tinued to beseech Jesus to have mercy on her, although he
did not answer her a word. The disciples entreated Christ to send her
away, because she troubled them with her cries; yet she persevered. And
even when Christ himself told his disciples that he was only sent to the
lost sheep of the house of Israel, and compared her to a dog seeking for
the children's bread; yet, with all these repulses, she would not give
up her suit; but begged even for the dog's portion--the children's
crumbs. When by this means our Lord had sufficiently tried her faith, he
answered her prayer. So likewise persevere in your prayers, and "in due
time you shall reap, if you faint not!"

Your affectionate Brother.

LETTER VI.

_Temptation._

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." MATT 26:41.

MY DEAR SISTER,

That there is an evil spirit, who is permitted to exert an influence
upon the hearts of men, is abundantly evident from Scripture. This truth
is referred to in the beginning of the gospel of Christ, where it is
said Jesus went up into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. He
is often represented in the Scriptures as the father of the wicked. "The
tares are the children of the wicked one." "Thou child of the devil." He
is also represented as putting evil designs into the hearts of men. "And
Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel."
"The devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son,
to betray him." "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart, to lie to the
Holy Ghost?" Wicked men are spoken of as being carried captive by him at
his will. He is also represented as the adversary of the people of God,
seeking to lead them into sin, and, if possible, to destroy them. "Your
adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he
may devour." These, and numerous other passages, which might be quoted,
fully establish the fearful truth, that we are continually beset by an
evil spirit, who is seeking, by every means in his power, to injure and
destroy our souls.

When we have to contend with an enemy, it is very important that we
should know his character. From the Scriptures, we learn several
characteristics of the great enemy of our souls.

1. _He is powerful._ He has other fallen spirits at his command. Our
Saviour speaks of the "fire prepared for the devil _and his angels_." He
is called "prince of the world," "p