1895
At a small church in Maine the regular organist happened to be absent, and the congregation, in which were a few summer visitors, was obliged to sing the hymns without instrumental aid and under the pastor's leadership. One hymn, apparently not familiar to many, came several times to a distressing halt and finally died out altogether.
The minister, rather irritated, sat down as if determined not to continue the service until the singing met his approbation.
An oppressive silence fell upon the little company, broken at last by a deacon's prayer.
"O Lord," he said, "touch the heart of our pastor, that he may be moved to go on with the service."
Not to be outdone, the minister rose and prayed earnestly that the congregation might have their eyes opened to their faults and be willing to do their part and not put all the labor on their spiritual shepherd.
Another embarrassing pause followed, which seemed likely to last for the remainder of the day. Finally a woman rose in the rear pew and faintly petitioned that a spirit of harmony might rest upon pastor and people and move them to union and peace. Then a shrill voice struck up a familiar anthem, the ice was broken, "all joined" in the singing, and the service went forward. — Youth's Companion.
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Christians Sound Asleep
1900
Dr. A. C. Dixon says: "Prove to me that the atmosphere of the theatre, and the ball room and the club is as good as a prayer meeting; that first-class people go to these places; the fact remains that these good people are, as Christians, sound asleep. They are not awake to winning souls, converting the heathen, building up the church. A church full of such excellent people would be a dormitory, and, for all practical purposes, is about as good as a cemetery."
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 17
Dr. A. C. Dixon says: "Prove to me that the atmosphere of the theatre, and the ball room and the club is as good as a prayer meeting; that first-class people go to these places; the fact remains that these good people are, as Christians, sound asleep. They are not awake to winning souls, converting the heathen, building up the church. A church full of such excellent people would be a dormitory, and, for all practical purposes, is about as good as a cemetery."
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 17
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Cottage Prayer Meetings
1900
The People's Forum
How would you make the cottage prayer-meeting more interesting and fruitful? — A. L. LESTER, Pontiac, Mich.
The little cottage prayer meeting is one of the most powerful means Christ uses today for the salvation of men. Every pastor who is seeking the conversion of young or old should encourage in every way in his power the meeting of small bands of Christian people for prayer and testimony. It is in these small home gatherings that so many young people find Christ as their Savior. In these meetings they are less likely to be carried off their feet by religious excitement which attends a larger gathering, and they feel God's presence oftentimes more deeply. Our subscriber asks how these can be made more interesting. If by "interesting" he means "entertaining" a wide field for discussion is opened. But if he means by "interesting," "more fruitful in conversions," then the subject is simplified. The object of a "cottage" prayer meeting is to place all more at ease. Those in charge of the cottage prayer meeting should aim to invite and have present some unconverted persons. The subjects discussed in an informal manner should be such as will draw them into the discussion, and the Christians present should seek to find out what stands in the way of their salvation. To give some point to a meeting will invariably arouse interest. If no unconverted persons are present let some of those present mention relatives or friends whom they wish to see converted. Let there be prayer over each one and let there be general discussion as to how God would have them reach these particular ones. Every cottage prayer meeting should be characterized by neighborly Christian greetings, the singing of Gospel Hymns, reading of Scriptures, prayer and testimony. The leader should use all the tact at his command to keep the discussions on the thought of the evening. The conversational manner rather than set speech should be encouraged and every effort made to draw out the timid.
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.
The People's Forum
How would you make the cottage prayer-meeting more interesting and fruitful? — A. L. LESTER, Pontiac, Mich.
The little cottage prayer meeting is one of the most powerful means Christ uses today for the salvation of men. Every pastor who is seeking the conversion of young or old should encourage in every way in his power the meeting of small bands of Christian people for prayer and testimony. It is in these small home gatherings that so many young people find Christ as their Savior. In these meetings they are less likely to be carried off their feet by religious excitement which attends a larger gathering, and they feel God's presence oftentimes more deeply. Our subscriber asks how these can be made more interesting. If by "interesting" he means "entertaining" a wide field for discussion is opened. But if he means by "interesting," "more fruitful in conversions," then the subject is simplified. The object of a "cottage" prayer meeting is to place all more at ease. Those in charge of the cottage prayer meeting should aim to invite and have present some unconverted persons. The subjects discussed in an informal manner should be such as will draw them into the discussion, and the Christians present should seek to find out what stands in the way of their salvation. To give some point to a meeting will invariably arouse interest. If no unconverted persons are present let some of those present mention relatives or friends whom they wish to see converted. Let there be prayer over each one and let there be general discussion as to how God would have them reach these particular ones. Every cottage prayer meeting should be characterized by neighborly Christian greetings, the singing of Gospel Hymns, reading of Scriptures, prayer and testimony. The leader should use all the tact at his command to keep the discussions on the thought of the evening. The conversational manner rather than set speech should be encouraged and every effort made to draw out the timid.
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A Floating Hermit's Morning Devotions
1896
Hermits who make their homes in the caves and forests of California are plentiful, but a hermit who makes his home on the water is not so common.
The first one that has ever been seen in the bay of San Francisco is now living in a small scow, or ark, in the cove near Black Point. There he spends his days, and with the exception of an occasional drifting cruise along the front in a small skiff he never leaves the home he has made of the old, battered craft, which is named "Southern Pacific."
Every morning, rain or shine, he is up before sunrise. Climbing a ladder raised against an impromptu mast he reaches a small platform. On this he kneels and begins his morning orisons. First he sings a hymn. Sometimes his voice can be heard, chanting the melody at Black Point, and at other times he can barely be heard by the fishermen who are waiting the turn on tide in Black Point Cove. Then he will read a chapter from the Bible and after that he prays that the kingdom of the Messiah may come and that heaven be established on earth.
If it is a fine morning the sun by this time is well up in the heavens and the sun rise gun has been fired half an hour previously. The hermit descends from his lofty perch and pumps out his frail craft, in order to keep her afloat for another twenty-four hours. — San Francisco Call.
Hermits who make their homes in the caves and forests of California are plentiful, but a hermit who makes his home on the water is not so common.
The first one that has ever been seen in the bay of San Francisco is now living in a small scow, or ark, in the cove near Black Point. There he spends his days, and with the exception of an occasional drifting cruise along the front in a small skiff he never leaves the home he has made of the old, battered craft, which is named "Southern Pacific."
Every morning, rain or shine, he is up before sunrise. Climbing a ladder raised against an impromptu mast he reaches a small platform. On this he kneels and begins his morning orisons. First he sings a hymn. Sometimes his voice can be heard, chanting the melody at Black Point, and at other times he can barely be heard by the fishermen who are waiting the turn on tide in Black Point Cove. Then he will read a chapter from the Bible and after that he prays that the kingdom of the Messiah may come and that heaven be established on earth.
If it is a fine morning the sun by this time is well up in the heavens and the sun rise gun has been fired half an hour previously. The hermit descends from his lofty perch and pumps out his frail craft, in order to keep her afloat for another twenty-four hours. — San Francisco Call.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Gladstone's Early Prayers
1900
A certain guest who was staying at Hawarden Castle asked at what time breakfast would be served, and was told, "Prayers are at a quarter to nine."
The next morning he went down into the library and found Mr. Gladstone working away, with his letters neatly ranged in piles before him.
"Here is a very interesting pamphlet, just received, on the Irish question," said the host, and passing it to the guest, went on with his letters. Soon a servant appeared, and told the visitor that the family was waiting for him at prayers. As Mr. Gladstone did not stir, he went alone to the breakfast-room, and afterward said to the daughter of the house:
"I waited, thinking your father would come."
"Oh," said she, "my father was at his prayers long ago. He went to church as usual."
"This morning? Why, there's a foot of snow on the ground!"
"That makes no difference to my father."
"How far is it?"
"About half a mile."
And the old statesman, then at the age of seventy-seven, was sitting, after his morning walk, working away at his letters.
—Youth's Companion.
A certain guest who was staying at Hawarden Castle asked at what time breakfast would be served, and was told, "Prayers are at a quarter to nine."
The next morning he went down into the library and found Mr. Gladstone working away, with his letters neatly ranged in piles before him.
"Here is a very interesting pamphlet, just received, on the Irish question," said the host, and passing it to the guest, went on with his letters. Soon a servant appeared, and told the visitor that the family was waiting for him at prayers. As Mr. Gladstone did not stir, he went alone to the breakfast-room, and afterward said to the daughter of the house:
"I waited, thinking your father would come."
"Oh," said she, "my father was at his prayers long ago. He went to church as usual."
"This morning? Why, there's a foot of snow on the ground!"
"That makes no difference to my father."
"How far is it?"
"About half a mile."
And the old statesman, then at the age of seventy-seven, was sitting, after his morning walk, working away at his letters.
—Youth's Companion.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
In Memory of One Who Passed Away – "Sleeping in Jesus"
1878
IN MEMORY OF C. D. DOMBAUGH.
On Jan. 17th, C. D. Domhaugh, who from boyhood has been loved, was laid to rest in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends. On Tuesday afternoon a bright winged angel visited his chamber and whispered "Gentle spirit, come away." Like one falling into a gentle sleep he passed away from earth, at an age when life's hopes are brightest and its promises seem on the verge of fulfillment, the silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl was broken. He sleeps in Jesus.
He has gone to the mansions above
To join with the glorified there;
His spirit is bathing in oceans of love,
Now free from all sorrow and care.
He's sleeping in Jesus, he rests with the blest,
His home is beyond the blue sky
Where saints of all ages will ever find rest,
And heart treasures never will die.
Brief was his stay with his friends here below,
Ere the spirit wing spread for the flight,
And the love kindled flame in his heart shed a glow
On the tomb and its shivering night.
He has gone from earth's toil, gone from its cares,
Where angels their melodies raise;
Gone to that land where the saints' fervent prayers,
Shall turn into rapturous praise.
—Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1878, p. 1.
IN MEMORY OF C. D. DOMBAUGH.
On Jan. 17th, C. D. Domhaugh, who from boyhood has been loved, was laid to rest in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends. On Tuesday afternoon a bright winged angel visited his chamber and whispered "Gentle spirit, come away." Like one falling into a gentle sleep he passed away from earth, at an age when life's hopes are brightest and its promises seem on the verge of fulfillment, the silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl was broken. He sleeps in Jesus.
He has gone to the mansions above
To join with the glorified there;
His spirit is bathing in oceans of love,
Now free from all sorrow and care.
He's sleeping in Jesus, he rests with the blest,
His home is beyond the blue sky
Where saints of all ages will ever find rest,
And heart treasures never will die.
Brief was his stay with his friends here below,
Ere the spirit wing spread for the flight,
And the love kindled flame in his heart shed a glow
On the tomb and its shivering night.
He has gone from earth's toil, gone from its cares,
Where angels their melodies raise;
Gone to that land where the saints' fervent prayers,
Shall turn into rapturous praise.
—Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1878, p. 1.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Negro Church Prayers So Loud Neighbor Can't Sleep
1917
THEY PRAY SO LOUD HE CAN'T SLUMBER
Freeport, L. I.—Too much praying right out loud gives Ambrose Dunleavy no chance to sleep. Dunleavy lives next door to the negro church here, and since the church has started impassioned revivalist meetings he has written to Police Chief Hanes asking that prayers be suppressed. "Neither myself nor children are able to sleep," he complained.
—New Oxford Item, New Oxford, PA, Aug. 9, 1917.
THEY PRAY SO LOUD HE CAN'T SLUMBER
Freeport, L. I.—Too much praying right out loud gives Ambrose Dunleavy no chance to sleep. Dunleavy lives next door to the negro church here, and since the church has started impassioned revivalist meetings he has written to Police Chief Hanes asking that prayers be suppressed. "Neither myself nor children are able to sleep," he complained.
—New Oxford Item, New Oxford, PA, Aug. 9, 1917.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Novena Honoring St. Therese of Lisieux Opens at St. Peter's
Lowell, MA, 1934
Novena Opens at St. Peter's
A novena in honor of the Little Flower opened last night at St. Peter's church with a large congregation. The services, which will continue each night until Oct. 3, consisted of the rosary, a sermon by Very Rev. Daniel J. Keleher, Ph. D., V. F., pastor, novena prayers, the litany of the Little Flower and benediction. After the services, the congregation venerated the relic of the Little Flower individually.
Dr. Keleher's sermon was an inspiring and encouraging talk on the happiness of heaven and the efficacy of the intercession of the Little Flower. Briefly describing her life, the preacher said that the Little Flower was born in 1873 and died in 1897, and that, during her short life, particularly in the years spent with the Carmelite Sisters, her outstanding virtue was implicit obedience to the will of God; the distinguishing trait of her character being to beg the privilege of using her heaven to obtain favors for God's people on earth. Dr. Keleher struck an encouraging note when he reminded his congregation of the mercy of God and the constant hope for heavenly beatitude in spite of human failings. The pastor closed his sermon with an appeal for continued devotion, expressing the belief that the Little Flower is pleased with homage and will continue to intercede for her people.
Dr. Keleher and his assistants are anticipating continued interest through the remainder of the novena. Services are held nightly at 7:30 o'clock, except on Sunday when they are held at 6:30 o'clock.
—The Lowell Sun, Lowell, MA, Sept. 26, 1934, page 7, probably second section.
Tone of Book on Saint Denounced
LISIEUX, Normandy (UP) — Father J. I. Lane, of Liverpool, has voiced his protest of the "smirking statues" of Saint Therese; the excessive use of endearing terms, such as "Little Flower," applied to the Saint; and of illuminated mottoes on cheap colored glass.
Father Lane expresses his objections in a handbook for pilgrims to Lisieux. He pleads for a dignified attitude toward the little girl "who understood that love meant sacrifice and not passing emotion." He does not mince his words and he singles out for particular condemnation an American biography of Saint Therese in which, he says, she is called "Little Flower" as many as 460 times. Thus the "whole tone of the book is cloying," he says.
—San Mateo Times, San Mateo, CA, Dec. 18, 1934, page 2-A.
Novena Opens at St. Peter's
A novena in honor of the Little Flower opened last night at St. Peter's church with a large congregation. The services, which will continue each night until Oct. 3, consisted of the rosary, a sermon by Very Rev. Daniel J. Keleher, Ph. D., V. F., pastor, novena prayers, the litany of the Little Flower and benediction. After the services, the congregation venerated the relic of the Little Flower individually.
Dr. Keleher's sermon was an inspiring and encouraging talk on the happiness of heaven and the efficacy of the intercession of the Little Flower. Briefly describing her life, the preacher said that the Little Flower was born in 1873 and died in 1897, and that, during her short life, particularly in the years spent with the Carmelite Sisters, her outstanding virtue was implicit obedience to the will of God; the distinguishing trait of her character being to beg the privilege of using her heaven to obtain favors for God's people on earth. Dr. Keleher struck an encouraging note when he reminded his congregation of the mercy of God and the constant hope for heavenly beatitude in spite of human failings. The pastor closed his sermon with an appeal for continued devotion, expressing the belief that the Little Flower is pleased with homage and will continue to intercede for her people.
Dr. Keleher and his assistants are anticipating continued interest through the remainder of the novena. Services are held nightly at 7:30 o'clock, except on Sunday when they are held at 6:30 o'clock.
—The Lowell Sun, Lowell, MA, Sept. 26, 1934, page 7, probably second section.
Tone of Book on Saint Denounced
LISIEUX, Normandy (UP) — Father J. I. Lane, of Liverpool, has voiced his protest of the "smirking statues" of Saint Therese; the excessive use of endearing terms, such as "Little Flower," applied to the Saint; and of illuminated mottoes on cheap colored glass.
Father Lane expresses his objections in a handbook for pilgrims to Lisieux. He pleads for a dignified attitude toward the little girl "who understood that love meant sacrifice and not passing emotion." He does not mince his words and he singles out for particular condemnation an American biography of Saint Therese in which, he says, she is called "Little Flower" as many as 460 times. Thus the "whole tone of the book is cloying," he says.
—San Mateo Times, San Mateo, CA, Dec. 18, 1934, page 2-A.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Electric Prayer Wheels Popular with Buddhist Priests
1922
Motor-driven prayers have become popular with the Buddhist priests of Simla, the summer capital of India. Formerly the limit of invention allowed lazy priests to tack pieces of paper, on which were written the perpetual prayers, onto great prayer wheels. The power for turning these wheels was supplied from the many small mountain streams about the capital. When a firm of British engineers came with a proposal to divert these little streams and merge them into a waterpower project, the priests incited the people against them until finally an item was included in the franchise stating that electric motors and power were to be supplied to perpetually turn the prayer wheels. — Popular Mechanics Magazine.
—The Pointer, Riverdale/Dolton, Illinois, July 21, 1922, page 3.
Motor-driven prayers have become popular with the Buddhist priests of Simla, the summer capital of India. Formerly the limit of invention allowed lazy priests to tack pieces of paper, on which were written the perpetual prayers, onto great prayer wheels. The power for turning these wheels was supplied from the many small mountain streams about the capital. When a firm of British engineers came with a proposal to divert these little streams and merge them into a waterpower project, the priests incited the people against them until finally an item was included in the franchise stating that electric motors and power were to be supplied to perpetually turn the prayer wheels. — Popular Mechanics Magazine.
—The Pointer, Riverdale/Dolton, Illinois, July 21, 1922, page 3.
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