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A wordy prayer may afford a quiet sense of self-justification,
though it makes the sinner a hypocrite.
We never need to despair of an honest heart; but
there is little hope for those who come only spasmodically
face to face with their wickedness and then seek to
hide it. Their prayers are indexes which do not correspond
with their character. They hold secret fellowship with
sin, and such externals are spoken of by Jesus as "like
unto whited sepulchres . . . full . . . of all uncleanness."
(Aspiration and love)
If a man, though apparently fervent and prayerful,
is impure and therefore insincere, what must be the
comment upon him? If he reached the
loftiness of his prayer, there would be no
occasion for comment. If we feel the aspiration, humility,
gratitude, and love which our words express, -
this God accepts; and it is wise not to try to deceive
ourselves or others, for "there is nothing covered that
shall not be revealed." Professions and audible prayers
are like charity in one respect, - they "cover the
multitude of sins." Praying for humility with whatever
fervency of expression does not always mean a
desire for it. If we turn away from the poor, we are
not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses
the poor. We confess to having a very wicked heart
and ask that it may be laid bare before us, but do
we not already know more of this heart than we are
willing to have our neighbor see?
(Searching the heart)
We should examine ourselves and learn what is the
affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way
only can we learn what we honestly are. If a
friend informs us of a fault, do we listen patiently
to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not
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