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74 A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

Lord from the desire to be and to do good, opens the soul to a Divine influx which will gradually change the character of our motives. The obedience which at first seemed hard, will, when the love of goodness becomes our ruling principle of action, be found a joyous service. We enter into harmony with the Lord, and find that ' his commandments are not grievous,' and that * in keeping of them there is great reward.' " (p. 172.)

PRAYER.

"Prayer is not needed to inform the omniscient Lord of our wants; ' for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.' Matt, v: 8. Neither can it avail to change the purpose of the All-wise, or to make the All-loving more gracious and willing to bless than He was before. But though prayer does not effect any change in the Lord, yet it does effect a most important change in man. In true prayer the face of man's spirit is turned toward the Lord, and the mind and heart of the petitioner are opened to receive from the Lord the blessings adapted to his state.

"Besides making us receptive of grace which the Lord is ever willing to bestow, there is in prayer itself a reflex benefit. We are the better for our prayers, not only through them as a means of receiving bless-

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