The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-03-23

which we bring before Him. We look
beyond the need wildly realized to be
sure, to Him who can meet it. and who we
believe will meet it. We first strive to
realize the need; then we lay hold of the
Divine help and mercy in prayer, which is
a coming Of the soul unto God-contact
with God, so to speak; the putting up OF
the cry, "Lord, have mercy upon me- or
"upon u.s. 'Lord, help me, +" Grant me
Thy Holy Spirit" 1t matters not so much
as to the precise wording of the petition, so
long as it he characterized by simplicity
and directness. The main point is the real
movement of the soul toward God with
the apprehension of what He is, and of His
readiness to answer our prayer. We may
use the same words time and time again if
they answer the purpose of bearing heaven
ward the petition. 1t is noticeable that
the Lords Prayer as given in St. Matthews
Gospel seems to take for granted a daily
use by the faithful. For in it occurs the
petition, GIVE us this day our daily
bread" And our Saviour, instead of
furnishing fresh model of prayer on the
occasion when the request is preferred,
Teach us to pray" enunciates anew that
provided in the sermon on the Mount, with
some little variation.
We read of Him that at the time His
burdened soul sought relief in prayer at
Gethsemane He was content to make use a
second time of the words already uttered.
We may say that it is law of our spiritual
being that old. familiar words, words that
have been hallowed by long use and by
sacred associations supply an apter media
ton for devotional expression, than such as
are newly framed for the particular occa-
sion. We cling to old hymns. with the
tunes which we have learned to associate
with them; to an unchanging Bible. There
is power in the familiar landscape which
our eyes have gazea upon from childhood $
years. We give expression to our hearts
affection in the familiar phrase to which
the lips have become accustomed OF long
time; and it falls like music on the ears Of
those beloved. So in the higher relation
We care not to study novelty of expression
where we draw near to God who loves US,
whom we adore, in whom we trust. We
say 1.-THE old is better" and especially
when the old familiar prayers and Psalms,
tho lofty m n,,,,,, tn bnll h,-
the use Of generations of Gods saints, who
have entered into the rest of the church
eXpectant, of those with whom we have
ourselves worshipped in by-gone days
SO we say that the continuous, the habit
ual use OF the same words in prayer, like
the singing Of familiar hymns, is no hin.
drance, but help to devotion, where there
is the disposition to worship Sin Spirit and
in truth" We can give new meaning to
the familiar words which serve as the
vehicle Of devotion whether in the Church's
public prayers or in our daily private
recourse to God. We listen attentively to
the reading of the Lessons in the appointed
order, and so are the petitions which follow
invested with new significance. Or we
connect with our prayers the thought OF
the pal ticular Church season and its teach
ing; or of the lessons conveyed as to the
need at home and abroad, in the passing
history of the Church, and in the existing
conditions OF the work within the parish.
Events OF recent occurrence in our own
neighborhood may give special point to the
petition offered in familiar phrase. Then
there are the changing phases of our own
personal life, the temptations and trials Of
the passing hour which help to give new
protection. His word to us, His written
word, is couched in unchanging phrase.
But the Bible appears ever in new lights
to the devout and earnest student 1t is
like the familiar landscape as seen by the
broad light Of day, Or as bathed in the
beams of the full-orbed moon.
The Lords Prayer, an object lesson,
indeed, furnished by the great Teacher of
men, impresses upon us the lesson that our
PRAYER should be characterized by direct
ness. that the central idea of prayer is
movement of the soul towards God. with
the thought fixed upon Him above all,
Him whom we may call ''Our Father"
through the one Mediator and Advocate,
who conducts us into His presence. and
who Himself responds to the call of the
needy, as when He was upon earth. We
may be helped in our own personal devo-
tons by the simple language Of the Prayer
Book, of Collect, or Ltany supplication,
simple and direct and that keeps the souls
gaze fixed upon Him who is all wise. all
powerful and ALLOWING
The prayer which our blessed Lord has
taught us reminds us that the glory OF God,
His honor. the extension of Christ king.
dom, the diffusion of the knowledge OF
redeeming love, should be our frs thought.
For we are taught to say, 'Hallowed be
Thy Name, before Offering the petitions
that look to the supply of our daily bread
and other provision for our creaturely need.
Again, it is prayer which teaches the ever
needed lesson of charity For we ask to he