Year: 1861




human hearts The streets of our great cities
were thronged daily at midday with people from
all classes in society, silently vending their
way to the house of prayer. These gatherings
were signalized by unparalled success, and hum
dreds will date their conversion to that memora-
BILE year. But it is not our purpose to speak OF
the mighty influence which swayed the thou
sands gathered for prayer in Burton 8 theatre,
or at the renowned Fulton street. We would
invite your attention to humble dwelling
within the precincts of our quiet Green Noun
tain State, and illustrate how God can, and Of
ten does, produce the greatest effects from the
fecblest means. DR.. Harlow was respectable
physician, an esteemed citizen, kind husband
AMI afectonate father. So far so good. But
one thing he lacked-he was not a Christian
but had no objection to Christianity, and wished
to be one He even courted the society OF re-
ligious people, anxious to have them point him
to the Lamb of God but Christians and Chris
tian ministers passed him heedlessly by on this
one topic of mighty import. All how many
there are in this sinful world of ours that are
waiting for some Christian friend to kindly lead
them into the pool, that they may be made
whole; and if they fail to do it, Jesus himself
comes as at the pool of Bethesda, and at once
makes known his power.


1t was evening Little Emma and Ncttie
Harlow had just retired for the night. The
father, as was his custom, soon followed to their
little room to carry away the light AS he care
fully opened the door, what scene was before
him The little ones were bowed meekly to-
gether, and with clasped hands were repeating
the familiar words


"Now lay down to sleep,


pray the Lord my soul to keep


If should die before wake,


pray the Lord my soul to take.'


DIR. Harlow was astonished The scene be-
fore him was unexpected, and entirely new to
him. The words fell upon his ear with start
ling effect, and sank into his heart. As they
quietly retired and he took the light, a voice
from lips bathed in the sunlight OF prayer,
said


Father, do you ever pray?"


The question was parried in skiltul way
and the room was soon dark. AS the father en-
tered the cheerful sitting-room, strange and
undefnable feeling came over him. 1t was the
first time for many long years that the subject
of b;s s5nl's interest had been presented to him ;
and now that it came in poDer 70 his heart by
simple question from his first-born of only
seven summers, who had never heard a gospel
sermon or entered house of worship he was
entirely confounded . Sunday morning came,
and found him still thoughtful and undecided.
The Sabbath bell, as it summoned to worship,
seemed to bring to his mind the days of youth,
when, with a praying mother, he went to the
house Of God. Little Emma S voice chimed
with the bell in its inviting notes:


Father, will you please go with me to church
to day."


II have o professional engagement, and cam
not GO
1" Are you willing should go, father -
Leave was given, and Emma eyes sparkled as
she donned her hood and cloak and tripped qui-
! etlv to church. For the first time she listened
to the story of the cross; it flle1 her heart
with a tide Of glory, and she seemed in a new
world. Another Sabbath came, and with it an
invitation for " father to go. She was put
off again with the same excuse of an GO engage
ment' The third Sunday rolled around with
its exalted privileges, and still the angel child
was at his side urging his attendance to the
house of God. To please Emma he consented
10 90 with her For the first time in eight long
years he entered a church, and could the pastor
and congregation have known the history of the
case before them, the words of Isaiah would have
sent electric fire through their hearts q" And a
little child shall lead them"


Our little story is not for mere display. 1t is
a simple nara tive Of facts to show that g 1t is
not by might nor by power, but by my spirit,
saith the Lord" Even "out of the mouths of
babes and sucklings," God has ordained praise
Emma still continued to plead with him to 60
with her to church, until he loved the house of
God. A great change has come over the house
hold where Emma began her young life in
prayer, which she had learned from toy book
sent by friend. DR.. Harlow is now Superln-
tendent of one of the most fourishing Sabbath
Schools in the State. With his wife and chill
dren he bows every morning at the altar of