The Wonders of Prayer by Various

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"In a few moments, a gentleman of the city invited him to his, table to
dine, with quite a number of the dignitaries of the church. During the
repast, the host was called from the table for a little time. At the
conclusion of a pleasant entertainment, the poor minister was taken one
side and an envelope put into his hands, with this remark: 'I was called
from the table by a man who has long owed me a small debt, which I
thought was lost a long time since, and I cannot think what it was paid
to-day for, except that I might give it to you.' The envelope contained
twenty-five dollars. When the books are opened, that rich steward will
see how his money was used, and thank God, who put it into his heart to
dispose of it thus."

"LENDING TO THE LORD."

"A physician who is not a professor of religion, in a neighboring city,
has for many years exhibited an unshaken faith in that declaration. He
told me that he has made many experiments on it, and the Lord has
fulfilled his words, 'That which he hath given will He pay him again,'
in every case. One of his 'experiments' came under my observation.

"It was a bleak and chilling day in the Winter of 1847-8. The doctor was
going his rounds and met a poor colored boy in the street. He was nearly
frozen to death. He accosted the doctor, and asked him most piteously
for a little money, stating, at the same time, that his master, an old
Quaker, had excluded him from the house, and compelled him to remain in
the barn; he could stand it no longer, and desired to go home--twenty
miles up the river. The doctor now had the materials for another test of
the promise. 'You shall not suffer if I can help you,' was his cheering
reply to the boy. He requested him to call at his office, and went to a
neighboring hotel and told the landlord to keep the boy until farther
orders. Late in the evening the boy again appeared at the office, and
stated that the landlord had said, 'We don't keep darkies over night.'
The doctor immediately started out in search of new quarters, and, after
some difficulty, found a colored woman who was willing to keep the boy
for a few days. In a short time the river, which had been closed with
ice, was open. The doctor paid the bills, gave the boy a dollar, and
bade him God speed. That is what he calls lending to the Lord. Now for
the payment. When he called at the house of the colored person to pay
the bill, he 'accidentally' met an old lady, who scrutinized him
closely, and at length said, 'A'n't you Doctor B----?' 'Yes,' was the
reply; 'but who are you?' 'No matter about my name; I owe you four
dollars, which you have long since forgotten, and which I did not intend
to pay you till I saw what you have done to that poor boy. The Lord
bless you for your kindness. Next week you shall have your money.' She
came according to her promise and offered the money, but the doctor was
unwilling to take it, as he had no charge on his books. She forced it on
him. He afterwards simply remarked, 'My meeting that woman was not a
mere _accident_; the Lord always fulfills his promise. I generally get
my capital back, with compound interest.'"

THE PRAYING SHOE-MAKER.

A shoe-maker being asked how he contrived to give so much, replied that
it was easily done by obeying St. Paul's precept in I Cor. 16: 2: "Upon
the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as
God hath prospered him." "I earn," said he, "one day with another, about
a dollar a day, and I can without inconvenience to myself or family lay
by five cents of this sum for charitable purposes; the amount is thirty
cents a week. My wife takes in sewing and washing, and earns something
like two dollars a week, and she lays by ten cents of that. My children
each of them earn a shilling or two, and are glad to contribute their
penny; so that altogether we _lay by us in store_ forty cents a week.
And if we have been unusually prospered, we contribute something more.
The weekly amount is deposited every Sunday morning in a box kept for
that purpose, and reserved for future use. Thus, by these small
earnings, we have learned that it is more blessed to give than to
receive. The yearly amount saved in this way is about _twenty-five
dollars_; and I distribute this among the various benevolent societies,
according to the best of my judgment."

THE HISTORY AND BUSINESS SUCCESSES OF LIBERAL GIVERS.

Mr. Nathaniel R. Cobb, a merchant connected with the Baptist church in
Boston, in 1821, at the age of twenty-three, drew up and subscribed the
following covenant, to which he faithfully adhered till on his death-bed
he praised God that by acting according to it he had given in charity
more than $40,000.

"By the grace of God, I will never be worth more than $50,000.

"By the grace of God, I will give one fourth of the net profits of my
business to charitable and religious uses.

"If I am ever worth $20,000, I will give one-half of my net profits; and
if I am ever worth $30,000, I will give three-fourths; and the whole,
after $50,000. So help me God, or give to a more faithful steward, and
set me aside.

"N.R. COBB."

FAITH IN GOD'S LIBERALITY.

A clergyman, himself an exponent of God's bountiful dealings with men,
was called upon in test of his own principles of giving to the Lord.

Preaching, in the morning, a sermon on Foreign Missions, an unusually
large contribution was taken up. In the afternoon, he listened to
another sermon, by a brother, on Home Missions, and the subject became
so important that he was led closely to agitate the question how much he
should himself give to the cause. "I was, indeed, in a great strait
between charity and necessity. I felt desirous to contribute; but, there
I was, on a journey, and I had given so much in the morning that I
really feared I had no more money than would bear my expenses.

"The collection was taken; I gave my last dollar, and trusted in the
Lord to provide. I proceeded on my journey, stopping to see a friend for
whom I had collected forty dollars. I was now one hundred and forty
miles from home, and how my expenses were to be met, I could not
imagine. But, judge my surprise, when, on presenting the money to my
friend, he took a hundred dollars, and, adding it to the forty, placed
the whole of it in my hand, saying he would make me a present of it.

"Gratitude and joy swelled my bosom; my mind at once remembered my
sacrifice of the day before, and now I had realized the literal
fulfillment of the promise, 'Give, and it shall be given unto you; good
measure, pressed down and running over, shall men give into your
bosom.'"

HE GAVE HIS LAST $5 TO THE LORD.

A missionary agent thus relates this incident in the life of a poor
physician:

"I preached a missionary sermon in the town of -----, and a physician
subscribed and paid five dollars. A gentleman standing by told me that
the five dollars was all he had, or was worth; that he had lost his
property and paid up his debts, and moved into town to commence
practicing, with no other resources than that five-dollar bill. He and
his wife were obliged to board out, as he was not able to keep house.

"I resolved, at once, that I would keep watch of that man, and see what
the Lord would do with him. About a year after this interview, I visited
the place again, and found the physician keeping house in good style.

"During the Summer, while the cholera raged in the country, by a series
of events, guided, as he believes, by the providence of God, most of the
practice was thrown into his hands, and he had taken more than $2,500."

* * * * *

BELIEVE NOTHING OF YOUR GOD BUT WHAT IS MOST NOBLE AND GENEROUS.--PRES.
EDWARDS.

* * * * *

MORE THINGS ARE WROUGHT BY PRAYER THAN THE WORLD DREAMS OF.--TENNYSON.

* * * * *

PRAYERS ANSWERED

IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL ANXIETIES.

HELP IN PAYING A MORTGAGE.

A business man in New York had several large amounts due for payment. An
unprecedented series of calls from tradesmen wishing their bills paid
sooner than customary, drained his means, and he was satisfied from the
situation that his means would not be sufficient to pay them all. His
business receipts, at this juncture, fell to one-half what they had
usually been. A loan was due at the bank; a mortgage on his property, as
well as large notes. He could do no more than ask the Lord constantly in
prayer, to either send supplies of business, or open ways of relief.
Committing his cares all to the Lord, he endeavored to throw off his
burden and with diligence in trade do what was possible for protection.

He was greatly surprised when the bank loan fell due to learn that a
trifling payment would be acceptable, and the rest extended at his
convenience. This was remarkable, as the security had depreciated
somewhat, and the loan had been then extended longer than usual.

The holder of the mortgage did not call as usual for his interest. In
great surprise the tradesman dropped a note, saying he would meet his
demand, but if not all the mortgage was needed, its extension would
benefit the use of the capital in his business. To his surprise, he
received a reply that the mortgage would be extended one-half until the
next interest day, and the rest might be paid now if it could be spared.
_This was just the money which the tradesman could spare_, and was
intending to propose, but refrained from mentioning it.

A sudden opportunity in business arose which enabled him to see how to
use the rest of the money he had on hand, as capital, whereby he could
clear within three months the remainder of the mortgage before it became
due.

Thus the Lord in answer to prayer, relieved his necessities, eased his
creditors, gave him knowledge and intelligence of profitable ways of
trade, and helped him freely according to his faith.

Thus business needs prayer, as well as the interests of the home, the
church and the soul. When the means derived in business is used to bless
the Lord's poor, "_The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble_."

A REMARKABLE PRAYER AND ITS ANSWER.

A lady, who had led for many years a life of faith, caring for orphans
and invalids, was led one day in thought to wish that she might devote
all her money to the work of the Lord, and use it specially for one
branch of his service which few had ever entered. She possessed only a
thousand dollars; and not knowing whether the thought was her own and
therefore rash, or whether it came from the Lord, she asked the Lord in
prayer, that if the thought was from _Him_ "it might be continually
before me; if it were not, that I might cease to think of the matter."

"It was kept before me as a privilege, to help me realize a greater
personal nearness to God as my Father. It was a very important matter,
and fearing a mistake, I requested a sign. I asked God, if he wished me
to give the money, (which we held at His disposal,) that _He_ would send
me _one dollar,_ (no more, no less,) from some individual with whom I
had no acquaintance. About three weeks after my request, I attended a
prayer-meeting, where about a dozen ladies were gathered. After the
meeting, an elderly lady I had never seen before, put something in my
hand saying, '_You will not be offended, dear, will you?_' When I looked
at the money, I found that it _was just one dollar_, my token. I
exclaimed, mentally, dear Lord, do not let me ever doubt thee again. I
afterwards asked the lady why she gave me the dollar. She said, 'Before
I went to the prayer-meeting, I felt that I ought to take a dollar with
me, and when I saw you, I felt that you were the one I should give it
to.'"

"Nearly five years have passed since then, when I gave all, and my purse
has never been empty. I have been constantly occupied in work of love,
and my Father has sweetly cared for me in every respect."

This lady in her faith work has had under her constant care as many as
twenty-two helpless invalids, of utter poverty, yet prayer has always
brought them needed supplies, and the Lord has kept them.

RECOVERY FROM INSANITY.

A most remarkable case of recovery from insanity is given by President
William M. Brooks, of Tabor College, Iowa.

"A young lady of my acquaintance, of a finished education, lost her
reason in the Winter of 1871-2, and in August, 1872, was placed in the
institution for the insane, at Mt. Pleasant, Ia. No encouragement was
given of her recovery, and a year later, when her father visited her, in
June, 1873, she appeared so badly, that he said it would be a relief to
know that she was dead. Soon after, Mrs. H., the wife of a Baptist
minister, who had long known and loved her, being shut up for days in a
dark room, because of inflamed eyes, felt drawn out in special prayer in
her behalf, and finally sent for the father and told him of her
exercises, and of the assurance gained that his daughter would be fully
restored.

"In a few days, came news of a sudden change for the better, and in a
little over two months she returned home well, and is now teaching with
all her powers in full vigor.

"The acting superintendent of the hospital, who is not a professed
Christian, and who knew nothing of the prayers referred to, said that
when the change occurred there was not a case among the five hundred
inmates of which he had less hope, and that it was the most remarkable
case of recovery which he had known during the eight years of his
connection with the hospital."

SEEKING DIRECTION IN BUSINESS.

A lady clerk employed in an apparently successful business was offered
an opportunity in a new business, which, though much smaller and less
successful than the first, yet had rich promise in it for the future.
The salary promised was the same in either case. In doubt, she often
waited upon the Lord, and asked to be guided,--a whisper in her heart
kept saying, "Go," "Go." Constant praying kept it growing stronger and
stronger,--at last she decided to go, feeling it was the decision of the
Lord. She accepted the new position, was pleased, and often declared she
never desired to return. The old business in less than three years
decreased so that half of the employees were discharged; the rest had
their salaries reduced. The new business doubled in its extent, and her
salary was increased one-fifth.

SEEKING GUIDANCE OF THE LORD.

A school teacher, without family or a special home, in New York City,
asked the Lord for direction in finding a home, and prayed often that
the way might be made so plain, she might acknowledge His hand, and
understand His direction.

Soon it transpired, in taking lunch at a restaurant kept by a man and
his wife, that they advised her to choose a certain family hotel. She
did so, and found in time more friends and acquaintances, and a
pleasanter home than she ever possessed before.

She also gained new scholars to her school. Sufficient to pay for her
living.

Was she not fully answered? "_They that seek the Lord shall not want any
good thing_."

SAVED FROM CHOLERA.

The Rev. J.B. Waterbury relates several incidents which prove the power
of Prayer.

"In the year 1832 he was compelled by pulmonary symptoms, to leave his
field of ministerial labor in one of the eastern cities, and travel
south, hoping that a milder climate might be favorable.

"He had not proceeded far, before the cholera, that fearful scourge,
made its appearance in the States, and obliged him to rejoin his family
in the city of Brooklyn.

"Whilst many were dying around him, _his health_ continued to improve;
so that with the disappearance of the epidemic he found himself
sufficiently restored to venture, if Providence should open the door, to
resume his ministerial work.

"But where should he go? The future, to human view, was shrouded in
uncertainty. In so important a matter, affecting his usefulness and
happiness, there was nothing left, but to give himself to prayer. His
faith in that promise, 'In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will
direct thy Paths,' led him to pray without ceasing, 'Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do.'"

On a certain day, when the burden lay heavily upon his heart, he retired
as usual, to implore light and guidance. He read on that occasion, the
chapter of Acts where, by divine direction, Cornelius the Centurion sent
messengers to Peter at Joppa, to come to him with the Gospel. The
apostle, meanwhile; is instructed by a vision to go to Cornelius.

The case was so applicable to the circumstances that the writer was led
to cry mightily to God for light to be shed also upon _his_ path.

While thus praying the door-bell rang, and the servant announced two men
who wished to see me.

This was somewhat startling. After introducing themselves, they remarked
that they had come on a very important errand, viz: to ask my services
for a vacant church in which they were officers.

"But how is this," I inquired, "How did you know of _me_?"

They did not until that very day. But inquiring at the Bible House in
Nassau street if any of the officers of that Society knew of a minister
who could be recommended to fill their pulpit, now vacant for some
months.

Dr. B., the Secretary, answered, "Yes, I know a young minister in
Brooklyn, whom I can recommend, provided his health, which has been
delicate, is adequate."

So the messenger came inadvertently over to B----, and I was called from
my knees to receive their invitation. I promptly responded, "Yes, I will
go?" for what was I that I could withstand God. A successful and happy
ministry of fourteen years, attests the good results of that decision.

THE AID OF THE LORD IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL PROSPERITY. THE WONDERFUL
DELIVERANCE OF DANIEL LOEST.

John Daniel Loest, a celebrated German tradesman of Berlin, Germany,
was, by the aid of the Lord, so prospered in his worldly circumstances,
that by steady industry, he raised himself to rank with the most
respectable tradesmen of Berlin, where he kept a well-frequented fringe
and trimming shop.

He was always benevolent, willing to help others, and both fervent in
spirit and constant in prayer, asking the help of the Lord in the
minutest details of his business.

Yet there once occurred in his experience a season of severest trial,
which demanded his utmost trust and unflinching confidence in God. He
seemed almost forsaken, and circumstances almost impossible to overcome.
But his deliverance so astonished him that he was lost in wonder at the
mysterious way in which the Lord helped his business and sent him all
that he needed.

By means of acquaintances of high social character, whom he fully
trusted as good Christians, never supposing there could be any degree of
hypocrisy, he became security for a Christian lady of good property to
the amount of _six hundred thalers_. The attorney assured him that there
was not a shadow of a risk in going security for her, as her property
would be more than ample to cover any claim.

Months elapsed, and the circumstance forgotten, when Mr. Loest was most
unpleasantly reminded by receiving an order from the Court to pay in on
the following Tuesday the _six hundred thalers_ for which he had become
security, under the penalty of execution.

He now discovered that he had been designedly mystified, and there was
no escape. The six hundred thalers must be paid before the next Tuesday.
He had just accepted a bill for _three hundred thalers_, to be paid for
on the ensuing Saturday. And in his first thoughts of his perplexity, he
hoped to get out of his dilemma by hurrying to a rich friend to obtain a
loan. On his way to his friend's home, he stumbled on another
acquaintance who had lent him _four hundred_ thalers on a mere note of
hand, and he saluted him with the news that he must try for repayment of
that sum on the following Friday, as he required it to pay for a parcel
of goods which would arrive that day.

"You shall have it," said Loest, as he hurried on to his friend. The
friend was at home, but before Loest could speak his errand, he is
addressed thus: "It is lucky you came, my friend, for I was just going
to send for you, to request you to make provision to pay me back the
_five hundred thalers you owe me_, for I must needs have it on Wednesday
to pay off a mortgage on my house, which has just been called up." "_You
shall have it_," replied Loest, calmly, yet his heart became heavier
every moment.

Suddenly it occurred to him that the widow of a friend just dead was
possessed of large means, and she might be inclined to help him. But
alas, disappointment thickened fast upon him. Loest owed the deceased
friend five hundred thalers for note, and three hundred thalers for
goods just delivered. As he entered the room of the widow, she handed
him an order from the court of trustees, under which he was bound to pay
up _the five hundred thalers on Thursday_, and, continued the lady,
before the poor man had time to utter a word, "I would earnestly entreat
you to pay the other three hundred thalers early on Saturday to me, for
there are accounts constantly pouring in on me, and the funeral
expenses," here her voice faltered. "It shall be cared for," said Loest,
and he withdrew, not having had opportunity to utter one word as to the
business that took him thither. He had failed at every turn; not one
thing was for him, all seemed against him. But though the waves surged,
and rose, and oppressed, yet they did not overwhelm his hope; the more
the discouragements, the greater became his faith that all things were
appointed for his good, and thought he could not guess, yet even the
trial would result by God's own working hand, to the honor and glory of
his great name.

Yet here was his situation. _Six hundred thalers to be paid on Tuesday,
five hundred on Wednesday, five hundred on Thursday, four hundred on
Friday, three hundred Saturday morning, and three hundred on Saturday
afternoon; in all, two thousand six hundred thalers_. It was already the
Saturday just previous, and his purse contained _only four thalers_.
There was only one prospect left, and he went to a rich money lender,
and in response to his request for relief in money difficulties, was met
with this reply of irony and sarcasm from one who loved to indulge his
enmity to the Christian faith. "_You in money difficulties, or any
difficulties, Mr. Loest! I cannot believe it; it is altogether
impossible! you are at all times and in all places boasting that you
have such a rich and loving Master! Why don't you apply to him now_."
And the unseen face could not conceal his pleasure at this opportunity
of testing a Christian.

Loest turned away; hard as the random taunt and remark of his opponent
was, yet it recalled him to a sense of his duty, and his forgetfulness
of the fact that he had not hitherto asked of God for special help in
this circumstance. With cheerful steps he hurried home, and in long and
imploring prayer, asked for help and forgiveness in this, his neglect of
trust in one so rich and generous. He was refreshed and comforted, and
the Sunday was one of peace and sweetness. He knew and felt assured,
"_That the Lord would provide_."

The eventful week opened, and on Monday he arose with a cheerful thought
in his heart; ere he had had full time to dress, he noticed with great
surprise, that both his sister and the assistant in the store, seemed,
notwithstanding the earliness of the hour, to have full as much as they
could do in serving customers and making up parcels, and he at once
hastened into the shop to give them assistance, and thus it continued
all day. _Never, in all his experience_, could Loest remember such a
ceaseless stream of customers as poured, on that memorable Monday, into
his rather out-of-the-way shop. Cooking dinner was out of the question;
neither masters nor maid had time for that; coffee and bread, taken by
each in turn, served instead of the accustomed meal, and still the
customers came and went; still three pairs of hands were in requisition
to satisfy their wants.

Nor was it for new purchasers alone, that money came in. More than one
long outstanding account, accompanied by excuses for delayed payment,
and assurances that it had not been possible to settle it sooner,
enlarged the contents of the till; and the honest-hearted debtor, on
whom this unwonted stream of money flowed in, was tempted every minute
to call out, "_It is the Lord_."

At length night came, when Loest and his literally worn out assistants,
after having poured out their hearts in thankful adoration in family
prayer, sat down to the first meal they had that day enjoyed in common.
When it was over, the brother and sister set themselves to count over
the money which had that day been taken. Each hundred thalers was set by
itself, and the result showed _six hundred and three thalers, fourteen
silver groschen_.

This was sufficient to pay the first debt due the next day, and leave
but ten shillings and eight pence over, a trifle less than they
commenced the day with. Loest was lost in wonder and grateful emotion at
this gracious testimony of how faithfully his Lord could minister to him
in his earthly necessities.

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