January 8

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.—JAMES v, 16.

What wond'rous grace! who knows its full extent!

A creature, dust and ashes, speaks with God;

Tells all his woes, enumerates his wants,

Yea, pleads with Deity, and gains relief.

'Tis prayer, yes, 'tis effectual, fervent prayer

Puts dignity on worms, proves life divine,

Makes demons tremble, breaks the darkest cloud,

And, with a princely power, prevails with God.

And shall this privilege become a task?

My God forbid! pour out Thy Spirit's grace,

Draw me by love, and teach me how to pray.

Yea, let Thy holy unction from above,

Beget, extend, maintain my intercourse,

With Father, Son, and Spirit, Israel's God,

Until petitions are exchanged for praise. IRONS.

The tie that connects the prayer and its answer is a religious tie, and we are thus reminded that it is only when the prayer is spiritual that it can be expected to bring with it the anticipated blessings. Nor should it be overlooked that God does not only answer, but can answer it with such an opportuneness of time, place, and mode that when the blessing comes it is as if it had dropped immediately from heaven. God sometimes delays the answer that it may be the more beneficent when it comes. The stream is made to turn and wind that it may receive contributions from every valley which it passes, and all to flow more largely into the bosom at last. When God's plans ripen slowly it is that the fruit may be the richer and mellower. Hence it is that the royal munificence of His bounty knows no limits at last. "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." JAMES MCCOSH.