Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/200

 selves in  the  presence  of  God,  and  by  means of prayer,  to  hold  loving  intercourse  with Him? He who  prays  not  at  all,  or  who  does not pray  well,  is  separated  from  God  whilst here below,  and  will  not  be  admitted  to  His presence in  heaven.

6. Cling  firmly,  my  young  friend,  to  the ladder which  reaches  to  heaven;  by  this means ascend  to  God. And if  at  times  weariness and  aridity  creep  over  you,  shake  off this drowsiness  and  say  to  yourself:  "I  have not  yet  reached  heaven;  one  unfortunate  moment may  prove  my  eternal  perdition,  therefore I  must  pray."

Impressed with  this  truth,  you  will  be  more zealous in  saying  your  morning  prayers,  and throughout the  day  will  more  frequently  raise your mind  to  God;  you  will  never  neglect to attend  public  worship;  you  will  never  lie down to  sleep  without  having  in  prayer  bewailed the  faults  of  the  past  day. Before all things you  must  constantly  beseech  God  to bestow  on  you  the  gift  of  prayer.

Teach, Lord,  Thy  servant  how  to  pray, To make  my  needs  known  unto  Thee  each  day? Then, when  my  heart  is  raised  to  Thee  on  high Grant me  to  feel  that  Thou  art  truly  nigh.

With Keble  say: