The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-12
LYRIC HALL

Drift. Purport and Fruits of the Week
OF Prayer-Prsctical and Theoretical
Praying-sermon by the Rev. o. h.
rockingham.
Mr.. rockingham in pursuance Of his general
plan OF selecting the most modern event OF exclt-
ing interest as the subject OF his DISCOURSE
preached yesterday morning on "The Week Of
Prayer" The basis of this discourse was the
text, "Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and
We shall find knock and it shall be opened unto
YOU" My theme this morning, he began, has been
suggested by the chief religious event Of the year
thus far-the Week OF Prayer. This has been an
institution for many years. 1t is remarkable what
a class OF people have engaged in this. They are
people OF culture and education. They do not
merely pray with their lips but with their
money hands, minds and hearts, For what do
they pray2 For no external gift; not for wealth,
fame or power; but for that grace OF the Spirit
which they think comes down from above. The
believers in this ancient creed, having done all
they can drop on their Knees and ask for the last
gift which the Saviour has promised. Criticise it
we Will, still there is something pathetic in the
vision OF these people leaving the places OF busi-
ness and devotlng a week Tor
BEsIEGING TIE GATES OF HEAVEN.
Forget the superstition. and there is something
sublime in the institution. Some people contend
that it is better to pray to an idol for good thing
than to pray for nothing good at all. John Ruskin
says. "You may measure your progress but
in one thing-in the increase OF your
sense of something infinitely worther 'Jesus
knows what things We have need of" but does he
say mat Jesus gives before ask r r the pa
touching than His love. The great elemental boon
comes without prayer. Iron is, in some respects
one OF the greatest gifts bestowed upon men. 1t
was hidden away in the ground for centuries, and
man had no intmation chat the great boon was
within reach. Take the question Of coal. Geolo.
was found. This buried sun, this midnight sun was
deep down In the EARTH and 1t was not PRAYER that
dug, and then their salvation came from below and
not from above. Take the question of
were on the track of that benefit, but they
were refused. 1t was not till these heroes had
cation demanded boon and 1t was given. How
few have had answers to their prayers. The senti-
ment Of brotherhood what a boon would tnat not
above upon his children and fail to drop down
that boon of love Tor one another
THERE is NO GILT WITHOUT PRAYER
Most OF our praying is.done to our fellow men,
as most OF our giving is to our fellow men. We
pray to our fellows with words. and there is no
prayer until 1t is spoken. The beggar PLEADS when
he comes 10 your door. II you wish your friends
friendship you ask ior IT, the lover goes about
the object does not respond till It is spoken
OF and love asked in return. If you want
world men pray to one another The artculate
prayer must always be backed by the inartculate
aims, or he may be taken Tor an imposter. Would
you ask for love With your lips and not with your
hearth The heart must ask first, and then the
lips repeat. How idle 1t Is to pray to the elements
with an articuate voice How foolish it is to
pray with articulate voice to the rain that it may
water your landsL The elements have no ears
The men OF MASSACHUSETTS, rs years ago wished to
communicate with the West; but between them
and the West there was high mountain CHAIN
assemble either side the cnaiu.
and sing psalms II they had done so, they
would have been tools, and they were not fools.
Their prayers took the form OF machinery. Twenty
five years ago they began at each end, and
they worked, praying with money. and patience.
mel through The mountain. The railroad through
1t Will testify to the efficacy OF their prayers and
the grain that comes back , upon the cars viii tes-
answered. How do men pray for bread9 Com
merce, trafllc and finance Is but
AN ENDLESS AND COMPLICATED PRAYER.
How do men pray Tor knowledge Science is your
prayer for knowledge. AN the intellectual devices
you employ to find what underes things is their
and music-all these things are readings out OF
the SOU! Of man grasping after peace, rest and
prayer. The number OF people that pray at all is
very small. Very lew people pray once in ten
some not so often as that. pray for everything
noble. You must be noble. II there is any thing
that men should Tor It Is 70 BE rom
better brand OF champagne than that
they may be temperate. In Rip Van Wrinkle.
the wife, who has been caused such end.
less misery at the intemperance OF her
husband, in the last scene offers him glass; which
he takes. One man has prayed against intemper.
ance-John B. Gough-for 80 years Alter
dragging himself up from the depths of misery he
has devored himself to retaining others from
drink. That man has saved thousands. Only
those who pray with their lives against evil
like this Will ever make an impression.
THE POLITICIANS PRAYER
Is for plumber, the dandys for finer cloth, the
epicures for choicer food. How feeble is the
prayer Tor goodness. II you pray without caring
and without conscience there Is no form OF answer.
II Is not question as to whether prayer is an
swered or not. or course prayer Is answered If 1t
Is worth answering