Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-14
Snys Doubter Lucks Spirit.

'e rcpllcs being those printed below.
says Doubter Lncks Spirit.
the Prayer Editor
The Times Dispatch:
Sir.-My attention was drawn TO a
't'er or tw6 In your column OF a re-
cnt date on the subject OF prayer. I
'ish to make a statement or two with
egard 10 this subject. the good Of
;hich you may. with your readers.
eceivc. and the bad cast away
One letter referred to prayer as be-
'g custom which is fast dissap-
caring. / agree with the statement
nat inspired prayer is not only dis
ppearing. but has too largely dis
ppcarcd. On the occasion OF a great
ellgious gathering the spokesman. a
I'nistcr. said:
NO more does the church say as
etcH' and John said to the lame at
ne Temple. Silver and gold have l
one, whcreupon another OF like
rofcssion In tho audience replied.
Neither does It have the power any
iorc to say to the lame Arise and
ak
There has been time when men
ad power with God In prayer TO the
xtcnt that unbel!evers saw the
lisbculous workings of The answers to
Gch prayers Do We see such today?
our o eyes we. were ppsne d. we could
artn tina, wicked and adultcrous
encrat!on sought sign. and We
Mould be careful 10 avoid seeking
ASns. or sign seekers. Instead OF
his the desire OF our hearts should
10 seek Jesus. Friend. IL you were
start TO seek Jesus where would
on seek liimY
Would you so to the ;heatcr to find
lin? Would you go TO other like
faces OF amusement to ind Him? II
gu go TO the bali game do YOU think
ave their good features to you. bu,
andidly do you think any one would
nd Him there. No that is not where
ny seeker would go II they were
oekins the Lord.
Instead. they would go TO the place
yhere they thought Jesus abode; 10
rcqulents: Tina, was the way seekers
or Him found Him when He was here.
he greatest miracle is wrought when
guilty sinner finds Jesus. The great
emp,ion. Then ne believes the Bible
whether he understands it or not.
Do YOU believe that any physical
vent has ever been different from
:hat 1t otherwise would have been as
esDonse to request from mortal?"
In answering this wish TO say
hat II Is not my intention to provoke
controversy. at the same time wish
. be frank and near TO the point
$ possible. Most assuredly do ] be-
!cSc that the course. Of natural events
ave been changed in answer to
'rayer. in fact ] do not believe that
,ature has any course except as
erected by the hand OF God Himself.
MD when lie changes the course Of
ny event II is always in answer to
MOI because thai; subject is wiser
han, lie is. but because subject can
10, appeal 20 God only as He by His
bray. IRom. VIII. % 27 The reason
hat professors arc "Doubters" is be-
ausc they ask like certain persons did
n Matt NN. %; and James ". 3.
There has mover been a blessing
rat has come to an individual. TO 4
community, country or nation except
righteous James /. II. There has
|leen no great event in history that
ias brought about blessing to the
'uman rage but that which has been
avor with God. and was chosen 10 be
| blessing. Abraham was faithful and
sas made a blessing. Moses chose
fictions with the people OF God, and
Tod gave him the Law for all the
gcs.
The Kingdoms of the middle ages
ne Father above; The Christ OF the
liges came to earth to make atonement
'or sin in answer to the appeal Of
dk 5ssayd ee Tns d.ut rSs Of His
lie world turned its course In answer
o prayer. The martyrs Of the dark
|iges saw the answers TO their own
prayers in the conversion OF .perseca.-
.ors. The Bible was given to the world
Under adverse circumstances in anawer
o heart-cry to God by it's lovers.
Knox, Whitfield, livingston. Sturgeon
md hosts of others saw and felt the
answers TO their prayers too numer-
|DuI to mention.
oelicf today? Do you want me to tell
you my view of il, and verify believe
hat it is TO large extent the way
Tod looks at it, too. Professors Of
christianity have too many gods aside
from jehovah. What. you say. Yes,
gods they love and worship far more
he he proof of this statement? Well. you
start out in America and acclaim in
substance. Great is liberty. the god
less Of Americans" and you have
But you begin to give God the glory
for the success of the Americans OF
late in answer to the many prayers
which have bsen oH HATS b aha sic you Of tha
IF the church experimenting. Go to
iSrancc and call for Joan OF Arc to
help you ascribe the praise OF the sue.
men, and the following is great. Who
Would notice it If you said that the
tiod of the universe won vicory to
fulfill prophecy? Here Is TOO much
room for commit
come back to a congregation OF
anu sement- seeking church members
and say, Hallelujah, to something good
The preacher says, and they all look at
roI, like the children OF Israel did at
shc mama and say, What is it?" Hold
President Wilson or some other great
men in admiration, and people Will
Christ and it puts damper on the
masses. Where is the heart Of this
tvpe? It is where the treasure is; in
shn GODS OF this world. Could we won
der that unbelief has such sway? :.
Doubter I want to tell you that II
lu,iII take something that you have not
got to take you across Jordan safely.
And cast a wishful eye,
To Canaan's fair and happy land.
Where my possessions lie.
A MINISTER.
Prayer brings Back Health.