The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-30
The Children's Prayer-Meeting.

peared from the little classroom at the
side. The evening was wet and chilly,
and one or two persons stood drying their
damp things by the stove, before passing
in. Our whispered inquiry as to what
was going on, elected the reply:
1T is the children's prayer.meeting !"
Softly entering the smaller room, we
had the privilege of being present at one
of the sweetest services recorded in our
memory. 1t seemed as though the Master
himself we're there, blessing little children
in the person of the loving " ambassador
for Christ" who was uttering such simple,
beautiful words of invitation to the little
ones.
About dozen children were present,
listening with riveted attention to their
pastor, who was addressing them on John
Iii 16. After few minutes spent in
general instruction, he questioned each
separately, going from one to another in
q gentle, solemn way, which testified his
own deep interest in them individually.
From their answers to his appeals, it sp-
peared that all those young souls were
seeking Jesus. One little one said that
he was happy in having found the Savior.
"And you feel, Fritz, that Jesus died
to put away your sins ?" asked the pastor,
tenderly.
eyes, believe Jesus has forgiven me-"
replied Fritz.
"And are you afraid to die, now ?"
"No."
"And do you feel that as long as you
live, you wish to show that you love Je-
sus by obeying him p
"Yes, do
The words were uttered with low
breathed earnestness that showed they
came from the depths of the child-heart.
"And you, Gustav" continued the pas
tor, turning to another, " can you feel yet
that your sins are forgiven ?"
"No," answered the boy, with smoth-
cred sob, "but wish could"
The others expressed themselves in the
same way, and were encouraged to still
pray that Jesus would change their evil
hearts and show them that all their wrong
deeds we're pardoned through his blood.
To one of the girls, the pastor remarked,
in tone of impressive anxiety:
1.-TWO years ago, Amelia, Gods Spirit
began to strive with you, and now the
third year has begun. Do you wish to
become the child of God, forgiven for the
dear Savior's sake ?"
Amelia, with tears. intimated her as.
sent, and the pastor knelt down in the
midst of his little flock, commencing
them to God after which he invited them
to speak for themselves to the Lord.
One afternoon the childish voices were
heard, uttering, often choked with quiet
sobs, their prayers to the lieber Heiland
and Fritz, the little Christian boy, earnest.
ly begged the Lord to " bless Gustav, and
forgive him all his sins, and make him
very happy in knowing that Jesus died
for him."
1t was no "got-up" meeting; there
were no attempts at initiating the phrases
which they might have heard in the petit
tions of others; but the trembling, simple
utterances were Enthusiastically the expires
sions of those seeking the Lord early
from heaven-taught sense of their great
need. Broken, informal, often with nc
set conclusion, were the artless pleadings
of the children and, surely he who hear
eth prayer, looking on them as they knelt
there before his mercy-seat, said of those
dear little ones, "Of such is the kingdom
of heaven
At intervals, few verses were sung
and when the time for the public meeting
arrived, the little company seemed reluc.
tant to separate, And will not the Lords
people who read this account unite theii
prayers with those of the Christian minis
ter who is finding his way so lovingly to
the hearts of the little ones, doing his
Masters work 80 quietly, SO Accordingly
too deeply intensifying his energies in
doing to find time for talking about the
work, believing the word, " In quietness
and in confidence shall be your strength
The same feeling of almost breathess
waiting upon God and of humble listen
ing for the d" still, small voice." pervadeG
the public meeting.
After an opening address by the pastor
announcing the subject for the evening
Prayer for families and Sunday-schools,
it was asked whether any Christian pres
emit had any word to say for the encourage
ment of the Lords children to expec
a blessing.
A worthy brother at the farther end o.
the room arose and in strong, rugged &C
cents, widely different from the refined
address of the pastor, but with the same
tone of heavenly " heartfulness thrilling
through every syllable stated that some
time ago he had felt powerfully stirred W
to an overwhelming anxiety concerning
lilo oiooo dp UhO n6 buDleC
30 pressed upon his mind that he coult
not rest, and suddenly this text wa
brought forcibly to his remembrance
"This sort goeth not out, but by prayer
and fasting" On the following SUNDAY
he informed his wife that she need no
expect him home to dinner, as he had de
termined to fast all that day, and should
remain in the church between the services
to spend the time alone in prayer. He
carried out this resolution, and speedily tn,
answer came. Gods spirit soon wa
manifestly working in his Sunday class
and he had the joy of seeing Chris
followed by the subjects of his faithful
intercession.
Several brethren and sisters then sue
cessively led in prayer then, on the pas
tors inviting those who were anxious con
corning any of their children to rise anC
lay their wishes before the meeting,
mother arose, and, in a broken voice
asked prayer for her son who had reached
manhood unsaved. Others followed will
the same request on behalf of unconvertet
children, and again the voice of pleading
went up to God.
Another brother then related that whel
Martin Luther was on his way to stan