place themselves under arms, the trumpet sounds, and each man puts his hand to his cap and remains motionless in prayer for some minutes. The word of command, "In position for prayer," is given by an officer, who faces the men, and holds his bare sword towards the ground in token of respect. The same custom prevails in the navy and is very ancient. An interesting fact is that the image of Mary Immaculate is embroidered in gold on all the flags of the regiments.