The national leader., 1889-02-23

agony became SO great that he was
compelled to lay aside his work, lock
up his shop and spend the afternoon In
prayer. He felt that he had prevailed,
and on the Sabbath called upon his
minister and asked him to appoint a
meeting. After some hesitation. he
consented. When evening came more
assembled than could be accommodated
In the house where the meeting was
appointed. AL was silent for while.
until one sinner broke out Ia tears and
said il any one could pray he begged
him to pray for him. Another followed,
and still another, until it was found
that persons from every part OF the
town were under deep conviction. and
what was remarkable was that they
dated their conversion at the hour
when this man was praying In his
shop.
The revival which began at Enfield.
Mass, on the 9th Of July. 1741. under
sermon preached by President Ed
wards, on the words: ''Their feet shall
slide In due time," has long been con-
sldered as one Of the most powerful on
record. The impression Of Eternal
things was awful and overwhelming.
Many knowing nothing of the his
tory Of that work are surprised at
so great effects from one sermon. But
the fact is that some Christians in that
vicinity had become alarmed lest God
should in anger pass by that church,
and had spent the whole Of the preced-
ing night IN prayer.
Whenever the Church has betaken
herself to prayer, the windows of heav-
en- have been opened, and spiritual
blessings have descended. God has
not said unto the seed of Jacob: Seek
ye me in vain. Those destitute of
spiritual influences may easily under
stand "Ye have not because ye ask
not" The individual who sho uld
solemnly resolve to try the best and
last possible efficacy Of prayer. and
unalterably determine that heaven
should not withhold single influence
which the utmost efficacy Of persever.
ing prayer could bring down, would
probably find himself much more
successful agent in his little sphere.
What privilege then is prayerl To
attain to this state of union with God.
1t is wonderful; it passeth all Won
der, that when ''lift up my voics" to
God, even in the half-spoken whisper,
or in the unuttered longing Of the
heart, l have used the mightiest power
which human being can ever WELD.
have sent forth my will unto the In
finite and Eternal, and 1t will be felt
k1o FnIt xrrI,a
and all things temporal have ceased to
be. Think Of this, ye men of prayer.
Your whisper sounded in the ear OF the
Almighty; and he has already acted on
your cry; you have moved him who
moveth all. This is your privileges, as
the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus. The power which you command
Is stronger than sin and death and hell; !;
stronger than men and devils. Let no
difficulty perplex you, but take your
God and Father at his word and cry
aloud; spare not; do not let him go
until he bless you.
But you ask why are some prayers
answered and not othersg Many a
good man and woman feel 1t to be the
greatest trial that their prayers for def
mite objects are not answered. Many a
mother will say, "Why did not God
answer me when I prayed to Him to
spare my Infants life2 / am sure l
prayed with my whole heart and soul,
but 1t seemed to make no difference,
the child sank and died just as if no
one had been praying for him." Many
a wife will say, ''Why does God not
convert my husbardP I have ago.
nized, have wept and made supplica-
tion on his behalf, and in particular,
with reference to his besettlng in
Hrmity, lave implored God to break
his chain and set him free; but there
he Is, the same as ever" Many a
young person under serious impress
sIons will say. "Why does God not
hear my prayersP have prayed with
heart and soul for faith and love. for
peace In believing, for consciousness of
my interest in Christ, but my progress
seemed directed against a wall Of
brass, they seem never to reach the
ears of the Lord of hosts" ALI these
objections seem difficult to explain,
and yet every sincere prayer offered In
the name of Christ is heard, and dealt
with by God in such way as seems
good TO Him. There are good reasons
why some prayers are not answered at
all, and there are also good reasons why
the visible answer to prayers is delayed.
Perhaps our prayer is prescribing of
time and ways and means to God, who
in this. as In all, knOweth best and,
therefore, the answers may be
withheld. There may be other
causes in which the special prayer,
though rightly laid before God, is
such that for reasons far beyond our
knowledge. God cannot grant it. Some
prayers are not answered because what
is asked would be hurtful; the prayer
is answered in spirit though denied in
form. A Christian lady, over The sick
bed of an only son once prayed with
intense fervor that he might be re-
stored, and positively refused to say,
"Thy will be DONE" Falling asleep,
she seemed to see panorama OF her
sons life had he survived, it was a
succession of sorrows. rising into ter
rible agonies, so pititul sight that
she could no longer desire his life to be
prolonged, and gave up the battle
oooiocf fbn xu,II of G0d Somo nro uar,