THE GOSPELS.

PRAYER OF ZACHARIAS AND THE MULTITude.

And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, &c.-Luke i. 10-13.

ABOUT four hundred years had now elapsed since Malachi, the last of the prophets, had uttered that remarkable prediction:—“ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me." 3: 1. During this long period, the Jewish church had experienced a variety of fortune. Party divisions had sprung up, and the bitterness and intolerance of party were rife. False and pernicious doctrines were prevalent. Traditions had been invested with undue importance. Ceremonies, unmeaning, and even immoral, had been introduced. A lamentable departure from the pure and spiritual worship of God, was generally to be observed. Yet, the true church was existing, and the temple-worship was continued. There were a few, also, who were waiting for the "consolation of Israel ;" and who were looking out with intense anxiety upon the spiritual horizon, for the rising of some sign of the coming of the "messenger of the covenant."

Indeed, that anxiety, it is thought, had, for some time, been increasing; and, at length, so general was the expectation of the speedy fulfillment of the prophesies, touching the coming of the Messiah, that the faithful in the church were praying for the event with unwonted fervor. When God would signally bless his people, he imparts a spirit of supplication for the blessing; and, now, that the greatest of blessings was in the divine councils near at hand, it was

befitting that the church should be correspondingly engaged in supplicating its bestowment.

At length, it fell to the lot of Zacharias, a priest of the course of Abia, to officiate a week, in the morning and evening service of the temple. The Scriptures make honorable mention of both him and Elisabeth his wife. "They were righteous before God," and distinguished for their faithful observance of the "moral commands, as well as ceremonial ordinances and institutions," of the Lord. In former years, they had ardently desired the blessing of childrena blessing generally coveted by pious married Jews; but the time had now passed when they longer hoped to be permitted to rejoice as parents. For that joy, it seems, they had often prayed; but, as their supplications in that respect had not been favorably answered, they had resigned themselves to the good pleasure of God, and were contented.

But God was yet designing to fulfill their wishes; and, though he should answer their requests seemingly late, it would be in season for his own plans, and for the proof that

Praying breath is never spent in vain.

The duty of the priest, ordinarily, consisted in burning incense on the golden altar, within the sanctuary, morning and evening, while the people collected without, in the courts of the temple, silently offered up their prayers to God.

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In the performance of his duty, Zacharias, one evening, entered the temple. A concourse of people had assembled— so great as to be called, by the sacred historian, “ a multitude;" which, being unusual on ordinary days, Dr. Lightfoot thinks it was the Sabbath, when a greater number would likely be in attendance. But is it not more likely to have resulted from some special impulse of the Spirit, moving upon their hearts, and inclining them in greater numbers to the temple, to pray for the signal blessing which was to be an

nounced; and, also, to be witnesses of the marvelous scenes which were to transpire?

Be that, however, as it may, a "multitude" was there. The hour had arrived. Zacharias enters the sanctuary, and the smoke of incense rises upon the altar of God.* He betakes himself to devout and solemn worship. The people without, at the same time, bend in deep and silent devotion.

And what was the burden of those supplications ?—that of Zacharias ?-that of the multitude? We are left to conjecture; but it is no improbable conjecture, looking at the result, that they were led, by the same Spirit, to pray for the speedy accomplishment of the promises, regarding the appearance of the Messiah. We shortly after read of some who were anxiously looking for the "consolation of Israel." The Jewish nation was suffering more and more, under the tyranny and oppression of Herod; and what more natural than that they should give vent to their grief before God, and pray for the speedy appearance of their expected Deliverer?

Suddenly, an angel is observed by Zacharias, standing on the right side of the altar. But what means this unexpected interruption? Whence, and on what errand, has this celestial messenger come? The excited fears of Zacharias are soon allayed, and his mental inquiries answered. "Thy prayer is heard." What prayer? That which he had at this time been offering? Yes; but it was not a prayer for a son. That blessing he had ceased to hope for; but he had been preferring his supplication (in unison, we think, with the "multitude" without) for the redemption of Israel-for the appearance of the long-expected Messiah. Yes; thy prayer is heard;" the day hastens when the "messenger of the covenant shall come to his temple ;" but his "messenger" must

* "Praying without at the time of incense."-This, observes the pious Doddridge, was the foundation of that elegant figure, by which prayer is so often compared to incense; (See Psalms cxli. 2; Mal. i: ii; Rev. viii. 3, 4;) and, perhaps, one reason for ordaining incense, might be to intimate the acceptance of those pious prayers which were to accompany it.

first come; and I am commissioned to announce him to you in a son, which Elisabeth thy wife shall bear to thee. Thou hast often prayed for a son; thou hast now prayed for the advent of Israel's deliverer-this, thy prayer, shall be answered: but it involves in it an answer to thy prayer, often uttered, for the birth of a son-a son in thine old age: "and thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth."

The faith of Zacharias is staggered, and a temporary, but signal rebuke follows, in token of the divine displeasure. But the weakness of his faith sets not aside the promised blessing. In due time, he clasps in his arms a blessing long sought, a son-the herald of Him who was to appear as the "Light of the world." He names him, and instantly his tongue is loosed; and, inspired by the Spirit, he utters a prophetic song of surpassing beauty.

There is much that is delightful in these historical incidents, in regard to prayer. We learn not only that the true Israel of God were a praying people, and that, probably, during the long period which followed the cessation of prophetic communications, but also that, notwithstanding the unconditional promises of God that the Messiah should come, they deemed it their duty, and their privilege, to pray for the blessing. It has always been thus, and thus it will continue to the end of time. God promises blessings, and his people. pray for them. God designs to send them down, but the house of Israel must inquire and seek after them. They must pray for them; they will pray for them. Between those promises and those prayers, there is an established connection. The latter not only draw them down, but prepare the heart to appreciate and improve them.

It is a quaint, but, nevertheless, just, and even forcible remark of Henry, that "prayers of faith are filed in heaven; and, though not presently answered, are not forgotten. Prayers made when we are young, and coming into the

world, may be answered when we are old, and going out of the world." Many a youth, doubtless, who has yielded his heart to God, and been faithful and persevering in prayer, in the morning of his days, has not only then, but through life, found special favor with God. His supplications—not one of them has been forgotten before God. The day of his espousals—the kindness of his youth, have been remembered; and, while his ungodly companions and friends have passed on through a prayerless and ungodly life, and have found the closing years of that life rendered dark and gloomy by clouds and storms, the evening of his days sees his sun going down, mild and unobscured. It was his prayer in his youth, and in the meridian of his days:

Cast me not off when strength declines,

When hoary hairs arise;

But round me let thy glory shine,

Whene'er thy servant dies.

And so it proves. It may further be observed, that blessings prayed for are sometimes deferred until others are sought; in granting which latter, the former are also conferred. Zacharias had often prayed for a son. This is, indeed, not forgotten; but not until his prayer for the redemption of Israel is answered, is that former blessing bestowed. Prayers go on, rolling up, until some one prayer is answered; and, with that blessing, the gate of heaven is, as it were, opened, and a tide of blessings come pouring upon us.

How often is it, that the children of God pray for mercies; and, when God indicates to them that they are near at hand, they will not believe it. To Zacharias, it is announced, that his prayer is heard-he shall embrace a son.-"No, Lord, I cannot believe it!" The church prays for the liberation of Peter and he stands at the door while they were yet praying; but the messenger who imparts the happy news is