The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-02-27
RELIGIOUS READING.
TIE POWER OF INTERcEssIoH.

THE pOWEk Of INIERCESSlOS. -
"If I was ever brought into the kingdom
of Cod said venerable Christian lady. 'it
was owing to the intercessions OF old DR.. Lfv-
ingston. He married me, and he used often
10 call and speak few earnest words to me
about my soul. "You are now wife and .
mother" he would say; "do not delay to give
yourself to the Lord, and to pray for grace to
III fl your duties. l shall never cease to
plead for you.'
The thought that man OF God was plead
ing for her before God, as well as pleading
with her at the bar Of her own conscience,
was the point which seems 10 have made the
Impression. why all this earnestDess? Are
not my own impressions far below what they
ought TO be. when good men on earth, and
God and holy angels in Heaven. are 30 deep.
ly concerned for, me-? Shall be careless
about my own eternal interests, when Heaven
and earth are in constant communication re-
specting them?" This was the word OF
power which. like O touch to the helm Of a.
vessel, turned the direction of her soul for
time and eternity.
The influence Of that lady's piety. her ac-
tivity. her liberality, has been felt in the
world for half o century. It is now felt lin
the remotest fields OF missionary labor. As
the American Messenger is read In India and
China some Of the brethren there will prob!
ably have clue 10 the individuality OF '.the
mother in Israel" who cheered and sus-
tanned them in their purpose Of devoting
themselves to that distant field, and helped
them in their preparations for 1t. This SER
want OF Christ was won to God near the be-,
ginning Of this century through the interces-
sions OF DR.. Livingston.
An interesting. but up 10 that time, utterly
careless youth once called on the writer il
great anxiety and distress for his soul even
to weeping. asked him in the course OF the
conversation. what had awakened him. Il
knew that my mother was praying for me,
he answered. o. a. 49,
The instance has been often related, In
which a profane and scoflng father was
"pricked IN his heart" and led to the inquiry
"What must dor by overhearipg the pray
ers Of his pious child for his conversion.
Such Is the power OF intercession, on the
heart of sinners. The very consciousness
ems them to pray for themselves. It Is not
without special reason that Paul wrote to-
the Ephesians. that /" without ceasing he
made mention Of them in his prayers, and
'bowed his knees to the Father Of our Lord
Jesus Christ" in their behalf land to the Col-
ossiaps, that Epaphras. q servant Of Christ,
was always laboring feryentlyfor them in
prayers" gsi;3l
We have only spoken OF the indirect power
OF lntercesSory prayer. VI us 1nolrect and
ultimate power, its power with God, the
whole nspired history Of prayer affords abun-
dant illustration See It In the intercession
Of Abraham for Ishmael. Gen. n: IS; OF
Daniel for the cSiled church and people OF
God, Dan. 8; ofthe centurion for his servant
Matt.8; and OF the widow of Sarepra for her
daughter, Luke 4. The efTectual, feryent
nray OF righteous man availith much.
James, 5: -.
ntercessory prayer is the highest form Of
power which can be exerted by any human
being. probably by any creature Of God. And
1t is within the reach Of hands which are dis.
abled from all other work. Sickness and
other causes may disqualify US for what is
called active labor, but so long as We pray,
We have no reason to cut of from connection
with the living world. We can touch In its
remotests points and in its highest interests.
We can put forth power which no .diffcul-
ties can resist, and no place can circum-
scribe. "Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One
Of Israel, and his Maker. Ask me Of things to
come concerning my sons, and concerning
the work Of my hands command ye me,
lisa. a: IL. How insignificant the power Of
The greatest monarch, or the greatest intel
;ect on earth, compared with that which this.
permission gives to the praying soul Amer
lean Messenger. iGSk