The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-01-04
The Week or PraYcr.

The custom of observing during the first
week OF each new year, beginning with its first
Sabbath, a concert of prayer tor the progress
of true religion, has now become established
throughout large part Of the Christian world.
! There is something sublime in the conception
of such union of praying hearts. and such a
fitness in the time that causes the whole Chris
tim world TO begin each year with united,
earnest. continued supplications before HIS
throne VINO "sits eternal through all years.
that the only wonder is that the hlppy sug
geston found expression for the first time less
than score of years ago. 1t is not strange
that the interest in the annual observance has
steadily increased, and is likely TO be perIna-
nent.
These seasons OF devotion and of holy fell
lowshp have yielded rich retrcshment to Tho sc
who have observed them. They have quick
ened faith aud love. aud drawn Christian
hearts together. Great revivals of religion
have originated in, or, at least been developed
by them. They have yisibly given fresh i'm
pulse 10 various forms Of Christian activity
and quickened Christian zeal. Its influence
has probably been wider aud more effective
than even the best of those praying have been
ready to believe.
To bring Christian people and their friends
together, then, for successive days at the open.
ing OF the year, that they may ask uniiedly
for the richer cifusion of the Holy Ghost upon
the Church Unver>al; that they may seek to
gain broader and more stimulating views of
duty, and higher impulses to faithful living;
and that. by contact of heart with heart, they
may be drawn into closer and profounder SYM
patty with each other and with Christ, that
thus fresh impulse may be gwen to all the pecu-
liar Christian agencies. ana pure and wide
spread revivals Of religion may begin, in which
vast mulutudcs shall be gathered unto Christ.
and the churches advanced to a more vigorous
and joyful Christian lite; is clearly grand aud
noble beginning of the New Year
o. for year in which the new born unto
God shall be reckoned by hun reds Of thou
sands throughout the whole of ChriStendom
Let the tlood-tde of religious feeling set in
motion by the Week OF Prayer overflow
the wonted channels, and, spreading all
abroad, vitalize our own country and the
world; and there will be JOY on earth aud in
Heaven alike.
The following is the Programme for the
Week of Prayer" adopted By the American
Branch OF the Evangelical Alliance Let Chris
tians cut it out and preserve it for use during
that week:
Sunday, Jan. :. Sermons: Christian fel-
lowship. Jonn.i, :.
Monday. Jan. 5. Thanksgiving and confess
sion, in the review OF the past year.
Tuesday, Jan. 0. Prayer: For the Holy
Spirit on the Universal Church. joel ii, y;
FOR its deliyeranc- from error and corruption
and its increase of faith. activity, holiness and
Christian charity.
Wednesday. Jan. 10. Prayer for families:
for the unconvertrd; for SONS and dau.ht
N school and college. and for those abroad
for any in sickness, tronble, or temptation:
and for those who have been recently added 10
the Church.
Thursday. Jan. IL. PRAYER for Nations;
for rulers. magistrates and statesmen; for phi
lanthrOpIc aud benevolent institutions for
pure literature. and spread Of sound education
among the people, and the maintenance OF
peace.
Friday. Jan. - PRAYER for Christian mis-
siOnS To the Jews and Gentiies. Luke xiv. L.:
Tor SUNDAY schools: and for the conversion OF
the world 10 Christ.
saturday. Jan. Is. PRAYER for the Obser-
vance Of the Christian Sabbath: for the pro-
motion Of temperance: and for the safety Of
those who 20 down to the sea in shIps. that
do business in great wsrers.''
Sunday. Jan. IL. Sermons: One Lord. one
taith. one baptism. one God and Father OF all.
Ephs. iv. ). 6.
In view Of the above facts and purposes. the
committee OF our city churches have decided
10 ask AL oar business men 10 close their
PLACES OF business at quarter before O'Clock
each evening DARN, the week. out of regard
10 the general Christian sentiment and custom.
and that prcprietors and employees alike. may
be at liberty TO attend the Union Services 10
be held each evening In the VI. Z. Church.
W A. SIwKISs,
La behalf Of the Com. OF The ChurcLcs.