Delivered as the Believers Prayed by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 13, 1913

Delivered as the Believers Prayed

By W. A. S.

WHEN Peter was in prison under sentence of death, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” And while the believers prayed, the deliverance came; an angel led Peter out to safety and service, the apostle not being able to realize for a time that it was not a dream.

Some time ago, in a non-Christian land, the believers were praying as one of their number, an evangelist, went up for military examination and appointment in time of war. In time of peace, trials and tests for stoutest faith lie in wait for the Sabbath-keeping Christian called to military service. But such a call in war time meant a crisis in the life of the evangelist.

He first visited the general offices to explain his conscientious convictions in the matter, but was told that there was no help for him, and was sent on to report to the barracks. The superintendent of our work in that field wrote, at the time, an account of the evangelist’s experience, which we reproduce without names:—

On account of his visit to the general office, he arrived at the barracks about three hours late. He was obliged to call on one of the officers at his hotel. To this officer he explained his case, and received considerable sympathy. Now, the penalty for being even several hours late in reporting is two months’ solitary confinement. But this officer excused him for his tardiness—a special favor. But he said that he, too, had no authority to deal with his case, or to excuse him from service. Then, as a further favor, he permitted Brother — to return home for the night.

Early next morning Brother — repaired again to the barracks, and again stated his case to other officers, but with the same result; they could do nothing in his case.

Reluctantly he joined the other men in order to pass the required physical examination. The first examiner tested his eyes, and passed him. The next questioned him about as follows: “Are you quite well?” “Fairly well, but not so strong as formerly.” “Do you sleep well?” “Sometimes not very well.” “All right, that will do.”

Supposing that he had been passed as fit for service, he went on to the dressing-room. Very soon two of the examining physicians came to him, and asked, “When did your health begin to fail?” Brother — replied that he could give no exact time, meanwhile wondering at their question. “You had better go home and care for your health,” the physician said, and left him.

He could hardly believe that he was free; so he went to the officer, and was again assured that he was free to go home. He says that the only way he can understand the matter is that the Lord intervened; for while not so strong and rugged as he was ten years ago [when serving in war time, before he was a Christian], he has been in very fair health.

Another remarkable thing is that of about three hundred examined that day, he was the only one excused, so far as he could learn. His brother went with him, and stood where he could have seen any who might have come out. But Brother — was the only one.

Small wonder that this believer attributes his deliverance to the direct intervention of the Lord. And the worker reporting the matter to us adds: “I shall not take time to tell particulars about our earnest seasons of prayer for him. Next day was Sabbath, and Brother — occupied the time with an account of his experience. Then we united in heartfelt praise to God. But other trials await us, so we must be constant in prayer.”

In the trying times that lie between us all and the heavenly city we shall of a truth need strong and unshakable faith in the living God who does things for his children on earth. W. A. S.