Here
is more from Safed the Sage, by William E. Barton; 1919. Space
forces me to edit and digest, but the style of the original work
is preserved, including profuse use of capital letters. I am
quoting from books borrowed from Larimore White, grandson of the
well-known T. B. Larimore.
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There
came one to me and said, 0 Safed, I am told that thou art a wise
man and also a righteous man. And I answered, The two are not
wholly incompatible; if men say such things concerning me I must
be the more mindful of my folly and my unworthiness.
And
he said, Dost thou believe in the power of prayer?
Forasmuch
as he knew very well what I believed, I answered him as I answer
men when I desire that they shall make the Next Move. And I said
unto him, Whether thou hast come to be enlightened, or hast come
to enlighten me, say on, for the sunlight is scarce.
And
he said, I believe that God answereth every prayer. Dost thou so
believe? And I answered, Yea; and sometimes He answereth Yea,
and sometimes He answereth Nay.
And
he said, There is no Nay with the Almighty when the prayer of
faith is answered. And I said, It is well that all men pray the
prayer of faith. But the prayer of faith is still the prayer of
human understanding; and although the faith be perfect, the
wisdom may be scant. Wherefore, if God must needs say Yea to
every fool prayer, then would I desire to
