knew not but that I should be without even a home. My verse was Psalms 50: 15. O, how I had to pray that day. So day by day I was comforted, and now to-day the answer has come.”
Here, then, is a portion of the story of a sweet life who trusted God, not as a God of the past, nor far off, but ever living, ever present, ever faithful, and believed Him _able, willing_, and that He _would help_ her in her daily life. She tried her Lord, to prove if his promises were indeed true, and she clung to them to the very last. No one knew her need. No one knew what she was praying for. The stranger did not know anything of her. She had asked money of no one but the Lord. Hesitant ever, she dared not name any amount of the Lord, but that ever present Spirit of God guided her heart, made her _fix the amount_, and then touched the heart of the stranger and fixed the amount also in his mind, and then, by his own guidance saved the letter from being lost, and behold! when opened the _prayer of the one and the gift of the other was the same_.
What a comfort, what a privilege, then, it is for the true-hearted Christian thus to feel, “_There is one who careth for us_.”
WHY HE FAILED.
A prominent business man failed in the Spring of 1877. He had been for years a prominent and consistent member of a Christian church. He had even supported a church once almost entirely. Nothing was known against his character, _but he failed; he failed in business_. No one knew the reason why, but there it was, _failure_.
At last, in moments of bitter repentance before God, he unbosomed himself to his pastor, and said, “_Long ago I promised to give the Lord one-tenth of all the profits I gained from my business, and while I did so, I was immensely prosperous and successful; never did any one have any such splendid success,–but I forgot my promise, stopped giving, thought that I did not need to spend so much, and I began to invest my means in real estate. When I stopped giving I stopped getting. Now all is gone. I lost my all because I did not keep my promise to the Lord_.”
This incident is a practical one, telling how utter is the impossibility of true success, without the aid of the Lord, and how absolutely necessary it is to our own peace and comfort of mind to religiously observe one’s promises made to God. The Bible only too truly tells of the end of those who forget Him.
“_But Jeshurun waxed fat, then he forsook God which made him; and when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, and said, ‘I will hide my face from them_.'”
“_Ye can not prosper; because ye have forsaken the Lord_, He _hath also forsaken you.” “There shall be desolation; because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength_.”
* * * * * HOW THE LORD
CONTROLS THE WINDS AND THE WAVES
JOHN EASTER’S PRAYER.
In his “Memorials of Methodism in Virginia,” Dr. W.W. Bennet relates the following incidents in the life of John Easter, one of the pioneer ministers who labored there nearly one hundred years ago: He is represented as being the most powerful exhortatory preacher of his day. His faith was transcendent, his appeals irresistible, his prayers like talking with God face to face. Perhaps no man has ever been more signally honored of God as an instrument in the conversion of souls. On one of his circuits eighteen hundred members were added to the church in a single year.
Many thrilling scenes under his preaching yet linger among the people in those counties where he principally labored. A most extraordinary display of his faith was witnessed in Brunswick. At Merritt’s meeting- house a quarterly meeting was in progress, and so vast was the concourse of people from many miles around, that the services were conducted in a beautiful grove near the church. In the midst of the exercises, a heavy cloud arose, and swept rapidly towards the place of worship. From the skirts of the grove the rain could be seen coming on across the fields. The people were in consternation; no house could hold one-third of the multitude, and they were about to scatter in all directions. Easter rose in the midst of the confusion–“Brethren,” cried he at the top of his voice, “be still while I call upon God to stay the clouds, till His word can be preached to perishing sinners.” Arrested by his voice and manner, they stood between hope and fear. He kneeled down and offered a fervent prayer that God would then stay the rain, that the preaching of His word might go on, and afterwards send refreshing showers. _While he was praying, the angry cloud, as it swiftly rolled up to them, was seen to part asunder in the midst, pass on either side of them, and close again beyond, leaving a space several hundred yards in circumference perfectly dry. The next morning a copious rain fell again, and the fields that had been left dry were well watered_.”
THE HUSHED TEMPEST.
The following circumstance is communicated to _The Christian_ by a minister of the editor’s acquaintance, as a memorial of God’s care for the poor and needy who trust in him:
It was about the year 1853, and near the middle of a Canadian Winter, we had a succession of snowfalls, followed by high winds and severe cold. I was getting ready to haul my Winter’s stock of wood, for which I had to go two miles over a road running north and south, entirely unprotected from the keen cold west winds that prevail the most of the time in that part of Canada during the Winter months.
The procuring of my Winter’s supply of wood was no small task for me, for I had very little to do with, and was unable to endure much fatigue, or bear the severe cold. I had, however, succeeded in securing the services of an excellent hand to chop, and help me load, and had also engaged a horse of one neighbor, and a horse and sled of another, and was ready on Monday morning to commence my job. Monday morning the roads were fair, the day promised well, and my man was off at daybreak to the woods to, have a load ready for me. There had been quite a fall of snow during the night; not enough to do any harm if it only lay still, but should the wind rise, as it had after every snow-fall before, it would make it dreadful for me. Soon as possible I harnessed my team, and started. I had not gone a quarter of a mile before it became painfully evident that a repetition of our previous “blows” was impending. The sky was dark and stormy, the wind rose rapidly, and in every direction clouds of the newly fallen snow were beginning to ride on the “wings of the wind,” pouring over the fences, and filling the road full! My heart sank within me. What could I do? At this rate, by next morning the roads would be impassable, and it was so cold! Besides, if I failed to go on now, it would be very difficult to get my borrowed team together again, and impossible to get my man again; and we could as well live without bread as without wood in a Canadian Winter.
Every moment the wind increased. In deep distress, I looked upon the threatening elements, exclaiming over and over, “What shall I do?” I felt then that there was but one thing that I could do, and that was just what poor sinking Peter did; and with feelings I imagine something like his, I looked up to God, and cried out, “O, my God, this is more than I am able to bear. Lord, help me! The elements are subject to thee; thou boldest the winds in thy fist. If thou wilt speak the word, there will be a great calm. O, for Jesus’ sake, and for the sake of my little helpless family, let this snow lie still and give me an opportunity of accomplishing this necessary labor comfortably!” I do not think it was above fifteen minutes after I began to call upon the Lord before there was a visible change. The wind began to subside, the sky grew calm, and in less than half an hour all was still, and a more pleasant time for wood-hauling than I had that day, I never saw nor desire to see. Many others beside me enjoyed the benefit of that “sudden change” of weather, but to them it was only a “nice spell of weather,” a “lucky thing;” while to me it was full of sweet and encouraging tokens of the “loving-kindness of the Lord.” And now, after so many years, I feel impelled to give this imperfect narrative, to encourage others in the day of trouble to call upon the Lord; and also, as a tribute of gratitude to Him who has “never said to the house of Jacob, seek ye my face in vain.”
PRAYING IN FAIR WEATHER.
The ways in which God saves those whom he wishes to deliver from death, are sometimes too wonderful for our understanding. A certain ship was overtaken in a severe and prolonged storm at sea. She had a noble Christian man for a captain, and as good a sailor as ever trod the quarter-deck, and he had under him a good and obedient crew. But they could not save the ship; she was too badly strained, her leaks were too great for the pumps, she must go to the bottom. The captain committed them all to the care of the God in whom he put his trust, and made ready to take to their boats. Just then a sail was descried, and, by signals of distress, drawn to their relief. All on board were taken off safely and put on the ship, soon after which they saw their own ship go down.
Now comes the peculiar part. The ship was soon overtaken in a dreadful storm, was cast on her beam ends, and everything seemed to be lost. The passengers were praying, and many of the old seamen were calling on God to save them from the great deep. The captain of the ship had done his best, but could not right the vessel, and all was given up to go down. The captain, whose ship was lost, then asked if he might take his crew and try to right the vessel.
“Take them, and do what you can,” was the reply. He called to his men and told them they must save that ship; he inspired them with confidence, for they knew he was a true man of God. They executed his orders with alacrity and care. They cut away the masts, and cleared away the rigging, and brought all the force they could to right the vessel. God prospered the efforts–the ship righted; they got the pumps at work, rigged a sail, and were finally all saved. It seemed as if it was necessary to put the captain of the first ship and his crew on the second ship, that they might save it and those on board when the terrible storm came.
Now it was particularly noticed in connection with this deliverance, that the captain of the lost vessel did not make any ado in prayer, or in calling on God, while the storm was raging; and knowing that he was a Christian man, they asked him the reason of this. He answered them, _that he did his praying in fair weather; “and then_” said he, _”when the storm comes, I work_.” He did not distrust God then, any more than in fair weather; but he knew that God requires man to do all he can to save himself, and praying might lose him his ship, when his own efforts must save it.
THE RESCUE FROM THE VILLE DU HAVRE, AND THE LOCH EARN.
A remarkable illustration of God’s mysterious way is found in connection with the rescue of some of the passengers of the ill-fated French steamship, Ville du Havre, which was sunk by a collision with the Loch Earn, November 22, 1873, on her voyage from New York to France. After the sinking of the Ville du Havre, with some two hundred of her passengers, the rest were taken up by the Loch Earn, from which most of them were afterwards transferred to the Trimountain. Others remained on board the Loch Earn, where in consequence of its disabled condition they seemed again in imminent danger of being lost.
On the 11th of December, while Mr. D.L. Moody was conducting a noonday prayer-meeting in the city of Edinburgh, Rev. Dr. Andrew Thompson read a letter from a Christian lady, the mother of one of these imperiled passengers, which contained the following account:
“After the Trimountain left them, and they had examined their ship, many a heart failed, and they feared they would never see land again. They could not navigate the vessel, and were left to the mercy of the winds and waves, or rather to the care of Him who ruleth wind and waves. Vain was the help of man. The wind drove them out of the course of ships, northward. You are aware that two ministers were left on board the Loch Earn. One, Mr. Cook, a truly godly man, did all he could to encourage their hearts. Every day, at noon, he gathered them together, and earnestly, by prayer, strove to lead them to the Savior; and this he continued to do till they reached England. The day before they were rescued they knew that very shortly the ship must go down. The wind had changed, bringing them nearer the track of ships, but they had little hope of being saved. Mr. Cook told them of his own hope, that death to him would be eternal life, and he urgently entreated them to put their trust in ‘Him who was mighty to save.’ At the same time he told them he had no doubt they would be rescued, that even then a vessel was speeding to save them, that God had answered their prayers, that next day as morning dawned they would see her. That night was one of great anxiety.
“As morning dawned every eye was strained to see the promised ship. There truly she was, and the British Queen bore down upon them. You may think that with thankful hearts they left the Loch Earn. One thing is remarkable–_the officer in charge on board the British Queen had a most unaccountable feeling that there was something for him to do,_ and _three times during the night he changed the course of the vessel, bearing northward_. He told the watch to keep a sharp lookout for a ship, and immediately on sighting the Loch Earn bore down upon her. At first he thought she had been abandoned, as she lay helpless in the trough of the sea, but soon they saw her signal of distress. It seems to me a remarkable instance of faith on the one side and a guiding Providence on the other. After they were taken on board the pilot-boat that brought them into Plymouth, at noon, when they for the last time joined together in prayer, Mr. Cook read to them the account of Paul’s shipwreck, showing the similarity of their experience. _’What made that captain change his course against his will?’ but the ever present Spirit of God”_.
THE STORM MADE CALM.
At a Sunday morning meeting at Repository Hall, January 25, 1874, a Christian brother, in illustration of the power and faithfulness of God, and his willingness to hear and answer prayer, related these facts in his own experience. An account of them was subsequently published in the _Christian_:
“In 1839 I was a sailor on board the brig Pandora, Captain G—-, bound from Savannah to Boston, with a cargo of cotton. When off the coast of Virginia, some twenty-five miles distant from Chesapeake Bay, we encountered a heavy gale. Saturday evening, December 21st, the wind blew gently from the south. On sounding, we found ourselves in thirty fathoms of water. At midnight the wind veered to the eastward, gradually increasing until four o’clock Sunday morning, by which time the brig was under close-reefed topsails and foresail. The wind still increasing, every stitch of canvas was taken in, and now the vessel lay helpless and unmanageable in the trough of the sea, not minding her helm at all, while the wind blew a perfect hurricane. The vessel being very light, loaded with cotton, made much leeway, and though we had worn ship four times during the preceding night, hoping, if possible, to weather some shoals which the captain judged were near, and to make Chesapeake Bay, where we might have a clear beach before us in case the vessel should strand, yet at eight o’clock Sunday morning we were in but seventeen fathoms of water.
“The gale now increased with fearful violence, waves rising like mountains, and rain and sleet pouring from the dismal clouds. At ten, A.M., being then in fifteen fathoms of water, and drifting rapidly towards the shore, the captain summoned all hands into the cabin to consult about throwing our deck-load overboard, in order to leave us a better chance to secure ourselves to the rigging, and thus save our lives when the vessel should strike, which he judged would be in about half an hour. Not a gleam of hope appeared, and here our distress was increased by observing that the captain seemed under the influence of liquor, to which he had probably resorted in order to stifle his fears of approaching death.
“The order was given, and we went to work to throw the cotton over, while the captain, frightened and despairing, went into the cabin to drown his fears in drink. Seeing the state of things, and believing that shipwreck was imminent, I found two of my shipmates who were Christians, and who had prayed daily with me in the forecastle, and I asked them if they had any faith in God now, that he would hear our prayers and deliver us? They both said they had; and I told them to pray, then, that the Lord might rebuke the winds and calm the waves.
“With an unspeakable mingling of fear and hope we applied ourselves to the task of casting the cotton into the sea, at the same time lifting up earnest and united prayers to God for deliverance from the threatened destruction, occasionally gliding in close contact with each other, and speaking words of hope in each other’s ears, and feeling, as we toiled, a blessed confidence that our prayers were not in vain.
“It did not seem more than five minutes from the time we commenced to throw the cotton overboard, for we had scarcely tumbled twenty bales into the sea, when we heard a shout from the quarter deck:
“‘Avast heaving cotton overboard! _The wind is coming out from our lee!_ Avast there!’
“It was the captain’s voice, bidding us stay our hands; we obeyed, and looking up we saw him clinging to the rigging, apparently so drunk that he could hardly stand, _while away over our lee-bow we could see blue sky and fair weather_, and _it seemed that in less than ten minutes from the time the hurricane was at its height, the wind had chopped around in shore, and was gently wafting us away from danger, and out into deep water again_.
“There were glad souls on board the Pandora that day, as she swung around in obedience to the helm, and we laid her course again for our destined port. And some who before had mocked at prayers and blasphemed the God we loved, admitted then that God had answered prayer, and that he had delivered us from death.
“And I love to repeat the story to the praise of the Lord, who yet lives to hear, and bless, and save his trusting children.”
NO FEAR OF THUNDER.
Some years ago a camp-meeting was held in Southern Indiana. It rained nearly all the time of the meeting. Father Haven, a man mighty in prayer, rose to preach. Just as he announced his text it thundered, and the congregation seemed to be restless and alarmed. The old hero instantly said, “Let us engage a moment in prayer.” He prayed that God would allow the storm to pass by and not disturb them.
After having plead for a few moments he said, “Friends, keep your seats; it will not rain one drop here to-day.” He commenced to preach, and it thundered again. He repeated his assurance, and thus it continued until the storm-cloud was almost over the encampment. It divided north and south, and passed about a quarter of a mile on either side of them, reunited again and passed on, and not one solitary drop of rain fell on that encampment.
THE PRAYER OF THE PILGRIMS FOR RAIN ANSWERED.
It is well known that many of the good men who were driven from England to America by persecution in the seventeenth century, had to endure great privations. In the Spring of 1623 they planted more corn than ever before; but by the time they had done planting, their food was spent. They daily prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread;” and in some way or other the prayer was always answered. With a single boat and a net they caught some fish, and when these failed, they dug in the sand for shell-fish. In the month of June their hopes of a harvest were nearly blasted by a drought which withered up their corn and made the grass look like hay. All expected to perish with hunger.
In their distress the pilgrims set apart a day of humiliation and prayer, and continued their worship for eight or nine hours. God heard their prayers, and answered them in a way which excited universal admiration. Although the morning of that day was clear, and the weather very hot and dry during the whole forenoon, yet before night it began to rain, and gentle showers continued to fall for many days, so that the ground became thoroughly soaked, and the drooping corn revived.
THE ENEMIES OF A GOD FEARING NATION.
“An answer to prayer,” says Le Clerc, “may be seen by what happened on the coast of Holland in the year 1672. The Dutch expected an attack from their enemies by sea, and public prayers were ordered for their deliverance. It came to pass that when their enemies waited only for the tide, in order to land, _the tide was retarded, contrary to its usual course, for twelve hours_, so their enemies were obliged to defer the attempt to another opportunity; which they never found, _because a storm, arose afterwards_, and drove them from the coast.”
CHANGING THE COURSE ONE POINT.
Walking across Palace Square in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with an American ship-master, (says a correspondent of the _Watchman_) he invited me to accompany him to his hotel. While there he showed me a very large gold medal he had received from the British government for saving a ship’s company at sea. The circumstances were these: One night at sea, when it was the captain’s “mid-watch,”–the watch from twelve, midnight, till four o’clock in the morning–just before turning in, he gave the officer of the watch the ship’s course; the direction in which she was to be steered. While undressing, it was impressed on his mind that he ought to change the course a point; but he could see no reason for the change, as the ship was on the right course for the port of her destination. He turned in and tried to fall asleep, as it was only four hours to his watch; but the impression that he ought to change the ship’s course kept him awake. In vain he tried to throw off that impression; and yielding to it, he went on deck and gave the order for the change. On returning to his berth, he was asleep as soon as his head was on the pillow. The next day he sighted a ship in distress, and made sail for her. The ship was in a sinking condition, and he rescued the whole ship’s company. Shortly after, a gale of wind arose and carried the sinking ship to complete destruction. Had not the American captain changed the course of his ship that evening, he would not have come in sight of the ship in distress, and all of the company would have perished.
_Query_–_What made that Captain arise in the middle of the night and, contrary to all science, reason and his own will, change the course of his vessel_, but a _Supreme Being, whose power he could not resist_, and what made him _exactly_ reach that sinking _ship just in time_.
* * * * *
THE FULTON ST. PRAYER MEETING.
ANSWERS TO PRAYER FROM ITS HISTORY, RECORDS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
The following Incidents of Prayer and the remarkable Answers, have been obtained from the records of the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting in New York City. They include both facts which have been related by speakers in their daily meetings, or furnished from the letters of those who have solicited Prayer and received the Answer to their Faith.
They are of the utmost diversity of subjects, literally including the “all things” of the Bible, and temporal as well as spiritual interests.
Numerous as the incidents are, which we here give, still they cover only _one-sixtieth_ part of the whole Record of the Blessed Meeting.
History can never tell of the wonders done in Answer to the Prayers of these trusting ones; but Faith can rejoice, for here is fulfilled daily those cheerful Promises of the Lord: “_If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” “Ask and receive, that your joy may be full_.”
SAVED FROM A LIFE OF DEGRADATION.
“Your prayers for my husband have been answered; _on the very day_ I wished your prayers for him, and _before the hour of prayer had expired_” he came into the house, and said, ‘_I am going to do better_.’ He had not been home before for _several weeks_. He was a profane, hard-drinking man. He has since joined the church. ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name.'”
RECOVERY OF AN INVALID.
“One year ago, the prayers of this meeting were asked for an invalid who had years of intense suffering before her, unless soon relieved. Prayers were offered for her. Now we would like to acknowledge the loving-kindness and tender mercy of our God, for, since that time, she has slowly but steadily improved, even under most trying and unfavorable circumstances, and-has now recovered comparative strength.”
RELIEF IN BUSINESS.
“_None of those who trust in Him shall be made desolate_.”
“Some three weeks ago, I wrote you, stating that _my business had been a failure_, and asked your prayers that God, in His mercy, would point out a way for me to _provide for my family._ The clouds grew thicker and blacker, but the more earnest were my prayers. _Last Saturday the Lord came to my rescue_, and provided me with the necessities of life, and to-day I wish you to join with me in thanksgiving to Almighty God for these favors;–‘For He is good; His mercy endureth forever.'”
A DAUGHTER SAVED FROM MARRIAGE WITH A CORRUPT MAN.
“I pray you give God praise and thanks for His merciful deliverance of my dear daughter from the _evil influence_ of the man to whom she had given her love and promise of marriage. THE LORD gave her strength and courage to break her engagement, in answer to our earnest prayers. Oh, implore _Him_ to keep that man out of her path, for he is constantly lying in wait to meet her when she goes out. He wanted her to read bad books, but told her that they were not wrong. He constantly laid temptation in alluring forms before her. To HIM alone be the thanks for this step she has taken.”
A SKEPTIC OVERPOWERED.
“More and more God is pouring out His Spirit, gloriously answering your prayers and ours. I have been constantly asking your prayers, and though, for a while, the vision tarried, _yet it has come. The young man_, from a neighborhood where there was _not one Christian_, and _he himself scarcely less than a skeptic, is now sitting, in his right mind, at Jesus’ feet.”_
SAVED FROM DEATH.
“My brother, that lay apparently at the point of death, has been restored to comparative health.”
AN INTEMPERATE YOUNG MAN RECLAIMED.
“Rejoice with me, and thank God for his gracious answer to prayer. The intemperate young man for whom I requested prayer some months ago, has turned away from his cups, and is earnestly striving to overcome his appetite for strong drink. He is competent to be the means of doing so much good.”
THE CONVERSION OF INTIMATE FRIENDS.
“Some time since, I sent request for prayer for the conversion of friends. Since then _three_ have united with the church.”
RAISED UP FROM DEATH’S DOOR.
“Our former pastor was raised up from death’s door, in answer to your prayer. _The doctor gave him up_. He says the Lord alone saved him, in answer to prayer. Praise His name.”
THE DESIRE OF THE HEART FULFILLED.
“A few weeks since I sent a request for prayer in my behalf, asking you to pray God very earnestly that He would grant me the desire of my heart, for which I was praying almost unceasingly. _On the evening of the same day_ on which I supposed you would receive my request, _the answer came,_ lifting a great burden from my heart. I send this in acknowledgment of God’s loving-kindness to me, and to encourage’ every burdened, praying one, to _trust Him more_.”
A POOR OLD SICK LADY RESTORED.
“The poor, sick old lady for whom I requested your prayers some time since, wishes to return thanks to Almighty God, for _restoring her health_, and _sending friends_. It is wonderful how your and our requests are answered.”
A NEW BIRTH.
“Give thanks with me. Since I wrote you last, our son has given himself to Jesus.”
A CHURCH SAVED FROM STRIFE.
“It is with heartfelt gratitude to God that I write you of answer to your prayer. Last Spring, I asked your prayers in behalf of our church. It was almost destroyed by a man trying to get into our Conference without proper papers, and could not. He then broke up a Presbyterian church, and formed another. He gathered a number of our members with him, and tried hard to take our parsonage, but did not succeed. Thank God! though we are few, and have had a hard struggle, we still hold our property, our circuit has doubled, God is reviving His work, and is now answering your prayers”
REASON RESTORED.
“Last March, I requested you to pray for a dear friend in Massachusetts, who was deprived of her reason through sickness and great trouble. _Give thanks unto God, she is fully restored.”_
“Arise And Walk.”
“It will be just one year since Jesus came and took me by the hand, and _I arose from what was supposed to be my death-bed_, and _walked to the astonishment of all_. I have not claimed the fullness of the promise, but feel that I may. I prayed God not to heal my body wholly, until I was more patient under my cross.”
THE APPETITE FOR STRONG DRINK TAKEN AWAY.
“Sometime ago I wrote to you for my husband. He was _a victim to strong drink_ at that time, but _blessed be God, he has not drank one drop for five months_.”
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH.
“I feel your prayers; I think I know the day and the hour, for I felt strengthened with strength in my soul.”
HEALING OF SOUL AND BODY.
“I have reason to rejoice that I have been greatly blessed in answer to your prayers. Two young lady friends of mine have been enabled to claim the blessed promise of full salvation, not only to the healing of the soul, _but the body also_.
My own experience helped them: On the 16th of January, last, in answer to constant prayer offered by myself and friends, I arose from what all thought to be my death-bed, and walked all over the house; also many miles on the streets during the next few months. I did not claim the full extent of the promise as I craved only relief from such terrible pain, as was then my portion to bear. I think God in his goodness would have granted full restoration to health, as I was so anxious to work for Him, but I pleaded with Him _not to heal my body_ until my mind had had the discipline I felt it needed.”
AN INTEMPERATE HUSBAND SAVED BY PRAYER.
“Some three weeks since, I asked you for my intemperate husband, that you would pray that he might be _willing to be saved. He has been made willing to give up the intoxicating cup,_ and says he has _not any desire_ for it. To God be all the praise.”
RELIGION LOST, RELIGION REGAINED.
“I wrote you two months since, asking an interest in your prayers for a young man that experienced religion a year ago, but failed to confess Christ by uniting with the church. Your prayers have been answered. Last night my heart was made to rejoice by seeing him confess Christ, before the world. He is now happy in the love of Jesus, and will he useful and active in the church.”
DRUNKARDS REFORMED.
“Return thanks to God for two men signing the pledge, about one month ago, who have been enabled to keep it through great temptation. _They were drunkards for over twenty years_. Their reformation was in answer to a praying mother’s prayers, and to the prayers for them at your meeting.”
A HOPELESS CASE.
“A little less than a year ago, prayers were desired at the Fulton street prayer-meeting for a man whose case seemed wholly hopeless. Shortly after he gave up drink, and became a Christian; is now a happy man, and has a happy family.
“Please carry this thank offering to God, that he has given us such a Savior, and such a way to escape from temptation.”
A HARVEST OF CONVERSIONS.
“Last Fall, I wrote you to pray for us. You did pray. The result was a wonderful increase of spiritual life–_fifty conversions.”_
A FAMILY MADE HAPPY.
“Two years ago, I wrote asking your prayers for a dear sister, brothers and nieces. Since then, one brother, about sixty, and my two nieces have been converted, and are now rejoicing in a Savior’s love.”
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“About two years ago we requested your prayers for the Holy Spirit upon a revival work then in progress in our church.” _The Lord answered us_ by giving us _over four score souls.”_
HEARTS MADE GLAD.
“We return most hearty thanks for the answer to prayer given. I wrote more than a year ago last August of our low state. Last Winter twenty young persons were converted, and continue to work faithfully.”
GIVEN UP BY MAN, BUT RESCUED BY THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.
“The writer was himself raised up by prayer, from the gates of death, offered by the heart and lips of one who is now a sufferer. _Two of the most skillful physicians in the land had given me up_.”
THE STORY OF A WAYWARD LIFE, SAVED BY PRAYER.
“In the last fourteen years I have stood beside the deathbeds of eight who were near and dear to me, and the last words that each spoke to me as they were leaving the world were, “_Will you not meet me in Heaven_?” I have been a wayward child. Eight years ago I became addicted to strong drink. I became a drunkard, which brought my dear old father down to an untimely grave. I made a promise on his death-bed that I would not drink any more, and for six long years I kept that promise, but at last I broke it. I again became a drunkard, which began to tell on my wife. I promised her that I would not drink, but that promise was broken time after time. Within this year, in the week of prayer, I attended the prayer-meetings, asked prayers for me, and on the night following, I erected the family altar, which had for four years been neglected, and, thank God, it is there yet. I am now trusting in the promise that _He will not let his children be tempted beyond what they are able to endure_.”
A WONDERFUL CURE.
An earnest Christian woman who believed the Lord greater than any earthly physician, cries, “_O, praise the Lord. He hath delivered me in six troubles, and in the seventh he hath not forsaken me_.” “And the seventh was the worst. By the help of _eight physicians_, and in answer to prayer, partly of this meeting, a fearful tumor has been taken from me weighing twelve pounds, with three gallons of water in the sack. O, praise the Lord, for He is good, and his mercy endureth forever.”
This case was one of extraordinary risk and apparently impossible achievement; but the Lord gave faith to try, and skill to win the victory. No earthly power could have dared the venture.
GIVEN UP.
“Our pastor, after four months’ sickness, preached to us last evening the most solemn sermon I ever heard, and says he was raised up in answer to prayer. The physicians gave him up several times, and say they have never known such an instance of recovery.”
CHAINS BROKEN AT LAST.
“Long months, week by week, I have asked you to pray that my husband might be saved from the eternal doom of a drunkard. God has mercifully given him strength to break the fetters that bound him fast.”
BETTER THAN WE EXPECTED.
“We asked your prayers; they have been answered. They were answered more and better than we had hoped or dreamed they could be.”
PRAYER ANSWERED FOR EMPLOYMENT.
“A foreigner without means and friendless tried in vain for ten months to succeed in finding some employment. He requested your prayers to God, and _God answered_. In less than eighteen hours a splendid position was offered to him. He and his wife give thanks, and pray that they may devote their lives usefully to the cause of God who has been so good to them.”
FOUND EMPLOYMENT.
“God has answered our united prayers, and given employment to his child.”
AN OLD LADY SAVED FROM LITTLE ANNOYANCES.
“Your prayers have been heard and answered in mercy. The old lady has not been quite so much annoyed. Thank God for some peace for the aged one, not able to bear what younger people can, that go out into the world and can find relief. I thank my heavenly Father for his loving- kindness and tender mercy for those that cry to him in trouble.”
INSANITY DISPELLED.
“I sent a petition months ago, for prayers for an insane husband. Your prayers have been answered. He has rapidly recovered.”
RECLAIMED.
“I must ask you to return thanks with me that your prayers have been answered. An intemperate brother has been reclaimed.”
RESTORED TO HEALTH.
“One month since, I requested prayer specially for my own family. My oldest son, who was then sick, has been restored to his usual health. ‘_The prayer of faith hath indeed saved the sick_.'”
TEMPTATIONS REMOVED.
“Some months ago I asked your prayers for a son in college, amid great temptations. I desire to give thanks that those temptations have been removed.”
THE HEART OF A CLERGYMAN TURNED FROM THOUGHTS OF AMBITION.
“I sent a request to you for a young man, who was called, and eminently fitted for the ministry, but was tempted, by ambition, not to listen to the divine call, and obstacles had hedged his way somewhat. After I requested your prayers in his behalf, this temptation was removed, and nearly one hundred persons were converted in the church which was under his care.”
A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE.
“For a long time I have been the subject of personal affliction, caused by _two internal tumors_ of the _worst type_. Speedy death seemed inevitable; yet there was a little hope that a surgical operation might possibly remove the difficulty and prolong my day. To this hope I clung, submitted to the operation, and it was a success. To the earnest prayers of Christian people is due this grateful acknowledgment.”
WAS A PERFECT SLAVE TO LIQUOR.
“Please return _thanks_ to our kind Heavenly Father for this answer to prayer. All last Winter requests were sent in for a gentleman, a perfect slave to liquor. Those prayers were answered, and he is attending church regularly, striving to do what is right to please his Heavenly Master.”
ALWAYS ANSWERED.
“Several times in years past I have asked for the prayers of this meeting, and always found them answered.”
CURED OF EPILEPSY.
“I wrote you to aid me by your prayers, that my afflicted son, who was troubled with epilepsy, might be cured. Thanks be to the Heavenly Father, he is better.”
ALMOST LOST.
“Your prayers and mine for my son have been answered. He was almost lost, on the downward road of intemperance. He has now reformed.”
A SITUATION OBTAINED BY PRAYER.
“Yesterday I sent a request that God would give me sustaining grace and abiding faith, and in his own good time give me a situation where I might be able to support my family. In that very afternoon, I made a contract of $1,200 a year. Praise the Lord.”
A BOUNTIFUL BLESSING.
“Some time ago I solicited your prayers for a blessing on my services, and _never, in all my life_ before have I been blessed as since that time. ‘Tis truly wonderful; it has seemed as if I must have become some one else, and that it could not longer be me speaking with such boldness, and apparent success. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”
SAVED FROM THE COMPANY OF A BAD LOVER.
“A week ago I begged you to pray for my daughter, who had given her heart to an unworthy man, praying that God might guide her to see him as he is, and turn her love from him. She is a child of God. In answer, God has caused a rupture between them.”
AWAY FROM HOME, BUT NOT AWAY FROM GOD.
“Some weeks since I sent in a request for prayer for my sons who had fallen victims to intemperance and vice. My heart rejoices to-day in the hope that it has.
“Two who left home, and had gone to distant cities to seek employment, have written me to pray that they may be able to forsake sin in all its forms, and come to Christ and be Christians. One of them was skeptical when he left home. The one remaining at home has resolved to quit drinking.”
GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS BELIEVING PRAYER.
“Your prayers asked on several occasions have all been graciously answered. Return thanks unto the Lord that sendeth mercy.”
THE HARDEST HEART YIELDS AT LAST.
“Several years since your prayers were solicited in behalf of one who seemed given over to hardness of heart and reprobacy of mind. Since that time there has been some reform in his life. God only knows how far those prayers have been answered in restraining grace. Last week he said to the friend who had solicited your prayers for him, ‘I wish you would ask Fulton Street prayer-meeting to pray again for me. _I believe it did me good._'”
UP FROM THE LOWEST DEPTHS.
“One year ago I wrote you respecting prayer for my husband. He has since been reclaimed from the lowest depths of a drunkard’s life, and is now a member of the Christian church. Thanks be to God, the giver of all good.”
SAVED AND HONORED.
“Almost three years ago I asked you to pray for a young man that was wandering from God. Thank God, your and my prayers were answered. He is now an active Christian, a superintendent of the Sabbath school, and a most zealous member of the Young Men’s Christian Association of this place.”
ALMOST PERSUADED.
“Some weeks since I requested prayer for a member of this Institution who was ‘almost persuaded’ to be a Christian. Thanks to our Father, and to those who have offered prayer in her behalf, she has been _altogether persuaded_, and has united with the Lord’s people.”
ANSWERED THE SAME DAY.
“You received a letter yesterday. My husband rose for prayers the same night.”
OH, HOW PRECIOUS.
“I wrote five months since for prayers for myself, and I now write to say that I have found my Savior very precious to my soul.”
PRAYING FOR A PASTOR.
“Several months ago I wrote asking you to pray for a feeble church in need of a pastor. Since then I am happy to say that this church has been blessed and we now have a pastor.”
A TELEGRAM OF PRAYER.
An incident was related at one of the meetings by a clergyman who had written a telegram asking for prayers. God heard it before it was sent.
“When we were in Switzerland, my daughter was taken very ill, so that the doctor despaired of her life. I felt the need of sympathy and help and prayer, and I made up my mind that I would send a telegraphic dispatch to this meeting, where I had so often united with you in prayer. I wrote the dispatch and was prepared to send it, when all at once there was poured out such a joyful faith and confidence in God on me as I never felt before in all my life, and I fell on my knees in devout thanksgiving for the assurance that God gave me that he had heard and answered our prayers, for we had prayed for that dear daughter’s life. There lay the telegram ready to be sent. There I was waiting and praying. In less than half an hour my wife came into the room and said, ‘There is a change for the better in our daughter,’ and the telegram was never sent, though I believe the writing of it was the prayer that God answered.”
HE DID NOT KEEP HIS PROMISE, BUT GOD DID.
A remarkable instance of how God keeps his promises and is faithful, and how man often forgets to keep his, and at last receives deserved punishment for his thanklessness to God, was recently related in the Fulton Street prayer-meeting.
A very urgent case was presented by a friend. He said: “A friend of mine is seeking Jesus. A little while ago his only child lay near death. He prayed God to restore her to health, promising to serve the Lord for the rest of his life if the child’s life was spared. His daughter recovered, but _the man forgot the promise he had made and sought not after God._ In a very little while the child was suddenly taken sick again, and almost as suddenly died. The father remembered his vows, and feels that this is God’s solemn warning to him to seek the Savior.”
A DOUBLE PRAYER ANSWERED.
At the Fulton Street prayer-meeting a number of remarkable cases were related of real answers to prayer for recovery to health, and obtaining of positions.
“I must tell you how God has been answering prayer, for his glory and for your encouragement. Your prayers were asked for a sick wife. She was thought by the doctors to be beyond recovery, but in response to prayer God spared her life, and she and her husband returned their heartfelt thanks to Him. But there was another trouble. The husband had long needed employment, and was in great pecuniary distress. He had been praying for help, beseeching the Lord to open up a way for him. But help did not come, and the cloud seemed darker, and the poor man got discouraged. Friends begged him to hope on, and not to give up his trust in that God who, in answer to prayer, had raised his sick wife to health. He continued to pray, and on the long, dark night, morning at last dawned. He is now in a good position, and sends a request to friends to thank God with him for this two-fold goodness of the Lord.
HOW THE LORD BLESSED AN OLD ADVERTISEMENT.
“I had another acquaintance who was also greatly distressed. With a wife and family to care for, and all his means gone, and no prospect of employment, he was in trouble indeed. We induced him to present his case for prayer here, as it would encourage him to have others pray for him. Then we inserted an advertisement in one of the daily papers, offering his services, hoping the Lord would bless the means used and answer prayer. Day by day passed, but no response came. Some two weeks after the advertisement was inserted, a merchant picked up _an old paper_, and noticing the advertisement, showed it to his partner, remarking, ‘Why, this is just the man we need.’ Observing the _old date_ on the paper, his partner said he thought it would be too late to respond; but the trial was made. The man was requested to call, and proved to be just what these merchants had been wishing for, and was very quickly engaged. He feels that the Heavenly Father who cares for the sparrows, undoubtedly met his need, and that all the circumstances connected with the case were providential.”
HATING THE ACCURSED DRINK.
A brother rose in the meeting and said, “I believe it is God’s will that I should tell you how He saved me, about two years since. I came into the meeting when it was held in the old church, and was at the time under the influence of liquor. The missionary took me into the gallery and talked with me, and prayed with me, and God heard prayer and saved me. I became a new man in Christ, and have lost all appetite for drink; I hate the accursed stuff.”
A DRUNKARD FOR THIRTY YEARS.
Another told a remarkable story of his life: “I was a drunkard for thirty years, and I tried all kinds of means to get free, but all failed. I pledged myself over and over again, and swore off many a time. At last, Jesus met me at the mission meeting, and he saved me. He took away the appetite for drink from me. I am a different man; I am tempted in various ways at times, but when tempted I think of Jesus and look to Him, and He saves me.”
THE HOPELESS ONE BROUGHT HOME.
“A pastor related the incident of the conversion of a man who had disgraced his family, and all through drink. All the people in the village where he lived regarded him as a hopeless case. But he was prayed for, and one night in answer to an appeal to those desiring Christ to rise, he rose. He soon became a new man, and a steadfast soldier of the Cross, completely delivered from his hopeless situation, and all his appetites taken away.”
“NO MAN CAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER’S HAND.”
A brother says, “Jesus says this, and I rest just there.” “A year ago I was in Philadelphia. I had resolved not to drink any liquor that day, but my resolution was soon broken. In the evening as I wandered the streets, that voice of God, ‘_Turn ye, turn ye_,’ gave me great uneasiness. Although I tried hard not to go, yet the Spirit was at work within me, and against my will led me to the meetings of the Young Men’s Christian Association. When the call came for those desiring prayers, I felt that it was my last call, and I pushed forward and rose. Friends prayed with me, and that night, as I pleaded for mercy, the burden of my sin was lifted and I was free. Christ took the appetite for drink away, and He has kept me ever since, and will keep me to the end, for He says, ‘_Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine_.’ Oh! I know He won’t let me go.”
ANSWER TO PRAYER IN TEMPORAL MATTERS.
A speaker said at one meeting, “God answers prayer in temporal matters. In a Western college, at a time when the last morsels of food had been eaten, and some had to go away from the table empty, four of the number retired to pray, and before they had ceased praying relief came. Provisions in large quantities were received, thus verifying the old promise, ‘Before they call I will answer.'”
THE LORD PROVED TRUE.
“The Lord reigns,” another exclaimed, “I have proved that during my long life! It has looked dark very often, and I have been in difficult places, but again and again the Lord has brought me through triumphantly. I have found the promise true.” “Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
A LITTLE BOY’S QUESTION.
A brother related a touching incident which occurred in Brooklyn. “A little boy asked his father at the dinner table, ‘_Papa, why don’t you read the Bible_?’ The father was a passionate man, and was about driving the boy out of his presence, but his anger made the little fellow weep. That brought tears to the mother’s eyes, and then the father followed suit. The boy’s tears moved him, and the question struck his heart; and father and mother, up to that hour unconverted, were soon on their way to the prayer-meeting, where they found Jesus.”
A LITTLE GIRL’S QUESTION.
A touching little story, with eternal results in it, was told at one of the meetings, illustrating that word of God’s book, “A little child shall lead them.” “A dress-maker called on a very wealthy lady in a city not far from New York, and took with her her little girl, five years old. The lady took a fancy to the child, and showed her over the house. She expressed great admiration at all she saw, and, particularly attracted by the carpet, said to the lady: ‘Why, I should think Jesus must come here very often, it is such a nice house, and such a beautiful carpet–He must come here very often. He comes to our house, and we have no carpet; I am sure He must come here very often, doesn’t He?’ The lady not answering, the child repeated the question, when the reply came, with deep emotion, “I am afraid not.” The child left, but God’s message was delivered. The lady related the incident to her husband in the evening, and both were led to seek the Savior.
GOD CARED FOR ME.
At a meeting a young man in broken English, said: “If any man ought to believe in prayer, I ought to. My friends turned me out of my home, because I was seeking for Christ. I was too much Christian my landlady said. I told her I wished I was all Christian. It was seven o’clock in the evening when she refused to let me come into the house. I went then to the prayer-meeting in Water Street; we had such a good meeting, that I quite forgot that I had no place to sleep. The services over, I found it was raining fast, and I had no place to which to go. I went back into the room, and kneeling at one of the benches, I begged God to give me a place to rest. I did not go home my usual way that night, but on the way I took I met an old friend, and walking with him to his house he begged me to stay the night, as he did not like to be alone. I staid there that night, though I had never told him of my condition. What was it but an answer to prayer. Many a time since has God thus provided for my wants. O friends, let your heart go out, for Him, then He will never let you want.”
THE BLIND CAN SEE.
Said another, “I came here yesterday to ask you to pray for my sister. She has been sick some time, and then she lost her _sight_. I did not get an opportunity to present my request because so many took part; but I thought I would just take my sister’s case to Jesus, remembering that ‘the prayer of faith shall save the sick.’ In the afternoon I found her in sad need of sleep. I told her just to look to Jesus, because it was written of Him, ‘So He giveth His beloved sleep.’ We prayed together, and I left her in a _profound slumber_, ‘This morning when I called on her she could _see me.’ Friends, the Lord does answer prayer.”