The incidents which are published in this volume, are vouched for upon
the strongest proofs of authenticity possible to obtain, and are either
of circumstances known amid my own experience, or connected with the
lives of my correspondents and their friends. They are the thankful
record and tribute to the power of _persevering faith_.
Nothing has been published concerning which there is the least shadow of
doubt. All have been carefully investigated.
Every case has been one of real prayer, and the results that have come,
came only in answer to the prayer of faith, and were not possible to
obtain without it.
They demonstrate to a wonderful degree, the immediate practical ways of
the Lord with his children in this world, that He is far nearer and more
intimate with their plans and pursuits than it is possible for them to
realize.
Neither have we depended upon the relation of facts of a few, to
convince the world of the real power of faith, but have added concurrent
testimony of incidents actually known in the experience of such eminent
clergymen as Charles Spurgeon, Newman Hall, Martin Luther, W.
Huntington, Dr. Waterbury, George Muller, Dr. Cullis, Dr. Patton, Dr.
Adams, Dr. Prime, Bishop Simpson, and many others.
Also we have added some incidents known and investigated and found
absolutely true, by the editors of the following journals, who add their
unquestioning belief in the power of prayer: _The Christian, The
Evangelist, The Observer, The Congregationalist, The Advance, The
Illustrated Christian Weekly, The American Messenger, The Witness_.
Likewise we have been greatly assisted by some of our Home Missionaries,
who, from their daily experiences with the poor and suffering, have been
eye-witnesses to remarkable experiences and the wonderful help of the
Lord in answering their prayers.
These testimonies here recorded must be accepted as true. They
demonstrate that answers to prayer are not occasional, and therefore
remarkable that they do occur, but are of constant occurrence.
There may be many minds who, having carried no trial to the Lord, have
never been brought into intimate acquaintances of the ways in which the
Lord tries the faith of his children, nor led to see and observe his
wonderful control over human wills and circumstances. The power of the
Lord is learned only by those who in deep trouble have faithfully sought
Him and seen his ways of deliverance.
None can ever understand the full power of prayer until they have
learned the lesson of trust. It is only when for the _first time_ in the
Christian's own life of faith, it realizes the hand of God in his
personal dealings with him, how near He is, or how clearly he feels the
presence of that tremendous overruling Spirit which
"_Turneth the heart whithersoever He will_."
The actual existence of our God is therefore proved, not alone from
_History_, nor from the Bible alone, nor from current natural or
religious feeling and beliefs, nor from the testimony of old witnesses
several thousand years old, _but from the actual incidents of present
prayer_, and the _literal answer_. Daily faith and trust and prayer have
made the Christian deeply acquainted with Him and his ways, and humbly
dependent upon his care and love and help, in the events of life. _No
one ever faithfully trusted the Lord in vain_.
Circumstances so clouded that it has been impossible for men to control,
have, through believing prayer, been so made to change, that through
them has been revealed _living evidences_ of the presence of
_The Ever Living God_.
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