The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-03-19
FoR THE CEsTRAL PREsBYTERIAS.
PRAYER FOR TEMPORAL THINGS.
BY R R. H.

In the Central PrssSterian Of the '5th o
February appears an editorial under the IT'LL
Of Science and Prayer" which has doubt
less been read by many with interest snC
satisfaction. Three Considerations unite ii
giving to this article weight and Importance
First. 1t is issued ''ex clthedra," apparently
from the sanctum to which we are accustomed
to yield special reverence, and though We
know that the experienced aud skilful pilot
who has stood at the helm through many
dark nights, and guided the ship in safety
amid rocks and quicksauds Of war and whirl-
winds of reconstruction, is not now actually
on board, yet we feel confident that the helm
has not been entrusted to rash and incompe-
tent hands. Secondly. This article is on q
subject the gravity and interest of which can
hardly be overrated, 81 which, in these days
of false science and atseislH, ia moEe
important than ever. iIy. It is forcibly
and l-written-contaSns many sound and
|
true views, and is conceived and executed in
spirit of scientific earnestness which We
cannot but admire.
Nevertheless it contains some views which
we humbly believe to be erroneous, and which
if carried out to their logical results may
prove injurious to some sincere but i'll BAL
snced Christians. The writer of the edito-
rial in question earnestly protests "against
the modern fashion, even amongst religious
people, of drawing line" (in reference to
Gods hearing and answering the prayers Of
his people," between spiritual and temporal
blessings" From this we are led to infer
that, in his theory of prayer, be holds that
there ia no such distinction, and that pious
people may pray for temporal good with the
same kind of faith and expectation with
which they may pray fer spiritual good. If
this be not his meaning it is impossible to
understand why he protests so warmly
against the supposed distinction.
We have said that this must be his theory
of prayer, for IS he is evidently scientific, of
course he has theory on this subject as on
all others. But in entering upon the pro.
posed discussion, it must be remembered that
scientific earnestness does not always guard
its possessor against serious error in exegesiS
or doctrine. 1t may even rise up to scten
tifc fervOr and yet lead astray teacher and
learner. When the we'll know work Das
Leben Jesu of David Frederick Strauss was
published in Germany and began to infuse
into the minds of the people his ingenious
but dshonoring views of the history of Christ,
the ministry of public worship at Berlin
(which is armed with the power of the civil
government) applied ts-the celebrated Ne
ander for advice whether the work should be
suppressed with the strong arm. He made
the memorable reply, that the work was
written with scientific earnestaesS and ought
to be met and answered only in the form of
true science and learning. And he was right
as the event has proved; for now Strauss
and his mythical theory are almost forgotten
in Germany, and evangelical Christianity is
prevailing over the former athletes of the
Tubiugen school.
We need hardly say that no such error as
that of Strauss is imputed to the able and
devout writer of Science and Prayer. -
But that his error is real and may be hurt
ful we will sek herein to make manifest.
Holy Scripture plainly establishes the dis
tinction between prayer for spiritual and tenn
poral good, and reason confirms it.
Our warrant for expecting Nth absolute
certainty spiritual blessings iu answer to sin
cere prayer is found in many passages, but
especially in those blessed words of our ado
rable Redeemer, {" If ye, then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your chill
dren, how much more shall your heavenly
Father give the Holy Spirit to the that ask
him? ?" This is the promise. This is the
kind of prayer never refused. To this, and
to this alone, the words apply. "Ask and
ye shall receive: seek aud ye shall find :
knock and it shall be Opened unto yOu." We
know perfectly we'll thai such assurances do
not apply to temporal good. But the man
who earnestly and perseveriugly asks and
prays for the Holy Spirit who is the author
Of all spiritual blessings, is certain to receive
Him; if he thus prayS for increase of faith,
for increase of zeal, for progress in the di-
vine life, his prayer will be heard and grant,
ed as certainly as that G)d reigus in heaven
and upon earth. For, the marvellous beauty
and strength of the adaptation of prayer
when earnest and persevering) to obtain
such blessings consists 10 the fact that the
moment the soul takes such attitude and pos
ture before the throne of grace as are implied
in such petitions, in the same moment the
petitions are granted-granted by the IN
changing laws of the spiritual kingdom Of
| Christ.
But look now at prayer for temporal good
How far are we warranted in praying at ali
for temporal supplies ard benefits ? Christ
has implicitly made the ouly promise op thit
subject that We can plead; and though it is
all we actually need, it is not encouraging tc
large desires of this sort. Ho has taught US
to pray, Give US this day oar daily bread
This, by proper Interpretation, includes what
ever of temporal supply is actually necessary
for us. And to the same effect is the teach
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