Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-07-22
PFAYING FOR A SIGN.
A Remarkable Proposition by . New
Jersey Ian Of Faith.
From the Newark On. ~ Courier.


A well-known resident of this city is
about issuing in tract form q most remark
able document The idea is that a day
shall be set apart by Christians of every
denomination when prayer shall be offered
that at certain day and hour the Lord
will set sign in the heavens, whereby in
fidels may know that the Bible is the Word
of God The tracts are to find their way
all over the country, and will probably ex-
cite considerable degree Of public atten-
ton. They have not yet been issued, but
the reporters OF the Courier have been en-
abled to secure the manuscript or tho doc
ument, and, for the first time, the matter
is given to the reading public. The docu-
ment is as follows:
San Elijah came into all the people, and
said: How long halt We between two opin-
ions? If the Lord be God, follow him;
but if Baal, then follow him." Again, we
ask, who will be our Elijah? Who among
the thousands of Gods professed ministers
will dare to stand forth and say to infideli-
ty: THUS far shalt thou go, and no fur
Their" Who will dare to throw himself in
to the stream, and check the tide that is
even now carrying thousands, aye, mil
lions, of the brightest and best of orr fell
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 a trial like that insti-
tuted by Elijah would convince the world
to-day, we do not for q moment believe
But we do not believe that if the clergy
everywhere, of all denominations, were to
pray to God that at stated time (say on
next Christmas eve) sign might be set in
the heavens above us-a sign intelligent to
all. to continue forever-that God would
grant the prayer, we cannot doubt, for has
He not said: IF We shall ask anything in
my name will do it?" Wherefore, we
have only to ask, and we shall receive
Here is inserted the 18th chapter of Isl
Kings, from the 21st to the 10Th verses.
Now suppose that all Christian denomina
tons We're to instruct their churches to
pray that sign might be given as above
how swift the tidings would fly to the
utterlnost parts OF the earth in this age
of steam and electricity. Millions upor
millions of human voices would join IL
petitioning the throne of grace. Week
after week rolls round; Christmas day
draws near-a day dear to all believers
tits the birthday of Christ Day after day
rolls on-'tis Christmas eve; slowly sinks
the sun to rest The stars peep forth ont
by one, and look down upon millions Of
upturned, silent, prayerful faces. All what
solemn hour yet what beautiful sight
"a world in prayerl Not cloud can be
seen-nothing but the vast blue expanss
of heaven gemmed with myriads Of wan
dering starry worlds. I'll is beautiful. silent
serene. The hour is al hand. All wha,
suspense. what feeling of solemn awe
steals DER all. Suddenly from the very
zenith bursts forth food of golden light
Soon the air is filed with angels shouting
Behold, the hour has come; We shall know
that Christ is the Lord; serve We Him, iol
He hath set His sign in the heavensi Be
hold, beholdT The sign appears 1t il
ineligible to all, and with one accord .
feeling world shouts: ssGlory, glory to Goo
in the highest This is Christ our Lord
We worship Him, the only true God Clio
~, hallelujah y Where is our Elijah? Who
is it that viii show to the skepticn1 world
that Gods promises Gn the written word
are true? For hath He not said: "Ask
. and We shall receive; seek, and We shall
end; knock, and it shall be opened unit,
Your