p. 69 | Paddling and Praying

International Tract and Missionary Society · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Feb 4, 1886

Paddling and Praying.

SAID Thomas Jones, an old colored preacher: "When I was escaping from slavery, and found myself out on the ocean, I prayed God to help me, and he did help me. I found some boards and got on to them. Well, what did I do then? Did I stop praying, and think because I had got a few boards I could go alone now, and didn't need the Lord's help any more? No! I kept on praying, and held on to the boards. Well, what did I do then? Sit still, and expect the Lord to carry me safely through, and think that I had nothing to do? No! I took a stick for a paddle, and went to paddling and praying. I did not sit still, like those who have a name to live, and are dead; but I just went to paddling, and I did not forget to pray; and by paddling and praying I got through. So God expects us to pray and also paddle, and not to wait for him to do the work that he has set us to do."

There is sound philosophy in the old man's talk. Paddling is needful, as well as praying; and an ancient teacher once declared that "Faith without works is dead, being alone."—Sel.