Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-19

PRAYING FOR Infdel,y may scott skepti.
cism and philosophy called" may mark it as
"strange coincidence" but the fact remains to be
attested by hundreds Of witnesses still living that
time after time Axey has been known at popular
meetings in time of severe drought, to pray publicly
for rain with all the apparent earncstness of huii-
ty, chdike simplicity, and Christian confidence,
with which he would have prayed for the CONVEX
sion Of a penitcnt; and rain camel So often did it
occur in the of years, that il became common
when he publicly prayed for rain for some wicked
man to say Come, boys, let's 60 on; we'll get wet:
Alleys prayed for rain" In this record but so.
Der facts; and even ut the risk of wearying the
reader, | must mention one case, known to several
persons now living, who were present and witnessed
1t. 1t occurred at Muddy Creek Campneetng,
Roane county, Tennessee, some twenty four or five
miles or southwest of Knoxville. A drought
had prevailed all over that region Of country for an
unusually long time and prospects were becoming
truly alarming. On Sabbath OF Campmecting Mr..
Axley entered the pulpit. Over him was cloudess
SKI. around and beneath him parched earth. 1t
had been remarked during his stay on the ground,
previous to that hour, that he had been than
ordinarily serious, thoughtful and taciturn-as
though something weighed on his mind On his en-.
terng the stand his friends observed that his
tenance was deeply overshadowed with gloom
He sang and prayed In his prayer on the part of
himself and the people, he made general confession
Of sin, subsequent unworthness. plead the merits Of
crucied Redeemer and implore pardon for the past
and grace for the future. Their among the other petit
TONS devotedy and ferventy he asked for rain upon
the parched earth. The prayer ended, he arose from
his knees, with gloom still upon his cOuntenance, so
deeply and cleary marked, as tocXcite the sympathy
ofhis friends. Instead Of announcing his text, aud
proceeding with his sermon, as was expected, he
sang few lines and again called the congregation
10 prayer. This time, entreaes for rain sirik-
ing by and touchngly earnest and iervent, and the
pleas put in different tones from those of his first
prayer. A second time he arose from his knees
Now his countenance was indicative of intense men.
talsuifering third time he sang and third time he
bowed 10 prayer In this prayer he entreacd God,
for the sake of Christ, and in mercy to infants and
unsinning animals, which had not abused His gond-
ness despised His mercies, blasphemed his holy
name, desecrated His Sabbaths, nor violated his
commandments to send rain, and preserve them
from the horrors of want This prayer ended he
arose, with countenance lightencd up and calm
as a Z" summer eve" He then announced his text
and preached in his usual manner without the most
distant alluson to the unusual manner in which he
had opened the exercises, to the feelings that had
prompted him. lie simply went forward, and did
as relate, giving no reason to any But ere that
sermon was ended, the dark horizon and distant
thunder announced the com'o rain. The same God
that heard Elijah had hcal m. Many preachers
and people present, seemed awc.strikcn. On his
going into the preachers camp soon after service,
and while the clouds gathering, a brother
tured the remark Brother Axle, it seems God is
about to answer your prayers With look ard
manner that plainly showed he deeply panied
by the ausion, he simply replied 1t will be great
mercy If he does, and turned and walked out OF the
camp and away from the encampment He never
alluded to these scenes after they had passed, nor
did any who knew him care TO do so in his prs
ence.-7he Home Circle.