Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-08
Beginnings In Public Prayer.

There comes time in the life of every
young man, who becomes a member Of the
church, when he must decide whether he
will or will not lead the devotions of others
in prayer. Sometimes the test is made in
the family, sometimes in the prayer-meeting
but II comes, and often unexpectedly, and
so greatly embarrasses the young man. We
believe that the proper thing to do is
always to respond, and to do just as well as
one can. 1t will be pleasanter afterward TO
reflect on that oourre, than 10 remember
that one refused; and the fact of having con-
seDted and done something in that way-be
it ever SO little--will give moral courage TO
the desire of the heart, and the second eff
fort will be stronger, and ones consent will
come easier. When few trials of this sort
are passed successfully, then the embarrass-
ment and fear for the most part are over,
and one can rely on himself to always try to
do his duty in this regard. Now, in many
Of our churches are to be found young men
aud boys who are soon TO become important
factors in these churches. Let them resolve
to try to do Just what pastor and deacons
call on them to do do it in the spirit of
grace and humility; the sympathies and
prayers of all the brethren and sisters will
go with them and, in little while, these
young brethren will wear off the embarrass-
ment, and God will help them, and they will
grow useful and helpful to pastor and church.
The point is this, don't think you can't speak
to God for the brethren in prayer, and so
refuse. II you refuse once, you have given
the Devil the advantage; you have opened
up the way to refuse again or not be called
on, and three or four refusals will more than
likely decide the matter, and then all your
life you will be dumb Christian You
will be hiding your light under bushel. A
great deal depends on starting right; and it
is certainly right for person to pray in the
family or prayer-meeting. When taking
the care of = church, we We're inquiring
of one of the deacons as to whom we might
ask to lead in prayer in the prayer-meeting
Said he "Brother G. will always respond
Now, there were two brethren G. in the
church. We understood the deacon to mean
Brother John g., whereas he meant Brother
William G. At prayer-meeting the follow.
ing week, we called on Brother John G. to
pray he bowed, tried, uttered few re.
quests, evincing great embarrassment, and
then repeated the Lords Prayer, and said
Amen" After prayer-meeting closed, he
and his wife came to us-he to express sur.
prise at being called on, his wife to say
Brother S., I'm glad you did it; I've tried
to induce him to have family prayer with
me and the children, but he refuses and
now he has had to pray in public, and
want you to urge him to take up family
prayer" OF course we did. That night at
home the wife brought the Bible, saying
"John, you can pray you must now 60 on
to refuse now will greatly retard your use
fulness the children and will keep quiet
till you read and pray" He consented, and
after little time he thanked me for calling
on him at prayer-meeting, even by mistake
and now grandfather. he has always since
observed family religion in his home, and
God has given him his children in regenera
ton as they have grown old enough. We
think he decided wisely in the unexpected
trial, and we think his wife was great
help to him, too."-Baptia Courier.