Almost A Bankrupt.


A prominent Christian had just entered a merchant's counting-room, when

the head man of the place said to him, "Let us kneel and ask God to help

me through, for without his help, I shall be a bankrupt before the

setting of the sun." So they knelt and prayed. That man went through the

pressure, and did not become a bankrupt.





"HE COULD NOT FLEE FROM THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."a





A clergyman of distinction gives this instance of the worthlessness of

all attempts to flee from the Power of the Spirit.



"I looked out of my window one morning, while it was yet dark, and saw a

lady standing at my gate, leaning against a post, and evidently weeping

bitterly. I knew her. She was a member of the church, and was an

earnest, consistent Christian. She was married to one of the most bitter

Universalists I ever knew. I stepped down the steps to her, and asked,

'What is the matter?' She replied, 'Oh, my poor husband! I had so hoped

and prayed that he might be converted in this revival! and now he has

rode away, and says that _he will not come back till this religious

flurry is over_. What shall I do to bear up under this?'



"I said, 'It is near the time for prayer. We will go and lay his case

before the Lord, and make _special request_ that God will bring him back

again under the power of the Spirit. The Lord can bring him home, and I

believe He will do it. We must pray for him.'



"She dried her tears in a moment, and seemed to seize hold of this

'strong hope,' as we walked to the place of prayer. We found the room

crowded. It fell to my lot to lead the meeting.



"At the opening, I stated the case of this Universalist husband, who had

undertaken to run away from the influence of the Spirit, by fleeing into

the country. I said that we must all pray _that the Holy Spirit may

follow him, overtake him, and bring him back again_, show him his sins,

and lead him to Jesus.



"The meeting took up the case with great earnestness, and I could not

but feel that prayer would in some way be answered.



"_But can you imagine our surprise when, at our evening prayer meeting,

this same Universalist came in_?



"After standing a few minutes, till the opportunity offered, he said:



"'I went away on horseback this morning, and told my wife I was going

into the country to stay till this flurry was over. I rode right over

the hills, back from the river, into the country, till I had got

eighteen miles away. _There, on the top of a hill, I was stopped as Paul

was, and just as suddenly_, and made to feel what a horrible sinner I

am. I am one of the worst sinners that ever lived. _I have lost my

Universalism_, and I know I must be born again, or I can never see the

kingdom of Heaven. Oh, pray for me that I may be converted; nothing else

will do for me.'



"He took his seat amid the tears and sobs of the whole assembly. The

hour was full of prayer for that man's conversion.



"This strong and intelligent man, once one of the bitterest

Universalists I ever knew, is now an elder in a Presbyterian church, and

one of the most joyous, happy, energetic men of God you will meet in

many a day. He believes he was 'converted on the spot in that prayer

meeting.'"



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