consent, having a number of young children whose subsistence depends upon his labour. "As the Almighty had delivered me," said he, "from that horrid death, I thought surely He is able to save my arm also:" and, astonishing to relate, several of his wounds are already healed, and there is now hope of his complete recovery! Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.-Infants' School Repository. No. xxx. p. 83-88. 21 ** Prayer answered by crosses. TO * Major General Burn and ship. The following extract, from the life of that excellent man Major General Burn, shews how the Lord may be fully answering our prayers when he appears to be denying the request of our lips A "As I have every reason to praise God for his mercies, so ought I also to bless and magnify his holy name, as the hearer and answerer of prayer. I can boldly say from my heart, that I have truly found him such, and never more so than when he has refused a direct and immediate grant of my petitions; for then I have often seen in the issue, that I had ten times more reason to thank him for the refusal, than if he had at once granted me what I asked. I will just mention one instance of this kind, as a specimen of many; first observing, that when clear views of divine truth were first imparted to me, I often prayed, that whenever he called me to embark in a man-of-war (that dreadful abode for a Christian, which I had long inhabited) I might even there find some serious person to converse with, who by good advice and a pious example, might be the means of keeping me from falling. But this prayer I had for some time neglected to offer up, and indeed had entirely forgotten: though God had not, as will be seen in what I am going to relate. About forty years ago, when I was an officer in the Royal Marines, two other officers and myself were ordered to embark, one in each of the three guard ships then stationed in the river Medway. Two of them lay close to the dock-yard at Chatham, affording at all times easy access to the shore; but the other, the Resolution of seventyfour guns, lay half way down the river towards Sheerness, from whence, in winter and bad weather, it was troublesome to land, and sometimes impossible. For this reason it was natural for each of us to wish for one of the Chatham ships, and strong interest was made by each of us with the commanding officer for this purpose. But he, finding he must needs disoblige one of the three, ordered us to attend parade next morning, and draw lots for our ships. This of course drew me to my strong-hold. If ever I prayed with fervency in my life, it was now. I pleaded hard with the searcher of hearts, that he knew my chief motive for desiring one of the Chatham ships was that I might constantly attend the means of grace and the ordinances of his house; and that if I really was a child of God he grant my request, since the lot, thus cast into the lap,' was wholly at his disposal. (Prov. xvi. 33.) The important morning came, and I drew the dreaded ship, down the river! Had I drawn my death-warrant, I hardly think it would have affected me more. My prayer was now, as I thought, rejected; and the enemy of souls, taking the advantage of the troubled 1 : state of my depraved heart, easily made me conclude, either that I was no Christian, or that God paid no attention to those who professed to be such. In this gloomy, desponding state, like a criminal going to the gallows, I embarked the same forenoon in his majesty's ship, the Resolution, lying in a dreary part of the Medway, about two or three miles from Sheerness. I had just time to be introduced to the officers in the ward-room, when dinner came in. The third lieutenant, happening to be the person whose duty it was to preside that week, stood up at the head of the table, and asked a blessing; and in so serious a manner as quite surprised me; for well knowing the customs of the ward-room in a king's ship, I had never heard anything of the kind so solemnly pronounced there before and I resolved to mark every word that came from his lips, in the hope of hearing something that might enable me to make out his character. Nothing decisive occurred during dinner; bút no sooner was the wine placed upon the table, than he was attacked by several of his messmates on his religion; and I soon found that he bore the genuine marks of a true Christian, by his judicious reproof, and the very able manner in which he confuted all their infidel arguments. Wishing, I suppose, to know what spirit I was of, they frequently appealed to me for the truth of what they advanced; but I was obliged always to decide against them. When the allowance of wine was drunk (for it was a sober, well-regulated mess) the purser rose and broke up the company, exclaiming with an oath, 'our new messmate is as great a methodist as Tomlinson.' I smiled, well pleased to be classed with such a man. As two needles touched with the loadstone, when they fall near to each other among chaff, will soon come together, so this lieutenant and myself speedily came into contact. After having exchanged a few questions, we went down to his cabin in the gun-room, had an hour's useful talk, and ended with prayer; although a few hours before we had never seen each other's face. I could not fail to call to mind the prayer I had so sinfully forgotten, now completely granted, and I began to be reconciled to the ship which God had assigned me. But that God, who abounds in goodness and delights in mercy, never confers his favours by halves. A few days had hardly gone by, when an order came from the Admiralty, to send the Resolution up to Chatham, and one of the ships there to take her place. This was such welcome news to all on board, that lest the order should be changed, we obeyed it the same day; for the wind and tide favouring, we weighed and came to an anchor off the dock-yard before two o'clock. Thus my prayer, which at first seemed to be rejected, was now completely answered:but it was in the Lord's way. Had mine been attended to, and I had drawn the ship that afterwards went down the river, I should have been miserable. So true it is, we know not what we should pray for as we ought.' (Rom. viii. 26.)"-Friendly Visitor, viii. 87. Adul A poor woman once gave her child poison instead of physic, and it died. God cannot mistake, and will deny us nothing that will do us good. Concluded with a hymn and prayer, &c. 99 end no sounder tecald doo dt zarbuds and a mid of smo zem 977 .boй) ь 189тy a vix adol Hymn. "Our Father." Prayer is the means which God has appointed for obtaining every thing of which we stand in need. Fervent importunate prayer availeth much. James v. 16. But we are poor ignorant creatures, and don't know how to pray. The Lord Jesus Christ here teaches us-has given us a prayer, which may be a form, Luke xi. 2; or a pattern, Matt. vi. 9. Whose prayer is this? What is it called? Why? If the Lord Jesus Christ, who is infinite in wisdom, has taught us a SI prayer, it must be a very good one. We should seek to understand its meaning-and use it reverently. What is the introduction?"Our Father, which art in heaven.” Should we pray to any but God? Why not?-It is idolatry. What kind of a Father is he?-All wise-powerful-rich-knowingreverliving-ever present-merciful, &c. Why pray to God as a Father? In reference to his care, in preserving orus, Ps. xlvi. 1; lxviii. 5. Goodness-assisting us, Jer. xxxi. 9. Mercy forgiving us, Hos. xiv. 4; Luke xv. 20. Love-providing for us, Luke xi. 11-13. Authority-correcting us, Deut. viii. 5; ¡¡ Heb. xii. 6, 9. Pity-bearing with us, Psalm ciii. 13; 2 Cor. i. 3. Wisdom-guiding us, Jer. iii. 4, 5, 19; 1 Tim. i. 17. Power— protecting us, Psalm lxxxix. 26, 21-24. Compassion-comforting us, Isaiah xlix. 15; 2 Cor. i. 3. The heathen do not pray to their gods as a father. Why pray to God as Our Father?-That we may approach him with the affections of a child reverential love-humble confidence— reliance on his care, Heb. iv. 16; 1 John v. 14, 15. Though so great a God, we may come to him as his children, through Christ, John xiv. 6. We should be thankful that we are permitted to do so. We may go to God in the same way as children go to their parents→→→ for every thing we want, for body or soul, clothes, food, &c.; and when we have offended him, for forgiveness. Why do you say our, and not my Father? We may say, my Father, Jesus did, Matt. xxvi. 39, 42, but must feel as a brother, &c. to others -towards all mankind, Mal. ii. 10; Matt. v. 44, 45; Acts xvii. 28; Eph. iv. 6; 1 Pet. iii. 8, 9. Christians in particular, Heb. ii. 1; James v. 16; 1 Pet. iii. 8; should pray for the same blessings for them as for ourselves-that all may share a Father's love, Eph. vi. 18. When should we say "Our" Father?—In public, and in private, Dan. ix. 17; "our" God, Psalm xcv. 6, 7. If we would have our prayers heard, must guard against indulging any sin, Prov. xv. 8; Psalm lxvi. 18; Isaiah lix. 1, 2; 1 John iii. 22. Sin will either make us leave off praying, or prayer will make us leave off sinning. Anecdote 1. The little girl and the swearer. In a family at Shelton lived a Mr. Ga person much given to swearing. A child, about four years of age, would often remark to her mother, with much surprise, how Mr. G swore, and wished to reprove him, but for some time dared not. One day she said to her mother, "Does Mr. G- sayOur Father?"" (A term by which she used to express her prayers.) The mother replied she could not tell; then said she, "I will watch, and if he does, I will tell him of swearing so." She did watch, and heard him say his prayers aloud in bed. Some time after this she again heard him swear awfully; upon which she went and said to him, "Did you not say 'Our Father' this morning? how dare you swear ? Do you think God will be your Father if you swear?" He answered not a word, but seemed amazed, as well he might. He did not live long after this, but was never heard to swear again. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." (Matt. xxi. 16.) Whitecross 172. Repeat the hymn, "Great God and wilt thou condescend,” &c.—Taylor's Infant School, 6. Anecdote 2. If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress; Depend on Christ, thou canst not fail; 3.& 45 Colt. hymn book,' hymn 26. 2005 IDO Work hard, fare hard, PRAY hard. poor man once came to a minister and said, “Mr. C—, what will become of me? I work hard, and fare hard, and yet I cannot 19 911 A thrive." Mr. C answered, "Still you want one thing; I will tell you what you shall do. Work hard, and fare hard, and pray hard, and I will warrant you shall thrive."-Whitecross 169. Anecdote 3. Officer and his wife in a storm. Some years ago, an officer in the army, who was a pious man, was drafted abroad with his regiment. He accordingly embarked with his wife and children. They had not been many days at sea, when a violent storm arose, which threatened the destruction of the ship, and the loss of all their lives. Consternation and terror prevailed among the crew and passengers; his wife also was greatly alarmed. In the midst of all he was perfectly calm and composed. His wife, observing this, began to upbraid him with want of affection to her and his children, urging that if he were not concerned about his own safety, he ought to be about theirs. He made no reply, but immediately left the cabin, to which he returned in a short time with his sword drawn in his hand, and with a stern countenance pointed it to her breast; but she smiled and did not seem at all disconcerted or afraid. 66 What," said he, " you not afraid when a drawn sword is at your breast?" "No," answered she, "not when I know it is in the hand of him who loves me." "And would you have me," replied he, "to be afraid of this storm and tempest, when I know it to be in the hand of my heavenly FATHER who loves me?”—Pleasing Expositor, 55. He to our prayers w He gives our pangs relief; are Hell turn to smiles our trembling tears Tooq A baTo joy leach torturing grief.o |