Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-27

one day protection from severe tenpla-
lions. and deliverance from special weak
ness and inhrmity.
3. ASK delverancc from evil; not so
much from dancing and youthful frivohty
aq from ian evil heart Of unbelicf." from
deceit. from ignorance Of Gods holy
Word. from sloth; from pride, envy ma
lice vanity and les; from seliseeking
from selhshness the sin Of the race
from cOvetousness. which Is idolatry
from worldliness. which includes 'the
lust Of the flesh. the lust OF the eye, and
the pride Of life; the fashion. show. and
parade, which make men robbers Of
banks cities. and corporations; from in
gratitude to God and man: from III tenn
per and fretfulness and Impotence;
from hardness Of heart and contempt for
authority: from ignorance of our duty
to ncighbors; from backbiting. tale-bear-
ing and SANDER; from all evil thoughts,
imaginatiOns. and conceits; from intOlcr-
ance OF others opinions. dOgmatism;
from harshness Of manner and hasty
speech; and quick temper from an un-
forgiving spirit and malice. which doth
eat as a cancer; from everything contrary
to gentlcness and meekncss. faith hope.
and charity. 1t matters not what is your
education. condition or station i'm life.
you will be happy 'if ye do these things
and an abundant entrance Unto His
everlasting Kingdom and glory "shall
be administered unto YOU" IF We do
these things We shall never be- moved. 8"
"To patient faith the prize Is sure,
And all that TO the end endure"
The cross shall wear the crown"
If anything is omitted I'm tn above
/ catalogue OF duty. pat il under the head
. of Love your neighbor as yourself"
= Hfar t1s rrrrf Do
Gods power and supreme authority over
US. and magnify His GLORY"
] The above IS merely an imperfect para
+ phrase Of the Lords Prayer; but 1t IS
/ comprehensive cqough FOR any private
] Christians prayer or course there are
/ special prayers FOR our country. the pro-
! gress Of the Blble cause. &C.. &c. They
are really comp- "a in "Thy Kingdom
come"
/ In spite Of the s., owing unpopularity OF
I 'long prayers" an the condemnation Of
\ Christ himself laymcn and ministers Of
/ the Gospel by the hundred will "cate."
/ expatiate dictate explain. ma 1rticu-
/ larize thereby offending Gods goodness
/ knowledge. and wisdom. lie kn W. an
our thoughts ere they escape our lips
/ We may not intend a. but w really dis
I honor God by long prayers The old
prophet was hOnOring Him when he said.
/ "God is IN Heaven and man on earth;
! let thy words be few"
We are yet "carnal." and seek tanrible
/ things In preference TO spiritual things
"Wisdom" is especially promised "abun-
/ dainty" TO all who ask II: but Il must
be sought earnestly and heartily. This
is n great gift. as IL means happiness.
or more reigion-far more valuable than
riches and honor.
Most OF our prayers are utterly worth
less. They are void Of sincerity. earn
estness. reverence. and gratitude. They
are fat, insipd. puerile. and silly. They
are addressed to God only In form.
While being uttered the mans mind.
/ like the fools eye Is all over the earth.
! Agerss prayer was wisc-Give me ne-
ther poverty nor riches: feed me with
! convenient food. | had offered 5000
/ prayers before 1 learned TO offer Il sin
cerely, and In this ] may be mistaken.
James Montgomery understood this
ject-
Prayer Is the burden OF a sigh,
The falling Of a tear,
The upward CHANGING OF An eye
When none but God is near.
w. w. p.
Richmond. December l6. 1885,