r offered in these times of
greatest need always prove a blessing to the spiritual life. Our own dear
children could save themselves from much chastisement by obedience. Thus
the children of God would doubtless be spared many an affliction if they
were more strictly obedient to him.

How often should we pray? David says, "Evening, and morning, and at noon,
will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." Psa. 55:17. Again
he says, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous
judgments." Psa. 119:164. The apostle Paul exhorts us to "pray without
ceasing." 1 Thes. 5:17. We do not understand by this last text that the
Christian is to be constantly in an attitude of prayer. No one can
reasonably demand such a strict interpretation. For constant spiritual
growth we should follow the example of the holy prophets and apostles and
have regular daily visits to our altar of prayer. Beside this if you
desire the beautiful character of Christ to unfold in your soul and life
you should be careful to constantly maintain a prayerful frame of spirit.
How often one should go within their closet, circumstances must decide.
Where circumstances afford much time for prayer we assure you to be no
loser by living much behind your closed door.

The spiritual man may be compared to the physical man in a sense, or to a
certain extent. The physical man demands food for its sustenance. It
feasts at the breakfast table, then goes, using the strength derived in
performing the vocations of life. In a few hours there will be a demand
for more, as the force of the former meal is spent. "But man shall not
live by bread alone." The soul feasts upon the life of God in prayer and
is strengthened, you then engage in the duties of life. In a short time
you will feel the pangs of hunger in your soul. There is a longing for a
deep communion with God. This is your best guide as to how often you
should pray if your soul is in a good healthy state. It may not be
convenient for you to go into your closet every time you feel your soul
"panting after God," but you can lift up your heart to him in the best
manner you can under the circumstances, and then go and feast at your
private altar at your very earliest convenience.

The physical and spiritual man differ with respect to overeating. Too much
food is injurious to the animal man, but the danger of surfeiting was not
spoken of the soul. The inner man may feast and banquet and drink of
spi