(Ps.50:15.)
In view of the report which has gone out from the West, as to the fear of an impending plague of grasshoppers during the coming season, it may not be amiss to recount what took place a little over fifty years ago, during a plague of locusts which visited most of the State of Minnesota, and other sections nearby.
According to a little pamphlet published by the American Tract Society in 1878, this locust plague had for three years previously devastated many thousands of square miles of land, affecting especially the wheat industry. Starvation looked many farmers and their families in the face; for no means which was tried was of any avail.
The attention of the State and Federal authorities was directed to the appalling condition present. The most skillful agencies then known were employed to combat the plague, but without success. At last, in despair of other means of relief, Governor Pillsbury appointed a day of fasting and prayer to be held on the 26th of April, 1877, in the hope that God would hear their cry and intervene to save the surrounding country from utter starvation.
This action taken by the Governor, partly, it would seem, from his own convictions, and partly from the requests of an importunate public, drew from the press comments and criticisms of various kinds. Those known to be of infidel character were not slow to set forth their views as to what they believed would be the outcome of such a proceeding. As far as they were concerned this move was foolish in the extreme. For, they intimated, even if a God exists, He is too unconcerned with the affairs of mortals to interest Himself on their behalf. Therefore it was a mark of degeneracy for the Chief Executive of the State to adopt such means to stay the plague.
As the day appointed for prayer drew near, conditions grew worse, both climatically and entomologically. But those who believed that God hears and "answers' prayer did not wait till the day set for public waiting upon God. They cried daily and hoped in God. Finally, as hunger' entered many homes which had spent all their living, many were forced to their knees by the pitiful conditions into which they had been brought. Others, who were of stronger agnostic or atheistic mind, and who had not yet felt the pinch of want, gave vent to their sentiments in language which left no doubt as to their unbelief in God, and therefore in the command given by Him which says:"Call upon ME in the day of trouble:I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify ME."
In the city of Minneapolis there was an organized society of infidels known as the "Liberal League." About two weeks before the time appointed by the Governor for prayer, this society presented an address to the people of the State in which their views were set forth forcibly and at length. In the course of the address, it was said:
"We hold that this belief (in prayer) is palpably untrue, its influence pernicious, and at this day a marked discredit to the intelligence of the people of Minnesota. From the beginning down to this day, outside of so-called Sacred History, there is not one well authenticated instance of such prayer having been answered, not one.. .To the end that the exact and true result may be known we call upon all thoughtful men to note carefully and systematically the condition of the eggs and young insects in their respective neighborhoods, on the 25th and then again on the 27th (the day of prayer intervening), and so on from time to time, and communicate their observations to the Entomological Commission lately established by the U. S. on our behalf. This Commission will soon be in the field prosecuting its researches in the same direction. Then if what shall actually happen cannot be accounted for except by miracle, A MIRACLE LET IT BE."
It is plain from the remarks of this address, that if God answered the prayers of His people, causing in some way an end of the plague, even these infidels would confess that an Omnipotent Hand was at work. Like the Philistines of old they confessed, that in such a case, it was "not chance," but God Himself working to deliver those who called upon Him. But it is just as plain that they did not believe that such a thing could take place. They said as plainly and as loudly as they could proclaim it that "THERE IS NO GOD" (Ps. 14:1) What had long been entertained in their hearts they now openly confessed.
What therefore did take place? The day for prayer arrived. "The locusts were hatching rapidly. The unbelievers were sneering. But those who counted on God's power to help waited for Him. Did He disappoint them? In the large cities business was suspended; an air of solemnity pervaded the streets. Many who never before had been seen in a place of prayer went that day to bow before the God of Jacob. When the sun set, many said, 'We have left it with God; we can do no more.' "
What did God do? Did He hear their prayers?
"A remarkable change of weather occurred in twelve hours. Although it was the last week of April, and though the season had been the mildest for several years, there came that night a cold rain, changing to snow and frost. The storm lasted for two days. From the morning succeeding the Day of prayer hope revived. The scale turned in our favor, and though it had vibrated for three weary months, it was poised, as no one could deny, upon the day of prayer. From that date no infidels published papers; they issued no appeals,'and made no prophecies."
Those of the locusts which were not then killed by the cold, moved about for a short time through several sections of the country, but were apparently too weak to do any extensive damage. Finally they disappeared entirely. A remarkable fact in connection with their disappearance is that in that very year, the State gathered the largest wheat crop in its history up to that time. It was also the largest wheat crop of any State in the country, amounting to forty millions of bushels.
Thus the Lord heard and answered the cry of those who called upon Him in their distress, and showed mercy at the same time to those even who had expressed their unbelief in Him, and His willingness to deliver man in his misery and need. May the recounting of this striking instance of His goodness and care, cause many to turn afresh to. Him in these trying times. They will find that He is indeed the Living God, and that He honors those who honor Him.
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"' (Rom. 8:32). Wm. Huss