The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-10

without strength from God.-New York
Christian Advocate.
PRAYER AND WORK.
The great human duties are Prayer and
Work: Prayer for every needed blessing,
and Work to realize it; Prayer as though
God must do the whole, and Work, as
are the two poles of the great galvanic bat
terry. But who that waits to know the phil
osophy of answered prayer will ever pray !?
And who that waits to be sure there shall
be no mistake will ever work? The hand
that beckons us to glory waves at us out of
impenetrsble clouds. We walk in way
that we know not. We labor for our Mas.
ter, but never know beforehand which shall
wise plans and they miscarry. We
commit gross blunders, and they
are overruled for good. We run to-
wards the light, and it goes out in darkness.
We sink shivering into the darkness and
find it light. We pray for joys and they
mildew into griefs. We accept the griefS
and they blossom in joys To-day the apple
turns to ashes and tomorrow the stones to
bread. We exult in some prosperity, and get
leanness with it. We murrnur at some ad-
versity and find it big with blessings. We
run towards open doors and dash our heads
against granite wall. We move against
that wall at the call of duty, and it opens to
let us thl ough. The lines Of our lives are
all in Gods hands. What shall
befall u.s.. we cannot know: What
is expedient, we cannot tell.
Onlyt we know, that God would shape
line of Joy or the discipline of sorrow. To
make us perfect as He is perfect, this is the
choice Of our Heavenly Father, this the
end Of all His revelations; while every
thing not helpful to this He hides away out
of our sight. Verify, 'the secret things be-
long unto tho Lord our God; but those
things which are revealed belong unto us
and to our children forever, that we may
do all the words of this law" Partial reve-
lation, then, is the method, and obedienc,
the end-RoSlUelL D1UiGht Hitchcock. d. D.
RELIEF BY PRAYER.
One of the very commonest things which
God does is that of answering prayer. There
is nothing especially remarkable about it
really, for why should not God do as he has
promised? And why should he not reply to
those who properly speak to him? But we
sometimes SEQ instances where prayer is
answered in O more conspicuous manner than
it is ordinarily. and it attracts our special
attention. will relate an example OF this
kind, in the hope that it may prove to be an
encouragement to falnt-hearted Chrlstians.
Some years ago there was Christian
woman in one Of the New England cities,
who was missionary, and her experience
was as follows: "Once, being out OF money
and provisions, I asked my dear heavenly
Father to give me my daily bread. In less
than an -Four one who was nearly stranger
handed me three dollars. Several times
when away from home and nearly out OF
money, my wants have been met in answer
to prayer; and in every instance the persons
giving me the money knew nothing of my
sneclal needs. Once, when house-rent be-
came due and had no money, l asked the
Lord ard q person called and paid debt
amounting to more than was needed. One
morning [ read this promise: He shall give
thee the desire Of thy heart Feeling the
snecial need Of counsel and advice ! asked
the Lord to send to me Rev. Henry Belden or
Brooklyn, N. v, from whom we had not
heard for many months. He came that day
on the noon train.
Ono bitter cold night two years ago last
winter widow lady living in Connecticut,
being vcry destitute, aross at the midnight
hour and askei God to Send help. That
samc night cousin of hers living in Louisi-
ana, from whom shc had no: heard for many
wears, was s. exercised i'll mind that she
could not Sleep and he arosa and asked Gou
to help the suffering poor. While praying
h. thought OF his cousin, though not suppos-
ing her to be needy. Yet his impressions
became such that at daybreak he rode sew
eral miles on horseback to bank and sent
her check for fifty dollars.
Now these are few specimens Of the
manner in which our heavenly Father an
swers prayer for the needed relief of his
children. And they suggest the very natu,
ral que stion, Why should we be so backward
about applying to God for all the help we
need. especially when it is not in our own
power to help ourselves with provisions al
ready at hand? Unconverted reader, 1t Is
profiia to be true Christian.
Reasons of things arc rather to DO taken by
weight than tale.
He who can suppress moments anger
may prevent day of sorrow.
People seldom improve when they have no
better model than themselves to copy alter.
AL! the scholastic scalrolding falls, rs a
ruined edifice befor. one single word-faith.
Napoleon.
Cowardice asks Is it safe? ExpHdicncy
asks, Isit polite? Vanity ask, Is it popular:
But conscience asks, Is it right?
A holy life has voice. it speaks w2cn
tho tongue is silent, and is either constant
attraction or Il continual reproof.