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.