A VERY ' POWERFUL' PRAYER.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 26 April 1895, Page 3

A VERY ' POWERFUL ' PRAYER.

Although Dr. Pentecost, of Marylebone, is a Presbyterian minister, be is no& inappreciativa of the humoroii3 side of religious enihusia';m. At a meeiing in his church the other night, ho spoke of a revival gathering at which there was onß man j!who refused to be converted. Ifc was determined, therefore; to pray for him. Several gentlemen present — including Dr Pentecost hinaself and Lord Overtoun — tried what they could do in that way, but apparently without success, Then they asked a Highland parson named Ross to pui in a word. The reverend genlieman rose, and at once commenced to pour out a torrent of sounds which no one understood. Ifc resembled an amalgamation of a tornado, a whirlwind, a hailstorm, a conflagration, a roar of waters, and the breaking of tho ocean o^aicst a rockbound coast. When the prayer was ended Mr Boss was asked what language he had been using. 'Gaelic,' lie answered. 'But,' it was urged, l why pray in a language) which Jio one present understood ?' 'Ab,' crid the Highland enthusiast, 1 ifc was a serious case, requiring special measures, and nono but; tho Gaelic language would bo effectual above. I was not praying to jou, you know.' This gentleman mnot be a relative of the lady, who, in the .old times, declared that the British must always be successful in their battles wilh the French because they prayed before beginning. To the suggestion that perhaps tho Gauls did the same thing, she triumphantly answered, 'Poor jabbeiing creatures ! who would underarand them V What followed Mr Rosa' efforts ia not recorded.