In the N. S. W, Legislative Assembly last week, a proposal by the Pre mier (Mr, Stevens) to open Parliament with prayer each day was bittery opposed by the lender of the position (Mr. Long). The opposttion caused considerable surprise, Mr. Long said the motion was a hollow mockery because to. open Parliament with a prayer and then proceed with business which was direct negation of that prayer was sacrilege. There was considerable discussion over this motion and heated words were exchanged during the debate which followed. The opposttion members took the attitude that as the class lines were $0 definitely drawn, the Assembly was no place in which the Lord's prayer or any other prayer should be introduced. General opinion was that half our trouble were due to neglect of a recogni on of Divine Power, and that if people were more Christian in outlook it would be a better world to-day. The motion was eventually carried and for the frat time since 1862, the Assembly was recently opened with the following prayer:—
"Almighty God, we humbly beseech 'Thee to vouchsafe Thy blessing upon this Parliament. Direct and prosper our deliberations to the advancement of Thy glory, and the true welfare of the people' of our State and Australia. "Amen."
Ministers and members stood at attention with bowed heads, while the prayer was being read by the Speaker (Sir Daniel Levy). jotable ab: santee during this occasion was the leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. Tang.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.