Our Gracious Privilege.
By J. A. Dayton
"IS ANY AMONG YOU AFFLICTED? LET HIM PRAY."
James v, 13. BEAUTIFUL, heavenly words of cheer! With what solacing power do they come home to the bruised and chastened heart, a cure for every wound, a balm for every pain. As though the apostle would have said, Do any grieve over the loss of loved ones, snatched away by Death? do you weep that your strong love could not avail? that you can no more behold their loved faces, or listen to the music of voices which once possessed such gladdening power over the charmed circle of home? are your earthly hopes, over which the future shed so fair a light, dashed in a moment to the ground, leaving you in the darkness of despair? do friends, whose constancy and devotion you deem unchanging, turn coldly from you? is the eye of faith dim, and does Satan press you sorely on every side, seeming to leave no way of escape?—for any ill, and every bitter sorrow, here find a remedy.—"Let him pray!" Here, at the feet of Jesus bring every weary burden. Is there, can there be any thing more consoling than this? It is a cordial whose ingredients were composed by One who well understood our needs: a mixture of love, tenderness, and pity. It softens every pain, and stirs each stagnant pulse. Its healing power gives life to those spiritual graces, faith, hope, and love. Come then and be healed. If your faith is small, come. Weary and footsore, even while thorns still pierce your bleeding feet, come. Fear not. He who invites you gives you the blessed assurance that "like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him;" and though you feel unworthy, be not faint-hearted, Jesus is our advocate, cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you: think no wound incurable, no affliction too severe. He regards the fall of a sparrow, and even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Without price, he offers you the key to unlock the rich coffers of his grace, which contain the effectual antidote: "Let him pray." J. A. DAYTON.
Chesaning, Mich.