Prisons and Prayer Part 71

Having this spirit, G.o.d has promised to furnish us unto every good work. That is, every work to which He calls us. We each have our responsibility to meet, our especial capability, our gift or talent.

Then let us adapt ourselves to the work which G.o.d has given us to do--not ignoring the work of others, nor lording it over G.o.d's heritage, but each abiding in the calling wherein we are called, having charity for all, whether saints or sinners. Surely, with the field so wide and the work so great, there is the greatest need for love and the unity of the Spirit among all Christians. Why there are so many divisions, I know not. I find true and earnest hearts among all cla.s.ses, all denominations and all nationalities.

Jesus prayed, before He ascended on high, for his children, that they all might be one as He and the Father were one--one in purpose and one in heart. If we manifest this oneness, sinners will come flocking home to G.o.d and souls will be saved and G.o.d will get all the glory. The lack of oneness among G.o.d's people stands in the way of souls and the poor and ignorant are at a loss as to what to think or believe.

Surely, there was never greater need for Holy Ghost, Spirit-filled Christian workers than now, when false doctrine is proclaimed on every side and in every form. But let Christians unite, losing sight of everything but G.o.d and souls and it will not be long until G.o.d will fulfill his promise that a nation shall be born in a day. Oh, that there might be a rallying of all of G.o.d's true children of every cla.s.s and nationality; that they might, with united forces, charge upon the enemy and soon the world, which now seems to be at variance, would be won for G.o.d and for our Christ.

THE Ma.s.sES ARE NOT REACHED through the ordinary channels of the churches. Look at the need of the Gospel being carried to the railroad and street-car men, the soldiers, sailors, policemen, firemen, and postmen. Are we seeking to reach the people? We must get the love of G.o.d in our hearts to that degree that we will not only be willing to suffer, but to die for them, and mean it--mean business, and fast and pray and call mightily on G.o.d for help and direction, and look to Him for results. Don't expect an easy time--don't let us expect to be above our Master. Jesus had no place to lay His head. He went among the despised, the poor, the fallen, the lowest of earth; and if He were to return now, how many of us would He find filling the places appointed us?

The Lord is ready to do exceeding abundantly above all we can think or ask, and will bless every unselfish effort on our part to help save a lost world. When the end comes for you and me, dear one, let us have our lamps trimmed and burning, ready to go in to the marriage supper of the Lamb, which is to soon take place.

G.o.d help us do our part, to be instant in season and out of season; to keep free in our souls; to be filled with the spirit of Jesus; to be ever ready with a kind word, a "G.o.d bless you," a silent prayer, a warm hand-clasp. Let us be quick to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit, humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of G.o.d. Let us take a firmer hold on G.o.d and be ourselves in His hands. Let us see our own responsibility as G.o.d sees it, and by His grace measure up to it.

Then the hosts of h.e.l.l shall not be able to prevail against us and G.o.d will use us to his glory, and with hearts filled with love and compa.s.sion, we will go forward and G.o.d will go with us and give us victory.

MY BOY IN INDIA.

Some years ago the Lord made plain to me that I should support a famine orphan in India, and since that time He has enabled me to give twenty dollars per year for the support of my adopted son, John Ryder Wheaton, named for my brother, who departed this life a few years ago, and for myself. I give his picture and a copy of his first letter to me, translated by one of the missionaries; also some letters from Brother and Sister Jarvis, in charge of the Orphanage in Lah.o.r.e, India. We ask the prayers of our readers for this dear boy, and if G.o.d should lay it upon any of your hearts to provide for one of these famine orphans, any money sent to the Missionary Home in Tabor, Iowa, will be promptly forwarded to any orphanage or missionary you may designate. G.o.d has laid this boy upon my heart, and the tie is dearer, perhaps, because I am alone in the world, having laid my only child in the grave with my husband. My heart was touched when I received this letter from John's own hand, and sometimes I long to see and know him for myself. He is being trained for a missionary, and when my labors are ended, I hope to see him coming home from India, bringing his trophies with him--precious souls from his own native land, and that there we may praise the Lord through all eternity together.

Lah.o.r.e, Frontier Faith Mission, April 12, 1904.--Dear Mama:--Salam, I am well by the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, and hope you are well. Matter is this that I live here very happy, few days ago that the fever and cough attacked me so I went to the hospital, now I am well and do my duty. I learned the work of Gardener. I pray every day. May G.o.d help me and make me His true Christian and grant me abundant grace. I also hope that you do pray for me. I pray for you. Here are all well. I am also with other boys well. My compliment to you,

Your son, JOHN WHEATON, Head Gardener.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JOHN RYDER WHEATON, INDIA FAMINE BOY.]

Frontier Faith Mission and Orphanage, Lah.o.r.e, N. India, Dec. 11, 1901.--Dear Sister Wheaton--We have chosen for you a bright little boy by the name of Ruthena, about ten years old. He is one of our brightest little boys, one that bids fair to be something for G.o.d. He is a shoemaker by trade and is doing well at it. We are endeavoring to teach the boys trades, wanting them to be like Paul where they can preach the Gospel while they make tents for a living. Ruthena is a bright boy in every way and will be named John Ryder as you wished. We do not have time to write often but our hearts are with you.

Yours for India's redemption, LAURA E. JARVIS.

Lah.o.r.e, N. India, Sept. 18, 1902.--My Dear Sister--Your dear boy is healthy and well. He is such a help, and seems to know just what to do at the right time. We feel that we can count on him at all times. He is a precious Christian boy, and G.o.d is using him.

G.o.d is blessing our precious children, and the work is going forward. We are so glad to be on our own land. Our homes are only temporary, but our faith is in G.o.d for the permanent ones. He says no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Your Sister seeking the lost, L. E. J.

Lah.o.r.e, North India, August 20, 1903.--Dear Sister Wheaton--Your kind offering of twenty dollars for the support of your boy, John, is very thankfully received. The Lord bless and repay you.

Continue to pray for him, and for the rest of our great family.

G.o.d is hearing prayer for us. There are some slight fever cases among the children. This is our sickly season. Unite in prayer that our workers may keep well. We are all burdened because of the lack of workers and much has to remain undone.

Though burdened, we will stand at our post until Jesus comes. (R.

V.) Our faith is in G.o.d. So many young people at home seem to be wasting their lives and talents, when they might be doing so much for G.o.d in this land.

Your brother seeking the lost, ROBERT JARVIS.

Lah.o.r.e, N. India, March 16, 1904.

My Dear Sister Wheaton--Greetings in Jesus' name. "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest."

I write to tell you today that your boy John is quite poorly. He has been having an attack of lung fever. I believe that in answer to prayer G.o.d will raise him up. I felt he would have better care in the hospital than we could give him, so we took him there, but we go to see him frequently, and I will keep you posted as to how he is doing. I know you are interested and are praying for him.

We thank you much for your interest, and all you are doing for him. I hope you are keeping well and seeing souls saved.

John was a real help in the garden outside of school hours. He has always been a willing little worker. G.o.d bless you much, dear Sister Wheaton, and use you greatly, is our prayer.

Your sister, L. E. JARVIS.

Lah.o.r.e, N. India, April 12, 1904.

My Dear Sister Wheaton--Greeting in Jesus' name. I am glad to write you this time that John is all right again. I think his sickness has drawn him closer to G.o.d. He is writing you a few lines that I will translate for him and send it with this.

Yours to be faithful, L. E. JARVIS.

PREACHING IN THE PEST-HOUSE.

Just why the dear Lord saw best to permit me to take the loathsome disease of smallpox into my system, I know not; but I do know the same G.o.d that made man and p.r.o.nounced him very good, permitted Job and many others of His people to suffer many things. Of one thing I am certain, the Lord permitted me to preach the Gospel in the pest-house. No one was allowed there but the physician of the Board of Health and those in charge, and there were many lost ones there and no gospel services for years and not even the superintendent and his family were allowed to go to church. I had held meetings in almost every other place and I now had opportunity to go there, this being the only way to get to them. During the summer of 1901 I was taken very ill and the sixth doctor p.r.o.nounced the disease smallpox. There was no alternative but to prepare for the hospital, which I did unaided. This was remarkable; for I had been very near death, the suffering both mentally and physically was so intense and the agony so great. Surely G.o.d heard the prayers of His believing ones and raised me up to once more go forth to glorify His name by preaching His gospel and singing His praises. Bless His holy name!

I was hedged in with G.o.d. He got the glory of my healing. I bless the Lord that in answer to prayer He never let one person take the disease from me that we knew of. When leaving the minister's home where I was taken sick, I was shouting and praising the Lord. I told the mission workers I was sure I could go to Heaven even from the pest-house, with the smallpox. I told the young sister with me to bring the tracts for service in the hospital. I had told her that morning that there would be several doctors call and hold a consultation and p.r.o.nounce the disease smallpox and they would take me to the pest-house, and I expected I would die there. I had such victory in my soul that I just shouted and praised the Lord.

In the hospital I was given the privilege of all the wards to sing and pray and talk with the patients. Some were in a very dangerous condition, and others convalescent. Others were trembling with fear, having been exposed and quarantined here to protect the public from contagion. Those were weeks of suffering, although full of service and song. The hymns were listened to with the greatest delight even by foreigners who could not understand our language. I often wonder why professing Christians are not as careful about the spread of sin as people are about the transmitting of disease. The same day I left the hospital the Lord sent me out on a long journey to preach the gospel on the train. As I was talking with the conductor, there was a sudden stop and he ran to find the cause. Our engine had become disabled on a bridge, and as a train was coming behind us, the trainmen ran to flag the coming train before it should overtake us; but it was too late. I dropped on my knees on the platform of the rear car and asked G.o.d to spare our lives. I arose, took in the situation, went to my seat in the center of the car and again knelt in prayer. I turned to look just as the engine struck our car, raising it about five feet in the air, crushing timbers and gla.s.s, and causing a panic among the pa.s.sengers.

I was blest of G.o.d through it all, and went immediately to work holding meetings while we waited some hours for help to come. I see so plainly the hand of the Lord in all this. I might have left the train when on the rear platform, but I felt impressed to stay with those on board and call on G.o.d for help. Do you wonder that when all our lives were spared I felt that as the Lord gave all on the ship into Paul's hands, so in this case, as in many others, the wise Master gave me those who traveled with me? "As thy days so shall thy strength be." "A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee."

HOW THE LORD PROVIDES.

One night in San Francisco while holding a meeting in the Old Adelphi Theater, I was impressed to give a dollar to a sister who often sang and exhorted in our service and who a.s.sisted me that night. At the close of the meeting I handed her a silver dollar. She seemed much surprised and said, "No, I should not take this from you." I told her G.o.d showed me to give her that dollar and I must obey Him; so she took the money.

The next day, while waiting for the street car on a public thoroughfare, I saw a man giving out ladies' fashion plates. I spoke kindly to him and suggested how much more good he could do by giving out tracts. He replied that that was the way he made his living--that the firm paid him for his services. I told him that G.o.d would care for him if he only trusted and served Him, but he evidently thought me somewhat of a fanatic. Just then a well-dressed old gentleman spoke to me and said, "Do you belong to the Salvation Army?" I said that I did not and he then asked, "What is your work?" I answered, "I am a missionary to the prisoners and lost girls." He handed me a dollar and hurried on. The man with whom I had been speaking looked on surprised and said, "Who was that man?" I said, "I do not know; I never saw him before and may never see him again." He was evidently thinking, for I had told him that G.o.d provided for me and would provide for him if he would but work for Him, and G.o.d was giving him an object lesson. I said, "I believe the Lord sent that man to convince you that what I said was true for I never ask any person for money, but trust all to Providence."

Going on my way later in the day, outside the city where I changed cars, I saw hurrying toward me the same man who had given me the dollar in the morning. He said, "I have been thinking all day about you and what you said and here is another dollar for you." I told him how I felt G.o.d had used him to convince the fashion plate man, that if we fully trust and serve the Lord He will provide for us. I have never seen either of these men again since that day, but G.o.d sent me the two dollars in place of the one dollar I had given that poor woman the night before, in the meeting.

The sequel was given me sometime after this when I again met that poor sister. She said to me, "Sister Wheaton, I want to tell you about the dollar you gave me that night in the meeting," and then she said: "I had nothing in my house for my children to eat (there was a large family of them), and husband was out of work. I had to wash next day and had neither soap nor starch, and I had to go across the city to pray for a sick woman, whose son had said that he would believe in G.o.d and serve him if his mother were healed in answer to prayer. I had to take that young man with me and pay his car fare and my own. The mother was healed and the young man, being convinced, yielded himself to G.o.d and was converted and became a Christian." And then she added, "All this your dollar did, for I had prayed G.o.d to send me a dollar that night and you obeyed G.o.d and see what was accomplished through obedience to the G.o.d who hears the ravens when they cry and notes the sparrow's fall."

Then I related to her my experience to show how the Lord used a stranger to return me double, or two dollars instead of one, and perhaps saved two men--for G.o.d was evidently dealing both with the stranger who gave me the money and with the one with whom I was speaking on the street.

MISCELLANEOUS INCIDENTS.

I was once called upon to minister to the needs of a woman who was burned almost to death. I a.s.sisted the doctor as best I could to dress the burns. I took the scissors and cut the loose flesh from her arm, and held her while the doctor filed the rings from her hands.