Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-06-24

EFFIcAcIous PRAYER.--The following in
stances of remarkable answer to prayer will
serve to impress on the minds Of our readers
that prayer really avails to secure the blessings
we need and desire, on which point we are
constrained to believe there is far too much
skepticism in the churches The firstis TAX
en- from Professor Parks Memair of Rev. DIR.
Hopkins, page loo.
There was slave named Newport Gardner
in Newport, Rhode Island, who earnestly de-
sired to obtain his liberty and that of his wife
and children. He was allowed by his master
to labor for his own profit during whatever
time he might gain by extra diligence. 1.-The
slave devoted all this gained time to procuring
the means of Gberating himself and family.
| He was finally advised by deacon of Mr..
| Hopkins Church to spend this time in fasting
and prayer for his liberation, and he was as
| sured Of more rapid success, in this course,
than in that of manual labor. Accordingly,
having gained day, this pious negro, with
out communicating his plan to any but Mr..
| Hopkins and two or three Christian friends,
spent that day in secret fasting and prayer
that he might obtain his freedom. His mas
ter, totally ignorant Of his slaves occupation,
sent for him about o'clock in the afternoon:
but was told that Newport was engaged for
himself, this being his gained day. I" No
matter-call him. says Captain Gardner, his
master. After some hesitation the slave was
called, and the owner gave him paper, on
which was written /, Caleb Gardner, Of
Newport, Rhode Island, do this day manumit
and release forever Newport Gardner, his wife
and Children etc.; adding some conditions,
which could easily be complied with" The
slave received his manumission with gratitude
to his owner, but with still deeper gratitude
to his all-wise Disposer above, who had sig
nally answered his request for freedom, even
before he had finished his duplication.
The other case is recorded in Wayland's
Life of Judson, volume second, pages 80 to 81.
While engaged in the missionary work in In
dia, DIR. Judson became intensely interested
in behalf of the Jews and desirious of estab-
fishing mission to Palestine. He awakened
a sympathy in his views and feelings among
his brethren and in the bosom Of an officer Of
rank in the East India Company's service,
and together they raised one thousand dollars,
which they pledged to the American Baptist
Board, provided they would send missionary
to the field referred to. Accompanying the
pledge, he forwarded most powerful appeal
in behalf Of the lost sheep of the house of
Isreal. The plan, however, did not meet with
favor, aud he received no reply to his propo-
sal, although he wrote to several ministers in
America on the subject. Thus apparently
ended the effort.
Long afterward, however, and only two or
three days before he embarked on his last
voyage, and not fortnight before his death.
Mrs. Judson read to him the following para
graph from Rev. DIR. Hague's journal, in the
Waterman and Reflector, of his travels in the
East -" There, Cat Mr.. Goodells house, in
Constantinople,) we first learned the Interest,"
ing fact, which was mentioned by Mr.. Schauf-
fer, that tract had been published in Ger
many, giving some account Of DIR. Judson's
lsbors at Ava that it had fallen into the
hands of some Jews, and had been the means
of their conversion that it had reached Ire
bisond, where a Jew had translated it for the
Jews of that place; that it had awakened
deep interest among them; that candid spirit
of inquiry had been manifested, and that a
request had been made for missionary to be
sent to them from Constantinople. Such
fact is full of meaning, a comment on the word
of inspiration. In the morning SOW thy
seed, and in the evening withhold not thine
hand-thou knowest not which shall prosper,
this or that
Mrs. Judson in her relation of these facts,
continues: His eyes were filed with tears
when l had done reading, but still he at first
spoke playfully, and in way that little dis
appointed me. Then look Of almost un-
earthly solemnity came over him, and ciinging
fast to my hand. as though to assure himself
of being really in the world. he said, Love,
this fightens me; do not know what to
make Of it, Whats' Why, what YOU
have just been reading. never was deeply
interested in any object; never prayed sim
cerely and earnestly for anything, but it came,
at some time no matter at how distant day;
somehow, in some shape probably the last
should have devised--it came. And yet
have had 50 little faith & May God forgive
met and. while he condescends to use me a.
his instrument wipe the sin of unbelief from
my heart T" If We abide in me, and my
words abide in you, We shall ask what 70 viii.
and it shall be done unto YOU Congregations
al Recorder.