When asked what one of God’s promises gave him the right to claim rain, the native Christian immediately turned to James 5:17, 18 and read: “ Elias was a man subject to like pas sions as we are, and he prayed earn estly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space o f three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” Without another word, the missionary turned to the great con gregation and announced that they would hold a prayer meeting the next night. It was not long before the pagans and Mohammedans heard about the prayer meeting, and they said they would soon see who had the real God. The pagans had cried for a week, and no rain came. The Mohammedans had cried and fasted for a week, and still there was no rain. They said they would now see what the Christians’ God would do. The missionary asked that no one come to the meeting who did not be lieve that God hears and answers prayer. Monday evening the bell rang at seven o’clock to call the people to prayer, and in about ten minutes, the missionary reached the church. There was not a cloud in the sky, and hu manly speaking no rain could come. The church was so crowded that the missionary had difficulty in enter ing, but when he did get in, he saw that the natives had with them the big umbrella hats they wear in the wet season. These hats are twenty-six inches across. The missionary asked the Christians why they had the hats in the church. They answered, “ Are we not gathered to pray for rain? We will need these hats when we go home.” They firmly believed in a living Saviour, the One who could do ex ceedingly above all that they could ask or think. James 5:17,18 was read aloud, and all fell on their knees to pray. The church building was just four walls and an iron roof, without ceiling. After the people had been praying for twenty minutes, they heard a noise of something dropping on the roof. Five minutes later, prayer had to stop and be replaced by cries of rejoicing, for the rain was coming down in torrents. It continued for four days! And what did the idol-worshiping people think? Many of them said, “We prayed day and night for a week, and there was no rain. The Mohammedans prayed for a week, and there was no rain, but the Chris tians prayed to Isejumedogbon twenty minutes and got all the rain they needed. There is only one God, and He is the Christians’ Saviour.”
Kincs Business ' BY M ARTH A S. HOOKER
Tom's Life Book
friendly courtesies that I like to watch the pictures in those books.” Glancing sidewise, Uncle Tom saw that his nephew looked embarrassed and troubled. Then he saw him straighten his shoulders as if he were resolving that things should be dif ferent. “ But we find again and again that we can’t measure up to our title of ‘Christian’ in our own strength, Tom; that only ends in failure,” continued Uncle Tom, “ but He, whose name we bear, will help us. Did you ever learn th i s v e r s e : ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’ ? It is found in Philippians 4:13.” “Why, yes, I know that verse, but I never thought before of what it really meant,” replied Tom. “ Let’s ask Him to help us, Tom, so that the pages and pictures of our life-books will be beautiful and help ful to all of our friends,” said Uncle Tom, as they turned back toward Tom’s home. Tom’s mother noticed a change in him right away, and wondered. His friends discovered a different Tom, too. But no one knew the secret except Tom and Uncle Tom. — M.S.H.
T o m was very glad when a letter arrived saying that Uncle Tom was coming to visit the Manning household. His uncle and he were the best of pals, and there were sure to be good times ahead. One day while they were out for a walk, Uncle Tom remarked, “ Tom, I notice that you visit the library quite often these days and I’m glad you do.” “Yes, Uncle Tom, I’ve been reading a good many books since vacation started.” “How do you know just what books to choose?” continued Uncle Tom. “ Oh, I read over the titles,” Tom replied. “ And do the contents of the books measure up to the titles?” “ Oh, yes, most of the time. Some times, though, I’m a bit disappointed.” “Well, I was just thinking,” con tinued Uncle Tom, “ that if it is im portant for books to measure up to their titles, how much more important it is for folks to live up to the titles they bear.” “What do you mean?” Tom asked. “Why, all who have received the Lord Jesus as Saviour bear the name ‘Christian’ ; and, like the books you read, their lives should measure up to the title, don’t you think? You and I are both Christians, and we are glad to be called by that name, but do our lives measure up? Are folks disap pointed as they turn the pages of our lives and come to know us in the home and at school?” Uncle Tom was silent for a few minutes as they walked on through the fields. And Tom was too busy thinking to care to talk. Then Uncle Tom continued: “ There are pictures in books, too. We always enjoy books with pictures. Our actions day by day make the pictures in our life-book. I have seen people’s life- books so filled with generous acts and
For Busy Hands We bring Thee thanks For busy hands, For all the toil Each day demands; For useful work, For skill and strength; Then grant, O Lord, That when at length Our powers may wane Through age, we still May find some needs Our hands can fill.
—Nancy M. Bettesworth
31
AUGUST, 1959
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