ot believe I ever was taught to say my prayers when a child. I do
not remember ever praying except the Lord's Prayer. I am interested in
our class, the teacher makes the lessons interesting. I like to hear
them discuss things. I always bow my head during prayer anywhere.
Sometimes I have thought I would pray for myself but I never have."

One of the most interesting papers is written by a young woman engaged
in rescue work for girls, or has talked personally with a great many
girls about prayer. She says:

"There was another girl with whom I talked one afternoon whose face I
can see clearly now. She was suffering from great remorse because of her
sin, for up to the time of her misfortune she had been 'a good girl.'
One of the workers suggested that she pray for strength and forgiveness.
'_Pray_,' she said bitterly. 'They told me that when I was a little girl
and went to Sunday-school. _Pray_. How can I talk to God? What would he
do for me? I tried last night when I couldn't sleep but _don't know what
to say_!'"

There was no natural turning to a strong sympathetic Friend and Father
on the part of these girls, or the twenty or more whose testimony I have
been looking over. Those who were trying to be Christians made it a
matter of duty to try to pray but it was irregular and forced; there
was no natural spontaneity about it. It wasn't real to them, it played
no vital part in life. In looking over the papers one is convinced of
the tremendous asset the girl has who from childhood has been trained to
turn to the Source of Strength when in fear or trouble or need and when
filled with the joy of living. A girl's life must be raised to a higher
plane by daily contact with the Highest. If she sincerely speaks but for
a moment to God, realizing his love, mercy, justice and righteousness,
it will not be as easy for her to be jealous, unkind, untrue or a
gossip. One covets for all girls this natural, spontaneous turning to
God which has seemed to come to so many through the Christian home and
its unconscious influence and instruction. Nothing can take the place of
the earnest daily prayer of a manly father, and the instruction of a
sweet, Christian mother. But the task which so many homes lays down the
community must take up. The public school _cannot_ cultivate the spirit
of prayer, and if the home does not, the church remains the only
possible agent through which it may be done. The Sunday-school teacher
is the church's most