However, we did finally stumble down the mountain finding ourselves at the door of the majestic Cadet Chapel. This imposing structure, built in 1910, looked down knowingly at the campus and on to the Hudson River. Someone was practicing the pipe organ, the largest in the world, as we peeked into a sanctuary 210 feet long, 61 feet wide, with a 56 foot ceiling. We gazed at just some of the 192 stain glass windows and thought about the historic figures who must have sat in the pews that hold over 1500 people.
As we left, we picked up a brochure about the Chapel and on the back was printed the Cadet Prayer. It was written by Clayton E. Wheat – the USMA Chaplain from 1919 to 1926 – right after the First World War. As we read the prayer, we realized that it was not just a prayer for someone preparing for life in the army, but a prayer for anyone preparing for life. I hope it is as meaningful to you as it was for Judy and me and the many cadets who have worshiped in this holy space over the last 100 years.
The Cadet Prayer
O God, Our Father, Thou Searcher of Human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretence ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in the sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those that sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country. All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of All – Amen.
O God, Our Father, Thou Searcher of Human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretence ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in the sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those that sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country. All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of All – Amen.
