h is the kingdom of heaven."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE VALUE OF PRAYER.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

Mrs. Knowles's life, throughout, was characterized by great sincerity
and steadfastness of purpose. As an evidence of it, I will give a
sketch of her experience and work from her own pen, illustrating how
the closing hours of her life were chiefly devoted to "Gathering
Jewels" for Christ, as the secret of a truly beautiful life.

"In my field of labor I have met with much success and
encouragement, though, indeed, there are more cases very trying and
painful to witness, but _all difficulties can be encountered, and
many overcome, by prayer. I feel more and more the blessedness of
the privilege I enjoy in being permitted to labor for Christ in the
salvation of so many poor souls_, and in being the means of aiding
so many who are sick, cast down, and discouraged. How many there are
who neglect the house of prayer from the contagion of bad example
around them, and the want of a kind word of invitation, until the
habit becomes fixed, and it needs urging to remind them of their
duty? _I often think of the words of Christ_: '_Compel them to come
in_.' Yes, compulsion of the right kind is very needful, and a word
of interest and encouragement such a help. One poor woman whom I
visited a short time since, told me her lot was the hardest in the
world--that she had seven children all out of Christ. I told her not
to be disheartened; that if she could say God was her God, she could
say he was the God of her seed, and that Jesus had said: 'Whatsoever
ye shall ask in my name, believing, ye shall receive.' She said: 'I
have hoped so long, but now I am discouraged.' I told her the mother
of St. Augustine said she had prayed for fourteen long years for her
son, and her friend said to her: 'I tell you the subject of so many
long and earnest prayers cannot be lost.' And that son, of whom she
was then in search, and whom she met a short time afterward, was
then under deep conviction, and soon afterward brought to Christ,
and became an earnest and devoted minister; 'and you, my friend,
need not be discouraged, for the same Spirit can work as powerfully
on the hearts of your children as o