Middletown transcript., 1873-02-01
Fact for Prof. Tyndall.

4 Homsn's Prayer Liaer.diy and Prac-
Geaily ans~erei-A Thrilling hei-
,lent
An English paper tells tho following
Mrs. Wintringham, u respectable widow.
cd g.n,lswomsn Of Shesir!l. England,
while recently upou visit 10 some friends
near Durham. was taken TO hear the clo-
qasnt defamation Of noted sXhorter,
who had become particularly celebrated
for his exaltation of the efficacy Of prayer
This favori,e topic OF bis was the one he
had chosen on the occasion in question
and his vivid manner Of explaining that,
IL addition TO its supernatural value, de-
vout Invocation was a benefccnt, magnetic
eaergy. capable Of the mos, wonderful
natural effects. induced the Sheffield lady
TO seek an introduction to him after the
meeting for the purpose OF relating
striking illustration from her own expert
euce
The preacher heard the anccdo.c with
m interest ncrvousiy dispropor,ionate to
It's apparent consequence. and then. after
an awkward pause begged that his narra-
tor would not again relate il in that place
until he should first have had an oppor
funi,y to use il in tho pulpit. In some
rurprise Mrs Win'ringham accedsd, aud
the two did not meet again until they we're
oLcc more speaker and hcarer in the
sanctuary. Upon the latter occasion the
subject Of exhortation was again ''ihc
souls sincere desire, uttered or unex-
pressed" and the principal illustration
vas as follows -Four or five years a.
60" said the preacher, with marked in.
tensity Of manner. "a lady living in an
old d-fashioued house in one Of our subur.
ban counties, discovered. upon retiring to
her room abou, midnight. tha, there was
Q man concealed under her bed. Almost
alone 10 the house, the lady knew 20,
what to do. She feared to 60 to tho door
and unlock it. les, the burglar should
suspect that she was about to summon
help, and should intercept her. To gain
time she sat down aud took her Bible
from her dressing table. Opening the
sacred book at random, it 50 happened
that the chapter lighted on was that con
taiuing the parable Of the Prodigal Son
Knceliug when the chapter was ended
she prayed aloud. earnestly and fervently
She besought safety for herself during th'
perils OF the night aud cast herself in su
preme confidence on the Divine pro,ec
tion Then prayed for others who nigh
have been tempted into ill.doiug, thai
they might be led from evil aud brough
into the fold Of Christ Lastly she pray
ed that. il He willed it, even to-nigb
somc such sinner might be saved from
the wrath to come. might, like the prodi
cal. be made to see that he had sinnt d
and might be welcomed back with the jo,
thst awaits even one penitcnt. The lad,
rose from her knees aud went to bed
The man got up as noisclcssly As be coul'
and said - mean you no harm, ma an,
am going to leave the house and thanl
you for your prayers" With difficult
be opened the bedroom door. and pres
emily she heard him open a window il
another par, Of the house and drop dow,
into the garden. Upon reaching the np
pxreut end Of the narrative the spcake
bowed his head for moment. as 10 silcn
supplication. aud then added, 10 a broke,
voice THE good woman Of whom
have told you is with Us now. and ,h
sinner to whom her simple womanl
prayer vas shame. remorsc. penitence, ,sn,
future Of repeu,ani sxpi.,ion is he wh
here confesscs himself to you aud /
his Maker"