Humiliation and Prayer.
By R. F. Cottrell
The church in Olcott cheerfully complied with the request of the General Conference Committee, to meet together on the first four days of the month for humiliation and prayer. The weather was stormy a part of the time, yet the brethren at Somerset met with us two days of the four. We fully coincide with the Committee in the views set forth in the call. And while we prayed in faith that God would still the raging elements of political strife, and thus open the way for the spread of the truth, even to the oppressed and down-trodden, white and black, who have been so long under the despotic rule of the slave power, we also felt the need of a preparation of heart, to engage in this great work, when God should thus open the way. There is no doubt that God will open the way, and that the work will be done; but the question is, Who will have a share in the work? It is a prayer for the progress of the work of the Lord. And while we pray for the winds to be held, it is important that we pray first of all, for a personal consecration and preparation of heart, and second, for the refreshing or out-pouring of the Spirit to qualify us for the work. Our meetings were solemn; and the interest increased to the last. And we trust it will not stop here, but that we shall continue to wrestle in prayer, till we receive the refreshing. I believe the united prayers of the church will be heard, that the obstacles will soon be removed out of the way, and all who earnestly engage in the work of preparation now, will soon be qualified, by the Spirit, for the closing work. R. F. Cottrell.