rewarded with a foretaste of the joys of heaven. Prayer is his Jacob's ladder, which keeps him in constant communication with God. It is the very heart of his religion, to which churches, altars, priests, etc., are but accessories. In religious work, prayer is an absolutely essential instrument, for whosoever have done great things for God or humanity, or raised themselves to eminent sanctity — all were men of prayer. In a word, the man devoid of prayer is more helpless even than the Gospel mute, and by prayer alone can his faculties be restored to speak and act aright.
Brethren, to realize prayer's necessity were futile without an earnest effort to master the proper method of prayer. " You ask," says St. James, " and you receive not, because you ask amiss." Granted, therefore, that the mind and heart are essential factors in our devotions, know that every prayer should consist of five parts: preparation, study, thought, thanksgiving, and petition. On a proper preparation depends almost the entire fruit of that holy exercise wherein we speak to God and God speaks to us. Were you spokesman of a committee sent to petition the President on some important subject, what care would you not give to the manner of your address! And will we, entering God's presence on a matter of infinite concern to ourselves, be less solicitous? Will not our boorishness pique the Lord's patience, or our slow stammering put His mercy to sleep? " Before praying," says the Holy Spirit, " prepare thy soul, and be not as a man that tempt-
