The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-06
RELIGIOUS EDITORIALS FOR
SUNDAY

you Will Hn0 the adOraDle saviour
after giving the prayer, offering two
thoughts to encourage the disciples
all believers in Him, all Christians
to pray. The first argument present
ed is that Of the importunate friend.
Turn to Luke XII, So and read the les
son. 1t shows what may be secured,
what good results may follow earnest,
repeated prayer. The friend was of
another household. He nad an unex-
ptcted visitor and had no bread. He
sought it of a friend asking for a
oar of three loaves. The answer
came. Trouble me not, my door is
shut, | am in bed and I cannot rise
and give you" But he did rise and
open the door and supply his friend,
and lot because of friendship merely,
but Of Importantly. Learn from this
first, to persevere in asking God, in
earnest, constant supplication. You
may be a sinner far off from God, and
yet by repeated solicitation of divine
favor you may obtain a full answer
coveted blessing. The idea is to en-
courage prayer. Christ loved to pray
and He evidently seeks to impress
upon His disciples the advantages that
come to the seeker who prays eagerly,
repeatedly. The friend persisted in
asking and the other friend, the
housekeeper, yielded to the insistency.
He arose and gave him as many as
he needeth." You need the blessed,
precious bread of life, cry out impa-
tiently and repeat it again and again
until you receive the blessing, obtain
what you must have to be satisfied,
happy and prosperous-the continued
favor of God. But do not draw a
false or unfavorable conclusion. Do
lot suppose that Jesus Christ, the Son
, God, is hard of heart or deaf to any
" y of distress. 1t is not so. 1t is not
Sltende, we may believe, that the
Alaster meant to teach that nswers
60 prayer may be only secured by re-
peated asking and much Importantly.
We do not think that is the deduction
to be drawn from what Luke reports.
Many a blessing has come to the de-
vout disciple in answer to a simple,
faith-like prayer. No doubt he deals
with men differently. He understands
perfectly character and knows that
some must be tested and disciplined
in order that faith may be developed
and strengthened. He sometimes de-
lays with a purpose as in the case of
the Syrophoenician woman mentioned
in Mark XIV, 21-2S. He delayed to
bring out her faith, and after a severe
test apparently He told her, 20 woman,
great is thy faith" Delay is in many
cases the best means to develop, en-
courage, and strengthen the faith of
his people. He thus prepares for
higher aspirations, greater strivings
and completer victories. By this course
He 80 prepares them to receive with
the highest profit the blessing He will
ultimately bestow. The second lesson or
argument given is that Gods children
are to expect special and easy bless
ings. He gives the arguments from
9th to 18th verses inclusive. 1t is as
impressive and sweeping a promise of
blessing in answer to prayer as per-
haps the Bible contains, and l say
unto you, Ask, and it shall be given
you; seek, and We shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you" 1t
can not be made palmer or pos
itice. Then it is added: For every one
that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh fndeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened" Those
that are already Gods chosen and
blessed, His children by both adoption
and grace, as all are and must be who
shall ever be saved, have the greatest
encouragement here to pray knowing
That the prayers Will be heard and Goa
will answer as He sees it is best for
each. The remainder of the lesson
might be copied and dwelt upon posi-
bly, with benefit, for it is indeed a
marvellous expression of divine elem
ency and love, and Gods willingness
to neal and answer. 1t is a beautiful,
touching presentation of Gods readi-
ness, even delight, in blessing. He
concludes with this delightful, most
encouraging application: ""If We then
being evil, know how to give good
gifts unto your children: how much
more shall your Heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."
This is the best OF all gifts for with