THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER.
By Mrs. C. F. Phelps
THE increasing earnestness that characterizes the proclamation of the third angel's message should be especially encouraging to those who love the truth in Iowa, where Satan would press in despondency, and thus seriously injure the progress of the cause. Depending upon the power of the truth in itself, there has been much plowing and sowing; but has there not been a lack in the harrowing in of the seed by prayer? Has not this brought “leanness” upon Zion, so that but little fruit has been gathered from much toil? We are prone to say, How much I have done to advance the cause; whereas we should exclaim, “What hath God wrought!” The Lord says, “I will not give my glory unto another.” It is not great talent that God blesses so much as a likeness to Jesus, and this is the free gift of his grace, which all should earnestly covet. The spirit of supplication is greatly needed, that hearts and lips may be touched as with a live coal from Heaven’s own altar, bringing to each worker in the Master’s vineyard such a spirit of entire consecration and singleness of purpose toward God, as will enable the Lord to use him successfully to his honor and glory. Our Saviour spent whole nights upon the mountain in prayer. Of the early reformers, it is said that Luther set apart his best three hours each day for prayer; and that John Welsh of Scotland passed seven hours daily in wrestling with God for Zion. This is our great need,—to look away from narrow self to God, that his power may be manifested in the conversion of souls to his truth. Men having power with God and man are men of prayer. If our tent-laborers, in the spirit of a renewed consecration of all to the Lord, will with all the heart seek to be endowed with power from on high, and plead for the baptism of the Spirit to rest upon them, that they may preach this blessed gospel of the kingdom, not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance of faith, then the clouds will speedily break away, and the smile of God rest upon this glorious work; then the toilers will rejoice, and angels join in the glad songs of praise and thanksgiving which will ascend from the lips and hearts of thousands of new-born souls. May the whole church unite in earnest, fervent prayer to the Father above, for his blessing to rest in overflowing measure upon the ministers of his word everywhere, that when “the harvest is past and the summer is ended,” they may return to the harvest-home laden with golden sheaves for the Master’s garner. MRS. C. F. PHELPS.