Pray Hiking by A. E. Place

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 4, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 30.

Pray Hiking

By A. E. Place

SOME time ago, I read a little incident which deeply impressed me, and has remained with me. As some of the Signs readers may not have noticed it, I give it with brief comments.

Two little girls, both Christians, were one morning hurrying to school, conscious of the fact that they were late in starting. One of the girls, between breaths, said: "Mary, I fear we will be late. Let's kneel down and ask God to keep us from being late." "No, Jane," said Mary; "let's hike right along, and pray while we are hiking."

Jane consented, and they hurried on, and we believe they reached the school in time.

What great teachers the children are! The Master said, "Except ye . . . become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:3.

It is a good thing to take time to pray kneeling. In fact, I can not understand how any one who can kneel, can be a Christian and not often kneel in prayer. But if a child has neglected it till there is danger of being late at school; if the man has neglected it till he has but fifteen minutes to catch his train, and there is a mile and a half to walk,—then it would seem far more appropriate for them to pray "hiking," or perhaps running, than kneeling. And an appropriate prayer might be, "Lord, help me to do the best I can; and if Thou seest I can not make it, please hold the train, and by Thy grace I will try to start earlier next time."

He who kneels down and prays God to walk or run for him, need not expect to get either to school or to the train on time.

He who kneels down and prays God to pay the church debt, the school debt, or his own debt, and does no "hiking" himself, might as well ask God to pay the national debt.

God helps men and children to help themselves, and that is the only true help that can be given to any one who is still able to "hike." A dime to a beggar often means another drink of whisky, and stimulation to beg some more, and let "the other fellow" work.

If we wait and pray for "something to turn up," when we might, in God's name, and in our God-given manhood, turn something up, we will be classed with that company who say, "Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say." Such will be late here, and late at the gate of heaven.

Would it not be better to take Mary's advice, "Let's hike right along, and pray while we are hiking"?

A. E. PLACE.