An Extract.
WE believe the telephone to be the greatest marvel of the age. Doubtless some of our readers are aware that it is an ingeniously constructed instrument for transmitting with lightning rapidity the sound of the human voice to any distance. We were informed that transmissions had been made by it to the distance of eight hundred miles. Now, having had one recently placed in our establishment, while mechanically following our employment, our thoughts have been drawn to contemplate the means whereby the feeblest voice, the groans and unuttered desires of the weakest needy spirit of man, can reach the ear of God. The telephone and its various parts has suggested to us many thoughts on prayer, its power and efficacy.
First, there is a wire of communication suspended in mid-air over the Great City, from our establishment to another over a mile distant. So God has of His own will communicated by revelation to the inhabitants of earth that His ear is ever open to believing prayer: “All things whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive;” “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will hear thee;” “If any” man lack wisdom, let him ask of God;” “Is any afflicted? let him pray;” “Before they call, I will answer: and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Secondly, there is another wire attached to carry off what are called the earth-currents to the earth, for without this there would be confusion of sound, and a distinct message could not be sent through the telephone. And are there not earth-currents which beset the believer when he prays? Is it not often difficult for him to worship God without distracting, earthbound, wandering thoughts? But is there not also the Holy Spirit to help his infirmities? By His help we cry, “Abba, Father!” Yea, He prays in the believer and for him, “with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26, 2726Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26‑27).
There is also in connection with the telephone a battery of chemicals. Ah! to pray aright we all must feel our needy state, and have faith in God’s power and willingness to hear and answer. The prodigal, when he began to be in want, said, “I will arise, and go to my Father;” and “he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Some require a very strong battery to bring them on their knees — some heavy affliction, a bereavement., the destruction of an idol, or the withering of a gourd — but how blessed to be able to sing with Cowper —
“God in Israel sows the seeds
Of affliction, pain, and toil;
These spring up and choke the weeds,
Which would else o’erspread the soil.
“Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.”
We will now call attention to that curiously-constructed, complicated compartment of the telephone, the transmitter, which is locked up in a small cabinet, into which the sound of the human voice enters by striking upon a small and very sensitive metallic disc, and is instantly conveyed by the connecting wire over the City to the ear ready to receive it. Thus man (in things temporal) redeems time and shortens distance. And hath not the Christian a Transmitter, even Jesus Christ? for He is the “one Mediator between God and man,” the prevailing Intercessor and Advocate with the Father — our great High Priest, whose sympathetic heart is always touched with the wants and sufferings of the least of His people; and He hath said, “Whatsoever ye ask the Father in My name, He will do it;” “I will pray the Father for you;” “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
Prayer was appointed to convey
The blessings God designs to give;
Long as they live should Christians pray,
For only while they pray they thrive.
“And shall we in dead silence lie,
When Christ stands waiting for our prayer?
My soul, thou hast a Friend on high;
Arise, and try thy interest there.
“If pains afflict or wrongs oppress;
If cares distract or fears dismay;
If guilt deject, if sin distress;
The remedy’s before thee — pray!
“Depend on Christ, thou canst not fail;
Make all thy wants and wishes known;
Fear not, His merits must prevail;
Ask what thou wilt, it shall be done!”
Now, the telephone is attached to the end of the communicating wire, and, when placed to the ear, convey the message sent through the transmitter at the distant end by that powerful agent, electricity.
Here in a measure our allegory breaks down, for God knows our necessities before we ask — yea, He is the Inspirer of all real prayer. But mark, although He has promised to give all things that are needful for the good of His people, yet He hath said, “I will be inquired of;” “Put Me in remembrance;” “Pray without ceasing;” “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” And, on man’s part, what thousands refuse to hear God’s Word, though He hath spoken in all ages by the mouth of His holy prophets, and caused all His messages to be written for our learning. But, before a message is sent’ by the telephone, a bell is first rung to draw attention. So God sometimes speaks so loudly to men, by His providential dealing, that they must hear, and like Jacob say, “Surely this is the finger of God, the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.”