PRAYERS ANSWERED.

IT is very true that prayer cannot inform the Deity; cannot persuade, cannot alter the Divine Mind; but I am far from thinking that it is only "a natural and just tribute to the Deity, and an admirable method of cherishing the virtues of the religious life." I think something, yea, I think much, is due to the efficacy of prayer. Petition is an important branch of prayer; but to offer petitions without any expectation of their being answered, is too vague and trifling an idea to deserve confutation. That the doctrine of the efficacy of prayer has been and may be abused, is granted; but still this forms no solid objection. Prayer is a mean which God himself has instituted; by which his wisdom thinks fit to convey blessings which would not have been given without praying for. The sacred scriptures not only abound with express precepts binding us to prayer, but afford a great number of signal instances of answers to prayer.

Luther, it is said, was able to prevail with God at his pleasure, and to obtain what he desired.

Mr. Edward Pearse lay for some time declining in a consumption; and, finding himself going off the stage, made it the matter of his hearty prayer to God, "that something of his might be useful after his decease;" which prayer was remarkably answered in the signal success of his little book, which he styled "The Great Concern," which has gone through twenty-one editions. The prayers of a Bunyan, a Hervey, a

Watts, a Doddridge, and a hundred others, have been answered in this respect.

In professor Frank's account of the footsteps of Divine Providence in raising and supporting the hospital for the reception and education of poor children, and for educating students in divinity, we have several pleasing instances of prayer being answered.

At one time, when all provision was gone, and their necessities great, he observes, "In the midst of all these pressing circumstances I found one comfort, which was a presence of mind in prayer, joined with a confident dependance upon that Lord who heareth the young ravens when they cry. When prayer was over, and I was just sitting down at the table, I heard somebody knock at the door; which when I opened, there was an acquaintance of mine holding in his hand a letter, and a parcel of money wrapt up, which he presented to me. I found therein fifty crowns, which was sent a great way, and was soon followed with twenty crowns more.

"At another time, being in great straits, and all our provision spent, and the daily necessity of the poor calling for large supplies, I closely adhered in my mind to that saying, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you ;" avoiding temporal cares, and turning the whole bent of my soul to God; and, when I was now laying out the last of the money, I said in my thoughts, "Lord! look upon my necessity." Then going out of my chamber in order to repair to the college where I was to attend my pub

lic lecture, I unexpectedly found a student in my house that waited for my coming out, and presented me the sum of seventy crowns, that were sent from a place above two hundred English miles distant.

"Another time," continues he, "all our provision was spent: but, in addressing myself to the Lord, I found myself deeply affected with the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, Give us this day our daily bread; and my thoughts were fixed in a more especial manner upon the words this day, because on the very same day we had great occasion for it. occasion for it. While I was yet praying, a friend of mine came before my door in a coach, and brought the sum of four hundred crowns.

"Another time I was in the deepest poverty, and, what was more, I was urged by the importunity of most that were about me, calling for a supply to their pressing necessity. But, having cast my eye upon the Lord, I answered them plainly thus: "Now ye come all to seek money of me, but I know of another Benefactor to go to," meaning the Lord. The word was scarce out of my mouth, when a friend of mine, who was then just come off a journey, put seven pounds ten shillings and sixpence into my hand. This is enough to put Infidelity out of countenance, and make her ashamed to shew her head."

A lady, who had just set down to breakfast, had a strong impression upon her mind that she must instantly carry a loaf of bread to a poor man who lived about half a mile from her house, by the side of a common. Her husband wished

her either to postpone taking the loaf of bread till after breakfast, or to send it by her servant; but she chose to take it herself instantly. As she approached the hut, she heard the sound of a human voice. Willing to hear what it was, she stepped softly, unperceived, to the door. She now heard the poor man praying, and, among other things, he said, "O Lord help me ; Lord, thou wilt help me; thy promise cannot fail and although my wife, self, and children, have no bread to eat, and it is now a whole day since we had any, I know thou wilt supply me, though thou shouldst again rain down manna from heaven." The lady could wait no longer : she opened the door : "Yes," she replied; "God has sent you relief. Take this loaf, and be encouraged to cast your care upon Him, who careth for you; and when you ever want a loaf of bread, come to my house."

J. W. was employed in a large manufactory, the foreman of which took every opportunity to make him the butt of ridicule to his companions for his religion, and because he refused to join in their drinking parties and Sunday frolics. As they lived in the same house, the foreman one day heard him at prayer, and resolved to listen; when, to his great surprise, he found himself the subject of the young man's supplication, who was spreading his case of infidelity and hardness of heart before God, and supplicating earnestly for him that God would give him repentance. unto salvation, and create in him a new heart, and put a right spirit within him. The foreman

was deeply penetrated with what he heard. He had never entertained an idea of the power or nature of true prayer; he wondered it the eloquence and fervour with which his own unhappy case had been pleaded before God. "I never," said he to himself, "thus prayed to God for myself." The impression dwelt upon his mind. The next day, he took John aside. “I wish," said he, "John you would preach to me a little." John, who only thought his grave face was meant to turn the subject into ridicule, said, "Mr. M-, you know I am no preacher; I don't pretend to it." "Nay," said Mr. M— M——, "I don't know how you can preach to-day; “ but I heard you yesterday make such a description of my state as convinces me that you can do it very well, and I shall be much obliged to you to repeat it." "Ah!" says John, " 'tis true I was at prayer, and did, indeed, Mr. M-heartily pray for you." 66 Very well," said the foreman;

pray say it over again, for I never heard any thing in my life which so deeply affected me." John did not wait for much intreaty: they kneeled down together, cried to the God of all grace, and found acceptance. From that day they were bosom friends, went to the same place of worship, and frequently bowed their knees together with praise and thanksgivings. Their conversation adorned their profession, and the mocker became a confessor of the grace which he had so often abused and turned into ridicule !