If a man, though apparently fervent and prayerful, is impure, and therefore insincere, what must be the comment upon him?  If he had reached the loftiness of his prayer, there would be no occasion for such comment.  If we feel the aspiration, humility, gratitude, and love which our words express—­this God accepts; and it is wise not to try to deceive ourselves or others, for “there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed.”  Professions and audible prayers are like charity in one respect—­they “cover a multitude of sins.”  Praying for humility, with whatever fervency of expression, does not always mean a desire for it.  If we turn away from the poor, we are not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses the poor.  We confess to having a very wicked heart, and ask that it may be laid bare before us; but do we not already know more of this heart than we are willing to have our neighbor see?

We ought to examine ourselves, and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart; for this alone can show us what we honestly are.  If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen to the rebuke patiently, and credit what is said?  Do we not rather give thanks that we are “not as other men?” During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke.  The sting lies in unmerited censure—­in the falsehood which does no one any good.

The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these questions:  Do we love our neighbor better because of this asking?  Do we pursue the old selfishness, satisfied with having prayed for something better, though we give no evidence of the sincerity of our requests by living consistently with our prayer?  If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty by simply asking that it may be done.  There is a cross to be taken up, before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.

Dost thou “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind?” This command includes much—­even the surrender of all merely material sensation, affection, and worship.  This is the El Dorado of Christianity.  It involves the Science of Life, and recognizes only the divine control of Spirit, wherein Soul is our master, and material sense and human will have no place.

Are you willing to leave all for Christ, for Truth, and so be counted among sinners?  No!  Do you really desire to attain this point?  No!  Then why make long prayers about it, and ask to be Christians, since you care not to tread in the footsteps of our dear Master?  If unwilling to follow His example, wherefore pray with the lips that you may be partakers of His nature?  Consistent prayer is the desire to do right.  Prayer means that we desire to, and will, walk in the light so far as we receive it, even though with bleeding footsteps, and waiting patiently on the Lord, will leave our real desires to be rewarded by Him.