THE NOTABLE PRAYERS

OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY,

BY

HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH,

AUTHOR OF "THE STORY OF THE HYMNS."

"When I was employed upon the Creation I felt myself so penetrated with
religious feeling that before I sat down to the instrument I prayed to God with
earnestness that he would enable me to praise him worthily." - Haydn.

BOSTON:

D. LOTHROP AND COMPANY,
FRANKLIN STREET, CORNER OF HAWLEY.

ANDOVER - HARVARD
THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

7a56-785

COPYRIGHT BY
D. LOTHROP & CO.

1880.

766

Butterworth

2

PREFACE.

A

LMOST every library is rich in books of religious

poetry, gathered from the pens of many nations, and from the thought of all times. But there are to be found only a few collections of the prayers of those who have been most favored in communion with Heaven, and most happy in the expression of devotional thought,

Yet history in rich in models of prayer. It has prayers of submission that point out to the undisciplined soul the low range of its attainments; prayers that have wings, and seem to mount into the sunlight of God; prayers that seem to be made in times of the " open vision," and prayers that show how completely the crushed soul may say, "Thy will be done." These prayers are seldom found outside of their historical connection.

Yet many prayers are clearer revelations of a renewed

iii.