The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-29

that our heavenly Father Is ever indis-
posed to mans request; that there is ever
an unreasonable hour; that delay IN an
swerng Is qecasoned BY Elis ind1sposi-
lieved. On the contrary, we know from
manY passages tnat God is ever waiting
to hear and bless and that there is never
a time when we may not approach The
thought which Jesus intended to convey
was this: If a friend, a mere man, would
Yield under a pressure TO plea for bread,
how much more surely would God attend
TO the cry of His child pertaining to such
weighty matters. 1t Is not Il case Of
parallel, but of contrast.
I9ROAl1SE.--Afte His illustration Jesus
gives His own word on the subject, a
precept and a promise. Ask, seek,
knock" lie says. keeping in mind the i'm
I Fortunate man at the door of g friend,
| and referring TO the. general phases OF
\ mon need to be in earnest at the throne
| Of grace (James, " 16), not as a method
| Of moving God, after the manner of NOV
ing men, but as a method of preparing
and testing the petitioner Prolonged sup
plication develops the faith on which di-
vine blessing IS conditioned We some
times appear to wrestle with God Gen,
xxi: 2D. when. in fact, we wrestle with
ourselves. But when we have attained The
spirit of prayer Jesus says the answer will
come His word Is out as ground of con-
ildence lie goes beyond this promise
and states n fact of law. Every one that
askcth receveth," There is no failure
on the part OF COD 10 bestow All the
failure If there be any, Is ct the other
end. limited wholly to the spirit and
mode of him who asks.
SONSilP.-I3y this time, encouraged
by what they knew of human friendship
and by their confidence in the Master,
the disciples were prepared to look into
the depths of the subject of prayer, and
Jesus gave the closing words, designed to
remove all doubt ii any remained. He
sought to make them know something Of
~ 1iNiI l1t. Il ,,t- hon, TNf
their fathcrly affection. None of them,
If asked by Il child, would refuse any
good or substitute Il worthless thing, and
they ought to give their heavenly Father
credit for equal goodness. In this the
endearlng relation becomes a basis Of
hope. the very climax Of ali Christian at
,tainment. And then by sudden and sur
prisins transition He held up before
the reward OF prayer, the gift OF the Holy
Spirit That Is infinitely more than the
enid asked Il beStowment of incaculable
value. The Immediate inspiration of the
Holy Spirit, granted to the prophets, Is
not intended. but that regenerating and
sanctifylnG influence, which makes men
and gel another. That for which they ask
nuts them In harmony with God; that
which they receive IS What they most
need whi!. g. i, 7 IIe J, most delights to bestow
prayer IS an eNaltng and exalted pur-
suit. 1T begins with the sense Of brother
hood. Joined with the sense of sonship-
Our Father" 1t recognizes the disorders
OF this world ana desires 10 remove them
bS promoting the glory and kingdom OF
God. 1t Is cry that earth may be like
heaven 1t lniniies bodily needs ana
magnihes spiritual longings q Cor, ix:j2O.
1t rests on 4 surcr basis shan that Of
friendship even the word @f Jesus, and
the unfailing love Of the Father Of Splr-
It's CHeb., xii. 81. He who prays, though
hc may receive many things besides (foi
father's gifts exceed Il sons asking),
obanne ,Iu and preparoa d" wp WITS for We me me
coming of the spirit Of life and truth
G,uke, III 80, What Is prayer, then. but
The soul OF man communing with Coo
/ soul of man? Behold Jacobs ladder. ont
/ end on the. earth tho other end in leayci
4 Gen. xviii: l2D-the angels Of mans dc
4 sires ascending, the angels of Gods bless
ing descending.