The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-07-16
Prayer for a Sign in the Heavens.

iohi bhV ANthulh ANtW OtlSts tDuTIeT.
A well-known resident of this cityis
about Issuing in tract form q most re-
markable document. The idea is that
day shall be set apart by christians of
every denomination when prayer shall
be offered that alta certain day and hour
the Lord will set sign in the Heavens
whereby infidcls may know that the BIZ
BILE is the word of God. The tracts are
to find their way all over the country,
and will probably excite considerable
degree Of public attention. They have
not been issued, but the reporters of this
paper have been enabled to secure tho
manuscript of the document, and for
the first time ii is given TO the reading
public. The tract is as follows:
"And Elijah came unto all the people, and
said. How long halt We between two ol,ini0iisf
If the Lord hc God, follow him; but if Baal,
then follow HIM" ....
j gain. " ask. who will be our Eli
iah! Who, among the thousands of
Gods proicsscd ministers, will dare to
stand forth and say 10 Infdelity-thus
far shalt thou 90, and no farther? Who
will dare to throw himself into tho
stream, and check the tide that is even
now carrying thousands, aye, millions
Of the brightest and best of our fellow
( beings down TO eternal misery? Surely,
there must be some one who has sufii-
cient faith i'll 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 con-
vince the world to-day, we do not, for
Que moment. believe. But we DO be-
lieve, that if the clergy everywhere, of
all denominations, were to pray TO God
that at stated time (say on next Christ
mas eve) sign might be set in the
Heavens above us, sign intelligent to
all. to continue forever that God would
grant the prayer, we cannot doubt; for
has lie not said, i" If We shall ask any
thing in my name, will do it." Where
fore, we have only to ask, and we shall
receive. (IIere is inserted the 18th chap
ter Of lst Kings, from the 2lst to 39th
verses.)
Now suppose that all Christians de-
nominations were to instruct their
churches to pray that sign might be
given rs aboye--how swiftly the tidings
would fly to the uttcrmost parts of the
earth i'll this age Of steam and electrici-
ty. Millions upon millions Of human
voices would join in petitioning the
throne OF grace. '...
| Week after week rolls round; Christ
mas day draws near--a day dear to all
beievers-'ti It's 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 upturncd, silent,
praycrIul faces. All, what solemn
hour! yet what q beautiful sight: u
world in PRAYER! Not a cloud can be
seen. nothing but the vast blue cXpanse
of Heaven gcmrned with myriads of
wondering starry wOrlds-all is beauti-
iul, silent, serene. The hour is at hand.
All, what suspense, what feeling Of
solemn awe steals DER all. Suddenly
from the very Zenith bursts forth flood
of golden light; soon, the air is filed
with angels shouting, Behold The hour
las come, ye shall know that Christ is
+ the Lord; serve We him, for hc hath set
His sign in the Heavens. Behold, be-
holdw The sign appears. Itis intelli-
gible to all. and with one accord feel
ing world shouts, Glory, glory to God
in the highest. this is Christ our Lord,
we worship Him the only true God.
Glory! Halleluiahw
Where is our Elijah? Who is it that
I will show TO the skeptical world that
Gods promises in the written Word ]
, are true? For hath he not said, Ask,
, and ye shall receive; seek, and We shall
: find; knock, and it shall be opened
!, unto YOU! ~