that the leaders of religious thought in our day have not shrunk
from the task imposed upon them. Defenders of the Faith, turning
their attention to modern methods of attack, are found eager to
do battle for religious truth in the nineteenth century, as in the
eighteenth, the fifteenth, or the third and fourth. The somewhat
apologetic character of a considerable portion of this work has led
to these remarks. The observations of many writers and preachers,
in dealing with this theme, have necessarily assumed such a
character, in order that they may meet the requirements of the
present time. The writer confidently trusts that many of these
selections, especially such as refer to "Law and Prayer," "Theories
of Prayer," and the "Reasonableness of Prayer," will be of the
greatest service to perplexed inquirers and devout seekers after
truth and spiritual life.
It remains to be said that much labour has been expended in
the endeavour to make this book useful for reference. Besides
the Index of Chapters and their contents, an index is given of
every excerpt in the volume, under its own special title, and there
has been added an Index of Authors.
These extracts are used by kind permission of their authors,
or the holders of copyrights. On applying for this permission
the compiler is grateful to have received, in every case, a favour-
able reply. His thanks and those of the publishers are hereby
given to those whose favour has been so promptly and courteously
rendered. Their names are given in the list which is published
at the end of this volume.
Unanswered yet? the prayer your lips have pleaded
In agony of heart these many years?
Does faith begin to fail; is hope departing,
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not, the Father hath not heard your prayer;
You shall have your desire, sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? though when you first presented
This one petition at the Father's throne,
It seemed you could not wait the time of asking,
So urgent was your heart to make it known.
Though years have passed since then, do not despair;
The Lord will answer you, sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? nay, do not say ungranted,
Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done.
The work began when first your prayer was uttered,
And God will finish what He has begun.
If you will keep the incense burning there,
His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere.
Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered,
Her feet were firmly planted on the Rock;
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted,
Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.
She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer,
And cries, "It shall be done," sometime, somewhere!
Robert Browning.
The Divine Character the Tarrant for
O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come.-Psalm lxv. 2. When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven.-Luke xi. 2.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?-Luke xi. 13.
He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.-Hebrews xi. 6.
Of what an easy, quick access,
My blessed Lord, art Thou! how suddenly May our requests Thine ear invade!
To show that state dislikes not easiness,
If I but lift mine eyes, my suit is made:
Thou canst no more not hear than Thou canst die.
Of what supreme almighty power
Is Thy great arm, which spans the east and west,
And tacks the centre to the sphere!
By it do all things live their measured hour:
We cannot ask the thing which is not there,
Blaming the shallowness of our request.
Of what immeasurable love
Art Thou possessed, who, when Thou couldst not die, Wast fain to take our flesh and curse,
And for our sakes in person sin reprove;
That, by destroying that which tied Thy purse,
Thou might'st make way for liberality!
Since, then, these three wait on Thy throne,
Ease, Power, and Love, I value prayer so,
That were I to leave all but one,
Wealth, fame, endowments, virtues,-all should go :
I and dear prayer would together dwell,
And quickly gain, for each inch lost, an ell.
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