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There had
been a drought for weeks in America, and the farmers
had arranged to gather in the little prairie church and plead for rain. Men
of God they were, and the crops were languishing, so they resolved to
petition the Almighty that he should send rain. The day was appointed, and
the Sabbath dawned on which in their little church they would have public
prayer to God for rain. The minister, a good man, was astonished, that
cloudless summer morning, to see on the way to church one of the smallest of
his Sabbath school scholars carrying a big family umbrella. Oh, what a size
it was. The morning was hot and blistering; there was no sign of rain. Aye,
but that little heart had heard the intimation given that prayer was to be
made for rain, and in the simplicity of her faith she came prepared for the
answer to that prayer. The minister had no umbrella; he was dressed in summer
costume; and, as he patted the little girl on the head, he thought that in
her childish innocence -- though in reality it was her superior faith -- she
had made a mistake. The service proceeded, the prayer ascended. Look at those
clouds as they gather and roll up on the horizon. What is the meaning of that
lightning flash of the torrents of rain that are pouring down on the roof of
that prairie church? The little girl has the best of it. The minister was
glad to go home under the little girl's despised umbrella; and as she
sheltered the pastor in his summer costume, do you think that her faith was
justified and greatly strengthened? Ah, man; many a time you have been
laughed at for carrying a big umbrella in a time of drought. Pray on, though
the skies be as brass. Pray on in times of trouble. "O, Thou that
hearest prayer" -- it is true, it is true about God; and all flesh shall
come to him that heareth prayer. -- Christian Scotsman.
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