Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-03-22
GOD Is ABOVE MAN
And it is 8Iasphemous 10 Cues
ton His Power
ABLE PAPER BY Or. STRATToh
Read Before the Ministers Contesenes
Yesterday, Followed b Lively
Discussion-OtheE Matters.

The Rev. W Frye called the meet
Ing 10 order yesterday afternoon and
devotional exercises were conducted b.
me Rev. J. W. Reid.
The Rev. Campbell Fair offered a
resolution that the secretary express
she sympatny OF the conference with
the president, Or. Mulhsrn. n MS con-
Anued illness.
IL vas generally regretted that m ore
we're not present to listen TO the valu-
able paper read by the Rev. ". d.
StTatton, OH Science and Prayer"
ine writer gave q definition of prayer,
then showed u IN that part which re-
iers 10 temporal need and contrasted
IL with science. science Was
uefined and the Christians be-
Lief IN prayer WAS referred
70 with examples OF answered prayer
from the Bible. The position which
scientists take was illustrated by the
following quotation from Henry Foot
mAu's "Rsassur:ng Hats" Men OF
scaence have come TO believe in Justifi-
rAsion not by faith, but by yerities-
ton" The position Is that OF the
materialist denying spirituality. They
dwell with great Satisfaction on the
uniformity OF nature and from this
point prayer Is the target OF attack.
The Christian journeys hand III hand
with the scientists in the exploration OF
nature, but when the scientific ma
ter.alIst SAYS TO the Christian, That
matter is all, only endowed with mystic
qualities, having promise and potency
OF life. he consciously feels that he
must part company with his friend OF
nature. The most certain fact Is That
OF our own existence, which IS moral,
tree and intelligent.
Gsa Can DO More than Man.
If we ind that man can I'LL the con-
d.tlons and does actually carry out
those IN the infinite realm that are re-
qulslte TO answer prayer, Il would be
blssphemous to say that God cannot
perform what man IS able TO do. The
law OF gravity or affinity IS simply a
abatement of observed working OF this
force. When results are different we
look for different forces 10 produce
these results. Man is subject to these
physical forces that be cannot abrogate
or destroy, yet ne 10 not altogether
powerless. Man Is endowed with will
power or volluon.
Then followed the beautifully de-
scriptiye instances of the power and IN
telligence of man IN making use of the
forces of nature-Tain made 10 fall on
the desert, the power of gravity used
TO light the electric spark. used TO drive
away darkness and convey messages
across the ocean, while steam drives
the wheels of the world.
Ia closing the Rev. Stratton sum-
married az follows: eff it is absurd to
claim that the volitIon of man is able
to transform nature by unlocking her
forces, then Il 10 absurd to believe IN
PRAYER. But no one can reasonably
say that man in his volitlons is IN any
way involved IN this absurditv, then 1t
would be blind scepticism without even
listening 20 the voice OF criticism, nay,
daring olasphemous presumption 10
affirm that answer 10 prayer - impossi-
bic in = universe Of physical forces"
Discussion followed the reading.
Free Discussion Had.
DR.. Fair thought that much prayer
was easily answered without inference
With natural forces. He was conscious
that too much prayer Was of the nature
OF dIctaron. was therefore not an
swered and gave the sceptic chance to
scott.
The Rev. Denman believed there was
much We could pray for that We may
be perfectly certain OF getting, such
a. . Cody heart and righteousness.
PRAYER then asks what God has made
10 possible TO give. But If prayer IS
offered for the recovery of sick child
il would be perfectly proper to add. eff
Thou wilt
The Rev. Osborn believed IN law, in
all law, and the prayer of faith, for
the Bible says believe and it shall be. !"
The Rev. A. Smith thought that II
that was asked which was not best for
us to have that the Lord would deny us.
The Rev. Reid concluded that If we
asked God for that which was not best
for US TO have, and had 10 reason Il ali
out afterward, We mad better stop pray.
ing.
The Rev. T. G.. Smith was of the
oplnlon that We asked God 10 do many
things when we can DO ourselves. We
asked Him too much and He is dis
pleased with the asking.
The Rev. Strstton explained that ne
had tired from the point of a mate.
rails, to confute the argument that
religion IL at variance with the laws OF
science. He thought that only prayer
made IN accordance with Gods Law
was answered. The Rev. Frye sug
gested that the secretary. the Rev. g..
A. Pollard, invite the Rev. T.. wigle 70
read . paper on Prevailing Prayer. !"
and the suggestion WAS adopted The
Rev. Mr.. Russell will present paper
April 4. The next meeting will be one
II unusus interest and instruction
for IL IL TO be a symposium on "Ths
Church, Temperance and Prohibition
led by the Rev. j. w. Reid, who prom
ises that politics. snail not enter into
he discussion.
sE WILL IAEcUIsH IN JAIL.