Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-08-16

forth no such power in prayer, and We do
not allow the rcposc of our nights to be in.
terrupted by it. 1t is not because our
wants are all supplied that We arc SO fec
bic and brief in prayer-nor is it that
Gods beauty is exhausted. We arc as
poor as creatures ever were. and he as
rich and munGcent as ever. His hand
is not shortened, neither his ear heavy.
1fIrayer was nothing but duty, we
ought to pray more. We do not pray
enough to discharge the mere obligation
of prayer. We arc commanded to pray more
than we do, aye, to pray without ceasng."
But prayer, while it is duty, is rather to
be viewed by US in the ligh, of apriritegc.
And o it is snch a privilege! What a
favor that we may petition God and ask
of MIN eternal life, with the confidence that
We shall not ask in vain! How strange 1t
is that we no more value and exercise this
privilege of prayer! 1t is astonishing that
The sense Of want, or desire OF Happiness,
docs not carry us oftencr to the threne OF
grace, and that we should ever require to
be melted to prayer by the stimulus Of con-
science. Oh! wonder that We do not Of
tcner go in unto the King, whose gracious
sceptre is ever extended towards us-l
| wonder we have not more frequent and
longer interviews with our heavenly Faith
er. it is strange We do not pray more,
when prayer is the easiest way Of obtain
ing good. Wha. is so easy as to ask for
what VIC want? How could we receive
| blessings on cheaper terms? Surely it is
easier than TO labor, and less expensive
than to buy. 1t may be hard to the spirit
to ask of men. To beg of them you may
be ashamed. But no such feeling should
keep you aloof from God. He givcth and
upbraideih not.
But prayer is not merely the easiest
way of obtaining good. 1t is the only way
Of obtaining the greatest Of all good. The
subordinate necessaries of life We get by
labor or purchase; but the things We most
need are given in answer TO prayer. The
one thing needtul is a divine donation.-
We ask, and receive it. Now We labor
much. Why do we not pray more :
Do we seek a profitable employment
None is SO profitable as prayer. No
labor makes so large a return. If
you have an unoccupied hour-and you
have many, or might bavc-by redecming
time you cannot employ it in any way that
shall tell so favorably on your interest as
by filling it up with petitions God. Yet
when we have such an hour, how apt we
are to spend it in>unprofitable intercourse
with our fellows, rather than in communion
with God. 1t is wonderful that We talk
so much, when "the talk of the lips ten
deth only to penury," and pray SO little,
when prayer ''brings It quick return ofbles.
sings in variety"
Is there any thing attended by a purr
pleasure than prayerl One who knew
said, "Itis good for me to drawne arto Cod
and again, 1T is good to sing praises
unto God: for it is pleasant, and praise is
comely.' All the exercises of devotion
are as full of pleasure as they are abundant
in profit.
But prayer is not onlya means of getting
good. tits such a means Of doing good,
wonder our benevolence does not lead Us
10 pray more. We are commanded, ''as
We have opportunity" TO do good unto all
men. Now prayer affords US the oPpor-
tunity of being nnircrsat benetactcrs.-
Through God we can reach all men. We
can make ourselves felt by all the world
by moving the hand that moves it. In
no other way can We reach all. Prayer
makes us in sense, mnipresent and ON
nipotent. 1t prevails with Him who is
both.
The rorH needs your intercessions. 1t
lies in wickedpess. lion needs them
She languishes because few pray for her
peace; few come to her solemn assemblies.
Whose family needs not the prayers of its
every member? Who has not kindred that
are out of Christi With such call upon
us for prayer SO urgent and from so many
quarters, wonder we pray no more.
] must pray more because Christians,
whose biography Ihave read, have prayed
more than l do.
God is disposed to hear more prayers
from me than offer and Jesus, the Me-
diator, stands readyto present more tor me.
III pray more l shall sin less.
IuiNpray more. Tho Lord me help to
fulfil this resolution.