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Religious Thoughts
by George Burgess

UNIVERSAL SALVATION

The word Salvation is full of charm. Its music-song is joy. It suits all languages, and it is set in the Bible – especially in the Psalms – like Gems of light – adding lustre to the sacred page.

The nature of Salvation is to save from some misfortune, or condition, or sorrow, or injury, or evil, or sin.

Every living being on earth – civilised or uncivilised – in one way or another is continually seeking some kind of salvation.

· The Warrior was (saved) in battle
· All hands on board, were saved
· “The prudent man who looketh well to his being” is saved from trouble
· The good man, is saved, from his sins
· The sick man, is saved, from dying
· And Faith and Reason, as good as proved, that the Spirit-man is saved, from going into the grave.

Therefore, it is clear that Salvation in its millions of forms reaches all living beings, according to their millions of events. And this ceaseless process of Salvation is equally Free to All. The word Salvation however, is popularly used in its relation to religion here, and to the condition of Spirit-beings, hereafter. But, in all its relations, and with all beings, and in all worlds, it operates according to the same eternal laws; Salvation must be sought, or it is never found – Its process must be used, or it never saves. Occasionally, from accidents &Co, others week the means, and fine them, and use them, and save us. But we are never saved without the means being used. And the universal natural law is that each man must save himself. If a man is in any kind of wrong, and will not try to work himself out, he will remain in the wrong and get deeper still. So that man is bound to help “work out his own Salvation”.

In the old Bible it cannot be said that the word Salvation ever clearly refers to another world to come! It is used only in relation to the present world, with its many forms of evil and wrong from which Salvation is sought. In the New Testament it is said “God should give Jesus the throne of his Father David, and that he should reign over the house of Jacob for ever”. This was the salvation that Simeon has waited for, and said - “Now mine eyes have seen they Salvation”. The Angel, and Zachariah and Simeon only referred to a temporal Jewish Kingdom with Jesus as their King. But the meaning of the word Salvation through the New Testament often does refer to the world to come. Although John the Baptist did not use it, nor did Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, yet in that sermon Jesus very clearly teaches that there is a Heaven, where God the Father especially lives.

Reason, and Scripture, are on the side of universal belief in the “better country”, “that is a heavenly” where complete and universal salvation will finally be enjoyed by the whole family of the living God, who “hath made of one blood, all nations of med, and all the face of the earth”.

Universal Heavenly Salvation has been believed in for aged. It is the only reasonable and consistent theory because: -

· God is Almighty – Therefore he is able to superintend, and influence the complete progress of all beings, so as to assure universal salvation, happiness, and Heaven, for all mankind.

· God is all-wise – Therefore He knows how to make man, and adapt his nature to the ceaseless working of Divine laws, so as to bring all mankind up to universal salvation and Heaven.

· God is all-just – Therefore, after mankind being naturally and justly rewarded for their sins and mistakes, mainly in this world, and partly in the world to come, Justice then can only allow, and inspire them to go on and on towards perfection, and become fully perfect, “even as their Father in Heaven is perfect”.

· God is all – Good – Therefore, His whole Plan must have been in creating man kind, to secure their greatest possible amount of happiness during their entire Existence. And this would mean final and universal salvation and happiness for All beings.

NOTHING – CAN, THWART THE ALMIGHTY’S PLAN: -
“God is love”. Therefore, even more so than a loving Father on earth – will our loving Father in Heaven so train and perfect His universal Salvation” and “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of Glory”.

George Burgess – July 1899

GOD

“Canst thou by searching, find our God?”

Nearly all human being believe in a God. Many have doubted His existence. But very few have denied it. Thinking men who believe in God like to find Reason for their Faith. And a reasonable Faith is nearly Equal to a proved Fact!

But here is a Fact, which all being agree to be proved. That there is an Almighty Power behind and before us, and behind and before all the moving Worlds, and that this Power, by its laws and processes, rules the motions of the world we line in, and rules our life, and rules our Death! Therefore, whether men call this Power, a force of Nature, or name it God, the results is the same. For, if they move across the laws of this Power they become weakened.

But all things that exist are ruled, not only by an Almighty Power, but also by perfect intelligence or wisdom as proved by Science and Facts. And also by just, and exact laws, which never fail to operate, and also by Universal Goodness, which clothes the earth with beauty, and fills it with plenty – and with loving-kindness.

These Facts are known by all, and they can only incline intelligent beings to believe that this Mighty, intelligent Power, which so rules all things, is a Personal Being.

We know of no form of intelligence without Personality. And we know of no intelligent Personality without a distinct, Personal FORM.

Therefore, Reason has strong Facts to support its Belief that this Almighty intelligent Power is a distinct, Personal Being – named God.

Reason, intelligence can say that there is as much mystery concerning man’s existence as concerning God’s existence. Man, either existed always, or else be began to exist. If he began to exist, without being created, then so could God. And if he always existed without being created, then so could God. Therefore, the care fact of the existence of man, or God, is an equal mystery. All Existence is Mystery! But Existence is a Fact, A Fact without beginning and without End. For no being was ever capable of forming an idea of Non-Existence, Non-Existence is an Impossibility, but the boundless Existence of Worlds, and beings, continuing in order, on their sure and even course must ever have been ruled by an Almighty, Intelligent Personality. Therefore, Reason names this Almighty, Ruling Power, The Personal Living GOD!

George Burgess – July 1899

SIN

The unchangeable and Natural principle which ever Rules, concerning Right and Wrong in Human Existence – explains Sin to be anything that is a wrong to others, or to ourselves. And the whole of Scripture agrees with this Natural explanation.

Sin – against our Bodily, Mental, Moral, or Spiritual nature injures the whole being. Like the mechanism of an engine – all parts are closely related – all parts are affected.

Sin- against ourselves – by a natural law – is bound to affect others “For none of us – liveth to himself”. The least taint soon affects the whole lump.

The caries forms of sin are numberless. But the spirit, of the Ten Commandments will stand good forever. Many Sins have a distinct Name: -

Lying; Slander; Stealing; Killing, with evil intent; Needless War: Needless Anger; Covetousness: Adultery: Sexual Excess; Law Breaking; Falseness; Dishonesty; “Setting light by Father or Mother”; Neglecting Children’s Welfare; Neglect of Health; Neglect of complete Personal Improvement; Spiritual Neglect; Ministering to immoderate Appetites; Disobeying civilising social laws, & Co.; Slothfulness; Selfish Pride; Neglect of the Brotherly, Sisterly and fraternal spirit; Neglect of the Benevolent, humane spirit; Ordinary mistakes, either ignorant, or thoughtless; Disobeying, and omitting to obey the God given natural laws of our whole being.

Man sins nearly as often by leaving undone what he ought to do as by doing what he ought not to do. And all the above named evils, and all others unmentioned, belong to the common sins of human life, and each one brings its certain immediate, and sometimes its long, continuous punishment, or unpleasant results – exactly according to the degree of Evil in the Act, or in the omission of the Duty.

Like virtues, so sins generate after their kind. One lie begets two, and two four, and four forty. Lies bread very quickly. Sins, which arise from excess of Pride, Temper, the social Affections, or Natural Appetites, may give a small measure of short-lived pleasure – Yet, they bring their due punishment without fail. But they do not lower Human Nature so much as the unnatural sins of Cruelty to our best friends – Stealing, Slander and Lying. These bring no short-lived pleasure, are self-degrading, and therefore are low in nature, and by continuing will reach the very lowest depths of Sin.

The foregoing is a brief explanation of the laws and processes of various forms of sin, and the results exactly according to the philosophy and changeless working of Human Existence, and the teachings of scripture.

Therefore, it is a cleat truth that sin “casts the sinner into prison – and he shall by no means come out thence, till he has paid the uttermost farthing”. And it is seen that sinners have to pay their own debts. No other being ever can, or ever will, pay it for them. There are “no means” provided to “clear the Guilty”. Thus, the universal, and just, principle is carried out, whereby “every man is rewarded according to his works”.

George Burgess – July 1899

Bodily - Life & Death

Man's natural constitution declares that as soon as he came into existence he was bound to eat, or die. And from then till now he has been causing the deaths of vegetation and animals, and eating them, so as not to die himself. But, in due time, he is bound to die himself - even though he eat!

Why he is as constituted, as not to be able to go on eating forever and living for ever, no human being can tell. But, as it is with the 'birds' and the 'trees', and their 'fruits' so the principle of Life and Death exists naturally in the very seeds of man's organic being. The forces that nourish him and build him up, and those that waste him, and pull him down, are ever at work side by side, within him. In a sound and healthy man for 50 years the Forces that build him up will be masters. But, after that age, the Forces within him, that waste him, will begin to steadily gain power and become masters in their work of destruction - until, finally, they will pull the strong man right down into his grave. And thus - the proud being who had been killing and eating other creatures all his days is now dead himself, and will soon be eaten in his own turn - for he is Gone `The way of all the Earth' -what a bewildering mystery, is the origin of Life and Death.

The Principle of Life and Death appears to permeate all existence. The buried forests form into coal - then less in proportion as the coal forms - the wood is transformed - as the coal lives the Forest dies.

It is life! By its agencies - that works the wondrous process! The Rocks grow from the changes and death of other substances and conditions! Every atom of the Earth - of the lands and the seas - is in perpetual motion; and all motion means perpetual change and change means death to one condition, and life to another.

A man drinks a glass of pure sparkling Water. It is swarming with invisible forms of life - Otherwise it would not sparkle. His drinking it is death to those special forms of life; but they become life to him! So that Life and Death go hand in hand, and inhabit all Existence: There does not appear to be any such thing as 'Dead Matter'.

And we therefore see that as with all existence -so man's Bodily Death is a Natural condition of his constitution; and not the result of any sinful act, as some people used to suppose. It belongs to the very root of his being: Just so sure as man was born to live, he was born to Die!

Bodily Death however can be the result of sin - or some - at the time -unavoidable condition. It usually becomes then, premature death: Such deaths are very many -and include those belonging to youth and mature age. And sin, certainly slays it thousands. And Scripture, and science agree in the truth that the wicked 'shall not live out half their days'. But, if man's sin does not cause him to die he will die without it -for he is naturally born to both live and Die!

Man's Bodily beginning - and onto his ending - is a subject that cannot be studied in vain! Human Conception means the quickening of seed into a new life -which at once begins to assist in collecting his new nourishment for development. Human Birth means the progression of vital organs that now rapidly change outer foods and fluids into blood, flesh, bones, sinews and nerves -which, in 25 years bring infancy up to the splendid vigour of young manhood.

YOUNG MANHOOD - of sound health - full of fine hopes and ambitions means a nature to nobly strive along life's Way; over the rough roads, and over the smooth - across the wondrous Plains and through the pleasant valleys sometimes in sorrow, but more often in joy - and now up the mountain slopes -growing more vigorous in mind and Body, all the way - until at age 50, he reaches the top of the mountain! He must stop now! He must stand still and look around him! He has mounted the Hilltop of his Bodily vigour! He knows it! He feels it! He knows that he cannot go higher! And he cannot long stand where he is. He feels somewhat weary! And he knows that now he is bound to begin and go down hill! And he also knows that he cannot go down the same side as he came up! But his spirit is Brave - so he Faces his Fate!

MAN, at age 50! It is a fine manly age - the age for influence! Still - from that highest standpoint in his Bodily life his very next step is down the hill: Yes - he faces his fate bravely -but he does not like it! He would not require being brave, if he liked it! There are the brave men who Face what they do not like! No - he does not like going down the hill - at first. But he will like it better as he gets used to it -and as he gets nearer to the foot of the hill! His Spirit is as strong as ever; hut his flesh is getting weaker -so that he is bound to go on down the hill! From ages 40 to 60 a healthy man's bodily forces move in a smooth and most agreeable way! This is his life's Beautiful Plain! While crossing this pleasant Plain he is wiser than when he was younger - and calmer because he is older so that he enjoys sweet and quiet seasons.

Yet - from that highest and central stopping place, at the age of 50, he begins his downward journey. It is very slow, and comfortable at first - and very gentle and delightful for a long time, as he winds his quiet way down the pleasant mountainside. But as time passes by - and as he travels on -his labour more and more diminishes his declining strength - and increases the weariness of his flesh!

And no Wonder - for now the Natural decaying and dying process has taken his body in hand, and will gradually become its master! Not Disease - but the unexplored Principle of Decay and Death - which fastens upon every one and all of the countless millions of things that grow. This Mighty Agent has laid hold of the man's failing Body, and will soon now hand it into the grave, which the weary traveller can already see opened and waiting for him, just at the foot of the hill!

The once mighty man has now nearly seen all his days! He was born to live - born to Die! He has lived -and now he must Die! For his vital organs are weakening; his Foods give him less nourishment - The cleaning juices of his system are diminishing - his Blood is leaving him! Its crimson streams have left their lonely channels almost dry - because his heart is growing feeble and cannot Force the lifeblood through his helpless frame; therefore, his 'Flesh and his Heart faileth!!!'

His Time is short now! He is very near the foot of the hill!

It is a startling FACT, that during the whole journey down the mountain side - this weary - bodied man's mind has never weakened, has not been disturbed but rather, has enlarged and become clearer! This would seem to prove that when his Body is dead, his mind will still live on! His immortal spirit can never die! His soul is imperishable! But - at the foot of life's Hill; his Body will perish forever: For -'There is no discharge in that War'.

George Burgess, August 1899

CONVERSION

The word conversion has a universal application. Its process touches all nations bodily and spiritually. Conversion, in the universal Realm of nature is continuous. Earth and Air are converted into Fruits, and Fruits again into Earth. Day into Night, and Night again into Day. Summer into Winter, and Winter again into Summer. Life into Death, and the Death of portions of the vital organism again into Life.

Conversion can work downward and degrade but its true nature is to work upward and perfect. Conversion then, is the universal and mighty law, and not an impulsive sound from a frightened sinner just begun to be saved.

There is mechanical conversion of the unwrought into the wrought mechanism and art. There is commercial conversion of land into money, and money into stocks & shares, and these shares into other shares. All downward commercial conversions bring down and degrade those interested in them by the process, and at one and the same time. The downward conversions and drift of the greedy is Eternal Law. There is no Escape!

There is also Agricultural conversion, and Educational conversion, and numberless other kinds. Each of the forgoing kinds of conversion has to be paid for, or worked for, by the one whom the conversion is intended to benefit.

Then we come to conversion of Godliness. This, also, has to be worked for by the one to be converted. The “water of life is free, without money, and without price”. But we have to work for it, we are bound to “Come” and seek it, and find it, and Drink it, or we sill never get it. When a bad character has to be converted into a good one the owner is bound to do it himself. Neither men nor God can, or will, ever help the man who will not help himself. But as soon as he truly begins to work out his own conversion then God, as once, begins to work within him, and help him. And all food men will join one another in helping the man who helps himself. This is the working of the righteous, and Eternal Law of Human Existence.

We therefore see that conversion is a work done as much by the man as for the man. It is a continuous, personal, real work of growing in goodness, or Godliness. Godliness is goodness and Goodness is Godliness. And Godliness includes all Spiritual graces, and all forms of goodness that can exist on Earth and Heaven.

So that a man is converted exactly in proportion to his growth in goodness, and to his going on into perfection. He may be a Mahomet or Jew, or Christian or Heathen, or Trinitarian, or Unitarian, or Quaker, or Shaker, or Methodist, or Baptist, or no member at all of any one of the numberless differing Religions in all parts of the world, it makes no difference, for God does not won Sects, he only owns goodness. Good and Godley men live in all lands. And in every Clime, where a man is working for his growth in goodness he is also working out his own conversion to Godliness. We need not ask his name, but that man is the Father’s beloved son. That is a “man after God’s own heart”. The word Conversion or converted in the Old Bible refers to changes from evil to good and to the conversion of the Gentiles to a belief in the God of Israel. And in the New Testament it refers to the Jews and Gentiles conversion to a belief in Jesus as the Messiah, and also to the conversion of human character from evil to good.

Is conversion of Character “sudden”? Well, every great work is both sudden, and slow or gradual, in its process. Every blow in mechanics is sudden, but it takes ten thousand sudden blows and movements to slowly build up and finish the Engine. That which is the most suddenly begun and finished is the most suddenly ended. The 3000 under Peter’s sermon were mainly converted mentally from Judaism, and some from no belief at all, to a belief in Jesus as the Messiah. They were startled by Peter’s eloquence and “sold their possession, and had all things common” - A custom “suddenly” begun, and “suddenly” ended! And the Jews, as a people, are practically all-still unbelievers in Jesus as their Messiah. Paul was not suddenly converted in character, but only in mental belief.

Conversion, in the New Testament, as explained by Jesus, is termed being “born again” in the “Kingdom of heaven within”, the right using of our “Talents”, the having “good ground” for the “sower’s seed”, the “doing of these saying of mine”, “building the house on the Rock”, Striving to enter in at the Starlight Gate”.

Every illustration of Jesus shows that conversion is a gradual slow process of faithful personal work. Certainly, a wicked man may gradually become convinced, and miserable, and then suddenly stop in his mad career; and his conversions to Godliness only then begins. It will take himself, and God, a long time to root out his old wickedness, and convert him into a “new creature”. The carious EVILS, he has fed and reared within himself will not come out of him in a hurry. They will not come out of him until they are starved out. A Godley Life, and “prayer, and self-denial” will soon starve them. Then they will come out, but not before!

Some men need less converting than others. They are Godly from the beginning, and like Zacharias and his wife, and Jacob and Jesus, and millions of divine men all over the face of the Globe, they are naturally “righteous, and Walk before the Lord blameless”, even if they do not know God. He knows them, and hi Him they “live and move and have their being”. These are the men of whom Jesus said “I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance”. These naturally good mend need only to work out their conversion as they always have been doing, by their good and righteous lives. But the more wicked men, to be found everywhere, and among all Sects, will need very long periods in which to become cleansed and converted into good and Godly beings. The work cannot be done in an instant. Just as a man can only grow evil by degrees, so can he only grow good by degrees. Therefore, the sudden or instant conversion of a bad character into a good one is an impossibility. It is a question of facts, and not of fears, and feelings, and fancies. Being “Born again” would include conception, embryo-growth and then birth. Each of these stages is inevitable, and from conception to Birth, occupies a gradual and lengthened period of time; but a birth has never been secured by any other process, and this is the process of Spiritual conversion as explained by the exact words of Jesus. It is his very finest description. Now, we see that real conversion is a real, slow and sure work with a small beginning, a continuous growth and a complete SPIRITUAL BIRTH, WITH NO ENDING.

The Scriptures say “Believe, and be saved”, not believe and you are not saved. “Repent, and be converted”, not Repent and you are not converted. Belief, or “Faith without works is Dead”. Faith that the work can be done is the starting-post. And the doing of the work, by the man himself, and God, is conversion of Godliness. And this conversion is slow, and continues through al Time, and through all Eternity, just in proportion as spirit-beings grow more and more perfect, and more and more Godly in their happy work of climbing higher, and still higher, the heights of joy and Gladness in the Everlasting Land of Light and Love.

George Burgess, August 1899

PRAYER TO GOD

Moses, “Smiting, and bringing water from the Rock, Horeb” Exodus 17:6

Below is a transcript of page three (the last page) to see the original writings of the first two pages of the scriptural quotes compiled by George Burgess click the thumbnails below. Also, visit The Victorian Web for related readings. Click HERE to see further Scriptural passages searched out by George Burgess.

The Spirit of Praise, and prayer, Lights up a large Portion of the Scriptures, and especially the Psalms. And hosts of learned men believe that some of the foregoing passages refer to distinct answers to prayer.

And hosts of learned men believe that some, of the foregoing passages refer to distinct answers, to prayer.

The prayers of the Old Bible appear to refer only to the affairs of Earth. While the prayers of the New Testament have references to this World, and the World to come.

“Our Father”, the example prayer of Jesus, his payer for his disciples and followers, and his prayer at Gethsemane are his few recorded prayers. But he “watched, and prayed”, ever.

“John the Baptist” does not appear to have a prayer recorded, but he was a man of prayer, and “taught his disciples to pray”.

The disciples, and followers of Jesus have but very few recorded prayers. Yet they were continuous in prayer, and may be said to “pray without ceasing”.

And Peter, in a dream, or trance, while on the housetop for payer, had one of the finest, and most divine, and most human of all instructive visions, which taught him “God is no respecter of persons”.

The preachers, and orators of scripture do not appear to have made it a Rule to offer up a public formal prayer: Before speaking, powerful preaching was their mightiest teaching.

WHAT PRAYER CANNOT DO

WHAT PRAYER CAN DO

Godly Prayer however, can influence and strengthen the minds and characters of the Captain and the Crew, so that they will be wisely prepared for the storm, and wisely manage the vessel, and so prevent the shipwreck. In the same may, personal prayer can inspire the Spirit, and strengthen the heart and hands of the husbandman, thus moving him to be “diligent in business” and in work, and the result is that his fields are rich and fruitful.

But Prayer is governed by exact natural and spiritual laws, and is a preparing force and process that thus prepares men to save themselves from evil, and to assure themselves of good. An unprepared Master and Crew with an unprepared vessel in a Storm, who pray to and depend on God coming right down at once, to save them, will be lost. God never answers such prayers.

PRAYER IS REASONABLE

Prayer is reasonable, and natural. In its own way, every living-growing thing prays. Vegetation reaches into the Earth Seeking food for its Roots, and finds it. Its upward growths pray to the heavens above for food, and rain, and dew and air and sun, and the prayer is answered. Every beast, and bird, prays to its parent for nourishment, and receives it. Every baby is ever seeking his food from his mother, and his “importunity” brings the blessing. And all children on Earth are constantly praying to their Fathers for protection, and all forms of help, and their deserving prayers are granted.

But the Rule in the Law of Prayer is that unless in some way we pray or ask, we do not receive; and unless we seek, we do not find. Also, that when we do pray, righteous prayers are answered. And when we really, and wisely seek, we find. Also, that prayer, like conversion, can work downward, as well as upward. It can bring evil as well as good, still, there are many beings who practically live and pray for evil, and they get it. And just so sure as a man seeks that which is bad, just so sure will he find it. He is bound to find it, for “seek and ye shall find” is the fixed law of life, and it has never failed in its workings, so that all prayers are answered, good and bad. God answers the good ones and the personified Spirit of Evil answers the bad ones. Hence we see that persistent prayers can bring into the human heart either hell or Heaven.

Well then, as prayer is a universal possession, it is logical to say that it is reasonable, and natural. If it is natural that children should loop up to, and ask help from, Fathers and Mothers, then it is natural for all dependent human beings to look up to and pray, and ask of God. Also, it is just as sure that God our Father will grant ours, right prayers, and “Help in every time of need”, as it is that our mothers and Fathers have done so all their days. It is therefore reasonable, and natural, and certain, that God does answer reasonable and right and good Prayers.

PERSONAL PRAYER

The real work of Personal Spiritual Prayer or communion with God should be to promote growth of Godliness in the Individual. It does not change God, but it draws from Him an influence that makes the Individual more spiritual, and more divine. We all know that when in the presence of, and conversing with eminently good men and women we are bound to partake of their spirit. Their Spirit, natures, verity reach and touch our own, and warm us within like “contagious Fire”. It is on this every same and exact principle that God answers prayer and “gives His very Spirit unto them that ask Him”. God does not, visibly, come down through the stars and build up a man’s dwelling-house for him, but He builds up the man’s spirit and then the man’s spirit builds up his Body, and Brain, and then the whole God-made man altogether builds up his own dwelling. Yet God was at the foundation of it, and right at the top of it. And probably the man would never have had the dwelling at all unless he has asked the living God to help him build it.

One Individuals Prayers can also influence others beside himself, and especially so when these others are present this him. His power and spirit in prayer reach into the very centres of their being and move their spirits, and so they soon grow more an more of one mind, and one Spirit, until All throw open their hearts together to God in prayers, for themselves, and for everybody else. And it is a well known fact that thousands have there and then decided, and taken their stand, to live a new life through the searching, and fiery influence of other men’s prayers.

Also, a Godly man’s prayers under certain conditions can influence others who are well know to him, although they may be separated from him by seas, and continents. In every day life, persons of suitable mental and spiritual natures are continually impressing and influencing each other. One speaks his thought, when another at once says, “the very same thought was in my own mind”. Their spirits had met, and blended, before a word was spoken. Another is startled to suddenly remember a friend whom he has not seen for a year, when, in a very short time his friend stands before him. The visitor’s spirit was especially thinking of his friend, as he drew near him, and so verity had actual contact with his friend’s Spirit, which was the cause of the abrupt remembrance.

A Godly Mother sets her heart upon prayer for a careless daughter who is far away. The daughter can verity feel that her Mother is praying for her. It could not be otherwise, the Spirit reaches Spirit, and neither Spirit can rest. At last, the daughter is bound to yield and then she bravely beings the save and happy journey of her “New Life”. And at the tame time the spirit-influence of the daughter speeds swifter than light with the glad tidings to her Mother, when the Mother cries out “Bless the Lord, why Nellie is saved”, which in truth means that Nellie’s conversion has then just begun in real earnest.

So when a capable man sets his mind and heart on beginning and finishing some reasonable work, then that work will be done. And when a wise Godly man sets his Spirit and heart on getting an answer to a reasonable prayer, then that answer he will certainly get, for the laws and processes for cusses in prayer are as sure and exact as those relating to mechanical force, and to electric forces; the wise and right means are bound to secure their natural and the desired ends.

But the prayer that reaches, and blesses, a far distant friend is mentally and spiritually communicated. There must be contact. It may not be visible, but it is real. No one thing makes any impressions on anther, except by some means of contact. We could not know of the odour of Roses because odour is a property of Roses. But the invisible and real currents of the odour reach our sense of smell. And thus, we know of, and enjoy the delightful fragrance of the Rose. But there must be some form of contact, as a Cause, or there can be no Effect. If sweet odours can travel, unseen, and swift, and have direct contact with the human senses, then it is only fair to say that with Godly praying man’s Spirit-influence can, unseen, reach and bless his far off friend, just exactly and as sure as God’s Spirit reaches and domes in direct contact with and blesses the spirit of all the children of men, over all the Face of the Earth.

PRAYER THAT CANNOT PREVAIL

Unreasonable Prayers never Prevail.

Prayer - that asks for things unnecessary, and impossible, and that has no special blessing to strive for, is unreasonable, and cannot prevail.

Prayer – for the health of the Body, without living according to the Rules of health, is unreasonable, and it never prevails.

Prayer – for an improved character, and disposition, without living a good life, and without exercising uniform courtesy, is unreasonable, and cannot prevail.

Prayer – to grow in Godliness, by all persons carrying on any business that degrades individuals, and society, is unreasonable, and has never prevailed.

Prayer – to have sins forgiven, only for the purpose of escaping Sins due punishment, is unreasonable, and will never prevail.

The Prayer – of frightened, life-long evil men and women, when Death has got a fast hold of them, is unreasonable, and cannot prevail.

PREVAILING PRAYER

Reasonable prayers to God always prevail.

Prayer – by those who strive to learn “what they should pray for as they ought” and who seek some natural and probable, and special help or blessing, is reasonable, and always prevails.

Right Prayer – that is accompanied by an intelligent Faith, and wise, real and good work for securing some natural and special good thing or blessing, is reasonable, and it is bound to prevail.

A man’s Prayer to God for a friend – who is either present, or far away, should be united to the following advantages: -

• He should well know his friend’s nature, and his “besetting Sins”.
• He should, if possible, know nearly where his friend lives, if abroad.
• He should fix his mind on the special blessing, or good, that he desires his friend to obtain, through his prayers.
• And that blessing should be a very needful, and natural, and probable one.
• He should concentrate his whole Spirit upon God and his friend, and upon the one, special, work he is doing for him.
• And – he should exercise mighty Faith that his prayer for his friend will be granted. Faith keeps the Fire burning, which will not go out until his friend comes in.
• Prayer to God – of this kind, for any friend near, or far away, is reasonable, and in due time, and soon, it is certain to prevail.

All of the forgoing remarks arise from the hand and continuous study, and the closest observation of the real practice, and results, of prayer among religious people during many long years.

And the following Facts seem very clear: -

Godly Prayer – is a Power and Force controlled by laws that are changeless, and exact, in their workings.

The Force, and Processes of Prayer can be explained in followed from their beginning to their end, just as clearly as can the unseen processes of many other invisible, but mighty Forces in existence.

When Prayer to God is for a reasonable, and special blessing, it is exercised in exact harmony with the laws by which God governs prayer, then the blessing is certain to come.

And prayer to God brings a blessing, even when it is not exact in its reasonableness. It brings God’s Spirit close to man’s Spirit and makes the human being more divine. No single and sincere prayer can be offered up to God in vain! A blessing is Sure.

Prayer to God therefore, is not an act to make light of, for lifting man and woman up to Heaven, so that they may lay hold of the Right hand of the living God. Prayer is the mightiest power in the Universe. All the Thunders of the skies cannot stop praying Souls from mounting upward on their wondrous way.

We all know that it is necessary, and good, to ask help from our Mothers and Fathers. And it is supremely necessary, and good, that we should ask help from God, the one living God, who is the Maker, and Father of us All, and “who giveth to all men liberally, and UPBRAIDETH NOT”.

George Burgess, August 1899