The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-04-03

possible thst for all these years gone
by he had been so Indifferent to one of
the BEST and most precious opportu
mites for growing in spiritual man.
hood. He heard the bell ring for serv.
ice. and when it stopped he sat with
his face in his hands praying
The prayer meeting in Mr. Jones'
church was generally very quiet af-
fair, good many people in the church,
especially those who came to the meet
ing only occasionally, thought it was
stupid. But it was noticeable fact
that those who attended regularly
We're the ones who did the most work
in the church and the ones who grew
stronger and sweeter in the Christian
life. There was usually no regular sub
Ject given out. There was very little
talking done. From beginning to close
1T was nearly all prayer Mr.. Jones
did not feel afraid of the long pauses.
He believed modern American life to
be SO full of nervousness and hurry
that it would not hurt any one to sit
still and think minute or two.
That was the reason so many people
called Mr. Jones' prayer meetings dull,
because they We're not rushing all the
time with sensational or exciting re-
marks and incidents. Mr.. Jones didn
believe that was what prayer meet
ing was for, and he planned for it &C.
cordingly. But this particular evening
was an exception. The great railroad
accident so near them had stirred the
entire community to it's sympathetic
depths. Several families in Mr.. Jones'
church had been sufferers. AS if by
tacit consent there was an unusually
large gathering at the church, and the
subject was of necessity the recent
disaster.
1t was spontaneous meeting. The
minister briefly opened with the ex-
pressed desire that God would bless
the suffering, prepare the dying and
comfort the living, and almost instant
ly service of prayer began. which
was like flood in it's continuous out
pouring. The people seemed urged by
some irresistible feeling to relieve the
pent up strain of the day in prayer
and such prayers had not been heard
in that church for many years.
A similar scene was witnessed near
the White River Junction railroad dis
nster in 1887 in church near the acct
dent The entire morning service was
given up to prayer. which seemed the
onlE healthy relief to people suffering
from an overwhelming horror
1t was during the first pause that oc.
Cured that James Caxton opened the
door and gave note to some one in the
back seat with request that it be sent
up to Mr.. Jones. He then turned as if
to go out, but hesitated. came back and
Slipped into a vacant seat and waited.
Mr.. Jones received the note glanced at
its contents and then rose. There was
singular emotion in his voice as he
spoke.
81 have just been handed note from
one of our members. Mr.. Robert Har-
dy, with the request that read it
aloud to the church tonight:
To You, My Dear PASTOR and You, My Brothers
and Sisters In Christ:
j suppose it is known to most of you that three
of my children the train during the re-
cent accident, and two of them escaped with but
slight injuries. But my daughter Clara was Sc
riously injured by the shock and am at this
| moment seated by her side praying that her
| reason may be spared and her possible injuries
prove to be within the region of cure.
had planned to be with you tonight. l
| wanted to tell the church of the change that j
! have lately experienced. do not need to tell
you that for the % years that | have been a
| member of the church have been a member only
| in name. ! have seldom appeared in any of the
spiritual or devotional services of the church. ]
have often sat in am attitude of criticism 10 the
best preaching. l have been hard man with
/ those in my employ. / have been cold and even
revengeful toward other members of this church
| have been a very proud, un-Christian, selfish
| man.
| In the sight of God have been an altogether
unworthy member of the church of Christ. do not
| take any pride to myself in making this confess
| sion, but feel that it is due to you, and some
| thing tells me shall have more peace OF mind if
| speak to you as have lately prayed to God.
| 1t is not necessary neither have time nor
| strength, to tell you how have been brought to
| see my selfshEess IN all its enormity. 1t is
| enough if say to you that most sincerely be-
| lieve that j have misunderstood very largely the
| right meaning of human existence. / want to
| pray with you and for you. You will let me say
this also, bearing with me, this may be M
| last opportunity to say to you what lies in my
| heart: Serve the church of Christ, all you who
| have taken upon you its VOWS, with enthusiasm
and loyalty Stand by the superintendent of the
| Sunday school, attend this week night service
| when you car. making it the most important serv
| ice of the week, and, more than ALL live true,
| simple, loving Christian lives every day.
| 1t may seem strange that preaching like
this to you who have probably done your duty far
better than ever did, but wish to say what
| lies deep in my heart to say tonight If there
| are any young men in the meeting tonight,
want to say to them, become Christians at this
core, not in name simply, as have been, and
above all, kneel down every morning, noon ant
night and pray to God to keep you from selfsl
life-such life as l have lived-forgetful O
church VOWS, of the rights of the working poor, O.
the brother and sister in Christ. Yes, would
be willing that any young might say, &c
/ Lord, keep from living as selfish and useles
and proud life as Robert Hardy once lived'
| For that is the truth. No one but God knows
how l have suffered at the thought Of the past
how am suffering at the present moment.
l pray that any who afflicted at this presen
time may find peace in him who bore the world
sorrows in his great heart of love. If it wer
not for my faith in my Saviour at this time,
should be in despair. AS it is, l am suffering
but it is not the suffering which follows al
eclipse of hope. believe in the eternal life an,
in the forgiveness of sins, yea, such sins a
mine have been. Forgive SO much about myself
| 1t is necessary under the circumstances | asl