, 1873-10-18
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER.

paper OF yesterday induces me to trouble
you with a few observations in reply to
that gentleman and on the subject gene
rally. With reference to your correspon-
dents hrst point, must it not be conceded
that, even though prayer be not intui-
tive, it may be effective of it's proper
PurposesY Hardly any one would main
tain that the multiplication table or the
47th proposition of the first book of Euclid
come to man intuitively, but yet they are
very effective means for the ACCOMPLISHING
OF certain ends. Similarity, prayer may
be eficscious, even though il be, as Mr..
Cation thinks, the result of instruction,
and not of intuition.
II this be so, one need not in this con-
nection examine your correspondents
other point, touching the comparative
cogency Of intuition and observation.
But now, to come to the great question
OF the efficacy of prayer and to the chaI-
lenge to have a wsrd in some hospital set
apart as a prayer-test.
So far as one prays to achieve some
purpose oneself, it may probably be assum-
ed and will scarcely be questioned, that
earnest desires reverently stated before
dod, as even q supposed friend, will be
purified OF some unattainable and unrea-
sonable cravings and the same process
OF stating desires to ones God will
strengthen resolution, and will ensure o
wiser selection of means for attaining the
wlshed'for end. To this extent, then,
perhaps, it may be allowed that prayer is
eficaCious.
But then there is microscopy PRAYER.
What of it3 May we not say that, so far
as 1t IS employed in the manner sketched
above and 80 far as it sets the petitioners
to work devising and executing the best
methods for superinducing health, and
happiness, and good morals for those on
whose behalf supplications are made, to
this extent prayer is eficacious2 But
limits to its effectiveness become more and
more p%erceptible. With reference to good
wishes, before Heaven, for ourselves and
for our neighbours, the poets words are
IN no small measure true
And all your views may come to naught
When every nerve is strained"
So again, but more obviously still, when
prayers are made for rain, or dry weather,
or success in war, or any such matter
opposing entreaties are morally certain to
be addressed to the Deity; and both sets
OF desires cannot be accomplished at the
same time and place, so that, supposing,
as we may, each petition to come from
equally acceptable hearts, here is another
source of limitations 70 the efficacy of
prayer. Something might be urged to the
effect that,the praying farmer will be most
provident In varying his crops, and doing
the best that can be done to make hay
while the sun shines. But those who
doubt the efficacy of prayer would reply,
that it is the wisdom and not the piety of
the agriculturist that secures his crop ; or
the stcrnness and not the religion Of the
Cromwelli0n that wins the battle.
Besides, if we pass from prayer gene
rally, TO Christian prayer in particular,
must not the widest hopes, and precepts,
and promises of the New Testament be
interpreted and limited by the fact that
the Master himself when he prayed. re-
peatedly and with intensest earnestness,
for deliverancs from q death of anguish
and ignominy to himself, accompanied by
wretched sin in those around him, only
prayed conditionslly, eff it be possible )"
" nevertheless, not my will, but thine be
done"S Surely, Christian prayer, fog