Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-05
POWER OF PRAYER.
Eloquent Sermon by Rev. Or.
A. c. BIedsoe
At Queen Street NJ. L. Church, Sunday
Night, from Matt :. 7"Ask and We shall
receive; seek and yc shall find: knock
and it shall bc opened unto YOU"

Rev. DIR. ]. Wiley Bledsoc preached
at Queen Street Methodist church sun
day night after preaching at Chestnut
Street church, Berkeley. at II A. m The
congregation at each service was large.
and seemed deeply Interested. His SER
mons were followed by brief but Gear
and comprehensive statement respect
ing the Virginia Conference Orphan sc.
q movement that engages the earnest
attention Of Virginia Methodlsts at this
time. and which is officially represented
by DR.. Bledsoe
On Sunday night the Doctor had as
inc theme OF his discourse Prayer as
f.hipnasized in Asking, Seeking and
i\hoe King. Text Matt. ~. He said:
That the Great High and Holy Lord
should condescend 10 listen to what we
may nave to say-that there should BE-
REORGANIZATION between our Sd rits
and the Spirit Divine is a doctrine OF
the Bible frauGht with quite enough in
lerest TO elicit the attention of men and
anSclS. we are assured if we ask it
snail be given. etc. The language here
employed is simple. easy of comprehen-
SION and readily understood
1t denotes the fact that our COM
merce with Heaven is real; that there
IS no moral tugglery connected with it.
EVERY good and perfect gift comes
down from the Father of Lights.
! o. whom there Is no varlableness or
shadow of turning. Many good gifts are
not perfect. Our being is a good gift.
| not a perfect one. Our intellectual en-
| dowments-a good but not perfect
| Gift-so as to our physical health So
are good. but not perfect These gifts
are bestowed without the asking. Many
enjoy them. who fail to recogniZc them
as gifts of God. There Is "a class of
gifts or blessings" said the Doctor,
winch are only bestowed on conditions.
Inc gift of ardon can only be obtain
ed by complying with the conditions
| which are reasonable and merciful. Do
you want 1t? ask for 1t, and 1t will be
given you. True. you must ask in faith
or your asking is in vain. Ask and It
shall be given. for everyone that asketh
receiveth. So with the blessings of peace
ask for it. SO with joy. 1t is YOURS
for the asking. If you ask Alright. These
| blessings are never denied such as ask
| in faith. Ask and thus recognize wha,
| you receive as n gift. Seek and thus
show what you desire is worth an effort
to obtain. Knock and thus acknowl.
edge the door OF mercy Justly CLOSED
against you"
The Doctor closed his discourse will
some beautiful and encouraging conclu.
| sionS drawn from the very clear and
| fcrcible discussion OF the subject. 1--WE
may honestly desire wealth, that we
may use 1T Alright. and yet be poor al
our lifelong. We may desire health
that we may work and toll for the
achievement of the highest and best
ends. and God may see fit to deny us
| these. We may desire prominence that
we may use our influence for God. and
! this may be denied us, but if we desire
the wealth that can never depreciate or
| fuctuate in value, the wealth that
comes from a joint heirship with Christ
Jesus: If we want health of soul; II
| we want the celebrity that comes from
| a register of name in the Book of Life
we have only to ask" DIR. Bledsoe will
remain in Norfolk for several weeks
and has consented to preach at sew
eral of the Methodist churches in the
| two cities.