There can be no vigorous Christian life without prayer. Such of us as pray little too plainly show this. We content ourselves with a few general, and somewhat formal petitions, and what follows? We go into the world, but instead of imparting a Christian tone to the world, the world gives a secular tone to us; temptation comes, and we are basely defeated; opportunities of doing good come, but we try not to improve them; difficulties come, and we are worried; trials come, and we are fretful; we lay our plans without asking God's counsel; we become worldly, selfish, unbelieving; a blight comes over us; we fade like the leaves of autumn. And the prayers we do offer, of what quality are they? Where is the ladder between earth and heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending? Where are the glowing thanksgivings for prayer heard and mercies bestowed? If once it was different with us, how great has been our fall, and how urgent is the summons of our Lord: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

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