69. The true Believer prays to God in Times of protracted Seat and Drought

EXHORTATION.

"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."—James, v. 17. How much the earnest prayer of the righteous avails, we see in the examples of Elias, as set before our eyes by St. James, the apostle. But we would be much mistaken, did we suppose that it was in the power of Elias to take rain away from the land, and give it back. No! God alone is lord of the rain. God alone can do all this. To God, therefore, the Christian must ascribe every protracted season of drought. It is by the grace God that rain generally falls at the right time; when he omits to send it, we are to regard the omission as a punishment. For what distress prevails wherever rain is wanting, and heat and drought oppress the land! In the midst of summer the whole country is covered as with a shroud. A severe infliction, indeed! Who could remain indifferent at such a spectacle? Therefore, let us pray, like Elias, that the thirsty land may once more be refreshed with IN TIMES OF DROUGHT.

grateful rain. A just and heartfelt prayer the Lord has never yet despised. The Lord is near to all those who call upon him—who call upon him in earnest; he does what the godly desire; he hears their cries and helps them. O help us also, Lord our God! thou art gracious, merciful, patient, and of great love and truth; help us in the great distress which has overtaken us, and graciously deliver us. Thou didst threaten thy people of old, that if they would not listen to thy voice, thou wouldst make the sky above their heads of brass, and the soil under their feet of iron, and give the land dust and ashes instead of rain. It would almost seem as if over our heads the sky were of brass, and the soil of iron. How dreary are the fields and meadows! the earth opens wide her mouth, and pants for refreshment. Men and beasts cry out with thirst; the trees and the grass wither, the fruits refuse to grow; streams and fountains are dried up. O Lord, look in upon us, and put an end to our sufferings. True it is, that when we think of our sins, we see that we deserve even heavier chastisement. But O, father of mercy, be merciful to us, poor sinners, and turn again thy gracious countenance upon us; refresh us with a fruitful and penetrating rain, so that men and beasts may again find nourishment and sustentation. For the sake of Jesus Christ, hear our supplications, and have mercy upon us. May thy justice bring us unto true repentance! Sanctify us wholly that we may be preserved undefiled to the day of Jesus Christ. Hear us, dear father in heaven! for the sake of thy love, for the sake of Jesus Christ, hear us. Amen. 1. Now the sky is barred and bolted,

Angry God! for many a day

Not a drop of rain has fallen,

And it fills us with dismay.

Men and beasts, leaves, trees, and grass,

Groan at what has come to pass;

Gracious God be pleased to help us,

Or a dearth must overwhelm us.

2. Lo, the earth, with lips distended,

Fairly cries to thee for thirst;

Here and there, deep, yawning fissures,

With the burning heat have burst.

Fruits of orchards, grain in ear,

All is withered, wilt, and sere;

E'en the timid deer lie pining,

In some shady nook reclining.

IN TIMES OF DROUGHT.

3. True, we richly have deserved it,

That the sky should be of brass,

And the soil beneath of iron:

For our sins were of a class,

That the evening heard with fright

Of the orgies of the night,

And the night was struck with sorrow

At the plottings of the morrow.

4. O we fall to earth before thee,

Think upon our sins no more!

We bewail them with contrition,

And thy mercies great adore.

O for Jesus' sake forgive

What we did to make thee grieve;

We devote our whole endeavor

To thy service hence forever.

5. O look down in pitying mercy,

On us and our thirsty land

Let us feel no more the anguish

Of the sunbeam's burning brand.

Make the sky to yield again

Freshening showers of living rain.

Let us look once more in gladness

On the skies in healthful sadness.

COMMUNION PRAYERS.