TB no 
 
 #6/6 
 
 DT10537abM 
 
No. 117. 
 
 THE GATE OF PRAYER. 
 
 Having been employed one evening in 
 reading the- first part of the 11th chapter of 
 Luke, which contains various excellent di- 
 rections and pleasing encouragements rela- 
 tive to the duty of prayer, I leaned back 
 on my sofa, and indulged my contempla- 
 tions. I fancied that I was standing oppo- 
 site a large and ponderous gate, which was 
 the outward entrance to the palace of the 
 King of the country. At the top of this 
 gate I observed the following inscription, 
 written in large golden characters, ' Knock, 
 and it shall be opened unto you.' I felt desi- 
 rous to do this, but resolved first to notice 
 the manner in which others'might act. 
 
 I had not waited long before I saw a gay 
 gentleman, elegantly dressed, approaching 
 in a beautiful photon. - ' He staid for a few 
 moments ; but on reading the inscription, 
 he exclaimed, * I have no inclination to 
 knock, or to enter this gate ; *I am too 
 much engaged, and I think all the beauties 
 of the palace would not repay my trouble, 
 
if I were to go'aud examine them.' Say- 
 ing this, he dashed away down the broad 
 road which was opposite. 
 
 The next person I observed" was a man of 
 demure appearance, who seemed to possess 
 an affected gravity of countenance. He 
 went up to. the gate in a fearless manner, 
 and appeared secure of admission ■; for he 
 said that he knew the porter at the gate, 
 that he had associated with many who had 
 been to the King's palace, and had received 
 many proofs of his Majesty's kindness. He 
 therefore called out to the porter, and de- 
 sired him to open the gate for one who was 
 a friend to the King, and who was well 
 known to many of his best servants and 
 officers. To this request, which was re- 
 peatedly made, no answer was returned, 
 and, at length, he departed -frojn the gate, 
 disappointed and confounded. 
 
 The third person who attracted my atten- 
 tion, marched up to the gate with an elevat- 
 ed mien and confident step, as if he posses- 
 sed a right to enter, and was conferring a 
 favor-on the Prince by approaching his man- 
 sion. He read the inscription on the gate ; 
 but, seeing that the knocker was towards 
 the bottom, and that he must stoup to reach 
 it, he resolved to content himself with strik- 
 ing the door with a stick which he held in 
 
his hand; but he could not obtain admit- 
 tance, and went away with indignation. 
 
 When I observed those unsuccessful at- 
 tempts, I was much discouraged, and 
 thought that it was useless for me to try; I 
 was therefore going to depart ; but, on look- 
 ing* up to the gate, I saw the inscription 
 written so plainly, and sigued by the seal 
 manual of the King, that I resolved to Stay 
 a little longer. 
 
 Soon a pilgrim appeared journeying to- 
 wards the gate. His eye was fixed intense- 
 ly on the inscription ; but he was not suffi- 
 ciently careful in choosing his way, so that 
 he often stumbled. He knocked at the- 
 gate, -audit was immediately opened ; but, 
 in his hurry, he fell down, and it was shut 
 by the porter, who said to him, ' Watch and 
 pray.' However, he knocked again, and 
 being more caretul, was then admitted. 
 
 I next noticed a poor weary beggar, al- 
 most destitute of clothing, and nearly per- 
 ishing with hunger When he came to the 
 gate, his eyes glistened with pleasure at 
 reading the inscription. He kneeled down 
 on the ground, and took hold of the kaock- 
 er; but* en looking at himself, and ieeing 
 his unworthy condition to appear before his 
 Lord, I stiw tears drop from his eyes ; but 
 he soon wiped them olf, and resolred, 4 If 
 
I must perish, I will perish m the act of 
 peeking admittance.' So he lifted up the 
 knocker, aad gave a rap, when the gate was 
 immediately opened, and he was admitted 
 with many cheerful welcomes, while he ex- 
 claimed, * Open to me the gates of righte- 
 ousness : I will go into them, and Twill 
 praise the Lord : this gate of the Lord, into 
 which the righteous shall enter. I will 
 praise thee : for thou hast heard me, and 
 art become my salvation,' Psa. cxviii. 
 19—21. 
 
 After this, I beheld another person some- 
 what similar to the former, though he pos- 
 sessed much more boldness. He continued 
 knocking for a longtime without; any suc- 
 cess ; but he was not discouraged, and re- 
 peated his efforts with ardor and importuni- 
 ty. While he was thus employed, and ap- 
 peared to meet with ■ uo success, he pulled 
 from his bosom a scroll, and read these 
 words aloud: 'Verily, verily, -I say unto 
 you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father 
 in my name, he will give it you,' John xvi. 
 2o. 'Yes,' exclaimed the pilgrim, 'these 
 are the precious words of my Diviae Re- 
 deemer, <vho shed his blood on the cross for 
 my salvation, and who is now exalted ts 
 heaven as my great Intercessor. Then iie 
 turned to his scroll, and read, ' We have 
 
not an High Priest whick cannot be touch, 
 ed with the feeling of our infirmities; but 
 was in ail ^points tempted like as we are, yet 
 without sin. Let us therefore come boldly 
 unto the throne of grace, that we may ob- 
 tain mercy, and find grace to help in time 
 of need,' Heb. iv. 15, 16. As he read these 
 words, he lifted his eyes to heaven, the teav* 
 rolled down his cheek, and he grasped the 
 knocker, and made the gate resound again 
 and again. Still he appeared to be unno- 
 ticed, the gate remained close shut. He 
 seemed to hesitate for a moment, his knocks 
 became faintef ; but he again pilled out 
 the scroll fro^u his besom, and read, 'Men 
 ought always to pray, and not to faint,' Luke 
 xviii. 1. i Pray without ceasing. In every 
 thing give thanks; for this is the will of 
 God in Christ Jesus concerning you,' 1 
 Thess. v. 17, 18. As he read these words, 
 he knocked with stilF greater energy and 
 importunity. At length he obtained a hap- 
 py entrance, when he cried «ut, ' This is 
 the gate of heaven,' Gen. xxviii. 17. 
 
 On again, looking round me, I beheld at 
 some distance a trembling traveller advanc- 
 ing towards the gate. As he approached, he 
 was accosted by a man of a haggard look, 
 and a frightful countenance, who told him it 
 was of no use for him to seek admittance; 
 
6 
 
 because such a person as he was would not 
 only be refused, but bo punished for his au- 
 dacity. The traveller made no answer, but 
 continued his course. Soon after he was so- 
 licited by one with whom he was formerly 
 intimate, to go with him down the broad 
 road opposite ; and on his refusal, he was re- 
 proached and abused. When he arrived at 
 the gate, and was about. to knock, he began 
 to ieel his courage failing, and many fears 
 arose in his mind, lest he should be refused 
 admittance: he was almost inclined to de- 
 part; but when he looked at the glorious 
 promise just above him, and saw that a strong 
 light from heaven seemed to shine upon it, 
 he took courage ; he knocked, and was im- 
 mediately received. He arose from his knees 
 with comfort and joy, and triumphed over all 
 his enemies and all his difficulties. 
 
 Having witnessed these pleasing scenes, I 
 resolved to apply for admission without any 
 further delay. I accordingly went up to the 
 gate, and gave so loud a knock, that it rous- 
 ed me from my slumber. I was then ena- 
 bled to reflect on the folly of neglecting 
 prayer ; on the sin of performing this duty 
 in a hypocritical, proud, or unwatchful man- 
 ner; and. also, on the benefits of an humble, 
 importunate, and faithful spirit of devotion. 
 Blessed are tho3e_who watch daily at the gate 
 
of prayer, and wait at the posts of her door. 
 They shall be received into the presence of 
 their God, and shall obtain eternal happiness, 
 through Jesus Christ, ' the way, the truth, 
 and the life.' 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire^ 
 ' , Utter'd or unexpress'd ; 
 The motion of a hidden fire r 
 That trembles in the breast. 
 
 Prayer is the burden of a sigh, 
 
 The falling of a tear, 
 The upward glancing of an e}*e, 
 
 Whea none but God i8 near. 
 
 Prayer is the simplest form of speech 
 
 That infant lips can try ; 
 Prayer' -the sublimest strains that reach 
 
 The Majesty on high. 
 
 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 
 
 The Christian's native air } 
 His watchword at the gates of death ; 
 
 He enters heaven by prayer. 
 
Prayer is the contrite siuner's voice, 
 
 Returning from his ways ; 
 While angels in their songs rejoice, 
 
 And say, " Behold, he prays!" 
 
 The saints in prayer appear as one, 
 
 In word, and deed, and mind ; 
 Wbgn with the Father and his Son 
 
 Their fellowship they find. 
 
 Nor prayer is made oh earth alone ; 
 
 The Holy Spirit pleads; 
 And Jesus, on the eternal throne, 
 
 For sinners intercedes. 
 
 Thou,' by whom we come to God, 
 
 The life, the truth, the way: 
 The path of prayer thyself hast trod ; 
 
 Lord, teach us " how to pray " » 
 
 -Montgomery. 
 
Hollinger Corp. 
 pH8.5