"WHAT'S THE USE TO PRAY?"
By R. F. Cottrell
Some years since, the father and mother of a little family embraced the Sabbath, under the preaching of the third angel's message. They ran well for a season; but trials came, and, not having depth of earth, they withered away. After remaining in a cold, lifeless state for some time, the father attended the meetings at a modern "revival," and being somewhat awakened, commenced prayer in his family again. Arising from the season of prayer, one of the children, a little girl about five years of age, came to her mother with tears in her eyes, and said, "What's the use to pray, if we don't keep the Sabbath?" This cutting reproof from innocent, artless lips, sent an arrow of conviction to the mother's heart, and she has again turned her feet into the testimonies of the Lord. It may prove a means of her salvation. Would it might reach the father's heart also. "Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. . . . When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you, yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear." Isa. i, 10, 15. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke vi, 46. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. vii, 21. R. F. COTTRELL.