a most excellent example of prayer, in cases where we do not know what the will of the Lord is. So long as there was any hope that the Lord would hear him, he fasted and wept and prayed, and refused to be comforted. But as soon as the Lord had decided the matter, and taken away the child, he submitted, with sweet resignation to the Divine will."

"But, mother, it seems to me that he did not show a right spirit before the child died."

"I think he did, my dear; he did not know certainly but the Lord might be entreated for the child; and until the will of the Lord was made known, he was not required to submit to it. But as soon as the Lord made known his will, so that there was no doubt about it, he was satisfied, and rose up and worshipped the Lord, who had afflicted him. And we should do the same. While there is any reason to hope that the Lord

will give us what we desire, we ought to pray as David did. But, when the Lord makes known his determination not to give us. what we ask, then we should be satisfied, and worship Him with humble submission. The Apostle Paul, also once prayed, without receiving what he asked for. He says, after he had seen a wonderful vision of the glory of God, there was given to him a thorn in the flesh, to keep him humble."

"What was that, mother?"

"I cannot tell you, my dear. It was something that was a trial to him, but he does not tell us what it was. He says he prayed to the Lord three times, to take it away from him; but the Lord refused to take it away, but told him he would give him grace to bear it. This was a case where the will of God was not made known; and Paul did right to pray; but you see that the general promises of God,

that he will answer the prayers of his people, did not apply to this case. He saw that it was not for the good of the apostle's own soul to give him what he asked; and so he did not do it. But the best example, to show how we should feel when we pray, is that of the Lord Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane. It was on that dreadful night when he was betrayed.

And he prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me! nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.' He submitted his will entirely to the will of his Father; yet he was 'in an agony, and prayed more earnestly,' 'with strong crying and tears.""

"And did not God hear his prayers, mother?"

"I suppose he did; for when Jesus raised up Lazarus from the dead, he said to the Father, 'I knew that thou hearest me always.' And St. Paul says, 'he was heard in that he feared:'

and St. Luke says, an angel came and strengthened him. But now, my dear, we have talked a long while. You may repeat your verse, and we will kneel down and pray, committing ourselves to the care of our kind heavenly Father, and then we will go to rest."

"Well, mother, I remember a verse that just suits what we have been talking about.

"O Lord, thy Holy Spirit give,

To teach me how to pray aright;
Whate'er amiss I ask, forgive,

And grant me favour in thy sight."

CHAPTER IV.

WE MUST PRAY IN FAITH.

"MOTHER, I want to hear more about prayer. Is there any thing more necessary, besides what you have told me, in order to pray aright?" "Yes, my dear, many more things

are necessary; but I will tell you but one of them now. WE MUST PRAY IN FAITH. St. James says, 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let

not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.'"

"What is it to ask in faith, mother? I do not understand it."

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My dear, I suppose you will never fully understand it, till you have experienced it yourself. The faith which is necessary, in order to have our prayers answered, is confidence in the promises of God: firmly believing that he will do just as he says. How do you feel, my dear, when I promise you any thing?"

"I feel certain that I shall have it;