Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-31
rHE POWER OF Prayer.

An experiment was made TO save the life
Of President Garfield by prayer. A day was
selected for that purpose, and in most Of the
States all business was suspended and the
people of nation were on their knees. The
president died and the skeptics were strength
eued in their doubts. Again the prayer test
has been made, but this time seemingly
with more success. The newspapers of
Eogland and America almost every day
report the miracles that have been accom-
plished by prayer. In many cases the re-
suits are said to have been marvellous. The
subject of prayer is one on which the ablesi
ministers and professors Of religion are not
agreed. The most devout believers in the
efficacy of prayer close their supplicaiions
with, SHOT my will, but Thine, o
Lord" and after all that can be
faid or done, it comes to this
complexion at last. The Creator of
the Universe is not only omnipoteni, but
He is omnipresent and omnisceni, and there
fore knows what is for the hest and pro-
duces results accordingly. Infinite wisdom
did all things we'll in the beginning, and a
part Of His work was the establishment OF
immutable laws, which must necessarily be
such because Of the character of the source
from which the Law originated. The Al
mighty in the creation of hat system which
governs the universe had the perfecinees of
wisdom and power, and was perfection from
the beginning. God can, therefore, no m ore
violate His own laws, because they are CO.
Equal with Him in wisdom and power, and
part OF Himself, than He can change
His nature from that of an Infinite
being 10 a finite creature. The
very fact that He could change
his own character from that OF an Infinite |
being would show that He ,tiIi retained tie |
attributes OF infinitude. God is always good |
add wise and because lie is ssoh -his scts -sss |
the natural product of the immaculate, |
interchangeable fountain of wisdom, and not |
in the very nature Of things, by |
The wishes or desires of men who have no
best. God himself Is harmony and justice,
and He has established laws which are the
perfection OF divine wisdom, and which are
an Interchangeable part of Himself But in
The very act of conscientious prayer man is
necessarily made better. If the prayer test
Jailed in the csse Of Garfield, and fails
10 thousands Of similar experiments
every day, the recent tests as TO
he efficacy OF prayer have surprised
sven the skeptics. There is in En-
gland charitable institution which it is
claimed furnishes daily REPUTATION of the
'neers OF those who deny the practical power
IF prayer. No provision whatever is made
or the expenses of this institution, except
be prayers of ITS managers. The money
contributed TO it il at once expended in
charities. Not penny is withheld to defray
he next days needs. Yet, although that in
aitution has been established for many years,
1 has never been left without sufficient funds
o provide for its inmates, and IL h1s grown
rom a single cottage to yillsge os large
and comfortable buildings, all used TO ae-
the starving and the sick Al
hough the power Of prayer has been often
and as often doubted, all mankind
Ill religions, have engaged in prayer The,
Golfer is always ready TO pray when he lie in
rouble or danger. During epidemics the in
idel may be walking the streets, but his soul
. on its knees. In all countries, from
he interior of barbarous Africa to the GEN.
er Of civilized Europe, the people pray and
nave always prayed The natural instinct
o pray In the hour Of danger shows that
prayer wan intended for come wise purpose.
To attempt 10 stamp out this natural in
tinct would be se impossible as to shut Of
he sunshine. ii