tion; and you might also couple with it Self-examination, specifying any particular sins which beset you, and any graces which are lacking in

you.

This would give a point and meaning to your prayers, which they would not otherwise have; and it would also make them far more interesting to you than they would otherwise be.

But though it is very desirable to have stated times for devotion, yet, if your soul is spiritually alive, you will not be content with this. Just as when a Friend whom you really love is with you, you will not be satisfied with speaking to him at mealtime, or at other stated periods, but you will be constantly wishing to converse with him; so it will be with you, if you feel God to be your Father, and Jesus to be your Friend.

You

will be constantly longing to hold intercourse with Him who is so unspeakably dear to you. You will be constantly lifting up your heart to Him in short, broken prayers.

There are, be assured, " many hindrances in coming to the mercyseat"-hindrances too from which you, my sick Brother or Sister, are by no means free. Be not cast down then, if you experience them. I have tried to give you a little help. But above all I would tell you that "The Holy Spirit helpeth our infirmities." Ask Him to afford you the needed assistance, to give you a prayerful frame of mind, and to teach you what to ask, and how to ask it.

Truly your sickness will not be in vain, if during the hours of confinement you gain this one good habitthe habit of prayer. It will grow

For a

upon you more and more. praying spirit, once formed during the season of illness, may become a blessed habit through life, never to be laid aside.

CHAPTER VII.

THE BIBLE THE BEST COMPANION.

THERE are many

books which may be

ness.

read with profit in the days of sickBut there is one Book better than them all. I mean God's own Book, the Bible. Other books are from men: this is from God. "who teacheth like Him?"

And

Many a sick person wishes to read his Bible, but is a little perplexed, and scarcely knows when or where to begin. It may be said, Is not the Bible all good? Is it not all profitable? Yes; but there are some parts of it more especially suitable to you in your present state.

I will take it for granted that you wish to profit by your illness; that God's Word is precious to you; and that you desire to make it your companion in your sick-room. I will try then and meet your case: be one of these two

it

may

First, I will suppose you want some Instruction in the Leading Doctrines of the Gospel. If so, I would advise you, provided your strength is equal to it, to follow some such course as this-

1. Read Gen. i. and ii. Here you will see that man was created in a state of innocence and holiness-after God's image.

2. Read Gen. iii., where the sad history of our fall is related.

3. Read Gen. vi., where we learn the awful wickedness of men, when sin had once entered into the world.

4. Look at a few of the leading