w, he points to the blooming balcony, saying, 'There is my summer's
beer.' The consequence of this sacrifice is that I am a grateful and
contented wife; and I do assure you (I being judge) that since beer is
turned into flowers, my husband is the most agreeable of mankind.

Yours very truly."

* * * * *

Original.

NEVER FAINT IN PRAYER.

"Men ought always to pray and not to faint."

So important is a spirit of prayer to mothers who are bearing the heat
and burden of the day, that we give for their encouragement a few devout
meditations by Rev. W. Mason, on the above passage. And though penned
towards the close of the last century, they have lost none of their
freshness or fragrance.

Christ opposes praying to fainting, for fainting prevents praying. Have
you not found it so? When weary and faint in your mind, when your
spirits are oppressed, your frame low and languid, you have thought this
is not a time for prayer; yea, but it is: pray _always_. Now is the time
to sigh out the burden of your heart and the sorrows of your spirit.
Now, though in broken accents, breathe your complaints into your
Father's ear, whose love and care over you is that of a tender and
affectionate father.

What makes you faint? Do troubles and afflictions? Here is a reviving
cordial. "Call upon me in the day of trouble, _I will deliver thee_, and
thou shalt glorify me." Ps. 50:15. Does a body of sin and death? Here is
a supporting promise. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
Jesus shall be saved." Rom. 10:13. Do we faint because we have called
and prayed again and again to the Lord against any besetting sin,
prevailing temptation, rebellious lust, or evil temper, and yet the Lord
has not given us victory over it? Still, says the Lord, pray
_always_--persevere, be importunate, faint not; remember that blessed
word, "my time is not yet come, but your time is always ready." John
7:6. "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Matt. 26:41. Note
the difference between being tempted and entering into temptation.

Perhaps you think your prayers are irksome to God, and therefore you are
ready to faint and to give over praying? Look at David; he begins to
pray in a very heartless, hopeless way, "How long wilt thou forget me, O
Lord, forever?" but see how he concludes; he breaks out in full vigor of
soul, "I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt