The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-01-08
thoughts suggested by Fred Doug
lass Lecture.


lass Lecture.
In common with the rest of the large
audience, l was much interested in the
Recture of Frederick Douglass, at Rising
Gkin on self made men.
The essay enforced that only work Wins
ngu hardly be repeated too often or
With too much emphasis. 1t was q
paeasure to hear aud witness the digni-
81, ease and grace, the well chosen exc
preston of vigorous thought, the evi.
dance throughout of that self culture
which served as living example OF
the truth he sought to teach.
One point however he failed to
make himself clearly understood on or
assumed position that no christian
men and women could accept or ape
prove.
In speaking Of prayer, he described
himself as praying earnestly and per-
sis:ently for deiiverance from slavery
but thai deliverance never came until
he took the matter into his own head
and delivered himself. His words and
manner at this point conveyed the I'M
preston that he believes prayer to be
useless, and that we need look for no
help beyond our own efforts.
1t is true we are not to expect to have
performed for us in some miraculous
way, what we already have the means
to do for ourselves, but that in our eX-
tremities we may be Divinely helped
by an answer to prayer is according
to our cherished beliefs, the teaching
of scripture, anu the pe:soaal expert
ence OF Christians in all ages
We may not see an immediate an
swer to our prayers, in the way that we
expect or desire. We may ask and re-
ceive not because we ask amiss but
that God does answer the true prayer
of his children to their spiritual and
sometimes to their temporal benefits is
a we'll established Christian truth.
Many tangible evidence Of this are on
record. The following interesting one
is taken from the life of Hannah Stat
ford Allen.
IA clergyman residing near Bath
England. awoke one night with an inn
preston on his m nd that he heard
the words "send provision to Ca
leb." Not knowing any one of this
name, he settled off again to sleep
but not to rest, send provis on to Caleb
aga in inhis ear sleeping or waking; and
uneasy in his mind, he addressed his
wife, inquiring il she knew any one
Of that name. The repy was in the
negative and not seeing how to help
help himself in the darkness of nighi
he once more compost himselfto ST. ep.
1t was however in vain Send pr"vis
ion to aleb'' continued to haunt him
until at list unable to rest he rose, cal :
led up his coachman, and descending
to the larder filed a hamper with bread
meat and other food Cling the man he
must go and find out where Caleb lived
in full belief some one of that name
was in need.
With all my heart Sir, said the man
if you tell will me where but how in
the name of goodness am TO find Caleb
In the darkness of night with no one
about who could help or direct me.
1t matters not said his master saddle
the horse and start. Take the basket
and lay The birdie ACROSS the horses
neck my impression of duty is so
strong that believe. ia our ignorance
the horse will be guided Alright. 1t was
showing fast and in the pitless night
the kind hearted coachman sailed
forth on his apparently hopeless GRAND
but it did not turn ut so. On went the
horse, unguided neither turning to the
right or left for miles, when suddenly
coming to a arren heath, he turned
out of the road and through deep snow
across the common, where was no beat.
en- track and then stopped suddenly be
fore little hovel, which would have
passed unnoticed but for his sudden
hating. Doe any one named Caleb live
here shouted the coachman when a
voice replied yes indeed you are right
Our prayers are answered. Our pray
ers are answered"
1t was found that this poor and aged
man, living in that lonely abode had
be n brOupit very l0w thrOnUb SioL,