Asking a Blessing by Dr. J. Hamilton

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 30, 1882

Asking a Blessing.

By Dr. J. Hamilton

THERE is nothing which is right for us to do, but it is also right to ask God to bless it; and, indeed, there is nothing so little but the frown of God can convert it into the most sad calamity, or his smile exalt it into a most memorable mercy; and there is nothing we can do, but its complexion for weal or woe depends entirely on what the Lord will make it. It is said of Matthew Henry, that no journey was undertaken, or any subject or course of sermons entered upon, no book committed to the press, or any trouble apprehended or felt, without a particular application to the mercy-seat for direction, assistance and success.

It is recorded of Cornelius Winter, that he seldom opened a book, even on general subjects, without a moment's prayer. The late Bishop Heber, on each new incident of his history, or on the eve of any undertaking, used to compose a brief prayer, imploring special help and guidance. . . . A late physician of great celebrity used to ascribe much of his success to three maxims of his father's, the last and best of which was, "Always pray for your patients." —Dr. J. Hamilton.