THE REV. THOMAS CONNELLAN, - The Gospel Magazine

The Gospel Magazine.
561
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GOSPEL BOOK MISSION TO THE ARMY AND NAVY.
To the Editor of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE.
DEAR SIR,-During the summer months the work has been busily
carried forward. A very large amount of Gospel literature has been
sent abroad, as well as to London Docks, Gosport, Plymouth, Newport
(Mon.), and other places where the books are placed in the hands of
sailors for reading on their voyage. It is pleasing to note the increasing
number of sailors who ask for a small packet of Gospel books and
magazines, by whom they are highly valued, as is evidenced by the
fact of their being given into the hands of other sailors with whom
they travel to and fro, one package being carried out several times in
some instances. A friend in Newport has asked for a monthly supply,
and another friend who labours in London makes use of large quantities
every month, placing them on outward-bound vessels. More help is
needed to enable us to reach other labourers and thus scatter the
magazines far and wide. I am hoping to send again to many workers
abroad during this and the next month. Dear friends, remember us
in prayer.. "A. P. N." is warmly thanked for her kind gift ,in money
and books, safely received.
Gospel Book Mission, Salisbury,
August, 1905.
Yours sincerely,
R. E. BRIDER.
"MEN are mistaken in judging of the weakness of their prayers.
They judge of the weakness of their prayers by their expressions and
gifts in performing them, or by the stirring and overflow of affections;
whereas the strength and vigour of prayer should be estimated from
the faith, the sincerity, the obedience, the desires expressed in it. As
it is not the loudness of a preacher's voice, but the weight and holiness
of the matter, and spirit of the preacher; that move a wise and an
intelligent hearer; so not gifts, but graces in prayers are they that
move the Lord. The strength of prayer lies not in words, but in that
it is fitted to prevail with God. One prayer is not more strong than
another, further than that it is 80 framed as it hath power with God
more or less; as of Jacob it is said, CC He had power with God" (Hos.
xii. 3, 4). Now prayers move God, not as an orator moves his hearers,
but as a child moves his father. Two words of a child, humbled and
crying at his father's feet, will prevail more than penned orations
(Rom. viii. 26).; it is the meaning of the Spirit that God looks unto,
more than the expression; for the groans there are said to be unutterable.
Hezekiah's expressions were so rude and broken, that he
says (Isai. xxxviii. 14) that he did but Cc chatter," he being then sick,
"even as a crane"; yet GOD heard them.-Thomas Goodwin, D.D;
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