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TESTIMONY OF REV. H. B. BROWNING. 75

ings from the Lord, but by them on account of their own influence upon ourselves. This benefit is twofold. First: because true prayer reacts upon ourselves in confirming and increasing those spiritual graces which are exercised in prayer and find expression in its words. Second: because in true prayer we hold communion with God, and the effect of such communion is to conform us to the Divine image. It is an invariable principle operating with the certainty of cause and effect, that man by worshiping becomes assimilated to the object of his worship.

" Prayer will be ineffectual without practice — unless accompanied by our own endeavors to realize the blessings for which we pray. By prayer we seek from the Lord grace to overcome falsity and evil, and to grow in knowledge and in goodness. It is a means of grace, and must not be mistaken for the end. Of what use is it to pray for patience, if we do not try to curb our impatience? to pray for purity, if we continue to indulge in uncleanness? to pray for charity, if we foster unkindness and neglect to do charitable deeds? Prayer for Christian graces will be ineffectual^ unless at the same time we resist all evil as sin against the Lord. While a man from this motive strives against evil, prayer is a most efficacious means of attaining Divine help. It brings the soul into a state of humility, of

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