a degree as to make it susceptible to the slightest impression of the
Holy Spirit.

In the creation, the moral being was given the capability of being
influenced and controlled by the Spirit of the Lord. By sin this electric
current from God's presence to man's soul, like the separation of the
Atlantic cable, was divided. Man becoming thus disconnected from God's
power and impressive guidance was left to be operated by the influences of
a wicked world. Through the redemptive power of Jesus' blood man is again
brought into union with God. The divided cable is taken up and united, and
man's soul wondrously animated by God's presence.

So cultured may become the sensibilities of the inner being, and so
thoroughly impregnated by God's enlivening power, that one empty thought,
causing the slightest ebbing of life's current flow is keenly felt. To
keep in perfect touch with God is to live where there is a soul
consciousness that he is pleased with every act of life; where there is a
witnessing "sweet and clear" of the Spirit to the inmost soul that the
words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart are acceptable unto
him.

Pure and holy meditations are an excellent means for the culture and
refinement of man's moral being. Useless thought makes the soul coarse,
and difficult of impression by good influences. By associating with God
through prayer and meditation man's spiritual entity will develop into his
own glorious image. By communion with the Lord his pure character is
assimilated into our own until our lives become but the fruit of a vine
which has its origin in the rich soil around Heaven's throne. If you can
indulge a train of careless, vagabond thought, and not be severely smitten
in conscience, you are far from being in touch with God. The spiritual
depression and awful benumbing stupidity, the disrelish for prayer and
reading the Bible, is often the result of entertaining empty, fruitless
meditations. The Scriptures tell us what are wholesome subjects for
thought, and what are not. "The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov.
24:9. "I hate vain thoughts." Psa. 119:113.

Vain and foolish thoughts are very destructive to spirituality, and should
be hated and carefully guarded against by every lover of God's law. Many
people find it difficult to stay their mind upon the Lord. While reading
the Bible and in secret prayer their thoughts are disposed to wander. The
wonderful works of God scarcely awaken any admir