Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-11-04
PRAYER.
By Rev. c. 3. Jefferson.

PRA Err.
BY Rev. c. b. Jefferson.
And he said unto them, When ye
pray say, Our Father.-Luke XII, ,.
Jesus took it for granted that men
We're going to pray. He always pray
ed himself 1t was his habit, his ma
ture, his life. The eyangelists fail to
tell us many things which he said and
did. but they make large room Tor MS
prayers. His praying was one OF the
outstanding and awe inspiring feat
ures of his life. He was found pray
ing before every important step in his
career.
And what he did he expects all men
to do. To lift his eyes to heaven and
say Father WIS natural and easy,
but ii Is not so easy to many of US,
and some Of us have doubts as to its
reasonableness and value. We are liv-
ing IN an age when men are deter
mined to get IL possible to the bottom
of things. Everything is subjected to
analysis, investigation, criticism. Pray
er, as all admit, has roots which run
down into the realms Of mystery, and
it is not surprising that earnest peo-
pie should be asking many questions
about it.
They want to study the psychology
and chemistry of prayer This is Ell
tirely proper, but the study of chem
isty must be kept in its right place.
The chemistry of bread is both inter
esting and important but the chemist
should eat his breakfast before he en-
tiers on his stadirs. lie VIII then be
better fitted for his work. Eating
comes first and chemistry sftcrwarc.
The psychology Of sleep is most fas
chatting study, but before all the prob
lens have been explored it is neees-
sary for man to sleep. After one has
enjoyed a good nights sleep he is in
better humor for psychological investi-
cations. And so it is with prayer.
Prayer is one of the natural appetites
Of the soul In prayer the soul finds
food with which it nourishes its life.
Before prayer is studied in its scien-
tific aspects let the soul commune long
with God Praying is an instinct
deep-seated instinct in every unspoiled
heart If it is safe TO follow the hint
given by falling eyelid ana postpone
all study until the mind has been re-
freshed by sleep. so also is it safe to
follow the instinct which at certain
times impels us to throw a passionate
wish Godward. If, then, you have
your questions, pray first and face
your questions afterward. If you have
your doubts, pay first ard then deal
with them one by one. The chemistry
of prayer is interesting, but it is de-
moraizing if the study of it is made
a substitute for lifting ones eyes to
heaven and saying, Father" In the
words of Emerson, "As well might a
child live without its mothers milk as
soul without prayer"
One reason why many persons have
lost faith in the efficacy of prayer is
because they and others have made
their prayers too small. Let us dis
card the notion that prayer is simply
asking for things Prayer is, first of
all, alteration pouring out the soul in
the presence of manifested greatness
and beauty. When in the scriptures
we catch glimpses of the worship
which goes on behind the veil we do
not hear angel or archangel or saint
asking for things The burden of the
prayer is, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty" Surely we violate no law
of the universe when we adore
Prayer is thanksgiving; it is giving
something to God. 1t is the glory OF
man to be able to return thanks Ami
mails do not know how to feel or to
say II thank YOU But to feel graft
tude is human and to give expression
to il is always becoming. We wiz not
allow boy to pick up our handker-
chief for us in the street without some
vocal recognition of his kindness;
what shall we say of men and women
who take the good things which the
great God offers to them daily and
turn away without ever once saying in
heart or by lip, II thank Thee?" Sure
~ there is no law in Gods universe
which is transgressed by the express
sion of glad AMI genuine gratitude.
Prayer is also confession. We have
all sinned and come short of the glory
of God. There Is none righteous-no,
not one. We have all broken the COM
mandments of the Heavenly Father
and modern science has discovered
nothing which renders it unreasonable
for a man to say to God: II have
sinned. l am sorry" The man who
tramples on us in the street and hur-
ries on without so much as Il beg your
pardon" is put down Instantly as a
boor, and where does a man belong
who. shining against his Creator. never
asks to be forgiven? Many n man is
discontinued. sour, and i'll at ease be-
cause he carries in his heart load of
unforgiven sins.
WHO OR WHAT'S YOUR MASTER?
BY Rev. Hncbens C. Bishop
No man can serve two masters.-St.
Matthew, vi, 81.