Smyrna times., 1877-06-27
Remarkable Answer to Prayer.

have actually occurred at w Wllmlngton, DEL, |
many years ago. We give the incident in |
the writer's own language:
The late brother ?. was one of the most |
deeply pious men l ever knew and for |
many years class leader in one the |
Methodist Churches in Philadelphia. The |
brother and myself were conversing one
day on Gods dealing to his children, and
how far we might expect the interposition
of Divine Providence in answer to prayer,
in prosecution of the ordinary business of
life, when with tears of joy rolling down
his cheeks, he related to me the following;
After had served out my time and had
married, which was about thirty five years
ago, moved with my little family to Will
mington, about thirty miles below Pbila
delphia, and opened small jewelry store,
which was my business, trusting in God
to prosper me. But for several years bust
ness was dull, and frequently for weeks l
would not take in enough to keep my
family in bread. This state of things con-
tinued so long that I began to be dis
couraged, and to look around for some way
to escape, but none appeared to offer. To
make my difficulties worse, if possible, a
very deep snow had fallen; it was mid
winter, and with the exception of a watch
or two to repair had taken nothing in
for many days. The wants of myself and
family were pressing upon me, and two
notes were coming due in Philadelphia; in
few days, for over S400. l was almost
beside myself. l tried to borrow of my
friends; but those who would have gladly
assisted me were in consequence of the
stringency of hard times, unable to do so.
then tried to get the notes renewed, but
this was positively refused; so that ap-
parantly my little all in few days would
be sold by the sheriff. In this emergency
/ resolved to lay my case before the Lord,
and in order to do this, set apart day
for fasting and prayer. This wason Friday,
the next Monday the payment of the notes
fell due; and my creditors told me plainly
if they were not paid they would immedi-
ately proceed against me.
Under these discouring circumstances
arose very early in the morning which l
had devoted to prayer and fasting, locked
myself in my room, commenced to pray.
All day | staid there; now reading some
encouraging chapter in Gods blessed book,
earnestly pressing my case to the throne of
grace. Having thus passed the day, in the
twilight of the evening | received what
believed a clear evidence that the Lord
had heard my prayer and that deliverance
was at hand. left the room happy in
God. frequently on Saturday, and also on
the Sabbath, my mind turned to my ap.
preaching difficulties; but if 1 attempted
to pray about it the same evidence would
be renewed that deliverance was at hand
On Monday morning 1 arose three hours
before day. 1t had been showing, anC
everything outward was dreary, l fell or
my knees, and attempted to lay my casC
before the Lord again, when, with sucf
power that l was thrown fiat on my fac
on the floor the evidence was again re
newed that deliverance was at hand.
went to my store made fire and sat dowl
behind the counter. l will here stat
that in my window there hung as a show
set, an antiquated set of silver-ware, O
English make, very heavy, having tn
English coat of arms engraved on it,
had been owned by my last employer 70
some twenty years, and by me several
No one ever asked me its price; it wa
simply in the window for show. AS tn
day began to dawn heard the creak of
wagon, and on looking out perceived a
old fashion gig drive up and stop when
tall and venerable-looking man, who's
locks were almost as white as the sno'
that lay on the gound, stepped down an
after looking in my window for a momer
entered the store, and Immediately aske
the price of the silver set in the window.
/ told him with q faltering voice, fy
hundred dollars. He asked me with
benevolent look if had box that woul
hold it? and on my answering in I'll
affirmative, he told me he would take
In few moments it was safely boxed an
put into his gig, the money in gold pal
down, and he, with smile, drove off n
one was able to tell from whence he came,t
to tell to this day. Suffice it is to say,
procured good horse, mounted him, al
few minutes before three o'clock was
Philadelphia, paid my notes, and returnC
the next day to my family strong in Il
faith giving glory to God.
-
A philosopher says every married mi
should have dog in the house. d
will scare off robbers at night, eat up sta
scraps of meat, and when you come hon
out of humor and find supper an hour
arrears, you can give vent to your wra
by kicking the animal clear across I
room.
Our forefathers were content to spre
their frugal repast upon the bare bark Il
they stripped from the forest trees, but
aristocracy of to-day not only insist uI
having a sixteen dollar extension tai
but stick nm their noses If novertv comr