The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-06-25
SUNDAY AT THE CHURCHES
Rainmaking Scientifically and ReligiOusIy
-Faithfulness Ii Firmness il Be.
ligious Duty.
PREsByTERIAv cHERcn.

A0hth D0nObnn5 are du1E uOW MfsVuS~
sing the subject OF rain making. ii
drought seems imminent. How shall
we get rain? Shall we make scientific
experiments? Shall we pray to Godf
Many have little confidence In the one
method and many others have little con.
fidence in the other method, while some
have no faith in either. While not ig-
noring proper efforts b interrogats
nature and learn the secrets Of her lands
We wish to emphasize the power Of
prayer TO bring to man the best blessings
OF heaven.
!. Prayer has power with God. 1t il
the divinely appointed mea whereby
man may commune with his Maker. No
longer oy dream, vision, shekinah burn
ing bush, etc, does God talk with man
and man with God. The veil Of the
temple which separated the congrega-
tion from the mercy seat was rent ID
twain when Jesus died upon the cross
and "the same Lord over all is rich uuto
all hat call upon Him." I'm every
thing by prayer and duplication let
your requests be made known unto
God" And every prayer offered in the
bible way he answered. Think OF the
treams or refreshing water that burst
forth from the rock when Moses inter-
ceded for the ~Israeiites, OF the famine in
Jerusalem relieved by means OF Elisha's
prayer. Remember that Peter was de-
livered from prison when prayer without
ceasing was made Of the church unto
God for him." Says DIR. Cuylerl Ans
wered prayers cover the whole field Of
providential history az flowers cover the
western prairies."
2. But whether answered as we de-
sire OF not not, true prayer is y great
blessing TO him who offers it. Like the
golden thread which holds the garment
together prayer 10 necessary TO the very
life o. the Christian. Then u needs
and Que sorrows are poured out before
God our hearts are lightened and sooth-
ed. Says another: mo blessing that
comes in answer to prayer is to be COM
pared In precionsness with the changes
that take place in us as the result OF
heartfelt communion with God
3. Whose prayer has power?
(al The fervent prayer Of a righteous
man ayaiieth much" Therefore in
coming before God "cease to do evil
Many prayers are nnheard. IF / regard
iniquity in my heart the Lord will not
hear me-" ~ That prayer Is acceptable
10 God which is offered In an anssltish,
submission spirit. Prof. 1yndall once
challenged some Christians IN Englands
TO q prayer test. II was declined be
cause ia such a ontes the true spirit OF
prayer would be lacking. Gel accord
ing to your faith be it unto yon." Final
ly, listen to Abraham Llncoln's testi
mony to the value of prayer: II have
been driven many times Il my knees by
the overwhelming conviction that / had
nowhere else TO 60; my own wisdom and
that of all around me seemed Insufficient
for the day."
nj. E.GHURoH.
Morning theme. Faithfulness-text,
Revelation 2:1O. Iroublous times were
threatening athe Christian churches in
Asia Minor. This book was written, In
part, ITO shew INTO his servants the
things which most shortly come TO
pass" Tocharge them To put away sin
TO encourage Thorn TO meet suffering and
death without fear; TO pledge them the
sure reward; the incompatible crown;
and to prophesy that though they die
by the hundreds as martyrs, yet their
cause should not die. These were among
the purposes OF the divine appearance 10
the seven churches. This text particn-
larry addressed TO the churchat smyrna.
The pressure OF temptation and trial
10 strong. and the exhortation is timely
IL is needed in all ages.
Faithfulness, is, IN this sense, iirmness
In religious belief and duty. III lie living
up to the full measure OF our faith. That
The world is full OF enemies OF grace and
righteousness IL most apparent to those
who are most earnest and pions. Faith
fulness demands fidelity in three partic-
uiars ut least. Falthfulness in the pro-
fession OF faith. Hold fast the prefes
sion OF your faith without wayering.'
They were To overcome by .the blood or
the Lamb, and the word of their testi-
mony. Silence was traitorous. They
might save their lives from martyrdom
by silence. but .she that .saveth bis life
shall lose it, etc. Then, too, they we're to
be true to the principles Of faith. True
every conviction or right and duty.
No comprom missing. 80 We should be-
ware Of popular standards; Of other PEG
neutrality-suspicious. Of our dubys but iss
enlightened conscience, the> word OF
God, and the Holy Spirit, be our trinne
guide, and where these agree To point,
10 trt.a anI Rnmwtm.~ A. 1ff--