p. 53 | The Prayer-Meeting

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 14, 1878

The Prayer-Meeting.

They were anxious for the prosperity of the cause of Christ. No one could doubt it who visited their little prayer-meetings week after week.

Bro. —— would rise with a heart heavily burdened. Little Johnnie G. said he always looked “so sanctimonious.” There were lines all over his face where the lash of conscience had left deep furrows. He told of the fierce conflicts he had had with the enemy, much like those of Christian and Apollyon, and the terrible darkness that had surrounded him. Occasionally there had been a gleam of light; but for the most part it was woe, woe, woe. No one doubted his sincerity. His neighbors all testified that his walk was circumspect. But the light-hearted young man, with all his pulses bounding with life and vigor, said, “I would like to be a Christian, but if it is to be such a life as this, I never can.”

Week after week sister —— arose to relate her experience (always the same), and exhort the young to seek the Saviour. There was a fretwork of gloom over the features God had made fair, as in dolorous tones she told of the light and joy of early Christian experience. It was evident we had lost our first estate, and Ichabod was written on all below. A timid, shrinking girl had often thought of the pathway of the just that was to be as “a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day,” and felt how sweet it would be to be a Christian; but wasn’t there a mistake somewhere? She must wait to see.

Occasionally a young theological student arose to tell them in faultless rhetoric of the uncertain present and the dim “beyond.” His words were beautiful as the ice palace of the Russian princes, and just as cold. But there came a man with bowed form and tottering step. He arose to say that it had been “nigh onto fifty years” since he had been in the service of his Master, and he could say, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” He spoke of his Saviour as though he were indeed his “elder brother,” saying, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth,” and “in my flesh shall I see God.” The young man’s heart is reached. Here is the narrow pathway, and the gate stands invitingly open. He enters it trustingly; for He is faithful that has promised, “I will hold thine hand, and will keep thee.” The language of his heart is, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

An aged lady expressed briefly her faith in the precious promises of God, and her hope of the life which comes through Christ. The waves of silver hair lay on a brow where time had left his impress, but the sweet serenity of countenance caused the casual observer to say, “She is one with whom Heaven has dealt very kindly.” There were lines that deep anguish had drawn; but they were so delicately veiled by light and glory, that the beholder’s thoughts instinctively reverted to the mount of transfiguration. Those who knew her well were aware that the daisies had bloomed and faded many a year over a hallowed spot in a distant country churchyard, where slept the one who had hoped to smooth all life’s pathway for her. Her fatherless children were scattered, some she might never see till ——; should they clasp hands in the final glad reunion? The words were plain and sweet, rich and beautiful, and she closed her tribute to a Saviour’s love, saying, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in his likeness.” Yes, Heaven had dealt kindly with her. Her faith had taken hold upon the Rock of Ages, and through all life’s storms she had been unmoved. The timid girl thought it must be a safer pathway than she had ever known, and her willing heart responded, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.”