The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-13
A LITTLE

me, - LORD, make no tdITyiHS.
Psalm Xxx, S.
In one form OF expression or another
this prayer, it is safe to say, is put up
by every man and woman at some time
in their lives. With many if not most
of them it is a more frequent petition
than their nearest and dearest ever
guess. Prayer to an nov power is
not an act confined to the consciously
or professedly religious; it is an involun-
tary cry of the human creature in dis
tress, whatever his belief or lack of be-
lief; it is an appeal for aid to what
ever gods there be- when other aids
have failed. Whether it is an instinc-
tive cry, and, therefore, as some aver, a
proof that the superior or divine power
exists: or whether it is the result of
early teachings that prove stronger
than later skepticism are questions that
need not be discussed here. The truth
remains that prayer is uttered when
help is needed. and no man goes through
the world without reaching a place
along the way where grief, or danger.
or disgrace, or want threatens, and from
which his own efforts to escape seem
likely to avail naught. 1t is then that
he reaches up helpless hands. Il am
poor and needy" groans the man of
millions, the trappings of wealth as the
dust Of the earth to him while he weeps
over a hayward son. Make haste unto
me" signs the lonely soul from whom
the grave has taken love and hope. 30
Lord, make no tarrying," cry the un-
fortunate when cold and hunger and ill
ness press remorselessly upon him.
Forever and always suffering humanity
calls to heaven. When the strain and
stress of living seem too great and firm
focthold lost, the soul struggling toward
a coveted goal looks beyond it's kline for
encouragement, the starving heart turns
to the Infinite for love and sympathy,
the creature in poverty and physical
want seeks divine interposition. All,
perhaps, are alike hopeless and lacking
faith, but all alike cry in very despera-
ton. Make haste unto me-
More things are wrought by prayer
than this world dreams Of" says the
poet. They who believe in this and in
the promises of sacred writ know that
the things which are wrought are not by
miracle, but by human medium; that
the Lord speaks through His creatures
to those who cry unto Him. Knowing
this, they must also believe. the devout
ones among them. that through them
the Voice may come. by them the mes
sage be carried. the service done that is
to lift the burden from the ~despairing
soul of a fellow-being. Believing thus,
what else can they, the righteous or
even the stumbling. feeble followers do
but to put themselves in a receptive at
titude. to seek to be in harmony with
the Compassionate One that they may
do His will? Or, If they be but pagans,
IL they hold hat each individual is but
a bit of the great original intelligence
or spirit, to be absorbed in it again, is it
not also logical to believe that as such
fragmentary parts they should do what
they can to carry out the benevolent
purpose of the All-Mind?
But 1t Is seldom given even to the
most discerning to understand the spir-
itual needs ever of their intimate asso-
%ciates; to so ~sympathize that in all their
struggles, aspirations and sorrows they
can offer the needed word Of comfort or
hope. MOI has the one who believes
himself an atom Of the Supreme Intelli-
gence hat prescience which enables him
always to comprehend the heartache of
his friend or neighbor, so that he may
lay upon it a healing balm. The bonds
Of the flesh are limitations hindering
that communion of soul which would
soften the asperities of life and tighten
the upward struggle; the spiritual eye
is blinded and it's ear dulled to the in
nermost woes Of humanity. Only the
w physical wants are to be dis
cerned by those who will. but Of these
wants there are enough to occupy the
attention of the pitiful and tender
hearted. Because the cry of the unem-
ployed has been less urgent this year
than last 1t does not follow tina desti-
tuition does not exist. Because the oc-
casional undeserving tramp applies at
the door it does not follow that actual
want and misery may not be discovered
by a little inquiry in the right direction.
The deserving poor are apt to have the
self-respect and reticence which are
called pride, and are not given to her.
aiding their woes. They are the ones
who suffer in silence. and who in pri-
vate, when the worst comes. cal. upon
the Lord to make no tarrying. 1t is such
petitions that each man can answer
and because he has sometime prayed
himself. when poor and needy, he can
the better feel for others. 1--WE do pray
for mercy; that same prayer doth teach
us all to render the deeds of mercy
1t is a season of cold; for many persons
a season of little work. and. therefore,
little fire and food. The ear of the hu-
man creature who would do good unto
his kind should be quickened that he
may hear the promptings from the One
to whom the prayer ascends and may
prove that He indeed makes no tarrying
COTTON MANUFACTURING IN THE
SOUTH.