Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/59

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DIARY.
53

self-confidence and security. "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.'

"Sunday, 9th. — Rose at ten minutes after seven. Text, 'If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.' What comfort, what consolation! O, Jesus, may I ever rest all my hopes on Thee. May I study to please Thee, and may thy word be my delight. Very happy all day. Was enabled to speak freely with the children at the class. They were more attentive than usual, Jesus, I would thank Thee for having answered my petition. I do not recollect ever being more free from wandering thoughts than on this day. Dr. Twining wrote me a note to say that as he was not well, he could not come to the class, but requested me to attend for him. Read 1 Peter ii., and prayed that God would assist me to expound it to the men. I felt very nervous about praying before so many — there being about twenty-four present and several of my brother officers. God did assist me, and I was enabled to pray, I trust, from my heart.

"18th. — Spoke to Jackson, of the Grenadiers. I was just kneeling down to pray, when I remembered that this was the class day at Dr. Twining's; hurried down there, and afterwards N— and I talked together rather unprofitably, and so the day passed by without a prayer since eight o'clock! This, has been the first day, since I made my rules, that I have forgotten to pray at noon as well as at morning and night. O Jesus, forgive me; and grant that as this is the first, so it may be the last time that I neglect to pray to Thee, the hearer and answerer of prayer.

"23rd. — * * * Lord Jesus, I would give myself up to be led by Thee in all things. Give me greater energy and zeal in the performance of my temporal duties. Enable me to please my Colonel, and yet to please Thee.