The recent action by the students of Yale in petitioning that the hour of morning prayers be made earlier is well worth remark. The evident purpose which has instigated this movement is, that the afternoon hours of each day may be free from recitations, and therefore open to exercise by the college athletic teams. The News takes occasion to boast that "there is no other institution in the country" which possesses "a strong enough love for their college or a general enough appreciation of her needs, to pass such resolutions." Some of our more ardent friends of the prayer petition are inclined to contend that in this very particular Harvard is still at the van, for by abolishing compulsory prayers, our athletic teams can, if necessary, employ the additional time thus gained in athletic work. But without considering the matter from so low a standpoint, we can appreciate the spirit of the students of Yale in thus voluntarily submitting to such inconvenience. The action speaks well for the determined attitude of the college with respect to the coming season's work in rowing and base-ball. It proves, if any proof was necessary, that our opponents are calculacing upon a hard season's work, and that every effort will be made to win back the championship in one or more of the college sports. This will make the contest a little more entertaining than it was last year, and we may anticipate close work. While we feel that our athletic teams hardly need such harsh remedies to recuperate their energies, this action of Yale will supply whatever encouragement there is needed. For now a victory will signify much, and will therefore offer every inducement for hard work and conscientious training. And it is needless to say that we expect that such work and training will again place the crimson at the front, both on the river and in the field.