p. 191 | SELECTIONS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1858

SELECTIONS.

"The Lord and I were there."

A FEW years since, in one of the towns of our old Puritan New England, there was established "a morning prayer-meeting," with particular reference to a revival of religion. For some time, the meeting was well sustained; however, a few months brought a sad change, without witnessing any special interest among sinners, on the most important of all subjects, that of the salvation of the soul. If professors had in any measure their hearts warmed by meeting together, they were willing to relapse again to selfish worldliness, for every succeeding week witnessed such a falling off and gradual declension, that no doubt it was given up in the minds of many and entirely forgotten.

Not so with "one steadfast follower of our Lord;" he continued to meet in that place of prayer, and like Jacob wrestle with God, and it was indeed a Bethel to him, and he might well say, "he met God face to face."

One morning returning from this consecrated spot, he was met by one of the brethren of the church, who said.

"Where now, brother, so early in the morning?"

"From the prayer-meeting," was the reply.

"From the prayer-meeting? I thought that was given up long ago. Why, who was there, do tell me, friend?"

"Well, I'll tell you, brother. The Lord and I were there, and are there every morning, and most precious seasons we are enjoying; we have sustained it for a long time, and it has been well sustained, and has never been given up."

The answer was so forcibly brought home to the conscience, that the next morning found this brother at his post, and from that time other members of the church followed his example, and in a few weeks that room was filled to overflowing, and the most powerful revival followed ever witnessed in that church, and also in adjoining towns.

Is it not safe always to trust God and rely upon his promises, believing he will accomplish all his pleasure in his own good time?