ame with a heavy sorrow resting upon him. His son had been struck down
at the front, earning, however, the Victoria Cross by a conspicuous act
of bravery before he died. He himself had by long service earned the
right to rest upon his laurels. He was an old man, but at the call of
duty he cheerfully left home and friends, and, with heart sore at his
great loss, went out to win for England the victory in South Africa. His
first thought was to send for Lord Kitchener, and when these two men
landed in South Africa England knew that all things possible would be
accomplished.

And surely their task was great. England's prestige had suffered
severely. Lord Methuen had fought at Belmont, Graspan, Modder River and
Magersfontein, but the enemy's entrenchments were apparently as strong
as ever and Kimberley as far off.

On the other side of the field of operations Sir Redvers Buller was
confronted with insurmountable obstacles, and his forces seemed
altogether inadequate for the task before him. Gallant little Mafeking
was holding out, but with no hope of speedy relief. How Lord Roberts'
advent changed all this in a few brief weeks the country knows right
well.

=Lord Roberts Issues a Prayer for Use in the Army.=

Perhaps the most remarkable fact in the history of this or any war is
that a few days after landing in South Africa Lord Roberts issued a
prayer for the use of the troops. Many army orders have been issued
which have stirred the blood and fired the heroism of the British
soldier as he has gone forth to fight for his country or has returned
triumphant from the field.

'When on the eve of Trafalgar the signal floated out from the mast-head
of the _Victory_, "England expects every man to do his duty," it told of
the exalted courage of the hero who was about to fight his last fight
and win his last victory. It kindled a like courage in every man who
read it, and it ever after became a living word, a voice that is heard
everywhere, an inspiration to our race.

'But an army encouraged to pray, an army order in which the
commander-in-chief hopes that "a prayer may be helpful to all her
Majesty's soldiers now serving in South Africa"! And doubtless many of
our comrades have so used the prayer that now they know all the
blessings of pardon, purity, power and comfort which it teaches them to
ask of God.'[6]

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S LETTER.

'ARMY HEADQUARTERS, CAPE TOWN, _January 23rd_.

'DEAR SIR,--I am