The Mysterious Leadings Of Providence.


The following incidents are contributed to the book by a prominent

clergyman:



"A period, ever memorable in the life of the writer, occurred in the

Autumn of 1832, while attending a protracted meeting of more than

ordinary interest and power, held under the auspices of the Baptist

church in the city of Schenectady, under the then pastoral charge of

Rev. Abraham D. Gillette, this being his first settlement.
It was in one

of the meetings that the Holy Spirit impressed my mind of its sinfulness

and the need of a Savior, not only to cleanse my soul of sin and sinful

stains, but to save me. These impressions caused me to humble myself at

the feet of sovereign mercy; and in the midst of my pleadings, God

answered my prayer, and opened to me new views, views of the heavenly

kingdom, which so electrified my soul, that with a full heart I could

say, 'Blessed be the Lord who has shown me marvelous works in this

lonely place beneath the star-lit sky.'



"This great change was, and is, to me the most wonderful interposition

of God in my behalf in answer to prayer. This answer to prayer the

promised result of faith in Him."



"Again, in the year 1836, the writer in the year mentioned was employed

by a transportation company, in the city of Troy, in the character of an

employee having direction of a portion of the business of the company

which brought me into close relation with the many boatmen connected

with the company. Association with the boatmen was painful to my

religious nature, compelled, as I was, to hear all manner of offensive

talk. The latter led me to indulge a wish that I might free myself from

such company, in order to form associations with persons of my own

religious turn of mind. But God willed otherwise, as will be learned

from the recital of God's dealings with me on an occasion of a journey

alone in a carriage from Troy to Schenectady. It was on the occasion

alluded to that most of the time was occupied in prayer, and the burden

of my prayer was 'that God would open up a way for me wherein I could

find more congenial company, where in fact my religious feelings would

not meet with the trials incident to my present associations.' But He

who knew my needs better, came to my relief in words seemingly distinct

enough to be heard. This was the answer: 'I have placed you just where I

want you.' Instantly my prayer for a change of location or separation

from my business and its connections ceased, and since, instead of

looking for easy positions, wherein the principles of the faith which is

in me may be undisturbed, I deem it suited to my growth in grace and

increase in devotion to my Master's cause, to covet the association of

men whose only tendency is to evil continually. I have found by

experience in the latter direction, that although many tongues are loose

in the habit of profanity, I am roused more and more by grace to impart

words of counsel. I know that efforts at consistency in Christian

conduct and converse will stop the mouth of profaners of the name of our

Redeemer, God."



Another instance of the presence of God with his children is clearly

manifest in the following sketch of a meeting of two brethren, of whom

the writer was one, held in the conference room of the First Baptist

church in Troy, N.Y., of which church he was a member. The meeting

alluded to occurred in the early spring of 1840 or '41. We were

accustomed to meet almost every day for the purpose of arranging the

Sunday school library, but would occupy a portion of the time, usually

at noon, in prayer for such persons or objects as were presented to the

mind. On the particular occasion we propose to mention, it was mutually

agreed that we pray for one of the brethren, whose gifts were of a high

order, and his usefulness hindered by a lack of spirituality. We

mutually bowed in prayer for this brother, and while thus engaged the

door of the room was opened, and a person entered and knelt between us,

but who he was, or the purpose of his visit we knew not until we had

ended our prayer, at which time the person spoke and requested us to

continue praying for him.



At the conclusion of the service, the question was mooted how he came

there. His reply was in substance as follows: "When standing on a stoop

on the corner of Fourth and Congress streets, cogitating which way I

should go, I was impressed by a voice within which directed my course to

the Conference Room. I debated with the impression, taking the position

that it being noon no meeting was then in progress. Still the impression

remained, and could not be removed. Noticing this, I gave way to the

voice and here I am." Neither of the three thus brought together could

doubt for a moment that our prayer for this brother was answered. His

joy was great in view of being thus called from his delinquency to share

in the fullness of his Savior's love.



"Another instance in the experience of the writer very clearly shows the

power and worth of prayer. About the year 1840, in the Autumn thereof,

he experienced a lack of vital, spiritual energy. This had been of

months' continuance, but to his joy, culminated after retiring to rest.

After this manner, before sleep overcame him, he was impressed to

present his case before the mercy-seat. To do so he arose from his bed,

retired to a quiet part of his home and bowed in prayer, seeking to

occupy the entire night if need be in prayer for the bestowal of the

Holy Spirit, and the consequent revival influences of other days. This

season of prayer was of short continuance; but not by reason of

disrelish for the exercise, but because my prayer was answered and a

complete breaking away of the previous hindrances to my spiritual

enjoyment. Since the event alluded to, now more than thirty-six years, I

have not been afflicted by doubts, and counsel brethren and sisters not

to allow themselves to be made unhappy by this evil to our spiritual

progress."



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