Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-03-31
TmE UNION PnAYEIs MEETING
AT THE FIKsr PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The daily Union prayer meeting held in the
the basement of the LIST Presbyterian Church,
was again largely attended yesterday evening.
DIR. Weed opened the exercises by reading the
narable of the two men who went up into the
temple to pray-the one publican, the other
| Pharisee The Pharisee got up and thanked
! God that he was not as other men, but was con-
siderably better while the publican, with com
mendable humility, simply said: "God be mer-
ciFul to me sinner"
/ The Dr. dwelt upon the lesson taught in this
parable, observing that it had much in it that
was applicable and profitable for those who
came to these meetings. We were all too apt
to be more or less Pharisaiaca in religion. 1t
might occur in almost inperceptible ways: we
might be tempted while in seats here, to
contrast our condition with those who did not
come: to think, perhaps, that We were better
| than good many other people.
There was more hope generally, of sinners
| like this publican-men who sinned fiagrandy,
than there was with cold, formal persons like
this Pharisee, who complied with outward forms
of propriety, while wicked at heart.
| If we all come in the spirit of this poor pub
/ lican, and like him. really wanted peace and
pardon, we, like him could obtain it. 1t was
remarkable that the publican should have been
found at the temple at all. He seemed to
have been suddenly overtaken with a sense of
his sins, just in these days, publicans are
crowding the houses of worship-lead, he
hoped, many of them by similar desire to do
themselves good.
Many people objected to being called upon to
pray, said they couldn't pray in public. Ifmen
had the spirit of the publican they could His
was brief, but o how expressive prayer
1t was not necessary that at these meetings,
long prayers should be made. We should pray
practically, for what we needed, for what was
felt in our hearts that we needed We have no
reason to believe that this publican ever prayed
before in his life yet his speech was the natur-
al and eloquent expression of his heart. If we
wanted to feel prayerrul, we would feel Sour
own hearts could soon be made to cry out so!
wretched man. that am, who shall deliver me
from this death?"
The congregation then sung the 10th hymn,
commencing
BY soul in bonds of guilt found"
Rev. Mr.. Dodge then prayed.
Rev Mr.. Mofat being called upon, proceeded
to remark that it was most surprising thing,
when it was reflected OF, that Christ should
have left heaven to have saved US. When we
thought over the record of what he suffered
simply that we might live with him in bliss in
his kingdom, we ought to have new feeling to-
wards him. We ought not to feel distant-for
if he so loved US then, does he not do so now
We had proof that beloved us. All he asks and
requires, is that we should come to him-sim-
ply to come to him penitently. He would re-
ceive us and comfort US. The difference is that
we do not want to come, when we delude onr
selves with the idea that we do. 1t is not only
in the prayer meeting that >~e olr0''id e"'"e 10
him, bnt in our closets. The Lord knows when
we want him, when we are in earnest An
earthly friend even does not feel like accepting
call, when he knows thatit does not come from
the heart when it is but mere formal courtesy.
It would he q terrible thing, the speaker thought,
now that Christ is visiting other parts of his
vineyard-now that other cities and communi-
ties are being awakened, if we in our GOODNESS
should present no reception for the grace
of God. We should converse together;
should feel as did the two who walked to the
village of Emmaus, 'Our hearts burn together
as we talked"
The congregation then sang the 147th hymn,
commencing
"stop poor sinner, stop md think,
Before you further go:'
DIR. Weed, in concluding the services, observ-
ed, that for few DAYS, so fill = '':'0'"'"''ce
sv1uu no. reasonably be expected, rs people
were now busy moving He rcjoiced also to
know, that other meetings were in progress in
the city. That there might be an increasing in
terest, we should do as was enjoined al old, viz:
$50 out into the highways, and comp, them to
come in"
FROM WASHINGTON.