The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-09


the term natural law? AS we see it in
a physical sense, law is formula stat
ing that certain causes are equal to cer-
tam effects. Laws are sometimes called
bundles OF facts. The laws of nature,
then, are the expressed ways in which
nature works. AS they stand related to
physical forces, there can be no variation.
Put within this domain of natural law
comes man, and we have human nature
and a human soul. Here as man sub
dues forces by his physical power this
certainly is interfered with We come
into contact with a new force. SO that
as by energy he can subdue all things to
his will in natural way, so with his soul,
in communion with God by prayer, which
is the Christians fulcrum, he overcomes
the mightiest. We are now in a higher
realm, and we'll may we exclaim, how
can these things be, but they are!' You
and l have the greatest admiration for
natural law, as we trace the beauties
of our God in cave, or as seen on noun
tain top, and as expressed in the still,
small voice; but we do not pray to
natural law. Natural law does for the
heather just what it does for the most
gCdly man in this city. AS with the
ocean current at Galveston the other day,
natural law is merciless and blind. 1t
expresses some of God, but it is not God.
Who would think of bowling down and
saying, ooh, natural law, hear us?' Think
of mother with upturned face, crying,
"Oh. natural law, save my child. No; we
win victories in prayer in spite of natural
law. Neither will it do to say that the
greatest good coming to the sick man in
prayer is to buoy him up and make him
feel hopeful, when he knows others are
praying in his behalf. Certainly prayer
is drawing nigh to God; that is one of
the benefits, but not the greatest. If the
only good the sick derives is hearing the
voice, or the sound of words then the
more soothing and tranquil the voice the
better. 1t would also follow that a par
rot, repeating the words of prayer. would
be we'll nigh as powerful as Elijah. 1t
also follows that you need not even pray
for the sick, but just let him think that
you are praying for him; like the priest
in Latin, humble out words. This would
answer the purpose. But prayer does
not consist in words. We are not heard
for our much speaking. IT'S the prayer
Of faith that saves the sick, and
he need not even know that
you have prayed for him; he may be
thousand miles away. 1t matters not, SO
that it is the prayer of faith from a con-
trite spirit. ''Abide in Me and ask what
We WILL. My dear young lady, studying
in this University, away from
home and mother, believe me when l say
to you that the prayers of that same dear
mother are able to hold you, keep you,
shield you from all danger, and even wrap
you around when you are sweetly resting
in unconscious slumber. ] believe it is
true sill that men and women of like
passions as Elijah can open and shut the
Heavens. Hence, invalids getting up off
their touches, men and women convicted
of sin by the holy spirit, things brought
to pass that were not, as Gods people
approach His throne. like the woman
pleading with the unjust judge, the Dis
ciples constraining Jesus to go in with
them, the Apostles continuing in prayer
in the upper room until Pentecost, Jacob
wrestling with the angel, and other in
stances of women receiving their dead
back to life, turning to flight the armies
Of the aliens. all because they have the
key which unlocks the storehouse of the
Universe. Where, then. is natural law?
L SOAtA~D
law, then has Christ died in vain So
we conclude that if God is limited to ma
tural law and shut up simply to these
agencies there is no prayer, but all these
commands, ASK and it shall be given to
you," are simply words to mock us. 1t
reminds one of the story told of a boy
who, on cutting the top out of tree, and
fell, but in falling grasped the limb
While thus suspended his good mother
said to him: Hold on, George, and trust
in the Lord" but his older brother, run
ming for ladder, shouted back: George,
you hold on to that limb and don't you
pay any attention to mothers foolish
ness" No, it is a faith that it might be
Of grace. The holy spirit indites real
prayer, and whether God changes or does
not, there are times when, like the Syro-
phenician we plead and plead, or like the
man under earth we drill and drill and
come and come again to the throne, tar
rying long hours, waiting before Him.
but faith is the victory that overcomes
The world" We all believe in doctors. We
believe in using natural remedies.
know of no man. society could afford to
part with sooner than the physician. Just
The other day a physician in the city said
to me: eff you have any poor people that
need attention. let me know" God bless
hem in their self-sacrificing spirit for
But God is not limited to doc
-ors; God is not limited to natural laws;
The Christian does not sit down before
his sweep of law and suffer as it drags
slowly by. When I hear people say that
t comes only through this and that there
IS no miraculous, l think of the old col
bred woman who was told that very in
elligent man had said there was no such
hing as the Holy Spirit. Hearing this,
she exclaimed: There is no Holy Spirit
,s he knows on The Pharisee still stalks
about with worldly pride and says, "Show
US a sign" Again the cry comes;
Let Him come down from the Cross, and
we will believe" Again, the gauntlet is
thrown down on Mount Carmel. To such
as these, covered up with the crust of
The worlds covering, there is neither an
gel nor spirit. They say: Let us ascend
INTO the heights and bring Him down"
And if natural law is all. you and l are
ready TO exclaim: 1--WE are of all men
most miserable"
AS to divine healing, we have this to
say: We are living under the same dis
Densation as those people who prayed in