The Week of Prayer at Walla Walla College
By M. E. CADY
The special period set apart and called the “week of prayer” is now in the past, but we earnestly hope and pray that the good results obtained and the blessings received will be made stepping-stones to a continuous life and growth in spiritual things, and that each succeeding week until the Lord comes shall be made more and more a week of earnest, prevailing prayer. In the first reading we are instructed that “the people of God should make mighty intercessions for help just now.” The church at College Place and the college united in the services which were held each evening in the week. These meetings were held in the college chapel, and were preceded by a half-hour season of prayer. These early seasons were quite well attended, and the meetings following were well attended by the brethren and sisters living here, and by the students of the college. These meetings were marked with the presence of the Spirit of God, and at the social meeting of the last Sabbath of the week of prayer many testified to a new experience in the things of God, and their determination to live on a higher plane. In addition to the meetings that were held in the evening, the chapel hour was spent each day in giving instruction to the students, and this was followed by a season of prayer, the students going to the different class rooms, and there with the teachers earnestly seeking God for his blessing. On two occasions the Lord came very near to the school during the chapel service. It was evident to teachers and students that a heavenly visitant was in their midst, and desired to instruct them in the ways of the Lord. The regular program of the school was laid aside, and there was earnest heart searching by the students and teachers as the Spirit of God worked upon their hearts. Many confessions were made, and the occasion was one to be long remembered on account of the fulness of the blessing received. The second meeting was better than the first. In these two meetings all present yielded themselves to God. Individuals who had scoffed at religion, and whose hearts had been steeled against the truth, yielded to the convicting influence of the Spirit of God, and sought earnestly a right relation to the Lord. There was no excitement in connection with these meetings. The work of surrendering and yielding was calmly and deliberately done. As we look over the work of the past week, we thank God for the blessings of the week of prayer that have been brought to our school, and earnestly hope and pray that the work done will be but a beginning of better experiences for both the teachers and the students of Walla Walla College. On the last Sabbath, after the reading was given on the “Finishing of the Work,” the offerings for the work in foreign lands were gathered up. These offerings amounted to $400.05. Following this, the congregation was divided into four divisions, with a leader over each. For a half-hour the time was fully occupied in each of these divisions in offering praise to God for the blessings received, and giving, in addition to their means, themselves for service in the closing work of the message. It was a good meeting. It was known that there were some in the congregation who had not been attending the meetings during the week, and who had not as yet received the blessing of God during the week of prayer. It was announced that at three o’clock in the afternoon a meeting would be held especially for those who had not as yet received the blessing of God, and were desirous of obtaining it before the week of prayer would close. About fifty assembled in the afternoon, and earnestly sought God in the meeting, some coming who had received a partial blessing, but who were longing for more. Many of these found a greater blessing in a more full surrender to God. Others who had been careless and indifferent, and who had fully made up their minds to remain in their present condition, were so impressed by the Spirit of God that they rose and asked for the prayers of God’s people that they might be able to surrender to the Lord. This last meeting, which ended with the close of the Sabbath, brought freedom and deliverance to many who were bound with the cords of sin. It was decided to continue these meetings, in order that others might still have an opportunity to seek the Lord and gain the desired blessing. Arrangements are being made that an hour each Sabbath afternoon may be spent in studying the instruction the Lord has given us in “Early Writings” and “Great Controversy” regarding the times in which we live, and the future developments that will take place in connection with the closing work of the third angel’s message. Time will also be given to the study of the prophecies and the foundation points of our faith, that we may become rooted and grounded in the truth, and be able to give an intelligent reason for our faith. We believe that these meetings will have an influence in watering the good seed that has been sown, and tend to a healthy growth in Christian character.