J. Wilbur Chapman wrote to a friend about an encounter with Praying Hyde.
I have learned some great lessons concerning prayer. At one of our missions in England the audience was exceedingly small, but I received a note saying that an American missionary was going to beseech the Lord on behalf of our work. The man was known as Prying Hyde. Almost immediately the tide changed. Crowds began to pack the hall, and many accepted Christ as their Saviour.
Meeting Mr. Hyde later, I said, Brother, I want you to pray for me personally. He came to my room, turned the key in the door and dropped to his knees. He waited five minutes without a single syllable coming from his lips. I felt hot tears as they began running down my face. Although he had said nothing, I knew I was in the presence of God. Then with up turned face and with eyes streaming, he said, O God! And was still again. When he seemed to sense that he was in full communion with the Lord, there came from the depths of his heart petitions such as I had never heard. I rose from my knees to know what real prayer was!