The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-24
PRAYER by Business Men.

Most business men carry a heavy burden
of care. The operations In which they are
engaged often require severe and elaborate
mental offort The fluctuations of the mar
kets, the hazards Of loss from bad debts, the
scarcity Of money, and many other things
incident to the carrying on OF business, give
rise to anXieties which in the aggregate
make q wearisome load. There are indeed
persons of buoyant temperament who do not
seem to feel them, and those who are pros
porous have the exhilarations Of success,
which sustain them under care and cause its
weight TO be little felt. But these are the
favored few. As a whole, it is true that
business men live under weight of toll and
solicitude which is often oppre sive.
We earnestly commend to those who are
thus hurdened the habit of prayer Not
merely prayer in general, such as relates to
spiritual things, but specifically prayer
about their business.
/. Il brings a sweet sense Of companion
ship in our cares It makes that divine one,
who while on earth so tenderly sympathized
with all human sorrow, near TO us. We can
tell him all that we feel, assured that be will
feel with US in it. We can not be too famil
lar in these communications. No formal-
ties are required, no restrictions OF time or
place. Talk with hiE as an ever present
friend. Toll him your anxiety, your burden
-
IN part as you feel prompted-but tell him.
Do not restrict yourself to petitions, for low
ing intercourse between friends is not con-
fined to asking favors Of each other. David,
In his distress, often ''roared," and the
psalms are full Of the "ohs" which were his
inarticulate utterances to the God in whom
he trusted. You will feel thus in sense of
your Sayiours presence with you precious
relief from care. Nothing on earth Is so
70 q c aYnpri6nn6
Of the divine society.
g And with it is sense of help also. 1t is
the presence Of a strong Friend who is able
to support you You can lean upon him.
He has placed you where you are: it Is by
his loving permission that all this burden mas
come upon you and he now stands by, to
take care of you under 1t. He will not allow
All human affairs are in His hands. His is
the money, all the markets, all the courses
Of trade and exchange, His the hearts and
hands of men, No bank is so rich as He; no
patron so influential; no friend so generous
and far-hearing. The recollection OF all this
is an unspeekable comfort to the tired soul.
It stills the throbbings Of anxiety, it sheds
into tho perturbed spirit the peace that
"passeth all understanding"
8. Prayer, TOO. brings direct answers of
help and relief Not always in the way ex-
pecteu or desired, but in some way, which in
the end is clearly seen to have been the best
way. Innumerable instances might be cited
of thi; nay, as the doctrine of living by
faith is more understood AID practiced the
more abundant and striking they become l
have just received from friend the follow
ing narrative, which have his permission
to relate.
He was feeling deeply detected from Pc
cuniary embarrassment. Having only tho
proceeds of an agency with which to support
his family and being already pressed for
liabilities past due, he knew not where to
turn for relief. Meeting one day warm
the latter inquired the cause of his despon-
dency. After some hesitation the case
was stated. "Come," sid the good man,
s'let us go and tell the Lord Of it." They
went into his study and knelt. The minister
prayed as one who was at home ut the mercy
seat. He basought the Lord to show his
friend that he was not forsaken--nay in that
very hour to send him token Of his love-
He was followed by the gentleman himself.
On leaving the latter repaired to an eating
room for bis ordinary lunch, and while at the
table person came to him and requested an
interview on business forthwith. 1t was
which brought .fna him .aeeo;sHa a. cTmmis, Is
pay his arrears and leave him balance
with which to begin q new year. On reach
ing home and recounting to his wife the
mercy which had been granted to him, she
informed him that she, too, perceiv1ng her
husbands detection, had set apart tho very
hour when his interview with his ministerial
friend had occurred, for special prayer in
his behalf Thus literally, while two were
"agreeing' in their requests, the promise
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