t
of tune. I feel it is far better to begin with God--to see his
face first--to get my soul near Him before it is near another.
'When I awake I am still with Thee.'

"If I have slept too long, or am going an early journey, or my
time is any way shortened, it is best to dress hurriedly, and
have a few minutes alone with God, than to give it up for lost.

"But in general, it is best to have at least one hour _alone
with God_, before engaging in anything else. At the same time, I
must be careful not to reckon communion with God by minutes or
hours, or by solitude. I have pored over my Bible, and on my
knees for hours, with little or no communion; and my times of
solitude have been often times of greatest temptation.

"As to _intercession_, I ought daily to intercede for my own
family, connections, relatives, and friends; also for my
flock,--the believers, the awakened, the careless; the sick, the
bereaved; the poor, the rich; my elders, Sabbath-school
teachers, day-school teachers, children, tract-distributors,
that all means may be blessed--Sabbath-day preaching and
teaching; visiting of the sick, visiting from house to house;
providences, sacraments. I ought daily to intercede briefly for
the whole town, the Church of Scotland, all faithful ministers;
for vacant congregations, students of divinity, etc.; for dear
brethren by name; for missionaries to Jews and Gentiles, and for
this end I must read missionary intelligence regularly, and get
acquainted with all that is doing throughout the world. It would
stir me up to pray with the map before me. I must have a scheme
of prayer, also the names of missionaries marked on the map. I
ought to intercede at large for the above on Saturday morning
and evening from seven to eight. Perhaps also I might take
different parts for different days; only I ought daily to plead
for my family and flock. I ought to pray in everything. 'Be
careful for nothing, but in _everything_ ... by prayer and
supplication, make your requests known unto God.' Often I
receive a letter asking to preach, or some such request. I find
myself answering before having asked counsel of God. Still
oftener a person calls and asks me something, and I do not ask
direction. Often I go out to visit a sick person in a hurry,
without asking his blessing, which alone can make the visit of
any use. I am