The New York herald., 1871-02-20
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Power Of Prayer-Applicntl0n to God
and Man-Ancicnt and Modern example,
Sermon by the Rev. DIR. ArmituRc.

The Power of Prayer-Applicntlon to God
and Man-Ancicnt and Modern Example
Sermon by the Rev. DIR. Armituac.
The lovely spring weather yesterday morning left
no excuse for the lazy and the indolent who might
be inclined TO plead the lnclemency Of the elements
as reason for being stay -at-homes from church.
| The morning was bright and slightly breezy, with a
health-glvg air that tended to inv2orate the most
perioric or phlegmatic Of natures. Crisp and dry
as the sidewalks were, with unclouded sky over.
head, II was even more pleasant to 60 to church
than TO spend the forenoon ground the house. y
Those OF the Rev. DR.. Armtage's congregation at the
Fifth avenue Baptist church, est Forty sixth street
tl there had been any suggard enough among them
tohave stayed at homc), VINO might have lapsed yes
eray, would have lest an able ana interesting dis
course. But the church was well tlled with
AN AUDIENCE KFES TO APPRECIATE
the preachers eloquent remarks, albeit the faircr
portion OF The congregation were not unmindful OF
the wan things OF this world" which, In their
case ever signify, at this season, the newest and
the choicest OF spring toilets.
The Rev. Dr. Armitage made the subject Of his
sermon THE Power OF Prayer aud took his text
from James v, l6-"fhe ercctua, feryenr prayer OF
righteous man avaleih much.r He sad:-Go
does NOT require man to pray Tor the Of praying
irrespective OF Its results. When those of ancient
times insolentiy said "Nhat Is the Almighty that
we shold serve nims' they were utterly Ignorant of
the impression which prayer IS designed TO make
unon God anu man. For, according to the text,
rrayertls largely ayailmg--how largely we cannot
uehne ,it sufficiently so 20 open anu sh ut heaven
SO ilathNS tne ocean exceeds dron the globe
exceeds an atom, SO
THE RLE ssINGs OF PRAYER
exceed the blessings OF prayerfulness. Therefore it
Is useless to attempt any description OF that which
surpasses the power OF language III this view OF
trate rather than explain the power OF the "eliec.
i've, IecSent prayer" upon God and man. This the
Inspired u apostle proceeds to do with fearless
uoin 0l age ana Tlenitude of Inspiration he gives
the Keys OF heaven INTO the hands or faithful and
earnest prayer "EilJah prayed earnestly that 1t
might not ram; and IT rained not on tie earth hy
the space Q! three years ana six months. And ne
Earth brought iorth her fruit.n There Is marvel
lous power that
BINDs HEAVEN AND EARTH
together; that brings the hand Of Jehovah ana the
hand OF man into sympathy.
he makes the grass the bills adore;
He clothes the smiling fields corn.
Queen Elizabeth once took her ring from her
finger and gave lt TO u distinguished nObleInan or
her realm, WIN the promise tnGt whenever he
should fail into danger should send the ring back
to her and she Wolld not only remember him but
relieve MIN. Into tnat ring she had connded all the
pferogatives OF her throne upon the honor OF ner
word, and al the powers OF her monarchy we're
PLEDGED TO THE EARL ESSEN.
Could there DC a napier image OF the potency
WHICH mas lodged In tAe breath Of prayer lie has
pat the signet OF power on the lnger OF every man
VINO spreads orth his hands In ierrent prayer; and
every gem Is eloquent with boidness and radiant
with might. Tnis Is the omnlpotent plea-"Inns
saith tie Lord the Holy one OF Israeli ask me OF
thGgs to come. and concerning tie work OF my
hands command OF me.' Thus in an accommodated
sense lie clothes the arm or human greatness with
Inc poaef oi onnlpotence; 80 tna one OF our poets
boldly ana truly sings,
Prayer the hand tina. moves the world.
Prayer secures all the resources Of divlncy for
weak humanity. Lift UP holy hands to God wIthout
wrath ana doubling, aud 1T shalt come to pass
DC ore they call. Will answer and while tneg are
YET speaking wi hear.r The very weakness and
heipcs.hess OF tne sappliant gives that energy 10
prayer which
sr!ns THE DEPTHS OF oaSrPoTEScE
10 immediate help. The iangui5hing sigh Of
crushed spirit Diej faster than rag or light shoots
the eagle never scared and It lodges where an gel
never lodged The first eilaling cry OF exhaustion
IRON tEe praying breast sends thrill OF bounding
neip unrougn tnc NAKED srm or the Godhead. The
neart; only hsr lips moved" or Il Isping Samuel
saying, speak, Lord; thy servant heareth;'' he
may De blicd p'ggar,
CROPPING FOR SMILE
from Gods eye II happy he may find it: or II may be
a adyinS thiel groailinR lor one thougnt or remem.
Drance In the divine heart that ne NAV live In the
heavenly Kingdom forever. Martin Luther once saw
the Gospel brought into great straits ana he seemed
10 DC sealed up from al possible sources of deliver
ance. He remain harad thar tha 2,lom NJ heaven
suereth Violence and tho oent taGcth it by force:
SO at snce ne betook himself 10 the strong arm or
God and took hold OF IL In latt determined never ta
cease his wrestling grasp Till he prcyalIcd At
length he rose, and cheeruy coming forth from his
closet he trlumphanuy exclaimed,
"vICI.uS. vICiMus! vicIMUsp'
Immediately there came foith decree from Charles
v. proclamlng that no person should be- moestad
Tor protesting the Gospel Black clouds frInrea with
tne dew OF blood hug over the Church but the breath
Vi Luhefs prayers swept the yengeful gale OF blood
away Anh sn 1t "a With the privilege Of righteous