PRAYERS

From Knob Knowledge

A number of prayers were composed by Citadel cadets. Three of the more popular appear below.

(1) Cadet Prayer. Composed by Bishop Albert S. Thomas, Class of 1892.

   "Almighty God, the source of light and strength, we implore Thy blessing on this our beloved       
   institution, that it may continue true to its high purposes. Guide and strengthen those upon 
   whom rests the authority of government; enlighten with wisdom those who teach and those who 
   learn; and grant to all of us that through sound learning and firm leadership, we may prove 
   ourselves worthy citizens of our country, devoted to truth, given to unselfish service, 
   loyal to every obligation of life and above all to Thee. Grant to each one of us, in 
   his (her)own life, an humble heart, a steadfast purpose, and a joyful hope, with a 
   readiness to endure hardship and suffer if need be, that truth may prevail among us
   and that Thy will may be done on earth. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen." 

(2) Capers Prayer The following is attributed to Ellison Capers, class of 1857, while a cadet at The Citadel, June 1857. He later became a brigadier general, CSA, and after that, Episcopal Bishop of South Carolina. It came from The Journal of Tom Law.

   "Lord of love
   Look from above
   Upon this tainted ham;
   And give us meat
   That's fit to eat
   For this ain't worth a damn!"

(3) Prayer of The Citadel. Last appeared on the back cover of the 1996-1997 Guidon. It was written by Jim Herritage, class of 1972.

   "Give me a boy, Oh God, who is wiling to learn the true value of honor, the necessity of
   perseverence and loyalty, and the meaningfulness of devotion to God and country. And I shall 
   take this boy as does a blacksmith take a crude piece of metal, and place him over a forge 
   whose liberating flame of education is fired by the bellows of strict military discipline. 
   Into this ingot of a man I shall temper self-respect and self-discipline, fear of God and 
   respect for mankind, appreciation of freedom and awareness of what sacrifices must be made 
   to preserve freedom, and above all an insatiable desire for truth and honesty. And when all 
   these things I have done, I shall brand my finished work with a ring of gold to let all of 
   humanity know that I have given back to the world a ...Citadel Man."

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