CONCERNING PRAYER.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."]
venture to offer the following quotations from Holy Writ suggested by your review of the above. As to the best natures gaining by suffering : "Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well : and the pools are filled with water. They will go from strength to strength, and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Zion." As to the valour and steadfastness of so many at this time : " He will not be afraid of any evil tidings : for his heart standeth fast and believeth in the Lord." As to whether each human soul, or all men, know right from wrong by divinely inspired instinct : " This commandment which I command thee this day is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. . . . But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it." These words surely are true, and stand fast for ever and ever. Conscience, like every good and perfect gift, requires to be cultivated. Our lamp must be kept trimmed. As to prayer for material things ; we need not pray for them : " Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things, but seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." I venture to offer my opinion that our prayers should specially be for righteousness, and that we may understand the love of God, and the marvellous things that He has done for His in His love, and that wo may get these into our hearts. We should pray for the same blessings for our loved ones, and for the lost sheep ; such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being fast bound in misery and iron. I offer these thoughts in the hope " that they may help some who are asking their way to Mount Zion, with their faces thitherward," and some who are suffering in this grievous war, as the writer is.—I am,
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