Masonry teaches us before any great and laudable undertaking, we should invoke the aid of Diety. Masons open and close every meeting with Prayer. We are indebted to long time Chaplain of Pampa Lodge No. 966, Andy Epps for the Invocation and Benediction at our 2023 Hall of Fame inductions. For the Invocation, Bro. Epps chose most appropriately the Rangers Prayer. After several requests, we’ve posted it here with, of course, it’s history.
Virtually every old time Ranger has it hanging in their home.
Written by Virginia-born Reverend Dr. Pierre Bernard Hill, Chaplain Texas Rangers. He was the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, and he was appointed Chaplain of the Texas Rangers by Governor Dan Moody. His alliance with fellow Presbyterian, Texas Ranger Captain John Rogers, led to this appointment as a chaplain in 1928. He was assigned to Captain Bill Sterling’s company at Falfurrias.
Compatible with the dignity of his post and the affection in which he was held, he was also promoted to Captain in the Texas Rangers
As Capt. Hill of the Texas Rangers, he spent time in the field taming some tough Texas towns, like Rusk and Kilgore, with a pistol on his hip and a Bible in his hand. In his boots and hat, Hill looked more like a mild-mannered rancher. On Sunday, he put his pistol aside to preach—then after worship, he strapped it on again. His sermons to soldiers and Rangers were plain talk, something that appealed to fighting men.
In 1922, Dr. Hill was the first preacher in Texas whose sermon was aired on the radio — WOAI in San Antonio. From ministering coal miners in Virginia, and then a missionary in Korea, he went on to establish a record chain of five Presbyterian churches in San Antonio. He also earned the title, “Shepherd of the Hills.”
When Dr. Hill was 79 years of age, the Texas Legislature named him Poet Laureate of Texas on June 1, 1955 (the first minister ever thus appointed).
It was also his golden wedding anniversary.
THE RANGERS PRAYER
“O God, whose end is justice,
Whose strength is all our stay,
Be near and bless my mission,
As I go forth today.
Let wisdom guide my actions,
Let courage fill my heart
And help me, Lord, in every hour
to do a Ranger’s part.
Protect when danger threatens,
Sustain when trails are rough;
Help me to keep my standard high
And smile at each rebuff.
When night comes down upon me,
I pray thee, Lord, be nigh,
Whether on lonely scout, or camped,
Under the Texas sky.
Keep me, O God, in life
And when my days shall end,
Forgive my sins and take me in,
For Jesus’ sake, Amen.”
OUR SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO CHAPLAIN EPPS FOR HIS UNFAILING DEDICATION TO PAMPA LODGE No. 966.
WE ARE BETTER BY YOUR PRAYERS.
2023 HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS BENEDICTION – CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHAPLAIN EPPS’ BENEDICTION
Click here to learn more about Reverend Dr. Pierre Bernard Hill