The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-30
PRAYER.


In this scientific age, when everything
is analysed, and anatomical, and tabu-
lated, there is tendency to talk OF
knowledge as a power to which all things
are subject. But the maxim that knowl-
edge is power is true only where knowl-
edge is the main thing wanted. There
are higher things than knowledge in the
world there are living energies; and in
the moral world, certainly, it is not knowl-
edge but aspiration that is the moving
power, and the wing of aspiration is
prayer. Where aspiration is wanting,
the soul creeps; it cannot fly; it is at best
a Gagged bird, curiously busy in counting
and classifying the bars of its own con-
fnement OF course, we do not mean
that any person should be so full of his
own little self, and so Ignorant of the
grandeur of the universe, as to besiege
the ear of Heaven with petitions that the
laws of the universe shall be changed any
moment that may suit his convenience
We.do not pray that we may alter the
Divine DEGREES, but that our human will
may learn to move in harmony with the
Divine will. How far with regard to any
special matter, not irrevocably fixed in
the Divine concentration of possibilities,
our petition may prevail, we never can
tell; but this we do know, that the most
natural and the most efectual means of
keeping our own noblest nature in har-
mony with the source of all vital noble
ness, is to hold high emotional commun-
ion with that source, and to plant our
selves humbly in that attitude of devout
receptiveness which is the one becoming
attitude in the created toward the Creator.
Practically, there is no surer test of a
mans moral diathesis than the capacity
of prayer. He, at least in Christian
country, must be an extremely ignorant
man, who could invoke the Divine bless
ing day after day, on acts of manifest
turpltude, falsehood, or folly In the old
heathen times, man in certain circuln-
stances might perhaps, with clear con
science, have prayed to a Dionysius or
an Aphrodite to eenseerate his acts of
drunkenness or debauchery, but thanks to
the preaching of the Galilean. fishermen.
we have got beyond that now; and uni
versal experience declares the fact that
genuine private prayer (for l do not
speak Of course of repeating routine for
mularies), which is the vital element of a
noble moral nature, is to the coarse. SEN
sual, and selfish man, an atmosphere
which he cannot breathe. Take, there.
fore, young man, the apostolic maxim
with you Pray l0itho1t ceasinq. Keep
yourself always in an attitude of rever-
entail dependence on the Supreme Source
Of all good. 1t is most natural, and the
speedlest and surest antidote against that
spirit of shallow self-confdence and brisk
lmpertinence so apt to spring up with the
knowlede without charity which pUffeth
up and edifeth not. What pious ira
dition has taught us to do daily before
our principal meal, as a comely ceremony.
let us learn to do before every serious act
of our lives, not as cold form. but as
a fervid reality. Go forth to battle.
brave young man, like David, with some
stone ready, and your sling well poised
but be sure that you are fighting the bat
tie of the God of Israel not ofthe devil.
Whether you have sword or pen in
your hand, WELD neither the one nor
the other in spirit of insolent self-reli-
ance or Of vain self-exhibition and. not
less in the hour of exuberant enjoyment
than in the day of dark dependency and
despair, be always ready to say" BLESS
NE, EVEN NE ALSO, o MY FATHER r.
John Stuart BIackie
/