Chapter 28

It is well known that many of the good men who were driven from England to America by persecution in the seventeenth century, had to endure great privations. In the Spring of 1623 they planted more corn than ever before; but by the time they had done planting, their food was spent. They daily prayed, "Give us this day our daily bread;" and in some way or other the prayer was always answered. With a single boat and a net they caught some fish, and when these failed, they dug in the sand for shell-fish. In the month of June their hopes of a harvest were nearly blasted by a drought which withered up their corn and made the grass look like hay. All expected to perish with hunger.

In their distress the pilgrims set apart a day of humiliation and prayer, and continued their worship for eight or nine hours. God heard their prayers, and answered them in a way which excited universal admiration. Although the morning of that day was clear, and the weather very hot and dry during the whole forenoon, yet before night it began to rain, and gentle showers continued to fall for many days, so that the ground became thoroughly soaked, and the drooping corn revived.

THE ENEMIES OF A GOD FEARING NATION.

"An answer to prayer," says Le Clerc, "may be seen by what happened on the coast of Holland in the year 1672. The Dutch expected an attack from their enemies by sea, and public prayers were ordered for their deliverance. It came to pass that when their enemies waited only for the tide, in order to land, _the tide was retarded, contrary to its usual course, for twelve hours_, so their enemies were obliged to defer the attempt to another opportunity; which they never found, _because a storm, arose afterwards_, and drove them from the coast."

CHANGING THE COURSE ONE POINT.

Walking across Palace Square in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with an American ship-master, (says a correspondent of the _Watchman_) he invited me to accompany him to his hotel. While there he showed me a very large gold medal he had received from the British government for saving a ship's company at sea. The circumstances were these: One night at sea, when it was the captain's "mid-watch,"--the watch from twelve, midnight, till four o'clock in the morning--just before turning in, he gave the officer of the watch the ship's course; the direction in which she was to be steered. While undressing, it was impressed on his mind that he ought to change the course a point; but he could see no reason for the change, as the ship was on the right course for the port of her destination. He turned in and tried to fall asleep, as it was only four hours to his watch; but the impression that he ought to change the ship's course kept him awake. In vain he tried to throw off that impression; and yielding to it, he went on deck and gave the order for the change. On returning to his berth, he was asleep as soon as his head was on the pillow. The next day he sighted a ship in distress, and made sail for her. The ship was in a sinking condition, and he rescued the whole ship's company. Shortly after, a gale of wind arose and carried the sinking ship to complete destruction. Had not the American captain changed the course of his ship that evening, he would not have come in sight of the ship in distress, and all of the company would have perished.

_Query_--_What made that Captain arise in the middle of the night and, contrary to all science, reason and his own will, change the course of his vessel_, but a _Supreme Being, whose power he could not resist_, and what made him _exactly_ reach that sinking _ship just in time_.

* * * * *

THE FULTON ST. PRAYER MEETING.

ANSWERS TO PRAYER FROM ITS HISTORY, RECORDS AND CORRESPONDENCE.

The following Incidents of Prayer and the remarkable Answers, have been obtained from the records of the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting in New York City. They include both facts which have been related by speakers in their daily meetings, or furnished from the letters of those who have solicited Prayer and received the Answer to their Faith.

They are of the utmost diversity of subjects, literally including the "all things" of the Bible, and temporal as well as spiritual interests.

Numerous as the incidents are, which we here give, still they cover only _one-sixtieth_ part of the whole Record of the Blessed Meeting.

History can never tell of the wonders done in Answer to the Prayers of these trusting ones; but Faith can rejoice, for here is fulfilled daily those cheerful Promises of the Lord: "_If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." "Ask and receive, that your joy may be full_."

SAVED FROM A LIFE OF DEGRADATION.

"Your prayers for my husband have been answered; _on the very day_ I wished your prayers for him, and _before the hour of prayer had expired_" he came into the house, and said, '_I am going to do better_.' He had not been home before for _several weeks_. He was a profane, hard-drinking man. He has since joined the church. 'All hail the power of Jesus' name.'"

RECOVERY OF AN INVALID.

"One year ago, the prayers of this meeting were asked for an invalid who had years of intense suffering before her, unless soon relieved. Prayers were offered for her. Now we would like to acknowledge the loving-kindness and tender mercy of our God, for, since that time, she has slowly but steadily improved, even under most trying and unfavorable circumstances, and-has now recovered comparative strength."

RELIEF IN BUSINESS.

"_None of those who trust in Him shall be made desolate_."

"Some three weeks ago, I wrote you, stating that _my business had been a failure_, and asked your prayers that God, in His mercy, would point out a way for me to _provide for my family._ The clouds grew thicker and blacker, but the more earnest were my prayers. _Last Saturday the Lord came to my rescue_, and provided me with the necessities of life, and to-day I wish you to join with me in thanksgiving to Almighty God for these favors;--'For He is good; His mercy endureth forever.'"

A DAUGHTER SAVED FROM MARRIAGE WITH A CORRUPT MAN.

"I pray you give God praise and thanks for His merciful deliverance of my dear daughter from the _evil influence_ of the man to whom she had given her love and promise of marriage. THE LORD gave her strength and courage to break her engagement, in answer to our earnest prayers. Oh, implore _Him_ to keep that man out of her path, for he is constantly lying in wait to meet her when she goes out. He wanted her to read bad books, but told her that they were not wrong. He constantly laid temptation in alluring forms before her. To HIM alone be the thanks for this step she has taken."

A SKEPTIC OVERPOWERED.

"More and more God is pouring out His Spirit, gloriously answering your prayers and ours. I have been constantly asking your prayers, and though, for a while, the vision tarried, _yet it has come. The young man_, from a neighborhood where there was _not one Christian_, and _he himself scarcely less than a skeptic, is now sitting, in his right mind, at Jesus' feet."_

SAVED FROM DEATH.

"My brother, that lay apparently at the point of death, has been restored to comparative health."

AN INTEMPERATE YOUNG MAN RECLAIMED.

"Rejoice with me, and thank God for his gracious answer to prayer. The intemperate young man for whom I requested prayer some months ago, has turned away from his cups, and is earnestly striving to overcome his appetite for strong drink. He is competent to be the means of doing so much good."

THE CONVERSION OF INTIMATE FRIENDS.

"Some time since, I sent request for prayer for the conversion of friends. Since then _three_ have united with the church."

RAISED UP FROM DEATH'S DOOR.

"Our former pastor was raised up from death's door, in answer to your prayer. _The doctor gave him up_. He says the Lord alone saved him, in answer to prayer. Praise His name."

THE DESIRE OF THE HEART FULFILLED.

"A few weeks since I sent a request for prayer in my behalf, asking you to pray God very earnestly that He would grant me the desire of my heart, for which I was praying almost unceasingly. _On the evening of the same day_ on which I supposed you would receive my request, _the answer came,_ lifting a great burden from my heart. I send this in acknowledgment of God's loving-kindness to me, and to encourage' every burdened, praying one, to _trust Him more_."

A POOR OLD SICK LADY RESTORED.

"The poor, sick old lady for whom I requested your prayers some time since, wishes to return thanks to Almighty God, for _restoring her health_, and _sending friends_. It is wonderful how your and our requests are answered."

A NEW BIRTH.

"Give thanks with me. Since I wrote you last, our son has given himself to Jesus."

A CHURCH SAVED FROM STRIFE.

"It is with heartfelt gratitude to God that I write you of answer to your prayer. Last Spring, I asked your prayers in behalf of our church. It was almost destroyed by a man trying to get into our Conference without proper papers, and could not. He then broke up a Presbyterian church, and formed another. He gathered a number of our members with him, and tried hard to take our parsonage, but did not succeed. Thank God! though we are few, and have had a hard struggle, we still hold our property, our circuit has doubled, God is reviving His work, and is now answering your prayers"

REASON RESTORED.

"Last March, I requested you to pray for a dear friend in Massachusetts, who was deprived of her reason through sickness and great trouble. _Give thanks unto God, she is fully restored."_

"Arise And Walk."

"It will be just one year since Jesus came and took me by the hand, and _I arose from what was supposed to be my death-bed_, and _walked to the astonishment of all_. I have not claimed the fullness of the promise, but feel that I may. I prayed God not to heal my body wholly, until I was more patient under my cross."

THE APPETITE FOR STRONG DRINK TAKEN AWAY.

"Sometime ago I wrote to you for my husband. He was _a victim to strong drink_ at that time, but _blessed be God, he has not drank one drop for five months_."

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH.

"I feel your prayers; I think I know the day and the hour, for I felt strengthened with strength in my soul."

HEALING OF SOUL AND BODY.

"I have reason to rejoice that I have been greatly blessed in answer to your prayers. Two young lady friends of mine have been enabled to claim the blessed promise of full salvation, not only to the healing of the soul, _but the body also_.

My own experience helped them: On the 16th of January, last, in answer to constant prayer offered by myself and friends, I arose from what all thought to be my death-bed, and walked all over the house; also many miles on the streets during the next few months. I did not claim the full extent of the promise as I craved only relief from such terrible pain, as was then my portion to bear. I think God in his goodness would have granted full restoration to health, as I was so anxious to work for Him, but I pleaded with Him _not to heal my body_ until my mind had had the discipline I felt it needed."

AN INTEMPERATE HUSBAND SAVED BY PRAYER.

"Some three weeks since, I asked you for my intemperate husband, that you would pray that he might be _willing to be saved. He has been made willing to give up the intoxicating cup,_ and says he has _not any desire_ for it. To God be all the praise."

RELIGION LOST, RELIGION REGAINED.

"I wrote you two months since, asking an interest in your prayers for a young man that experienced religion a year ago, but failed to confess Christ by uniting with the church. Your prayers have been answered. Last night my heart was made to rejoice by seeing him confess Christ, before the world. He is now happy in the love of Jesus, and will he useful and active in the church."

DRUNKARDS REFORMED.

"Return thanks to God for two men signing the pledge, about one month ago, who have been enabled to keep it through great temptation. _They were drunkards for over twenty years_. Their reformation was in answer to a praying mother's prayers, and to the prayers for them at your meeting."

A HOPELESS CASE.

"A little less than a year ago, prayers were desired at the Fulton street prayer-meeting for a man whose case seemed wholly hopeless. Shortly after he gave up drink, and became a Christian; is now a happy man, and has a happy family.

"Please carry this thank offering to God, that he has given us such a Savior, and such a way to escape from temptation."

A HARVEST OF CONVERSIONS.

"Last Fall, I wrote you to pray for us. You did pray. The result was a wonderful increase of spiritual life--_fifty conversions."_

A FAMILY MADE HAPPY.

"Two years ago, I wrote asking your prayers for a dear sister, brothers and nieces. Since then, one brother, about sixty, and my two nieces have been converted, and are now rejoicing in a Savior's love."

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

"About two years ago we requested your prayers for the Holy Spirit upon a revival work then in progress in our church." _The Lord answered us_ by giving us _over four score souls."_

HEARTS MADE GLAD.

"We return most hearty thanks for the answer to prayer given. I wrote more than a year ago last August of our low state. Last Winter twenty young persons were converted, and continue to work faithfully."

GIVEN UP BY MAN, BUT RESCUED BY THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.

"The writer was himself raised up by prayer, from the gates of death, offered by the heart and lips of one who is now a sufferer. _Two of the most skillful physicians in the land had given me up_."

THE STORY OF A WAYWARD LIFE, SAVED BY PRAYER.

"In the last fourteen years I have stood beside the deathbeds of eight who were near and dear to me, and the last words that each spoke to me as they were leaving the world were, "_Will you not meet me in Heaven_?" I have been a wayward child. Eight years ago I became addicted to strong drink. I became a drunkard, which brought my dear old father down to an untimely grave. I made a promise on his death-bed that I would not drink any more, and for six long years I kept that promise, but at last I broke it. I again became a drunkard, which began to tell on my wife. I promised her that I would not drink, but that promise was broken time after time. Within this year, in the week of prayer, I attended the prayer-meetings, asked prayers for me, and on the night following, I erected the family altar, which had for four years been neglected, and, thank God, it is there yet. I am now trusting in the promise that _He will not let his children be tempted beyond what they are able to endure_."

A WONDERFUL CURE.

An earnest Christian woman who believed the Lord greater than any earthly physician, cries, "_O, praise the Lord. He hath delivered me in six troubles, and in the seventh he hath not forsaken me_." "And the seventh was the worst. By the help of _eight physicians_, and in answer to prayer, partly of this meeting, a fearful tumor has been taken from me weighing twelve pounds, with three gallons of water in the sack. O, praise the Lord, for He is good, and his mercy endureth forever."

This case was one of extraordinary risk and apparently impossible achievement; but the Lord gave faith to try, and skill to win the victory. No earthly power could have dared the venture.

GIVEN UP.

"Our pastor, after four months' sickness, preached to us last evening the most solemn sermon I ever heard, and says he was raised up in answer to prayer. The physicians gave him up several times, and say they have never known such an instance of recovery."

CHAINS BROKEN AT LAST.

"Long months, week by week, I have asked you to pray that my husband might be saved from the eternal doom of a drunkard. God has mercifully given him strength to break the fetters that bound him fast."

BETTER THAN WE EXPECTED.

"We asked your prayers; they have been answered. They were answered more and better than we had hoped or dreamed they could be."

PRAYER ANSWERED FOR EMPLOYMENT.

"A foreigner without means and friendless tried in vain for ten months to succeed in finding some employment. He requested your prayers to God, and _God answered_. In less than eighteen hours a splendid position was offered to him. He and his wife give thanks, and pray that they may devote their lives usefully to the cause of God who has been so good to them."

FOUND EMPLOYMENT.

"God has answered our united prayers, and given employment to his child."

AN OLD LADY SAVED FROM LITTLE ANNOYANCES.

"Your prayers have been heard and answered in mercy. The old lady has not been quite so much annoyed. Thank God for some peace for the aged one, not able to bear what younger people can, that go out into the world and can find relief. I thank my heavenly Father for his loving- kindness and tender mercy for those that cry to him in trouble."

INSANITY DISPELLED.

"I sent a petition months ago, for prayers for an insane husband. Your prayers have been answered. He has rapidly recovered."

RECLAIMED.

"I must ask you to return thanks with me that your prayers have been answered. An intemperate brother has been reclaimed."

RESTORED TO HEALTH.

"One month since, I requested prayer specially for my own family. My oldest son, who was then sick, has been restored to his usual health. '_The prayer of faith hath indeed saved the sick_.'"

TEMPTATIONS REMOVED.

"Some months ago I asked your prayers for a son in college, amid great temptations. I desire to give thanks that those temptations have been removed."

THE HEART OF A CLERGYMAN TURNED FROM THOUGHTS OF AMBITION.

"I sent a request to you for a young man, who was called, and eminently fitted for the ministry, but was tempted, by ambition, not to listen to the divine call, and obstacles had hedged his way somewhat. After I requested your prayers in his behalf, this temptation was removed, and nearly one hundred persons were converted in the church which was under his care."

A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE.

"For a long time I have been the subject of personal affliction, caused by _two internal tumors_ of the _worst type_. Speedy death seemed inevitable; yet there was a little hope that a surgical operation might possibly remove the difficulty and prolong my day. To this hope I clung, submitted to the operation, and it was a success. To the earnest prayers of Christian people is due this grateful acknowledgment."

WAS A PERFECT SLAVE TO LIQUOR.

"Please return _thanks_ to our kind Heavenly Father for this answer to prayer. All last Winter requests were sent in for a gentleman, a perfect slave to liquor. Those prayers were answered, and he is attending church regularly, striving to do what is right to please his Heavenly Master."

ALWAYS ANSWERED.

"Several times in years past I have asked for the prayers of this meeting, and always found them answered."

CURED OF EPILEPSY.

"I wrote you to aid me by your prayers, that my afflicted son, who was troubled with epilepsy, might be cured. Thanks be to the Heavenly Father, he is better."

ALMOST LOST.

"Your prayers and mine for my son have been answered. He was almost lost, on the downward road of intemperance. He has now reformed."

A SITUATION OBTAINED BY PRAYER.

"Yesterday I sent a request that God would give me sustaining grace and abiding faith, and in his own good time give me a situation where I might be able to support my family. In that very afternoon, I made a contract of $1,200 a year. Praise the Lord."

A BOUNTIFUL BLESSING.

"Some time ago I solicited your prayers for a blessing on my services, and _never, in all my life_ before have I been blessed as since that time. 'Tis truly wonderful; it has seemed as if I must have become some one else, and that it could not longer be me speaking with such boldness, and apparent success. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name."

SAVED FROM THE COMPANY OF A BAD LOVER.

"A week ago I begged you to pray for my daughter, who had given her heart to an unworthy man, praying that God might guide her to see him as he is, and turn her love from him. She is a child of God. In answer, God has caused a rupture between them."

AWAY FROM HOME, BUT NOT AWAY FROM GOD.

"Some weeks since I sent in a request for prayer for my sons who had fallen victims to intemperance and vice. My heart rejoices to-day in the hope that it has.

"Two who left home, and had gone to distant cities to seek employment, have written me to pray that they may be able to forsake sin in all its forms, and come to Christ and be Christians. One of them was skeptical when he left home. The one remaining at home has resolved to quit drinking."

GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS BELIEVING PRAYER.

"Your prayers asked on several occasions have all been graciously answered. Return thanks unto the Lord that sendeth mercy."

THE HARDEST HEART YIELDS AT LAST.

"Several years since your prayers were solicited in behalf of one who seemed given over to hardness of heart and reprobacy of mind. Since that time there has been some reform in his life. God only knows how far those prayers have been answered in restraining grace. Last week he said to the friend who had solicited your prayers for him, 'I wish you would ask Fulton Street prayer-meeting to pray again for me. _I believe it did me good._'"

UP FROM THE LOWEST DEPTHS.

"One year ago I wrote you respecting prayer for my husband. He has since been reclaimed from the lowest depths of a drunkard's life, and is now a member of the Christian church. Thanks be to God, the giver of all good."

SAVED AND HONORED.

"Almost three years ago I asked you to pray for a young man that was wandering from God. Thank God, your and my prayers were answered. He is now an active Christian, a superintendent of the Sabbath school, and a most zealous member of the Young Men's Christian Association of this place."

ALMOST PERSUADED.

"Some weeks since I requested prayer for a member of this Institution who was 'almost persuaded' to be a Christian. Thanks to our Father, and to those who have offered prayer in her behalf, she has been _altogether persuaded_, and has united with the Lord's people."

ANSWERED THE SAME DAY.

"You received a letter yesterday. My husband rose for prayers the same night."

OH, HOW PRECIOUS.

"I wrote five months since for prayers for myself, and I now write to say that I have found my Savior very precious to my soul."

PRAYING FOR A PASTOR.

"Several months ago I wrote asking you to pray for a feeble church in need of a pastor. Since then I am happy to say that this church has been blessed and we now have a pastor."

A TELEGRAM OF PRAYER.

An incident was related at one of the meetings by a clergyman who had written a telegram asking for prayers. God heard it before it was sent.

"When we were in Switzerland, my daughter was taken very ill, so that the doctor despaired of her life. I felt the need of sympathy and help and prayer, and I made up my mind that I would send a telegraphic dispatch to this meeting, where I had so often united with you in prayer. I wrote the dispatch and was prepared to send it, when all at once there was poured out such a joyful faith and confidence in God on me as I never felt before in all my life, and I fell on my knees in devout thanksgiving for the assurance that God gave me that he had heard and answered our prayers, for we had prayed for that dear daughter's life. There lay the telegram ready to be sent. There I was waiting and praying. In less than half an hour my wife came into the room and said, 'There is a change for the better in our daughter,' and the telegram was never sent, though I believe the writing of it was the prayer that God answered."

HE DID NOT KEEP HIS PROMISE, BUT GOD DID.