scarcely equaled in the whole range of literature, was the outcome of prayer. Benjamin Franklin submitted a resolution to the Convention of 1787 providing that the deliberations be opened every day by prayer for providential direction in framing the Constitution. Franklin's speech on that occasion deserves quotation. "In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain,” he said, "when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, for a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men." Governor Hardin, of Missouri, in 1875, that terrible year of devastation by grasshoppers and drought, that scourged the Middle West, issued a proclamation calling for a day of fasting and prayer. It was held on June 3rd. The next day it began raining, and in such volume that the earth became throughly saturated, and on the 11th of June it was officially announced that the grasshoppers had disappeared from the State. In 1901 Governor Dockery of the same State made a similar proclamation, under similar circumstances. A day of prayer was universally observed, and that day was the driest, hottest, most intensely unpromising of a long droughty season. It seemed to be contemptu ously mocking the prayer efforts of the people, but in a few short days the rain came down, and they knew how true it was that God answers earnest, believing prayer. In the same year, 1901, Governor Savage of Nebraska requested the people of that State to observe Friday, July 26th, as a day of prayer for rain. The forenoon of the day was cloudless, hot, dry, and without the slightest appearance of rain, but in the afternoon clouds swept over the sky and burst in most refreshing showers upon the drought-stricken land. There have been occasions where national, international, and universal prayer has appeared to be unanswered. The same hindrances and obstructions, no doubt, could be traced, did we trouble to make the search, as we find in individual lives. "Ye ask and ye receive not because ye ask amiss." The records of history, however, contain so many instances similar to those I have mentioned as to make certain beyond all doubt that when collective prayers are offered to God, that fulfil the conditions as laid down by Jesus Christ, there need never be the slightest doubt about the answer. The God that heard the prayers of Elijah on Mount Carmel still lives and rules, and is as eager to answer the petitions of His faithful people to-day as at any period of the world's history. CHAPTER V ANSWERED PRAYER (c) IN THE CREATION AND Maintenance of INSTI TUTIONS Is prayer worth while? If you wanted to know whether steam, electricity, or a water-wheel, or a piano, or even a fly-swatter, was worth while, whom would you ask? People who had used these things or people who had never used them, or had used them improperly? If you wanted to know whether a plow or a hayharvester was worth while, whom would you ask? A farmer or a tailor? One of the strangest things in connection with the consideration of prayer is the fact that the strongest criticisms, doubts, and objections have been raised by those who have never prayed, or ve prayed improperly. I am going to bring before you the testimony of those who have been used of God in the bringing into existence, and maintaining for many years, certain religious and philanthropic institutions. In this work these people have relied entirely upon prayer, and their prayers have been based literally on the precepts laid down by Jesus Christ. The foremost place among these workers must be given to George Mueller of Bristol, England, whose accomplishments in the maintenance of his huge orphanages have been the marvel of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I regard George Mueller as the most wonderful man of prayer the world has ever seen, with the single exception of Jesus Christ. This is a big thing to say, and it is all the more remarkable when we remember what kind of a character George Mueller bore when he was a mere boy. In my experience as Superintendent of the Bowery Mission, it has been my lot to listen to many appalling stories of juvenile criminality, but I have never heard of anything to compare with the wickedness of this boy. He was born in a little village in Germany, where his father was a collector of taxes. Before the age of ten he was a habitual thief. When he was fourteen years of age his mother died, and on that very morning he was found playing cards until two o'clock, and while his mother's dead body lay in the house, he continued drinking in the village tavern and, to the scandal of the villagers, staggered home to attend the funeral. Even after going to Halle University, he continued to live a life of gross immorality and wickedness. At sixteen he stole a large amount of money from his father; at seventeen he went on a spree in the city of Magdeburg, where, because of his nefarious practices, he was landed in prison. On coming out of prison he underwent a thirteen weeks' illness, and, as soon as he recovered, went off on his life of debauchery again. At twenty he forged his father's name to a check and went off on another spree. He was an utterly lost, depraved, degenerate youth. Then at twenty years of age came his wonderful conversion. He was invited by a friend to a prayermeeting at another friend's house, where he heard simple-minded people singing and praying, and where a printed sermon was read. This was the turning point in his life. He was made a new creature in Christ Jesus. In his autobiography he states that, on his conversion, there was given to him a very simple, childlike, trustful mind. He read his Bible and accepted its teachings literally. This was especially true of the teachings of Jesus Christ. From the beginning he made up his mind to literally obey the commandments of the Master. This was especially true with regard to Christ's teachings on prayer, so he quickly formed the habit of taking the most minute things to God. From the time of his conversion, he never took a step without, after earnest prayer, being made sure that it was in accordance with the will of God. The possession of money he regarded in the light of a stewardship, and formed the following resolutions: First never to accept a salary; Second-never to appeal to any human being for financial help; Third-never to save money-" Sell all that thou hast, and give alms" was his motto; Fourth-never to get into debt. At the age of twenty-five he became pastor of a little church at Teignmouth, England, and two years afterward pastor of a church in Bristol. It was here in the year 1834 that the burden of orphan children was laid upon his heart, and after finding out by prayer that it was the will of God he should proceed with this work, he rented a room and took in thirty children. During that first year he rented other three rooms, giving accommodation to one hundred and twenty children. The work went on without his ever making any appeal to any human being for help, simply praying for funds, and the funds being forthcoming. In the year 1849 he became persuaded, through |