SELECTIONS | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1856

SELECTIONS.

Dr. Chalmers' Prayer.

In Dr. Chalmers' Sabbath Scripture Readings, for 1844, while at an advanced age, and only a few years before death, he was toiling to gather a missionary congregation, and build a church and school in one of the most depraved parts of Edinburgh, I have noticed the following fervent and simple prayer on this very point: "Let me not faint, O Lord, under the toils of that ministry which thy providence hath put into my hands. Give me wisely to husband my strength; but let me be unwearied and most tenaciously persevering in my enterprise for the families of the West Port. Save me from all dishonesty and deceitfulness in handling thy Word. And let me walk on a visible platform, and in the daylight of an open manifestation. O may I find a way to the consciences of many, by the godly sincerity of my conversation in the world, and above all, by the power of that gospel which do thou, O Lord, cause to enter the hearts of those among whom I labor, with power and the Holy Ghost, and much assurance. Give me the light of thy glory in the face of Jesus Christ, and in his great work of redemption. Lift the veil from my mind, that it may be in darkness no longer, but that in thy sight I may clearly see light. And O let a sense of the coming immortality sustain me amid all my present discomforts and despondencies, and that while my outward man perisheth, my inward man may be renewed by that light and confident anticipation. O for a realizing sense of futurity, an efficient and practical apprehension thereof, so that I may not only rejoice in hope of the glory of God, but learn to joy in tribulation also."