On the second floor of a rear house lived a lady well known once as among the foremost members of a wealthy church. The first blow of adversity opened a wide pa.s.sage for a succession of disasters. She pa.s.sed through the whole sliding scale, until the missionary found her in the poor, dilapidated tenement where, for two days and nights, she had lain in bed to keep warm; or as nearly so as her scanty covering would admit.
It was Sat.u.r.day, and the only food she had to keep her alive until Monday, was two soda biscuits! She had sold everything comfortable in the way of furniture; all her clothing but one respectable suit for the street, and the only thing remaining, that pointed to the history of better days, was a pair of gold eye-gla.s.ses, given her by her dying mother. Within a few months her dire necessity had often pointed to the gla.s.ses; but she could not see without them, nor could she sell the gold frames unless she had means to have the gla.s.s set in commoner ones.
Moreover, the harpies who feed and thrive on the miseries of the poor, would in no case have given her more than twenty-five cents for them; and the short respite derived from that amount would not have compensated for the sacrifice. She had looked at them that morning; felt that starve she must and would, but that souvenir of her mother should never leave her. She went back to bed and prayed fervently that the Lord would show her some way of escape, or take her that day to himself. She slept an hour or two, and then awakened, strong in the conviction that he would show her some way before night, and though it was six o"clock P.M., before the missionary called, no doubt had arisen to trouble her mind; and as soon as he entered and introduced himself, she said--"You are a messenger from the Lord, sir; I have been expecting you."
G.o.d WITH US.
An old woman was taking home" some sewing the night before, and pa.s.sing through a narrow and dark street, was knocked down by a runaway horse.
Taken up senseless and unknown, she was carried into the house of a kind family who sent for a physician. It was not till next morning that she recovered consciousness, and was able to give her address. A messenger was at once dispatched to her husband, who was supposed to be wild with terror. He was truly thankful to hear from human lips of her whereabouts; but said he knew she was not dead, and he would see her in the morning; for the Lord had been with him all night and a.s.sured him of it. He had also kept the fire from going out; and now that she would be brought home in a few hours, he was ready to trust his Father, as he had been through the night. His hourly friend was Immanuel, G.o.d _with_ us; not G.o.d somewhere or other in infinite s.p.a.ce.
A VESSEL SAVED.
A vessel was six months making the pa.s.sage from Liverpool to Bermuda Island. Fogs enveloped it; winds sent it hither and thither; captain and mate lost their reckoning, lost their senses; and when, added to the rest, the vessel sprung a leak, gave up in despair. Crew and pa.s.sengers were finally reduced to a few drops of water and one potato a day, and they merely waited death from starvation or drowning. All but one! One man; a minister, whose faith and belief in their final escape burned but brighter and brighter, as the others sank in the gloom of silent despair. A few days before they made the land, the leakage suddenly ceased; no one could account for it; but a week after their arrival, when the vessel had been condemned by the authorities as unsea-worthy, it was proposed to turn it bottom upward and see what stopped the leak.
G.o.d seemed to have performed a miracle for them, when it was discovered that that end of the vessel was entirely covered with barnacles!
A REMARKABLE PRAYER CONCERNING A REMARKABLE TEXT.
A clergyman, accustomed to preach regularly in his journey through Fleming Circuit, Kentucky, was preparing on one Sat.u.r.day for the labors of the next day. He was then staying at the residence of a family named Bowers, from which he was to journey the next day five miles to preach at 11 A.M., at a church called Mt. Olivet. On this Sat.u.r.day, as he relates the incident, as soon and as privately as practicable, I pored over the Bible in quest of a suitable subject for the next day at Mount Olivet, and strange to tell! not one pa.s.sage in the whole Book, that afternoon and night, could I fix upon, as, in my estimation, suitable for the next day. There was one pa.s.sage, (two or three clauses of which I had by some means got fixed in my memory), that early that afternoon appeared in my mind as though each word was written in CAPITAL LETTERS.
I turned to the whole pa.s.sage as soon as I could find it; Heb. 6: 4-6; and read, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,"
etc., etc. I had previously studied that whole subject, as recorded in the original, and as disposed of by learned Commentators of different creeds. I had settled in my own mind the import of the pa.s.sage. But it seemed unsuitable for me, not then three years old in the ministry, to attempt the settlement of a theological question, about which the best and most learned of modern days had differed. I therefore tried to dismiss it from my mind, and to find some pa.s.sage more suitable for the coming morrow. But my constant effort proved unsuccessful; and the said pa.s.sage in Hebrews often recurred to my mind. Thus pa.s.sed my time till I had to go to bed, resolving to attempt an early settlement of the growing difficulty next morning. But the morning studies produced no change in the unsettled state of the question, what shall I preach from to-day? Thus matters remained until I reached Mount Olivet, and had to begin service without a text. But I concluded if a suitable text did not occur while singing, praying and reading some Scripture lesson, rather than have no text, I would take Heb. 6: 4-6. And, cornered in this dilemma, so I did, and used it as well as I could.
I then pa.s.sed around the circuit as usual, and the fourth Sat.u.r.day thereafter, I arrived again at Brother Bowers", preached, met the cla.s.s, etc. Then, when all the cla.s.s had left the room except their own family, Brother and Sister Bowers said to me, each manifesting intense feeling and interest, "Have you heard of the _strange_ thing that happened when you were here four weeks ago?" Said I, "No! what was it?" They said, "Did you see a man sitting in the house while you was preaching to-day?"
describing his dress, looks, etc. I answered, "Yes." Said they, "Did you see a woman sitting over there," describing her? I said, "Yea." Said they, "They are husband and wife--their name is--(I have long since forgotten the name)--they are good members of the Presbyterian church, their children are members of our cla.s.s, as you have called their names every time you have examined us. The man and his wife were here and heard you four weeks ago--they know our rules, and when those not of our church were dismissed, they left their children with us, as usual, and their parents started home. And, as they themselves tell us and others, as they went along, said the woman to her husband, "Does not Mr. Akers preach to-morrow at Mount Olivet?" And he answered, "I believe he does."
Said she, "_Well, if I thought he would take a certain text I would like very much to go and hear him._" Said her husband, "_What text_?" And she repeated the whole pa.s.sage in _Hebrews_ 6:4-6. Said her husband, "Well, I reckon he will take some subject that will be interesting, and if you say so we will not go to our own church to-morrow, we will go to Mount Olivet." She answered, "_Agreed,_ and I do pray the Lord that he may take that text." And she says, she continued to pray all that evening and next morning, until sitting in the church at Mount Olivet, she heard _you read out the said text, when she knew the Lord had answered her prayer_, and she could scarcely help from loud crying of thanks to G.o.d."
I then told Brother and Sister Bowers my troubles about that text, as above stated. The Lord answers prayer.
HOW SHE LEARNED TO LOVE THE BIBLE.
The Rev. Frederick G. Clark thus writes of an answer to prayer, from one who wanted to love the Bible more:
"Twenty-seven years ago, in the congregation of my first charge, was a lady whose love for the Bible was something remarkable. In the confidence of a pastoral visit, she told me of her joy in the divine word, and also recited the incidents of her experience in this regard.
She had formerly read her Bible as so many do--a chapter now, and a halfchapter then, without much interest or profit. She was, even then, most interested in religious things. But her chief sources of spiritual strength were in such writings as those of Baxter, Payson and Robert Phillips. It was her custom to read the Bible from duty, and then turn to these uninspired volumes for the kindling of a higher devotion. For a good while this satisfied her; but, at length, she came to feel grieved about it. She thought it a dishonor to G.o.d"s word that any book should be as interesting to her as the Bible. She tried to change this, but, at first, with little success. The Bible was still duty--Baxter was pleasure and spiritual elevation.
"_At length, she could bear it no longer; so she took the case to G.o.d, with strong crying. She told her Heavenly Father how grieved she was that any book should rival the Bible in her affections. She asked this one thing--and she renewed her prayer every day--that her first delight might be in reading the word of G.o.d_. I think it was some time before she felt that her request was granted. But, at length, the answer to her prayer was complete and marvelous. A strange light came over the sacred page. A fascination held her to her Bible. She discovered a depth, a meaning, a curiosity, a charm, which were all new and most wonderful.
Sometimes, when she had finished reading her Bible for the night, and had closed the book and had moved towards her bed, she would go back again and enjoy the luxury of a few more verses.
THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT.
At the age of twenty years, a lady in Winchester, Iowa, began to lose her health, and in a short time was confined to her bed. And she writes:--"In addition to this I lost the use of my eyes, and was blind and helpless, a greater portion of my time for five years.
"I enjoyed the blessing of prayer and trust some six months before feeling a liberty to pray for the healing of my body; fearing I should desire it without due submission to G.o.d"s will. It was with _fear and trembling_ that I first made known this request. Though my pleadings in this direction were earnest, and often agonizing, yet I could say with a fervor as never before, "Not my will, but thine be done."
"About the end of November, or early in December, 1873, I realized that my faith was perfect, that I was ready _now_ to be healed, that my faith was momentarily waiting on G.o.d, resting without a doubt on the promises.
From this time forward my faith remained fixed with but one exception.
During the time between December, 1873, and July, 1874, I was healed to such an extent that I could walk some, and see more or less every day, though sometimes with only one of my eyes. A portion of this time I felt as though in a furnace of fire; but amid the flames I realized the presence of the Son of G.o.d, who said, "_have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction_." This for a time seemed an answer to my pet.i.tion, and so thought it my life-work to suffer; for a while my faith became inactive, and I almost ceased praying for my health. Though I felt submissive, yet somehow I was soon crying, and that most instinctively, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." After this, my faith did not waver. Oh, the lesson of patience I learned in thus _waiting_ on _G.o.d"s_ good time. And with what comfort could I present my body an offering to Him, realizing that as soon as at all possible with His will, I should be healed; I had an a.s.surance of this, but did not know whether it would be during life, or accomplished only at death.
"In this manner I waited before G.o.d until the morning of the 29th of July, when, without ecstasy of joy, or extra illumination, came a sense of the presence of Jesus, and a presentation of this gift, accompanied with these words: "Here is the gift for which you have been praying; are you willing to receive it?"
"I at first felt the incoming of the Divine power at the parts diseased, steadily driving out the same, until death was swallowed up in victory.
I at once arose from my bed, and proceeded to work about the house, to the great astonishment of my friends, some of whom thought me wild; but I continued my work, a.s.suring them that Jesus had healed me. Realizing the scrutiny and doubt with which I was observed, I said to my father, "What do you think?" He replied, "It is supernatural power; no one can deny it."
"My healing took place on Wednesday; on Sat.u.r.day was persuaded to lie down, which I did, but found the bed was no place for me; thought of Peter"s wife"s mother, who "arose and ministered to them; knew that to her, strength, as well as health, was instantly given, as in the case of the palsied man, who rose, took up his bed, and departed. I returned to my work, backing my experience with those in G.o.d"s word, and since then have not lain down during the day time.
"My friends could not realize the completeness of the cure, until I read a full hour, and that by lamp-light, and until asked to desist, the first opportunity after being healed.
"A week from this time, I discharged the hired girl, taking charge of the household work, which I have continued with perfect ease. About four weeks after my healing, had occasion to walk four miles, which I did with little or no weariness. Let me add to the praise of G.o.d, that I have no disease whatever. Am able to do more hard work with less weariness, than at any other period in my life, and faith in the Lord is the balm that made me whole."
THE WIDOW"S SHOES.
A poor woman--a widow with an invalid son--a member of the church, could not attend church, or the neighborhood prayer-meetings, for the want of shoes. She asked the Lord for the shoes. That very day the village school-master called in to see her son. Meanwhile he noticed that the boy"s mother had very poor shoes. He said nothing, but felt impressed, and inwardly resolved to purchase the poor woman a pair of shoes forthwith. He accordingly hired a horse, rode two miles on horseback to a shoe-store, bought the shoes, and requested them sent to the widow"s cottage without delay. They proved a perfect fit; and that very night the overjoyed woman hurried to the prayer-meeting to announce that in answer to prayer the Lord had sent her the shoes.
The young school-master, who, I suspect, was my informant himself, now a venerable, white-haired man, heard the poor woman"s testimony; and his pillow that night was wet with tears of grat.i.tude and joy because G.o.d had used him thus to bless the poor widow, and to answer her prayers.
A REMARKABLE DREAM.
The late Dr. Whitehead was accustomed to repeat with pleasure" the following fact: In the year 1764, he was stationed as an itinerant preacher in Cornwall. He had to preach one evening in a little village where there was a small Methodist Society. "The friend," said he, "at whose house we preached, had at that time a daughter, who lived with one of our people about ten miles off. His wife was gone to attend her daughter, who was dangerously ill of a fever; and her husband had that day received a message from her, informing him that his child"s life was despaired of. He earnestly and with tears desired Mr. Whitehead to recommend his daughter to G.o.d in prayer, both before and after preaching. He did so in the most warm and affectionate manner. Late that evening, or very early next morning, while the young woman"s mother was sitting by her daughter"s bedside (who had been in a strong delirium for several days), she opened her eyes and hastily addressed her mother thus: "O mother! I have been dreaming that I saw a man lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven, and fervently praying to G.o.d for my recovery!
The Lord has heard his prayers, and my fever is gone; and what is far better, the Lord has spoken peace to my soul, and sealed His pardoning love on my heart. I know it, I feel it, my dear mother; and His Spirit bears witness with my spirit, that I am a child of G.o.d, and an heir of glory." Her mother, thinking that she was still in delirium, desired her to compose herself, and remain quiet. The daughter replied, "My dear mother, I am in no delirium now; I am perfectly in my senses; do help me to rise, that upon my bended knees I may praise G.o.d." Her mother did so, and they both praised G.o.d with joyful hearts, and from that hour the young woman recovered so fast, that she was soon able to attend to the affairs of the family where she lived. She had never seen Mr. Whitehead, previous to this remarkable time; but some weeks after, she saw him, and the moment she beheld his face, she fainted away. As soon as she came to herself, she said, "Sir, you are the person I saw in my dream, when I was ill in a violent fever; and I beheld you lift up your hands and eyes to heaven, and most fervently pray for my recovery and conversion to G.o.d. The Lord, in mercy, heard your prayers, and answered them to the healing of my wounded spirit, and to the restoration of my body. I have walked in the light of His countenance from that time to the present, and I trust I shall do so as long as I live." How remarkably does this circ.u.mstance ill.u.s.trate the words of St. James, "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him!""
"YOU MUST NOT GO."
A remarkable instance of deep impression occasionally made by the Holy Spirit on the mind of the Rev. William Bramwell during prayer, occurred in Liverpool. A pious young woman, a member of Society, wished to go to her friends, then living in Jamaica. She took her pa.s.sage, had her luggage taken on board, and expected to sail on the following day.
Having the greatest respect for Mr. Bramwell, she waited upon him, to take leave and request an interest in his prayers. Before parting, they knelt down, and he recommended her to the care of G.o.d. After he had been engaged in prayer some time, he suddenly paused, and thus addressed her, "My dear sister, you must not go to-morrow. G.o.d has just told me you must not go." She was surprised, but he was positive, and prevailed upon her to postpone her voyage, and a.s.sisted her to remove her luggage out of the vessel. The ship sailed, and in about six weeks intelligence arrived that the vessel was lost, and all on board had perished.
EVIL AVERTED.
A correspondent of the _Guide to Holiness_ says: "We remember a poor woman who had had a life of sore vicissitude which she bore with remarkable Christian cheerfulness; and after a time of the suspension of trial, a bad prospect came in sight. She resorted to a friend to whom she confidingly related the threatening evil, and at parting said, "Oh pray for us." The case as it was known was taken immediately that early morning to the throne of grace and laid out in all its circ.u.mstances with a deeply sympathizing heart, and a consciousness of the past sufferings of that woman--and as the friend rose from prayer, the answer was given that the evil was averted, and a new change would come to that afflicted one.
"That very day a strange deliverance and opening appeared which set that family at rest from their peculiar trials for the rest of life."