The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1894-08-31
AT THE CHURCHES.

At the Methodist church Rev. T.
Mackie preached. We have no re.
port.
Rev. Mr.. Wood took for his text last
Sabbath morning the 9Th chapter and 10th
verse of the book Of Daniel
The pastor spoke, introducing his text,
of some of the characteristics which pre-
eminently fitted Daniel for the prophetic
functions he so ably carried out in later
life, aud which made him an instrument
in the hands of Jehovah of overruling the
eva foretold against the Jews, to she
glory of God. The success, which in
later life made him prominent among
men as prophet, as an interpreter OF
dreams and mighty in power with God
and man, was attibuted to the fact that
he was man of prayer. He believed in
its efficacy, he believed that it was real
thing. Duty to God was his first consid-
Grafton. The honoring of God his highest
ambition. This same conviction to duty
moved the great English reformer, Hugh
Lattlner, to proclaim the doctrine of re-
ligious liberty and adhere to it until he
was apprehended as heritic and burned
at the stake. The same conviction to
duty led Martin Luther, years afterward
to lift the pail Of spiritual darkness
which had settled upon the people, and
the nation as well, and reveal the light
and liberty of the glorious gospel of Je-
sus Christ. Notice Daniels recourse to
God in his hour of trial. Daniel prayed
to God In the midst of an hostile nation
surrounded by those who sought only his
life and who would use any means to
bring about his destruction, he prayed.
The lever that moves the world is prayer
operating upon the fulcrum of faith.
Trials most formidable have beset the
workers for God in every age, yet faith
in the power of God to deliver has stim-
ulated them to make even greater exer-
tions. have only to mention the names
of Judson and Carey and host of others
who, in the midst of almost unsurmount-
able difficulties, looking steadfastly to
God, have planted the glorious banner of
Christ in the midst of heather nations.
Notice again the frequency of his Pc
tition. He prayed three times.a day. 1t
has been said in simile that prayer is the
rope that rings the bell in the ears of
God. Some pull the rope very languidly
indeed, so that the bell scarcely rings.
Others pull the rope only occasionally.
But he who prevails with God must grasp
the rope vigorously and pull continuous
ly. In order that there may be concen-
tration of power in the church of God,
prevailing prayer is necessary.
In the words of the psalmist may we
say, "Morning, noon and night will /
praise thee o thou most high God" Dan
iel prayed with his windows open toward
Jerusalem. Jerusalem was then the seat
of Jehovahs temporal Kingdom and also
the home of Daniels nativity. So he
thought of Zion continuously although an
exile. The thought is very beautifully
brought out that we may turn our eyes
from this land of our captivity toward
Christ in his heavenly Jerusalem. With
the windows of the heart open we can
catch the sounds of music seemingly from
heaven, the music of redeeming love,
good will to men, praises to the most
high who has redeemed US and made us
clean. May the Lord help us that we may
have our windows open toward Jerusa-
lem, that is the eyes Of our heart open
continuously to receive Gods blessing.