The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-15
The Power of Prayer.


We find new illustration of the manifold
effects of prayer in an article (''GOd Move;
in a Mysterious Way') contributed by 8
"Clergyman's Daughter" to a late English
Magazine.
On dangerous part of the east coast, 8
ship was driven ashore during service OF
Sunday. The well-known call "To the cliff
drew the sailor congregation to the scene O
danger. Out at sea the dark figures clinging
to the rigging could be seen, but on shore
there was a terrible delay because there were
not men enough to man the lifebOat-twc
miles had to be sent for recruits. In the
emergency people fell on their knees on the
cliff in prayer. The men had to run along
the cliff, and behind hedge two strange Ia
dies had fallen on their knees; they were
seen by young man who belonged to the
crew of the hfeboat as he ran by. He was
wild, thoughtles8 young man, but brave as
lion. He said nothing of what he had
seen, but helped at once to get off the boat.
All this had occasioned long delay, and
the barque, after pitching violently many
times, at length sunk and disappeared
When little way from the shore they had
to pass most dangerous place. Before
they reached it the coxswain stayed the boat
BOYS" said he, "shall we turn back? To
20 on is almost certain death we have wives,
children, and sisters on shore, and our lives
are very precious to them; besides which,
the ship is gone, and no doubt all hands per-
ished. What shall we do?" The crew hes
itated; don't blame them-it seemed forlorn
hope to 20 on, and life and home were very
sweet to them. At last up started the young
man, C P, who had seen the ladies,
g Oh let US go on, he said, for as l ran
from L saw behind hedge two ladies
praying. I am wild chap, but l do know
and believe God answers prayer. am sure
we shall save some lives" The words acted
like a tonic; on they dashed safe through
the dangerous breakers; none on that cliff
that day will ever forget the deep-felt sob of
thankfulness which rose as the boat was sent
safe over the dangerous part-she contained
the hearts treasures of most standing there.
On they went to where the barque went
down; not sign of any of her crew; they
drifted down four miles without seeing any
one, then one poor man was picked up
strapped to a piece of wreck, then another,
and another: in all eight men were saved.
They landed with them, and one and all told
the tale of how, in that moment Of doubt,
the young mans words and his belief in an
answer to the ladies prayer had nerved their
arms and strengthened their spirits, and led
them to 20 on when all seemed so hopeless.
There is another feature in the narrative.
The rescued men were Piedmontese, igno.
rant of English. The body of the ship
pilot was washed ashore, pierced by wounds,
and with large stones tied to the feet and
neck. Suspicious were aroused, and the
case against the Piedmontese seemed ire
sistible; but their prOteStation8 of innocence
we're remarkably confirmed. About two
miles from the shore was stationed light
ship; two men were always on her, who
only came to the shore at stated times, and
heard very little of passing events. Just at
this time some gentlemen in yacht called
at the floating light, and plying the lonely
life they led there, left some papers. The
men there read for the first time of the dis.
covery of the body, and the suspicion attach
ed to the poor shipwrecked men. The truth
flashed at once across their minds, and OBJ