The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-13
PRAYER for n Heavenly Sign.

From the Newark q. j. Evening Courier.
A well-known resident of this city is
about issuing in tract form most remarka-
bic document. The idea is that day shall
be set apart by Christians of every denomi-
nation when prayer shall be offered that ut
certain day and hour the Lord will set a
sign in the heavens whereby infidels may
know that the Bible is the word OF God.
The tracts are TO find their way all over the
country, and will probably excite con-
siderable degree of public attention. They
have not vet been issued, but the reporters
of the Courier have been enabled to secure
the manuscript of the document, and for
lhc first time the matter is given to the
reading public. The tract is rs follows:
"And Elijah came unto all the people
and said How long halt We between two
opinions? If the Lord he God, follow him;
but if Baal then follow him.
Again, we ask, who will be our Elijah!
Who, among the thousands of Gods pro-
fcssed ministers, will dare to stand forth and
say TO intidelty, Thus far shalt thou go, and
no further? Who will dare tO.throw him.
self into the stream and check the tide that
is even now carrying thousands-aye, mil
lons-of the brightest and best OF our fei-
low-beings down to eternal misery! surely
there must be some one who has sufficient
faith in Gods promises to ask for some sign
- whereby all shall know that He is the true
God. That trial like that instituted by
Elijah would convince the world to-day we
do not for one moment believe; but we do
believe that if the clergy everywhere, of all
denominations, were to pray to God that nj
a stated time (say on next Christmas cvc) Il
sign might he set in the heavens above us
sign intelligent to all. to contne forever
that God would grant the prayer, we cannot
doubt for has lie not said, 1T yc shall ask
in, ,,n, / will do If - Whprp-
fore. we have only to ask. and we shall re-
ccivc. Here is inserted the 18th chapter of
LIST Kings. from the DIST TO the 39th verses.
Now. suppose that all Christian dcnom-
nations were To instruct their churches to
pray that sign might be given as above,
how swiftly the tidings would fly to the ut
tcrmust parts of the earth in this age of
steam and electricity. Millions upon mil
lions of human voices would JON LII pctl-
toning the Throne Of Grace.
Week after week rolls round Christ
mas day draws near--a day dear to all be-
lieverS-'tis the birthday of Christ !
DAY after day rolls on--'tis Christmas
eve slowly sinks the sun to rest. The stars
peep forth one by one, and look down upon
millions of upturned, silent, prayerful faces.
All, what Il solemn hour yet what beau
trul sight world in prayer! Not cloud
can be seen, nothing but the vast blue eN-
panse of heaven gemmed with myriads of
wandering starry worlds-all is beautiful,
silent, serene. THE hour is at hand. All !!
what suspense, what Il feeling of solemn
awe steals Ger all. Suddenly from the very
zenith bursts forth flood OF golden light );
soon the air is filled with angels shouting,
Behold the hour has come We shall know
that Christ is the Lord; serve We Him, for
he hath set his sign in the heavens. Behold,
hcholdv The sign appears. 1t is intell-
.ihlc to all, and with one accord a feeling
world shouts, GLORY! glory to God in the
highest, his is Christ our Lord"