This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1856. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE NATURE, NECESSITY, AND POWER OF PRAYER. I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to dp it for them.--Ezekiel xxxvi. 37. TN pursuing his voyage to the shores of the New World the seaman steers southward. His object is to catch the trade wind. It blows so steadily from east to west, that having once caught it in his sails he has often nothing else to do. With his ship's head set westward, he is borne steadily along beneath a brilliant sun, and gently wafted over a summer sea. His voyage is one extended, happy holiday. The thrilling cry of land comes at length from the outlook on the topmast; and he drops his anchor in some quiet bay of those lovely islands, where the waves wash coral strands, and the breezes that blow seaward from the spicy forests, come loaded with delicious perfumes. It is not thus man reaches the shores of heaven. That landing may be a picture of his arrival--the voyage is not. In yonder vessel, which enters the harbour with masts sprung, sails in rags, bulwarks gone, bearing all the marks of having battled with storms and ridden many a crested wave, and on her deck a crew of weatherbeaten and worn men, happy and glad to reach the land again--behold the plight in which the believer arrives at heaven. It is hard work to get there? No doubt of it. Paul, the man, in labours more abundant--Paul, the martyr, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft, thrice beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice shipwrecked, in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by his countrymen, by the heathen, in the city, in the wilderness, on the sea--Paul, the patient sufferer for Christ, of a life of weariness, and painfulness, and watchings, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold, nakedness -- even Pau...