not be burned; how that he will withhold no good
thing from us, but will cause all things to work for our good; how that he
bears our burdens and shelters us beneath his wing. The Bible is the
Christian's guide to a haven of rest; to make sure he is traveling in the
right course, he must study it well. He must run the way of its
commandments. To be a fruitful Christian he must search it and be a doer
of its precepts, ever gaining knowledge and practising what he knows. Ah,
my Bible! it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway.

Precious volume, ever lie
Very near my heart and eye;
All the precepts of thy page
Ever shall my soul engage.

Prayer.

Prayer has brought a comfort to many a sorrowing heart. It has wiped away
many a tear. Prayer is the Christian's stronghold. There can be no real
progress in the divine life without earnest prayer. A decline in spiritual
life usually begins at the secret closet. Satan knows what a powerful
weapon prayer is in the hands of a saint. As Cowper has said,

Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

The Bible says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much." Jas. 5:16.

Prayer to be effectual must be offered, in faith. The prayer of faith has
accomplished wonders in every age of the world. It has stopped the mouths
of lions. It has subdued kingdoms, obtained promises, quenched the
violence of fire, and escaped the edge of the sword. By the prayer of
faith the weak have become strong and turned to flight the armies of the
aliens. The weak child of God by prayer develops into strong manhood. When
engaged in a severe contest with the enemy of your soul the prayer of
faith draws upon the strength of heaven and thus you become stronger in
God. In a time of heavy and sore trials by looking upward unto God in
confidence we conquer. For this reason the trial of our faith is more
precious than gold. "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24. "If ye abide in
me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be
done unto you." John 15:7. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask
anything in my name, I will do it." John 14:13, 14. "Hitherto have ye
asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be
full." "And whatsoe