Luck chain letter (published). Ancient prayer. US, 1916.

Oh, Lord, I implore Thee to bless all
mankind. Bring us to Thee.
This prayer is to be sent all over the
world. In ancient days it was said that
all who wrote it would be free from calam-
ity or misfortune and that all who passed
it would meet with some calamity or mis-
fortune.
Copy it and send it to nine friends in
nine days, and on the tenth day you will
meet with some joy. Don't break the
chain.

Article in New York Times, Jan. 9, 1916, page 6 column 4. Title: DENOUNCES CHAIN PRAYER. Subtitle: Catholic Authority Moves to Stop Circulation by Mail.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cincinnati (Henry Moeller) denounces as "rank superstition" and a sin "against the First Commandment of the Decalogue" the belief in and "reciting" of the prayer. Thousands said to be in circulation in New York City, many complaints from the Archbishop's flock. The United States District Attorneys stated "there is no legal way yet devised to punish its senders." Text as formatted in article.

le1916-01-09p_ap_nyt

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