dition of effectual prayer is not a highly spiritual frame, but asking. "Every one that asketh receiveth." In spite of all my deficiencies, that promise stands out clear. I cannot pray as I would. I know not what would really be a blessing for me. Yet would I ask in faith that Thy promise cannot fail, and that the answer will be, if not exactly what I ask, far better.

Holy Spirit, who, dwelling in the hearts of Thy people, makest intercession for them and with them, help me so to yield my soul entirely to Thy guidance that I may commune with my Father in heaven. Call in every wayward thought, and open Thou my lips that I may not be dumb when I strive to pray.

CHAPTER XII.

IN TIMES OF DISCOURAGEMENT.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul."-Ps. xlii. 11.

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NOT without cause was Joshua exhorted “Be strong and of good courage" (Josh. i. 6). And we are bidden, "Add to your faith virtue," or rather courage" (2 Peter i. 5) courage in trusting as well as in acting. The Tempter often tries to interrupt our walking with God by discouragement, by obscuring our view of God's loving purposes, and turning the eye of the soul away from Him upon ourselves; and this for the most part just when we are least expecting it. In the first joy of conscious reconciliation, or after some special answer to prayer, or when the love of Christ has been felt with constraining power, it seems impossible that the light should ever become dim. “In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Lord, by Thy favour

Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong." How can I ever cease to trust? How can I fail henceforth to lift up my heart in prayer, confident of a gracious answer?

With such confidence St. Peter stepped from the boat upon the sea of Galilee, and walked on the water to go to Jesus. It was a wonderful triumph of faith. After that, could there ever be room for doubt or hesitation? Alas! ere he reached the Lord he began to sink. He had not cast away his faith. But for the time his eye was drawn away from Jesus. Perhaps a feeling of exultation turned his thoughts upon himself as one highly favoured. Perhaps the strangeness of his position made him forget the power by which he was sustained. His consciousness of the Lord's present help was interrupted. His courage failed.

Of the same nature, though in very different outward circumstances, are the trials of faith which often beset Christians. The Tempter is ever on the watch; and just when the walk with God seems most close and unreserved, the

spiritual sky becomes overcast, we know not how or why. Have we mourned over dulness in prayer? But lately it was joy to open our hearts to God, to spread out our requests in confidence of being heard. Now the fountain of petition seems dried up. We can scarcely get beyond a beaten round of prayer. Our words seem to have lost their meaning. And the assurance of an answer no longer gives energy to our pleading.

Or it may be the deadness of our affection that casts us down. We have not ceased to hold the truths of the Gospel. We believe in the love of God, in redemption, in the power of the Holy Spirit; but there is no glow of thankfulness, no pouring forth of praise. Or it may be the wandering of our thoughts in the sanctuary, or just when we especially desire that they should be closely bound to the matter in hand. Again and again we recall them, only to find them flying off in some other direction. Or it may be the intrusion of self into our daily life, self-seeking where God should be supreme

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in the heart, and His will the only guide. thoughts of evil haunting the mind, and returning to vex us when we would fain have driven them away for ever.

Why, O God, am I thus tossed about? Why does the light thus become dim? Why am I thus the sport of a power which I hate? Why can I not retain that constant close communion with Thee, which is the greatest of all joys? "I said, this is my infirmity; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Lord." I know the fault is in myself. The law of sin still strives within me. Self is ever claiming my heart's worship. Yet by these things Thou art teaching me. There is a "need be" in these "manifold temptations" (1 Peter i. 6). Not one of these trials could have been safely spared. They are the lessons whereby I am taught to cease altogether from self. But for these, I might have been cast upon the rocks of spiritual pride. And in the darkest hour, like the beacon light across the waters, shines the gracious promise "Him that cometh unto