Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-06-02

till you find out the reason, And what is
lit? Why, they see their congregation is
about to be broken up unless something
can be done. Or they see some other de,
nomination gaining ground, and there is
no way to counteract them but by having
revival in their church. And all their
praying is only2n attempt to get the Al
mighty IN to help them out of their diff
Guilty, and is purely selfish and offensive
to God. A woman in Philadelphia, was
invited TO attend female praycr-mecting
at certain p lace. She inquired what
they met there for and for what they
were going to pray? She was answered
that they were going to pray for the out
pouring of the spirit upon the city
WELL" said she, 81 shan't 60, if they
were going to pray for or congregation
l would 60, but am not going there to
pray for other churches O, what a
spirit!
have had multitude Of letters and re-
quests that should visit such and such
places, and endeavor to promote revival,
and many reasons have been urged why l
should 60, but when came TO weigh their
reasons, | have sometimes found every
one Of them selfish. And God would
look upon every one with adherence.
In praYer-meetines, how often do we
lear people offer such reasons why they
desire such and such blessings, as are not
right in the sight Of God. Such reasons,
that if they are the true ones, and if Chris
tions are actually excited by those reasons,
1t would render their prayers not accepta-
bic to God because their motive was not
right.
There are great many things often
said in favor of the cause of missions,
which are Of this character, appealing to
wrong motives. How often are we tod
of six hundred millions Of heathens, who
are IN larger Of going to hell, and how
little is said of the guilt Of SIX hundred
millions engaged and banded together as
rebels against God, or ofthe di,h0n0r and
contempt poured upon God our Maker by
such a world of outlaws Now | know
that God refers to those motives which
appeal to our mere natural sympathies,
and compassion, and uses them, but always
in subordina,ion to his glory. If these
lower motives are placed foremost, it must
always produce defective picty and zeal,
AMI great deal that is false. Until the
church will look at the dishonor done to
God, little will be done, 1t It's this which
must be made to stand out before the
world, il is this which must I've deeply
felt bv the church, it is this which must
I've fully exhibited TO sinners, before the
world can ever be converted
Parents never agree in praying for the
conversion Of their children in such way
as to have their prayers answered, until
they feel that their children arc rebels
Parents often pray very earnest Y for their
children because they wish God TO save
them, and they almost think hard Of God
if he does not save their children But if
they would have their prayers prevail,
they must come to take Gods part against
their children, even though for their per
versencss and incorrigibIe wickedness he
should be obliged to send them 10 HE'LL
knew woman who was very ANXIOUS
for the salvation Of her son, and she used
TO pray for him with agony, but still nc re,
manned impcnitcnt, until at ength she be-
came convinced that her prayers and ago
MES had been nothing but the fond yearn
ings of parental feeling, and were not die
tated at all BY a just view Of her son
character as a wiIful and wicked rebe
against God. And there was never any
jmrrpssion made on his mind until sh'
was made 10 take strong ground agalns
him rs rebel, and to look on him as de
servinr to be sent TO hell. And then h'
was converted. The reason was, sh'
never before was influenced by the RICH
motive in prayer, desiring his salvation
with a supreme regard to the glory Q
, Cod
A. live would be so united as to pre-
vail in prayer, zoe must agree /" Ja1A'-
That is, we must concur in expecting tn
blessing prayed for. We must under
' stand the reason whv it is TO Re expected
!, we must see the evidence on which tAlt
>. ought to rest, and must absolutely 6eI'ct
!, that the blessing will come, or we DO ne
~ bring ourselves within the promIso.-
>, Faith is always understood as an lndI'
:, pensabIe condition. Of prevailing Praye
.. lift is not expressed i'll any particular cas-
=, it is always implied, for no prayer can +
-, effectual but that which is offered IN faltl
- And in order that united prayer may pr
vail, there must Le united faith.
n 5. So, again, we must be agreed as
|. the time eohen zoe desire the blessing
d come. 1.-two or more agree in d'Slrln
a particular blessing, and one OF them q
;r sires to have it come n0to, while otne
t. are not ready to have it quite yet' 1t
at plain they are not agreed. They are "
united in regard to one essential point
IS If the blessing is to come in answer
o. their united prayer. it must come as the
ir prayed for it. And if it comes, it must
m at some time. But if they disagree as
-. IL -. IL IL .u;ll ha We II MAINLY