t God, and forget itself--if
it can?--God forbid; God forbid. The Catechism leaves such teaching for
those Pharisees who tell little children that unless they are converted,
and become as them, they shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of
heaven. The Catechism says, My good child--not, My bad child--know this.
Know that thou art weak: but know that God is strong; and look up to Him
as the Father of all fathers, the Teacher of all teachers, the Helper of
all helpers, the Friend of all friends, who has I called thee unto His
kingdom of grace, that He might shew thee graciousness; and make thee
gracious and graceful in all thy thoughts, and works, and ways: and,
therefore, far from trying to hide from Him, call on Him with diligent
prayer. For the Father of all fathers is the Father of thy soul, the Son
of all sons died for thee upon the Cross, the Holy Spirit of all holy
spirits will make thee a holy spirit and person, even as He is a Holy
Spirit and Person Himself.

Believing those words, no one will dare to forget to say his prayers. For
when he prays, he is indeed a person. He is himself; and not ashamed,
however sinful, to be himself; and to tell God about himself. Oh, think
of that. You, each of you, have a right, as God's children, to speak to
the God who made the universe. Therefore be sure, that when you dislike
to say your prayers, it is because you do not like to be what you are, a
person; and prefer--ah foolish soul--to be a thing, and an animal.

Believing those words, no man need long to forget himself, to escape from
himself. He can lift up himself to God who made him, with reverence, and
fear, and yet with gratitude and trust, and say--

I, Lord, am I; and what I am--a very poor, pitiful, sinful person. But
Thou, Lord, art Thou; and what Thou art--happily for me, and for the
whole universe--Perfect. Thou art what Thou oughtest to be--Goodness
itself. And therefore Thou canst, and Thou wilt, make me what I ought to
be at last, a good person. To thee, O Lord, I can bring the burden of
this undying I, which I carry with me, too often in shame and sadness,
and ask Thee to help me to bear it; saying--"Thou knowest, Lord, the
secrets of our hearts. Shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayers: but
spare us, O Lord most Holy, O God most Mighty, Thou worthy Judge Eternal,
and suffer us not, for any temptation of the world, the flesh or the
devil, to fall from Thee." Guide me, teach me, strengthen me