We are obliged to The English Churchman for a report of part of a speech by Viscount Alexander of Hillsborough, in the House of Lords on defence at the beginning of the year. In this speech Viscount Alexander said: “In conclusion, I will ask the House and the Country to believe—and I am quite sincere when I say this—that perhaps one of the most notable things which most of our Press did not report at the N.A.T.O. meeting in Paris was that, at the end, the President of the United States asked the delegates to stand and join in prayer. . . . If ever this nation required to resort to prayer for its condition and security, I do not recognise the need as being greater than it is at present.” We recognise once more that Viscount Alexander is a man who can speak words of wisdom which have application not only to the political, but also the religious concerns of the nation. His criticism of the Press in general regarding silence upon the fact that prayer was engaged in at N.A.T.O. is indeed warranted. We would wish that the viscount would call upon those in authority in Church and State to appoint a national day of prayer.