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T HE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
he were sure his petitions would be granted.” Adam Clarke. Dr. Adam Clarke, in his autobio graphy, records that when Mr. Wesley was returning to England by ship, con siderable delay was caused by contrary winds. Wesley was reading, when he became aware of some confusion on board, and asking what was the matter, he was informed that the wind was con trary. “ Then,” was his reply, “ let us go to prayer.” After Dr. Clarke had prayed, Wesley broke out into fervent supplication which seemed to be more the offering of faith than of mere desire. “Almighty and everlasting God,” he prayed, “ Thou hast ■ sway everywhere,' and all things serve the purpose of Thy will. Thou boldest the winds in Thy fists and sit- test upon the water floods, and reignest a King for ever. Command these winds and these waves that they obey Thee, and take us speedily and safely to the haven whither we would go.” The power of this petition was felt by all. Wesley rose from his knees, ma.de no remark, but took up his book and continued reading. Dr. Clarke went on deck, and to his surprise found the vessel under sail, standing on her right course. . Nor did she change till she was safely at anchor. On the sud den and favourable change of wind, Wesley made no remark; so fully did he expect to be heard that he took it for granted that he was heard. That was prayer with a purpose— tjie definite and direct utterance of one who knew that he had the ear of God, and that God had the willingness as well as the power to grant the petition which he asked of Him. Charles Spurgeon. It was said of the late C. H. Spurgeon, that he glided from laughter to prayer with the naturalness of one who lived in both elements. With him the habit
of prayer was free and unfettered. His life was not divided into compartments, the one shut off from the other with a rigid exclusiveness that barred all inter communication. He lived in constant fellowship with his Father in Heaven. He was ever in touch with God, and thus it was as natural for him to pray as it was for him to breathe. “What a fine time we had; let U3 thank God for it,” he said to a friend on one occasion, when out under the blue sky and wrapped in glorious sun shine, they had enjoyed a holiday with the unfettered enthusiasm of school boys. Prayer sprang as spontaneously to his lips as did ordinary speech, and never was there the slightest incongru ity in his approach to the Divine throne straight from any scene in which be might be taking, part. That is the attitude with regard to prayer that ought to mark every child of God. Thus,in eveiy circumstance of life, prayer is the most natural out-pouring of the soul, the unhindered turning to God for communion and direction. Whether in sorrow or in joy, in defeat or in victory, in health or in weakness, in calamity or in success, the heart leaps to meet with God just as a child runs to his mother’s arms. Major D. W Whittle, in an introduc tion to the wonders of prayer, says of George Muller, of Bristol: “ I met Mr. Muller in the express, the morning of our sailing froih Quebec to Liverpool. About half-an hour before the tender was to take the passengers to the ship, he asked of the agent if a deck chair had arrived for him from New York. He was answered, ‘No,’ and told that it could not possibly come in time for the steamer. I had with me a chair I had just purchased, and told Mr. Muller ' of the place near by, and suggested, as but few moments remained, that he had better buy one at once. His reply was, ‘No, my brother, our Heavenly Father
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