The Widow In "want".


A home missionary in Brooklyn, who has an enviable reputation for his

entire consecration to the work of helping the poor, one day when

engaged in his benevolent works, entered a restaurant, kept by a

Christian friend, a man of like spirit with himself, who, in the course

of conversation, related to him the following circumstances,

illustrative of the power of prayer.



He had, on a certain day, cleared a l
rge sum, part of which consisted

of _Mexican dollars_. Returning home in high spirits, he felt as if he

could go to sleep sweetly on this silver pillow. But a thought suddenly

intruded, which gave a new turn to his feelings. It related to a poor

woman in his neighborhood, the widow of a very dear friend of his, whom

he knew to be in want. "Shall I take all this money to myself?" thought

he. "Does not the Providence who gave it to me say, _No! Give some of it

to the widow of your friend_."



With this impression he retired, as was his habit, quite early, but he

could not sleep. The thought of the needy widow haunted him. "I will go

to-morrow," said he to himself, "and see what I can do for her." But

this good intention proved no opiate to his disturbed mind. "Possibly

she or I may not live to see to-morrow." Something seemed to say _go

now_. He tossed from side to side, but could not sleep. _Go now_ kept

ringing in his ear. So at length the restless man had to dress himself

and go.



At this late hour, not far from eleven, he sallied forth to find the

widow. Seeing a dim light in the upper story where she resided, and

following its lead, he crept softly along on the stairway, until he

reached the room from which a low sound issued. The door was slightly

ajar; through which he could hear the voice of prayer, scarcely audible,

but deeply earnest. He dared hardly stir, lest he should disturb the

praying widow. But he came on an errand, and he must accomplish it. But

how? Recollecting at the moment, that he had in his pocket a few of the

_Mexican dollars_, he gently pushed at the door, and it opened just wide

enough for his purpose. So taking each piece of money between his

fingers, he rolled it in along the carpet, and withdrew as noiselessly

as he had ascended. Returning to his home, he fell asleep and slept

soundly, as well he might, after this act.



The widow at length arose from her knees, and was struck on seeing the

shining money lying about her floor. Where had these pieces of silver

come from? Here was a mystery she could not solve. But she knew it was

from the Lord, and that he had answered her prayer. So with tears of

gratitude, she gave thanks to Him, "whose is the silver and the gold."



Shortly after this event, she attended prayer-meeting, where she felt

constrained to make known this wonderful interposition in answer to

prayer. The Christians present were as much astonished as herself. The

silence which ensued was broken by a brother of that church, who rose

and said, "What this good woman has told you, is strictly true. These

dollars came from the Lord. They came in answer to her prayer." He then

detailed the circumstances before related. "God deputed me to carry this

money, and providentially I am here to night to testify to the fact that

God hears and answers prayer."



It seems, from a subsequent statement, that this widow, owed a certain

sum, that she was obliged to pay immediately, and having nothing in

hand, she was pleading, that night, that her Heavenly Father would send

her the needed amount.



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