A child from a poor family had an intemperate father, who often used to
abuse his wife and children. This child had been to the Sunday School--
had become pious. The physician told the father that his little girl
would die. No! he did not believe it. Yes, she will--she must die in a
few hours. The father hastened to the bedside; would not part with her,
he said.
"Yes, father, you must part with me; I am going to Jesus. Promise me two
things. One is, that you won't abuse mother any more, and will drink no
more whiskey."
He promised in a solemn, steady manner. The little girl's face lighted
up with joy.
"The other thing is, promise me that you will PRAY," said the child.
[Illustration]
"I cannot pray; don't know how," said the poor man.
"Father, kneel down, please. There, take the words after me. I will pray--
I learned how to pray in Sunday School and God has taught me how to pray,
too; my heart prays, and you must let your heart pray. Now say the words."
And she began in her simple language to pray to the Savior of sinners.
After a little he began to repeat after her; as he went on his heart was
interested, and he broke out into an earnest prayer for himself; bewailed
his sins, confessed and promised to forsake them; entered into covenant
with God; light broke out in his darkness; how long he prayed he did not
know; he seemed to have forgotten his child in his prayer. When he came
to himself he raised his head from the bed on which he had rested it;
there lay the little speaker, a lovely smile was upon the face, her hand
was in that of the father, but she had gone to be among the angels.
--_Power of Prayer_ by Prime.