g to the will of
God, this was particularly a case for the Lord to direct me through this
means. For here was one of His children in need, looking up to his Father
to help him, through the lot, out of his difficulty, and this His child
also on a journey in His service. I drew the lot and went the way to the
left. After some time I found I was on the wrong road. Now, at last, as I
did not know how to get into the right one, I did what I ought to have
done before, and what I believe to be a scriptural way of acting; I prayed
that the Lord graciously would send some one to put me into the right way;
and almost immediately a carriage came up, and I was directed
on my journey.

In one other instance I used the lot some years after. It concerned a
most important matter, important for my whole life. I had then a degree of
conviction, that I ought prayerfully and patiently to wait for the Lord's
decision. But my natural mind would have the decision at once, and thus
after prayer I drew the lot, to have the matter in one way or other
settled. But facts turned out completely different from what the lot
decided.

To ascertain the Lord's will we ought to use scriptural means. Prayer,
the word of God, and His Spirit should be united together. We should go to
the Lord repeatedly in prayer, and ask Him to teach us by His Spirit
through His word. I say, by His Spirit through His word. For if we should
think that His Spirit led us to do so and so, because certain facts are so
and so, and yet His word is opposed to the step which we are going to
take, we should be deceiving ourselves.

For instance: A brother in business thinks he ought to leave the house in
which he lives, because it is not in a good situation. He wishes to know
the Lord's mind, as he says, and prays about the matter. After a few days,
unexpectedly, a house is offered to him without seeking after it, in a
much better situation. The house is very suitable, as he thinks; the rent
very moderate; and moreover the person who offers him the house tells him,
that, because he is a believer he will let him have it at this cheap rent.
There is, however, this scriptural objection in the way. If he goes into
this house, he must carry on so large a business, to cover his expenses,
that his time will be so occupied as to encroach upon those hours, which
ought to be devoted to his spiritual interests. Now the scriptural way of
deciding would be this: No situation, no business will b