The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-05
IHE POWER OF PRAYER.
Revlyalist Northcutt Speaks Of 1t
Last Night.


Y EVANGELIST Northcutt introduced his dis
course by relating the incident occurring
IN Cuba some years ago of a young man
sentenced to be executed by being shot
Protests and pleadIngs from friends and
relatives availed nothing. The authorities
commended that he must be shot immedi-
ately. When all else had failed, the con-
suls Of England and America stepped for
ward and threw the flags of the two ma
tons around the prisoner and said to the
authoriues: SHOOT II you dare" Spain
dared not fire upon the flags. Time was
gained. The prisoner proved his Innocence
and his life was saved. This was a most
effective answer to prayer for the pray er
Tor Justice was made Alright; was made
in the spirit of knowledge that II would
be granted. The individual who in sin
cerity can say: Lord, teach me to pray"
Is character. and n true one. for that rs a
prayer like the flag of mighty nations the
darts of Satnn can not pierce to the heart
when panoplied with a prayer like that
Prayers must be earnest. "a woman
once" said the preacher, asked me TO
pray for her husband. / did SO, and
learned next day that she had accom-
panied him to the thelter How could she
expect an answer TO her petition as his.
when, by her action, she proved her lack
OF earnestness. Being specific In our re
al ests OF God, naming our wants and
breathing forth the names OF those in
whom we feel an interest Is not without
special force"
Analysing the Lords prayer Mr.. North
cult said: III you con not sincerely pray
the sentence, thy will be done. | beg Of
you jump around that part unless you are
willing to do anything that God&pmn,ands
as required of us, for Il IL AZ bad or
worse to pray an untruth as to sneak one.
II is easy enough to say 1t when all Is
well with us. but when parents are re-
quired to kiss for the last time while we
rain tears on the dear little marble face
of treasured child, 1t is not so easy, but
10 ethe Christian Il Is given to know that
the Father doeth all things WELL and that
He has only taken the loved one home"
'Iiallowed be thy name" 1t L. saii that
Sir Isaac Newton never spoke the name
of God without uncovering his head. Sur"-
ly q man who thus appreciated the ma
1esty OF God Is a true Christian. When We
can not feel and mean the words we speak
20 God we should continue climbing high
er up the steps leading toward Heaven;
higher and still higher until we come into
vital touch with the spirit OF God, and
though we pray long and earnestly before
we reach this State. we can reach II, and
for our own benefit should determine to
do So
Forgive us our trespasses as we for
give those who trespass against US. can
we, do we always do thlso Can we, do we
forgive others who have sinnod ngalnst
us even before asked TO 10 SO? We can not
afford to cherish unkindneHs as malice I'm
our hearts. If II be but on our own az
count. for our own sake, we should seek
grace to forgive without being asked to do
so by those who have injured MS. The in
nuence of prayer on each other is sent.
When we know that ;here are loving
hearts praying for us. we ave drawn MS by
a siken cord away from sin and wrong.
ding"
Services beginning at 1915 today. Sub
tect: "The Ideal Church." Services also
at 1870 p. IN.
Rev. J. l.. Smith win preach this morn
ING and tonight at tho Mckee Street
Methodist church.