Appleton Chapel.

At Appleton Chapel last night Dr. Brooke Herford delivered an eloquent sermon on Paul's experience in prayer, II Corinthians XII, 7. He said:

What the thorn in Paul's side was no one knows. Whatever it was he most longed to have it removed. He besought the Lord three times to take it away, and though it did not depart, he never felt the failure of player. Paul's was the great test experience of prayer. It suggests three things especially, namely, what did he pray for; what answer did he get, and how he came to regard prayer?

He prayed for what he longed for most. So did Christ when at Gethsemane He said: "Father, let this cup pass from me." So should we all pray, and as we grow older the natural tendency will be to pray for things more spiritual. Use absolute sincerity in prayer, - that is the key note. The saving clause which should be in every prayer is "Thy will be done."

At first Paul got for his answer nothing. Then out of the silence came to him a thought that gradually shaped itself into the word of the Lord, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Nothing is more unphilosophical than the argument that prayer is merely reflective. Contact and influence is one of the interest realities of human existence. Why should not divine influence be more real? Paul came to regard it as very real.

Pray then as they have prayed who must have felt the power of prayer. Pray "Thy will be done."

Dr. Herford will conduct prayers for the last time this term today. Dr. Lyman Abbott will succeed him.

The choir sang the following anthems: Jerusalem, high tower, thy glorious walls - H. W. Parker; As now the sun's declining rays - Barnby; The radiant morn has passed away - Woodward.