ngth, which he felt he needed so much in
conducting the affairs of the province over which he was called to
rule. Like all men who begin by praying much for themselves, his heart
was soon drawn out in prayer for others; and it is evident that he
interceded much for his enemies, as well as for those with whom he was
officially brought into contact. Thus in one letter he says: "I believe
very much in praying for others; it takes away all bitterness towards
them;" and on another occasion:--

[5] It is sometimes said that Gordon used to "toss up" when he
was in any doubt, and that such a step indicates want of faith in
prayer. As a matter of fact, he did appeal two or three times to
lot in this way, and he used to quote Acts i. 26 as a precedent;
but it is not true that he often decided questions thus, nor is
it true that he resorted to an appeal to lot instead of seeking
guidance in prayer. He would pray first, and ask God to indicate
His mind in this modern form of appeal to lot.

"The only remedy with me is to pray for every one who worries me;
it is wonderful what such prayer does. In heaven our Lord
intercedes for us, and He governs heaven and earth. Prayer for
others relieves our own burdens. God turned the captivity of Job
_when he prayed for his friends_, who had been as thorns in his
side. I feel strongly that the grace God gave me to pray for my
enemies in the Soudan led to my success, though I certainly used
the sword of Caesar on them."

Those who are opposed to the doctrine that salvation is not to be
obtained by human merit, but by simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
sometimes assert that the Gospel teaches people to be selfish, by
thinking first of their own salvation. As a matter of fact, the most
active Christians are those who hold this doctrine; and never has the
Church of our country been so fruitful of good works, as when her
children have been careful to make it clear that salvation is not to be
obtained by them. It is not selfishness for a man to think of his own
soul first, when he knows that he cannot do much good to others till
its salvation is assured. The happy combination between a natural
unselfishness, and a newly developed love for the temporal and
spiritual welfare of his fellow-creatures, had very blessed results in
Gordon's case. No sooner was he thoroughly convinced of the importance
of religion, than hi