All have sins to be forgiven. The holiest need daily to wash their feet; but how many suffer a vague phrase to cover over many a particular sin which should be distinctly realized, and bewailed and repented of as a sin. The second part of the clause is fitted to call forth the recollection of a very commonly forgotten class of sin. "As we forgive them that trespass against us." Who can use this petition, or pray after this manner, without feeling often very sharply the prickings of self-reproach, as the names of some alienated friend, or some associate of whose fault we cherish an exaggerated remembrance, recur to our minds? The language "as we forgive" brings conviction to many of our hearts that we have not done all we could to manifest good-will, to remove misapprehension,— that our forgiveness has been a lame and stiff thing, most unlike the wise and ungrudging forgiveness of God. He melts away the cloud of sin which we placed between our hearts and Him. Have we tried to get rid

of the cloud in our hearts which dulls affection towards a brother? Have we striven, by kindness or generous forgetfulness, to dissipate the cloud which chills their hearts' love to us? It will not do for us to let these questionings and convictions die. We must distinctly recognize the shortcoming, and definitely set ourselves to pray against it, and to forsake it. The recognition of these faults and sins is painful; but better far is this pain, than a shallow and false ease of mind. The pain of seeing wherein we have failed and fallen is an incentive and aid to amendment, and brings us that knowledge and experience of ourselves which are stepping-stones to the higher, holier, and happier life. But this insight into our infirmities and sins is never largely gained when we content ourselves with vague and desultory prayers.

These hints and thoughts are chiefly de

signed to lead to some reflection upon the great value of method in our prayers. Mere formality chokes devotion; but true system

aids it.

Constancy and perseverance in prayer is stimulated by the observance of some few rules, which careful self-examination and heart-watchfulness have suggested; for thus we can note from time to time our progress, check our short-comings, survey our conduct, and glean that self-knowledge which compels us in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make known our requests to God (Phil. iv. 6).

IX.

Suggestive Outlines.

THOSE who pray have sins to confess-wants to tell-friends and acquaintances to pray for-mercies to be thankful for. Illustrations of these various divisions of prayer may be plentifully found in Scripture and elsewhere. But it may not be amiss to append in this concluding chapter suggestive passages, prayers, and hymns, illustrative of these divisions of prayer.

Some may find these useful as hints; and all may derive encouragement in their own prayers from noting the way in which their predecessors in the faith wrestled and wept in their prayers. But to none are they intended to be more than suggestive; for though we are all alike in need of prayer, yet all have needs which none but themselves can shape into prayer.

I.-CONFESSION.

"I WILL arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."-Luke xv. 18, 19.

READ--Nehemiah i. 4-11; Psalm li.

Prayer.

ALMIGHTY GOD, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against Thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly Thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please Thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of Thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LORD, when we bend before Thy throne,
And our confessions pour,

Teach us to feel the sins we own,
And hate what we deplore.

Our broken spirits, pitying, see;

And penitence impart ;

And let a kindling glance from Thee

Beam hope upon the heart.

When we disclose our wants in prayer,

May we our wills resign;

And not a thought our bosom share

Which is not wholly Thine.

Let faith each meek petition fill,

And waft it to the skies;

And teach our hearts 'tis goodness still
That grants it, or denies.