South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-02-07
How God Answers Prayer.


There is no use in trying. or in pray
ing. either said Harry Goodwin, in a /
very respondent tone, as he and his ia
Their were sitting together in the parlor
one evening after supper.
why. Harry, how came you to form
that opinion?' asked his father.
Father, you know I am continually
getting into trouble because am so
careless. Mother is always saving.
Harry. do try to be more careful : Aunt
Mary tells me twenty times a day that
l worry her to death with my Needless
ness; Mr.. Murray says | am the most
thougbtless boy in school. l have Of
ten made up my mind to he more care
full, but somehow always forget. You
know, father, YOU told us on Sunday
that God would answer our prayers if
we asked for things which would be
good for US; so this morning asked
bim 10 make me more careful.
i have no doubt lie will answer that
prayer, my son.
'ile hasn't yet; this day has been no
better than any other
Suppose you tell me what has been
the trouble to-day said Harry's father,
very kindly.
Harry drew closer 10 his father, and
laying his heal on his shoulder said
Sometimes in the mornings forge: 10
pray and read my Bible; but this morn
iag 1 had prayed and then / sat down
to read. just as did so the breakfast.
bell rang. i STAYED to read few YER
ses, then l was afraid [ would be late {:
so laid the book aside and ran down
stairs. Martha was coming along the
entry. and just rs jumped off the last
step Knocked her arm, and that made
her drop the cup of coffee she was car
rying up TO Aunt Mary; it was that big
white cup which Aunt Mary thinks so
much Of. told her did not mean to
knock her, but she was dreadful cross,
and said | was the most disagreeable
boy she ever saw. think won't hear
the end OF that cup very soon, either
from her or Aunt Mary
a very quiet smile passed over the
fathers face as he gently said, is that
all the trouble, my boy?'
oh no, father; that was only The be-
ginning. do get my copy-hool< SO full
OF blots and smears; but to-day took
extra pains and kept it very nice. |
had only two lines TO write when Mr.
! Murray looked ut it. lie said. WHY,
Harry, that is a decide Improvement
have some hopes OF YOU yet finish
Ell the lines and then went 10 put the
lid on the inkstand. AS | did so nv
sleeve brushed over The last line and
smeared it so that the page was spoiled
OF course | was marked for careless
ness
Again his father smiled, and merely
said is that alp
No; this afternoon, while I vas
learning my lessons, little Frank KEEP,
boLhering me to play with him. / tolo
him had no time, but that if he would
he quiet would make him a fine cap.-
l picked up q paper that was on the
table and made him the cap. | didn't
think Frank would hurt the paper
When he was tired of il he threw it or
the floor, and Martha tore piece off &c
light the fire. She said she thought il
was an old paper that Frank had beer
playing with. Nelly says she thinks il
was 81 careless in me: it had such :
beautiful story in it that size had moi
finished. l do not think praying has
helped me at all to-day
You have had some trouble, Harry.
Let me see if I can help you to fiod
where the difficulty has been. You saic
yon asked God TO make you more care
fui; was that it?'
Yes, father
Suppose you were TO ask God to kecT
you from being hurt; then suppose yor
were TO 90 out or n road where there
were great many stones and brcllbats
lying about, and great many persons
passing backward and toward then. in
stead of looking around You carefully
suppose you were to- shut your eyes and
walk along that road, could you escape
being hurt?'
NO, father; but I would not be SC
silly as that
III YOU asked Cod 10 keep You from
being hurt, don't you think He would dc
| it?'
Harry hesitated for some time before
he answered, Il think not. father. if
would keep my eyes shut
Iarry's father opened tho Bible at the
twcnty-sixth chapter Of Mathew, and
pointing to the forty.frst verse, told
Harry to read the first line. Harry read
} H"'h anu fray, mat Je enter not into
temPfGtioB'
Our Saviour most certainly promises
TO answer prayer continued IIarry's
father. He says /: ask, and We shall re.
ceive.' Whatsoever We shall ask Of the
Father in my name, tle may give il you :;
but think the line you just read. shows
that something is required on our part
] think the way that God answers pray
or for help TO overcome faults is not by
doing the work for US, but by His bless
ing on our own excrtions. by putting
good thoughts into our hearts and keep.
ing us constantly ON our guard. Do you
+ understand my son%
Not exactly replied Harry.
Perhaps 1 can make It palmer this
way, Harry. This morning you asked
God TO make you careful then when