Chapter I - Prayer
4:1
divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingrati-
divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingrati-
tude of barren lives.
Efficacious petitions
4:3
What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire
What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire
for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness,
love, and good deeds. To keep the com-
mandments of our Master and follow his
example, is our proper debt to him and the only
worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has
done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to
express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has
said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
4:12
The habitual struggle to be always good is unceas-
The habitual struggle to be always good is unceas-
ing prayer. Its motives are made manifest in the
blessings they bring, – blessings which, even if not
acknowledged in audible words, attest our worthiness
to be partakers of Love.
Watchfulness requisite
4:17
Simply asking that we may love God will never
Simply asking that we may love God will never
make us love Him; but the longing to be better
and holier, expressed in daily watchful-
ness and in striving to assimilate more of
the divine character, will mould and fashion us
anew, until we awake in His likeness. We reach the
Science of Christianity through demonstration of the
divine nature; but in this wicked world goodness
will "be evil spoken of," and patience must bring
experience.
Veritable devotion
4:27
Audible prayer can never do the works of spiritual
Audible prayer can never do the works of spiritual
understanding, which regenerates; but silent prayer,
watchfulness, and devout obedience enable
us to follow Jesus' example. Long prayers,
superstition, and creeds clip the strong pinions of love,
and clothe religion in human forms. Whatever mate-
5:1
rializes worship hinders man's spiritual growth and keeps
rializes worship hinders man's spiritual growth and keeps
him from demonstrating his power over error.
Sorrow and reformation
5:3
Sorrow for wrong-doing is but one step towards reform
Sorrow for wrong-doing is but one step towards reform
and the very easiest step. The next and great step re-
quired by wisdom is the test of our sincerity,
– namely, reformation. To this end we are
placed under the stress of circumstances. Temptation
bids us repeat the offence, and woe comes in return for
what is done. So it will ever be, till we learn that there
is no discount in the law of justice and that we must pay
"the uttermost farthing." The measure ye mete "shall
be measured to you again," and it will be full "and run-
ning over."
5:14
Saints and sinners get their full award, but not always
Saints and sinners get their full award, but not always
in this world. The followers of Christ drank his cup.
Ingratitude and persecution filled it to the brim; but God
pours the riches of His love into the understanding and
affections, giving us strength according to our day. Sin-
ners flourish "like a green bay tree;" but, looking farther,
the Psalmist could see their end, – the destruction of sin
through suffering.
Cancellation of human sin
5:22
Prayer is not to be used as a confessional to cancel sin.
Prayer is not to be used as a confessional to cancel sin.
Such an error would impede true religion. Sin is forgiven
only as it is destroyed by Christ, – Truth and
Life. If prayer nourishes the belief that sin is
cancelled, and that man is made better merely by praying,
prayer is an evil. He grows worse who continues in sin
because he fancies himself forgiven.
Diabolism destroyed
5:29
An apostle says that the Son of God [Christ] came to
An apostle says that the Son of God [Christ] came to
"destroy the works of the devil." We should
follow our divine Exemplar, and seek the de-
struction of all evil works, error and disease included.