AND ITS Remarkable Answers: BEING A STATEMENT OF FACTS IN THE LIGHT BY WILLIAM W. PATTON, D. D., LATE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE ADVANCE, AUTHOR OF "THE YOUNG MAN, CHICAGO: J. S. GOODMAN. CINCINNATI: C. F. VENT. SAN FRANCISCO: F. DEWING & Co. COPYRIGHT. A. D. 1875. BY J. S. GOODMAN. MARDER, LUSE & Co. ELECTROTYPERS AND STEREOTYPERS, CHICAGO. PREFACE. AND is there room for another book on Prayer, after the treatises upon this fruitful theme, from the time of the Christian Fathers to the present day? In answering this inquiry, one must remember, that each age of the world must have its own literature. There must then be books to meet present phases of religious experience, even if the truths discussed made part of the most ancient faith. Prayer has had its interest, as a doctrine and as a practice, in all the centu ries, and it is still the strength of the believer, and the scoff of the infidel. An attempt is made in this volume to give, in a popular form, the facts and the philosophy of the subject. It is written for the people; yet it assumes that they are neither children nor fools, and will welcome an intelligent discussion of a fundamental question. The first seven chapters aim, therefore, to elucidate the nature, characteristics, methods and conditions of Prayer; to show its true place in the system of the universe; and to answer the specious objections of the skeptics. The argument is designed to be thorough, without being dry and abstruse. But the chief aim of the book is to furnish authentic facts, so grouped and explained, in the light of the principles set forth in the early chapters, as to dispel doubt, and encourage a rational and Scriptural faith. The answers to prayer have been drawn from a wide region of investigation. A few from the olden time have been inserted, but, for obvious 254799 reasons, preference has been given to those of recent date. These have been furnished by Christian brethren to an extent which compelled the author to use only a selection; but his hearty thanks are equally returned to all who have thus aided his researches, whether he has had space to insert their communications, or not. A few Christians, who deny the practical value of such testimony to the power of Prayer, will find their ideas curiously represented, and, it is trusted, satisfactorily discussed, in the concluding chapter. These answers to prayer are styled "Remarkable," not because it is at all strange in itself, that such things should take place, under the divine government, but only that they appear so to the incredulity of the world, and to the weak faith of the church. If there were more real prayer, the striking answers would be everyday occurrences. The facts cited are made the subject of discriminating comment, to preserve the reader from unwarrantable inferences, and the embrace of theories which work delusion instead of faith. The desire of the author has been to produce a volume which should be welcomed by every pastor, as helpful to the progress of piety in his church, and which should encourage the Christian to ask and expect great blessings for himself and for others. CHICAGO, ILL., Dec. 1st, 1875. CONTENTS. PRAYER CHARACTERISTIC OF PIETY. The cloud of incense ever rising-Thoughtful heathen and Mohammedans pray-A proof of conversion - The history of piety, the history of prayer-The Old Testament worthies -Also New Testament saints - Jesus and his disciples- Later history of the church-Martin Luther, quotations and Anecdotes John Calvin - John Knox-Anecdotes- Me- lanchthon Gustavus Adolphus - Philip Henry-Samuel Rutherford-Jonathan Edwards - David Brainerd — R. M. McCheyne - Thomas Arnold-Henry Martyn - James B. Importance of definite ideas-Christians who explain away |