The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-10-05

TnE PoWER OF PRAYER.

5
The Confusion or the PubIIe SIind on the
Subject since GaFheId'S Death-AFeh.
bishop Gibbons heFmOn on the subject.
Baltimore American.
Archbishop Gibbons preached on the
ministry Of Guardian Angels" at the
Cathedral Sunday, taking for his text st
Matthew xviii, /, In the course Of his
sermon he referred to some person who ex'
pressed her doubts to him us follows on
the efficacy of prayer II have prayed fol
the life of the President, and prayed in
vain; my family prayed for him, this con
gregation prayed for him; the city of Balti.
more prayed Tor him; the State prayed ioF
him; the Nation prayed for him, and pray
cd in vain. How can you reconcile the
rejection OF our prayer with the promise
-four Lord, when He says Whatsoever
you shall ask the Father in My name, shall
be granted unto you You see put the
objection us strongly Us possible"
| answer, Notwithstanding your obiec-
ton, that these words Of our Saviour are
most true; ASK and you shall receive;
peSh utAN 1Ou puAll luui kHuCk ulltl " SUM-
DO opened unto you" No good prayer
ever goes unanswered, II single drop OF
water is never annihilated, still less is the
smallest prayer utteredln vain that ascends
to the throne Of grace, And now, In reply
to your difficulty, | affirm that God an
swers our prayers in one OF two ways
either directly or indirectly. Sometimes
lie grants us the direct and specific object
OF our petitions Sometimes he denies III
the direct object of our prayer, but grants
us something equivalent or even better
than we asked for. Just Us q prudent ia
Their withholds from his child dangerous
toy and gives him instead something harm-
less and useful, 30 our Heavenly Father
gives us what to Him seems best, and our
wisdom is but folly compared with the in
finite wisdom OF God.
Fint-In regard to the President, II God
in response to our prayers did not save his
life, He has done more-lIe has saved the
life Of the Nation; and the life Of the M.
ton Is of more importance than the life of
any man.
Second lie was pleased to prolong his
life for nearly three months after he re-
ceiyed theiatal wound. Had he died imme-
diately from the wound, what terrible con-
sequences might have followed. Sointense
ut the moment was public feeling; so
strong Though most UNJUST was the sus-
plciOn aroused against the leaders Of GER
tain political faction; 30 bitter was the ami
mostly engendered by those suspicious
that, II the President had Immediately
died, itneeded but spark to ignite flame.
The first assassination might have been
followed by others, and anarchy and con-
fusion and sedition might have reigned su-
preme for time. But God merCilully
spared his lie for time till the excite
ment subsidized, when cool reason would
regain her throne, and men could plainly
SEQ that the assassination was the work oil
one man alone.
Thirtl-As Another'iruit OF our prayers
God has inspired the nation with u greater
adherence OF assassination and N greater
reverence for the Chief Magistrate OF the
country.
Fourth-Again, as another fruit Of our
prayer, during the terrible ordeal through
which we have passed, party spirit has
yielded to the nobler sentiment Of patriot
Ism and love Of country! Men forgot for
the time being that they were OF the North
or the South; that they were stalwarts or
conservatives, Republicans or Democrats,
administration or anti.administtation men.
They remembered only that they were
Americans; TINT they were citizens Of u
common country, children Of the salne
mother, and they came together to shed u
rof sorrow by thesiCk bed OF their ruling
brother.
Is not this satisfactory answer to your
difficulty? Has not God heard our prayers
by sparfng the life and Swing the peace Of
tile nation? Has He not heard our prayers
by sparing the Presidents life till public
feeling subsidized? Has He not hlard our
prayer by inspiring men with great abhor.
renee Of the crime and assassination, and o
greater love for our country and It's insti-
tutions7
Have not our prayers been profitable
also in another senseP Have they not
been an eloquent rcbuke Of atheism and
inhdelity, and u public and national pro.
iCssion OF faith in Gods existence, In His
power and wisdom and sovereignty, and
Ills experimenting Providence2 Let us
remember that the object OF prayer Is not
only to ask and obtain favors OF God, but
also to manifest our iilial dependence on
Him and his iatherly care OF liz. The
mother OF the sons OF Zebedee asked our
lord that her sons might sit one on his
right and the other on his left hand in the
temporal kingdom which she thought He
would establish on earth. Our Saviour did
not grant her, OF course, the direct object
OF her petition. He had no earthly favors
TO bestow. His kingdom was not Of this
world. But He gave great deal more
than her loftiest ambition could conceive.
lie made her sons to sit on thrones In
heaven, Judging the twelve tribes Of Israel.
Our mother country has knelt rs u sup.
plant at the Throne Of Grace, and asked
OF God that her chosen son might occupy
the Presidential chair during the allotted
term Of four years. II has pleased Otir
| Heavenly Father not to grant this petition.
But God has inspired the nation with a
great love and reverence for ottr departed
President, and. not for four years only, but
for ages yet to come the name Of James A.
GARFIELD will be enthroned on the heart,
and affections OF the American people,
They will remember with tender feeling
the bright opening Of his presidential term
and It's untimely end.
let Us pray, my brethren, that God Way
grant to his befeayed Wiia and children
tatience and resignation and strength L
bear the heavy cross which is laid upon
them. May lie grant them that Consola
ton which He alone Catl bestow.
May God bless and preserve Off belovet
country. While Presidents pass away
may our Government live and flourish
may IL ever rest on the solid foundation o
law and order and Justice and the devou
recognition OF an Overriding Providence
This Is the only sure foundation Of Ito dura
The Coming session Of Congress-
When Congress meets in December y |,