while they live as selfishly as before and dig deep into the things concerning the unrighteous mammon.  In so doing they fail to experience the blessings of the kingdom, and also misrepresent the kingdom to the world.  The word first means not only first in time, but first in importance; and this idea of importance must ever be held before us, not only when we enter the kingdom, but throughout our whole Christian life.  We are to hold the kingdom of righteousness first in all our lives.  If we hold God first in everything and consider what will be to his glory before we consider our own, we give God a chance to fulfil his word, and his own good pleasure in us will be accomplished.  We then place ourselves in the order of his plan where it will be possible for him to do as he has promised.

The salvation life means an unselfish life.  We are not to seek selfish glory in anything, but seek the glory of God first—­above everything else.  It has been remarked concerning certain ones who were struggling for an earthly existence, that if they would only get saved “all these things” (all earthly necessities) would be added unto them.  But it is not those who merely get saved that can claim this promise; it is those who keep saved and carry out the principles of the plan of righteousness.  “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” in everything.  Lose your own individuality in God, consign your all to him, live for his glory in all your life, then “all these things shall be added unto you.”

PRAYER.

Upon this subject and the one following I have written in other works very similarly to this; but since these subjects are so well adapted to a work of this nature I can hardly feel willing to leave them out.  If you have read very similar words to these in other productions of mine, I hope the rereading of the subjects will not be time spent to no profit.

The value of prayer can hardly be estimated.  Unless you are willing to take up a life of prayer and keep it until the close, you had just as well not take up the Christian profession.  Without prayer you will die.  Some one has expressed it thus: 

“Prayer is our life, our soul’s triumphant wings, The arm that holds the shield and hand that takes the crown; Along the line on which a thousand faithful prayers ascend, Surely God doth send ten thousand blessings down.”

What an honor it is to have audience with the King of glory!  He extends the golden scepter to us, and we come hopefully, confidingly, into his presence and tell him all that is in our hearts.  It is only because we comprehend something of his great love to us that we venture to come into his presence.  Who would not consider it a great honor and blessed privilege to be admitted into the courts of the lords and the kings of earth?  The greatest honor bestowed upon man is the privilege of coming into the presence