A Thought about the Prayer-Meeting.
By Mrs. M. J. Bahler
THERE is a thought which it seems to me few of us consider, which, if it were carried into effect, would greatly add not only to the interest but also to the benefit which all may derive from the prayer-meeting. It is this: To go to the meeting with earnest prayer ascending from the heart that the blessing of God may be felt in that meeting, not upon my heart alone, but upon all who may attend. Let each individual who goes to the prayer-meeting, go there as he would go were the burden of leading the meeting resting upon him. Just consider for a moment what this implies. Were you placed in a position like this, you would not go carelessly to the meeting, as you might go to your dinner when the hour was announced. Carelessly I said; by this I do not mean not caring for what you might there receive; no, you would care, and expect to receive something enjoyable and strengthening; but you would go with no thought in regard to the preparation of the meal. It has already been prepared, and now you go to partake thereof to gain refreshment and strength. But do not go thus to the prayer-meeting, expecting there to receive much, with no thought or planning on your part, with your mind filled with thoughts and cares foreign to the meeting. Watch yourself, and see if you will not find that too often as you walk along, enter the door, and even as you take your seat, your mind is engaged in planning how to make the children's dresses, how you will trim your new hat, how you will make a successful bargain in buying or selling corn, wheat, or cattle. Too often you will find that thoughts and plans like these so occupy the mind that you hardly know when the hymn is announced, and sometimes even as your lips take up the words of sacred song, you find that you are not singing with the spirit nor with the understanding. Can we wonder that the meetings are void of interest, and lacking in spirituality, when the thoughts of those who enter them are upon this, that, and the other scheme? Let each take an interest in the meeting, if not equal to that of him who is to lead, at least akin to his; let us think of it hours beforehand, pray for its success as we engage in the things our hands find to do, and as its hour approaches, turn the buyers and sellers, the carpenters and dressmakers, from the temple of our hearts. Then let the mind make a visit to the treasure-house of God's holy word, and con the jewels of promise, of hope, of trust, or of sweet, though trying experience, therein portrayed, of some faithful One who has gone over the path before us. Or, resting the mind's eye upon the weary Nazarene in his toilsome paths, ever ministering to others, our souls will gain a fresh hold upon such cords of strength that they will be filled to overflowing with rejoicing and glad thanksgiving. Then as we enter the prayer-meeting I think we shall breathe a freer atmosphere, for as each heart reaches out in earnest supplication for Heaven's blessing upon the meeting, it will surely come.