DO YOU VISIT THE CLOSET OFTEN?
By A. S. Hutchins
"But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Pet. iv, 7. The end of all things hasteth greatly. It is but a step forward and the great voice will come out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done." At this point of time we are especially exhorted to be sober, and watch unto prayer. From the above text the conclusion forces itself upon our minds, that if we are as sober and watchful as it becomes us to be, our prayers will be fervent and frequent. It will be the delight of one thus watchful to be found often in the closet, holding converse with the Giver of every blessing. Are any tempted? let them seek strength from the hand of the Lord, in his own appointed way. Are any afflicted, or does any one lack wisdom? let him pray. Some perhaps who may read this have none of like precious faith with whom to meet from time to time, or Sabbath to Sabbath, and claim the promise of the Saviour, [Matt. xviii, 20,] "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." To such we would say in the language of another, "He waits for you in the closet." O let us hasten to meet him there. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Matt. vi, 6. Here we may come to examine our hearts. Here we may pour out our complaints, and seek forgiveness of all our sins. And as we go out into the world, we may expect to be rewarded "openly," if our petitions proceed from an honest and sincere heart. A writer, speaking of some of the advantages of secret prayer over social and public worship, says, "By praying in secret we give God the glory of his being every where present, and seeing and knowing all things. We acknowledge not only his general providence, as taking care of communities, but his particular providence, as watching over us individually. We express our faith in his presence, his power, and his love. "The Christian can also in secret give free vent to every desire; vary his requests according to the present state of his mind; or the present necessities of the day, or hour, in which he is living; he can dwell on his personal wants; and, in short, give full scope to his feelings, and pour out his whole soul before God." By entering into the closet we understand that we should retire from the world, shut ourselves away from all that surrounds us, as far as possible, that we may be undisturbed. All may have some place and moments of retirement. The remarks of the same writer on this point seem too good to be lost. "Shut thy door. Keep out the world, and prevent every intrusion: thou hast a great business to transact with thy God, and let not the dearest friend or relative interfere with thy intercourse and converse with him. The privacy of prayer is the great thing which is here enforced. Poor persons, who have but one apartment, may enter into the spirit of this direction by praying wherever they can be retired. Isaac's closet was the field. He went out to meditate in the field at even-tide. Gen. xxiv, 63. David's closet was his bed-chamber. Commune with your own heart, upon your bed, and be still. Ps. iv, 4. Our Lord's closet was a mountain. When he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray, and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matt. xiv, 23. Peter's closet was the house-top. Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. Acts x, 9. Hezekiah's closet was turning his face towards the wall and praying unto the Lord. Isa. xxxviii, 2." May it ever be the delight of the reader and writer of this, to be found seeking wisdom of Him who giveth to all men liberally, and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Eph. vi, 18. Monterey, Mich., Apr. 12th, 1858.