success is certain. Again, I bid you an affec tionate farewell."

66

Under the discipline of the war, President Lincoln's life, at the White House, became, according to many concurrent testimonies, one of Scriptural study and prayer. "When I left home, to take the chair of State," he once said to a friend, while his eyes filled with tears, "I requested my country to pray for me. I was not then a Christian. When my son died - the severest trial of my life I was not a Christian. But, when I went to Gettysburg, and looked upon the graves of our dead heroes, who had fallen in defence of their country, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ."

Then, in answer to the led to these remarks, he Jesus."

question that had

said, "I do love

XXVII.

BEGINNINGS OF MISSIONARY ENTERPRISES IN PRAYER.

It has been said that every genuine prayer is a positive force in the universe; that the Eternal Will-the axis of creation-dips to human entreaty.

Most missionary enterprises have been the outgrowth of special prayer. Columbus desired to add a new world to the crown of Spain, that he might thereby extend the kingdom of Christ, and it was for the success of this purpose that Isabella, the Catholic, prayed.

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions owes its beginning to the prayers of Samuel John Mills, and some fellow-students at Williams College.

These students met to pray near some haystacks in a retired place, which is now marked by a monument. Here they presented their petitions to God for guidance in forming plans for the spread of the Gospel in the world. Mills, called the "Father of Foreign Missions in America," died at sea while engaged in grand mission schemes. The prayer-meetings under the haystacks at Williams College were continued amid the groves of Andover, when Mills became a member of that institution, and these latter meetings led to the appointment of a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions; and in the embarkation of Messrs. Hall, Nott, Judson, Rice and Newell for mission work in India in 1812, and ultimately in the establishment of missions in Ceylon and the Sandwich Islands.

Early in the present century, a young missionary to the Indians knelt down on the top of Lookout Mountain, to pray for the success of the Gospel among the aborigines of the West. His name was Loring Williams. He is said to have given the name to the mountain, which has become famous in history as the scene of the "battle above the clouds."

He

looked out upon a wilderness. To-day that great area of territory to which went the praying pioneer, is filled with the temples of God.

We adduce, from interesting papers on the subject, some striking accounts of the beginnings of missions, and of missionary success in prayer:

The origin of the Baptist Missionary Society of England is of much interest.

spirit of prayer prevailed.

An unwonted

A

new thought

entered the mind of one of the

ministers met

in association at Nottingham, in 1784. This occurred while he was upon his knees, pleading at the throne of grace. That thought

was, that one hour, on the first Monday evening of every month, should be devoted to prayer for the revival of religion, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom throughout the earth.

Thus commenced the monthly meeting for prayer, and at that place a series of the most brilliant conquests over the empire of darkness. Carey, the pioneer of missions to India, was now brought to light, and the subject of the world's conversion began to be a topic of public

discussion.

The novel idea was broached, to

form a society to send out missionaries, and, after a little time, it was matured and realized, with a fund of £13, 2s, 6d. Yet they had neither experience nor a knowledge of any country where they might expect an open door for the Gospel; nor had they the men prepared to go forth on this untried enterprise.

But Providence had devised the great plan. While these things were transpiring in England, a corresponding part of the scheme was maturing in India.

The Lord stirred

About the time that prayer began to be offered up for the conversion of the world, and the monthly meeting for this purpose was established, a surgeon by the name of John Thomas left England for Calcutta. up his heart to attempt the spiritual benefit of the natives. Though unsuccessful in the attempt, his own heart became interested in the things of religion, and he was, on his return to England, baptized in 1785. He returned to India, gained more knowledge of the country and the condition of the heathen, and felt more than ever solicitous for their spiritual