SOME years since we alighted at Shalford Station intending to walk to Godalming. We had not proceeded far on our way before we were stopped by an alarming flood. The river had overflowed, and the water was rushing over the highway to the depth of several feet. While looking to see if there was any hedge upon which we might walk we were joined by a lad about twelve years of age. There was no possibility of crossing by foot. It came suddenly to our mind that we could teach the lad a lesson, so we said:
“Do you know anything about God, my lad?”
“No.”
“Did you ever pray to God?”
“Pray what’s that?”
We were astonished at this unwelcome reply, and said:
“Well, if you do not know anything about God, I do, for He is my Father, and because I have put my trust in Him, He says I am to ask for what I want and He will give it me, just as you would ask your own father for bread if you wanted some. Now I am going to pray God to send me a carriage to take me over this water.”
“Humph!” said the boy, “God won’t hear you!”
This young infidel was a wet blanket to my faith, and I thought for a moment: What if the Lord did not hear, and so put me, His servant, to shame? It was but for a moment, and I thought, shall I turn infidel too? Is it not my part to believe and rely upon my God, and so teach this poor boy what it is to trust God. My lips were immediately opened to ask in faith, for that I needed, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord.
It was a fine evening: sound travelled far. We waited patiently: but the lad continued to say:
“God don’t hear you: you must walk back.”
I constantly affirmed:
“You’ll see God answers prayer, the carriage will come directly.”
Certainly five minutes elapsed, and then there was a sound of wheels. There were four crossroads on the common towards which we were looking.
“It won’t come this here way, I know,” said the boy.
I continued secretly to pray and to believe.
Needless to relate, the carriage came straight to the spot where I stood. The boy ran off, scarcely stopping for me to say, “Now I hope you will learn to trust God, and know for yourself—that God answers prayer.”
There were three gentlemen in the carriage: they courteously stopped and took me safely across the angry waters. Thus faith triumphed. Who can say what far-reaching effects might result from such an object-lesson? What appear trifles to us, are the pivots upon which turn the most stupendous works of God. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do it” (John 14:13, 1413And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13‑14)).
E. A.