Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-01-21

InoSe ungo0ly 00ct0rS Olu not KNOW MN.
Why2 Because they were not praying
for the redemption Of Israel. But Simeon
and Anna knew him. How was that 81
Mark what they said, how they prayed,
and how they lived. They were praying
IN faith, and so they were not surprised
when he came. So II Is with such Chris
tians. Hsinners are convicted or convert
ed, they are not surprised at II. They
were expecting Just such things. They
know God when he comes, because they |
were looking out for his visits.
rsI1L There are three classes OF persons
in the church who are liable to error, or
have LEFT the truth out Of view, on this sub
Sject afr o.. @: 49,.
ear(IA Those who place reliance onpray-
or, and use no other means They are
alarmed at any special means, and talk
about your getting up a revival
as (21 Over against these are those who
use means, and pray, but never think about
the influences Of the Spirit in prayer
They talk about prayer for the Spirit, and
feel the importance of the Spirit in the
conversion Of sinners, but do not realize
heimportance ofthe Spirit in prayer
And their prayers are all cold talk. moth
ing that any body can feel, or that can
take hold of God.
la Those who have certain strange
notions about the sovereignty Of God, and
are waiting for God to convert the world
without prayer or means
There must be In the church deeper
sense ofthe need ofthe spirit of prayer
The fact is that generally, those who use
means most assiduously, and make the
most strenuous efforts for the salvation of
men, and who have the most correct no.
tons ofthe manner in which means should
be used for converting sinners, also pray
most for the Spirit of God, and wrestle
most with God for his blessing. And
what is the resuh2 Let facts speak, and
say whether these persons do or do not
pray, and whether the Spirit Of God does
not testify to their prayers, and follow
their labors with his power
TIL IL. A spirit very different from the
spirit Of prayer appears to prevail in the
Presbyterian church. Nothing will pro-
duce an excitement and opposition so
quick as the spirit of prayer. Hany per-
son should feel burdened with the cas- OF
sinners, in prayer, so as to groan in his
prayer, why, the women are nervous, and
he IS visited at once with rebuke and OPP
position. From my soul abhor all af
fectation Of feeling where there Is none
and all attempts to work ones self up into
feeling by groans. Butt feel bound t.
defend the position, that there is such
thing as being in state of mind, in whicl
there il but one way to keep from groan
ing; and that. is, by resisting the Hol
Ghost. Twas once present where thi
subiect was discussed. It was said thu
-. grooming ought to be discountenanced-
The question was asked, whether Go
could not produce such state of feeling
that to abstain from groaning was impo'
sible2 and the answer was, "Yes, b.
he-never does Then the apostle PAT
was egregiously deceived, when he wrot
about groanings that cannot be uttered
Edwards was deceived, when hewrote b
book upon revivals. Revivals are all j
the dark. Now, no man who review
the history Of the church will adopt sue
a sentiment. don't like this attempt
shut out or stife, or keep down, or lin
the spirit of prayer. would sooner c,
of nv right hand. than rebuke the spir
oil DFdVSE, Us udN0 uCdEu VI 10 OcuIR Jul
by saying, Don't let me hear any mo-
grooming"
But then, hardly know where to er
this subject i should like to discuss it
month, and till the whole church cou
understand It, so as to pray the prayer
faith Beloved, want to ask you if W
believe all this Or do you wonder til
L should talk so Perhaps some of VI
have had some gliinpses ofthese things.
Now, will You give yourselves up
prayer, and live 50 as to have the spirit
prayer, and have the spirit with you
the time2 o, for a praying church!
once knew minister who had a reviv
fourteen winters in succession. / did n
know how to account for it, till saw o.
ofhis members get up in PRAYER meetin
and make confession. Brethren. " So
he, Il have been long in the habit of prs
ing every Saturday night till after m
night, for the descent of the Holy CHI
among us And now, brethren" and
began to weep, 81 confess that / ha
neglected il for two or three weeks 1"
The secret was out. That minister ha
praying church. Brethren, in my pr
ent state Of health, find it impossible
pray as much as have been in the ha
ofdoing, and continue to preach II ow
comes my strength. Now, shall I gi
myself1p to prayer, and stop preachin
That will not do. Now, will not YOU. W
are in health, throw yourselves into Il
work, and bear this burden, and Law yo,
selves out in prayer, till God will pour,
his blessing upon US? So.
A Blind Iriskmaa---A clergyman