WE have received the following letter from one who read the account we gave of a simple meeting for prayer in Ireland, at which God’s blessing was sought on missionary work throughout the world. This esteemed correspondent has sent us the following record of a very similar gathering in St. Louis, and we insert it because it shows how God’s Spirit awakens kindred desires in the hearts of believers, even though unknown to each other and severed by distances. We see no reason why this pleasing fellowship and influence should not lead to a deepening interest in the work of the Lord all over the world. It will, if it be our Lord’s gracious will. We insert with much pleasure this friend’s happy record, and we are sure it will cheer our fellow-workers of the Greystones Mission.
St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A.,
August 25th, 1902.
To the Editor of “THE SPRINGING WELL.” Dear Sir—Some of the members of our missionary circle suggested that a few notes as to our meeting might prove interesting and encouraging to others with a similar thought in their minds in connection with the Lord’s work. Should you wish at any time to publish extracts from the letters we receive from missionaries, we shall be glad to forward some. We enjoy reading “THE SPRINGING WELL” very much, and hope it will scatter blessing wherever it goes.
Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,
(Signed) L. D. ST. CLAIR.
The reading of the interesting account of the Greystones Missionary Prayer Union in the June number of “THE SPRINGING WELL” touched a responsive chord in the hearts of those gathered for a similar purpose in an inland city of the United States. In the city of St. Louis, on the 9th day of January, 1901, a company of young Christians met for the purpose of taking a more definite personal interest in the Gospel work being carried on by the Lord’s servants in the far-distant needy fields, our wish being that by our united prayers and letters, and also by contributions of tracts and fur ds, we might be used to encourage and aid those who are bearing the burden and heat of the day in foreign lands. Our meetings are held every other Tuesday evening at the homes of the members. We have prayer and singing, and then accounts of the work in distant lands are read, and also the needs of the people, occupy the evening. At the close all contribute to the funds according to their ability. We also bring gospel magazines and tracts, and when a suitable collection of them has been made they are sent to some field where American reading matter can be utilized.
We believe the Lord has blessed our meetings, for we have been much encouraged and stirred up by letters we have received from various missionaries in different parts of the world. Our wish is that as young Christians we may have a listening ear for our Lord’s commands, and an obedient heart and willing feet for His service. We do not desire to transfer our interests from home fields to foreign fields to the exclusion of the former, but while doing whatever our hands find to do at home, still to have our hearts enlarged sufficiently to seek to help those who “toil amid the shadows,” and whose fields are far apart.
Although the billows of the Atlantic roll between the little missionary meeting in Greystones and the one in St. Louis, nevertheless the members are evidently one in heart and purpose, and .tray we continue to serve and follow Him Who is our one Lord and Savior until His return.
We never know what our giving ability is until we try, for we have been enabled to send out much more than we supposed we could.