The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-01-03
THE PRAYKR-GAUGE

Mrs. Wintringham, a respectable
widowed gentIewoman OF Sheffield,
England, while recently upon a visit
to some friends near Durham, In q
northern county, was taken to hesr
the eloquent defamation Of noted
dissenting exhorter-Who had be-
come Particularly celebrated for bis
exaltation of the etficscy OF prayer.
the favorite topic ofhis was the one
he had chosen on the occasion 10 ques-
ton; and his earnest, vivid manner
of explaining that, in addition to its
supernatural value, deyout invocation
was a benefcent, magnetic energy,
capable of the most wonderful natural
effects, induced the Sheffield lady, TO
seek an introduction to him after the
meeting for the especial purpose
of relating q striking illustration from
her own experience. The preacher,
q man of refined and intellectual sp-
pearsnee, and with curious timidity
in his manner, heard the anecdote with
with an interest reTvously dispropor-
tionste to Its apparent consequence,
and then after an awkward pause
begged the narrator would not again
relate 1t in that place until he should
first have had an opportunity to use
it in the pulpit. In some surprise
Mrs Wintringhsm aeceded to there
quest, ultimately attributing it to the
good mans eccentricity, and the two
did not meet again until they were
once more speaker and hesrer in the
sanctuary. Upon the latter occasion
the subject of exhortation was again
''the souls sincere desire uttered or
unexpressed,' and the principal illus
tration was rs follows: "Four or
five years ago. said the preacher
with marked intensity Of manner, ''a
lady living in an old-tsshioned house
in one of our southern counties dis
covered, upon retiring to her room at
about midnight, that there was man
concealed under her bed. Almost
alone in the house, and quite alone in
that wing OF it, the lady knew not
what to dc. She feared TO go to the
door and unlock it lest the burglar
should suspect that she was abont to
summon help, and should intercept
her. To gain time she sat down and
took her Bible from her dressing
table. Opening the sacred book at
random, it so happened that the
chapter lighted on was that contain
ing the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Kneeling down when the chapter was
ended, she prayed aloud--prayed
earnestly and tervertly. She be-
sought safety for herself during the
perils of the night, and cast herself
in supreme confidence on the divine
protection. Then prayed for others
who might have been tempted in i'll
they might be led from
evil, and brought into the fold Of
Christ; that to such be vouchsafed
The tender mercy and kindness prom.
ise6 to ali who truly repent their
sins. Lastly she prayed that, il He
willed 1t, even tonight some such
sinner might be saved from the Wratn
to come, might, like the Prodigsl, be
made to see that he had sinned, and
might be welcomed back with the joy
that awaits even one penitent. The
lady rose from her knees and went to
bed. The man got up as noiselessly
as he could and said =: Il mean you
no harm, ma'am; l am going to leave
the house, and thank you for your
prayers With difficulty he opened
the bed room door, sn6 presently she
heard him open window IN another
part of the house and drop down into
the garden. Upon reaching this ap-
parent end of the narrative the speak
er bowed his head for moment, as
in silent supplicstioD, and then added,
in broken voice, "The good woman
OF whom I have told you is with Us
now, and the sinner to whom her
simple womanly prayer was shame,
remorse, penitence, and future OF
repentant expistIon Is he who here
confesses himself to you and to his
Maker 20