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view, they ask God to remember their former zeal in his service.

No people have shown more zeal in religion than our brethren of America, both in their Home and Foreign Missions. In every principal hotel, and in every sleeping-room of that hotel, through all the States, their Bible Society has placed copies of the word of God. In every saloon, state-room, and cabin of their passenger steamers, that Society has done the same. Their colporteurs sell copies of the whole Bible for ten cents, and of the New Testament for five cents; and are authorized, when there is no money to buy, that copies be given, so that every man, woman, and child throughout the country may have copies of God's word. That Society is printing now 11 copies per minute of working time, or 6,500 copies daily, mainly for distribution among the paroled and rebel prisoners-the sick in hospitals-the new levies, and the colored people. In August and September, about 298,000 copies of the Scriptures, in whole or part, were issued. Can we not pray for this people, "Remember all thy offerings"? You know of their missions in Germany, France, Sweden, Turkey, China, East Indies, and Burmah, for you are wont to hear of their missions and missionary zeal at our monthly missionary prayer-meetings. The churches of America have been our almost exclusive coadjutors in diffusing the gospel among the heathen; and no greater hindrance could arise to the conversion of the world, than for that land to be kept in constant internal feud. And no greater

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dishonor can men of the world charge upon the gospel than the continuance of American slavery. Can we not go to God with this Christian people upon our hearts, and pray that he would interpose for the stay of bloodshed, the abolition of slavery, and restoration of an established government all over that land? Can we not use for them the prayer that Nehemiah did for himself when, laying before God what he had done for His truth, he said, "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for the offices thereof”? Let us remember, in order that our prayers for them may be strengthened, that "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have showed toward his name."

Let us pray that God would carry their true and righteous purposes to complete fulfilment; verse 4, “Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsels." Israel felt the greatest confidence in the moral integrity of the heart and purposes of their king, or they could not have prayed thus for him. The desires of the king's heart, and counsels of his will referred to, are those which bore upon this war. They are going out to defend their government and country from a most unprovoked attack, whether we regard that as coming from Ammon and Syria, or from Absalom's revolt. In this exigency they wholly trust their king; they confide in his moral goodness and his wisdom. Now this people trust their President, not with the

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national unanimity that Israel did their king. Good men of all parties confide in the moral integrity of their President, and they believe in the righteousness of their cause. Moreover, there is a growing conviction among christian men that the struggle is now narrowed to the question of slavery, and that their honor as a nation and as a christian people, is engaged "to put away the accursed thing from their midst.” I doubt not they can pray this prayer, "the Lord grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel;" and may not we pray this prayer, laying aside all jealousies, whether we regard their purpose to restore the Union or abolish slavery for ever, "the Lord fulfil thy counsel"?

Let us pray that the President may put a courageous trust in God, while using all means for the just and speedy issue of this war; verses, 6, 7, 8, "Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright."

This must have been a grand sight, to see the king rise, touched with the affectionate pleadings of his people, and with his heart filled with confidence in God, and the certainty of his divine interposition, burst forth in this impressive strain, "Now know I," not "I hope," "I trust," but "I know." The good man may commit his way to the Lord, and know beforehand with certainty that God will give him

the desires of his heart. "Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye have them, and ye shall receive them." This is a simple faith in God, antedating their victory, enjoying through God's mercy the sense of complete triumph even before the conflict.

What christian heart does not wish and pray that the President might have such unquestioning faith in God as David had, and that this confidence was inspired by the same causes? If he knew that in addition to the prayers of all good men in that country, he was also sustained by the prayers of all the churches in this, one could hope that he would

thus joyously trust in God. I cannot bring my mind to believe in the ultimate disruption of the Union, any more than I can cherish a wish that it may be shattered. Nor can I for a moment question that slavery is doomed on that continent. It surely is not the purpose of God that one of the fairest regions of the earth should be cursed much longer with "the sum of all the villanies." Confiding in the divine goodness and justice, let us pray that both President and people may go on with a divine courage, filled every day with a divine strength, until their foes "are brought down and fallen, and they themselves are risen and stand upright."

Finally-Let our prayers be reiterated, and trustfully repose in God that he will hear and answer, as verses 5 and 9, "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners; the Lord fulfil all thy petitions." "Save, Lord, the

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king, He (Jehovah) will hear us when we call." If we would succeed in any service for God, we must not weary praying for it. If we would be blessed or bless others, we must be often at the mercy-seat, our prayer waxing more fervent, more trustful. God allows and sets value upon the importunity of his waiting people. "If the vision tarry, wait for it." Unexpected disasters may await the cause of truth and justice, before the final hour of triumph comes. Long perpetrated wrongs are not easily lightened; great national reformations, especially when depending on the arbitrament of the sword, are often driven back like the rising tide from the shore, but gather force from every recession, and make its final advance a complete victory. Our faith may be sorely tested before we can turn our prayer into praise. But without fervent prayer, we shall never have the right to rejoice in God's salvation. Now give your prayers, christian brethren, now reiterate your prayer, "Now lay hold of God's strength, that you may prevail with him." Now say, "Save, Lord, the President and people,” and add, "the Lord will hear us when we call,” and ere long you will "rejoice in God's salvation in the saving strength of his right hand."

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