earth a thousand years. It is as the number of perfection we read of it thus in Revelations, the seven spirits, the seven eyes, seven lamps, seven stars. It was as God's number that Elijah made Naaman the Syrian wash seven times in the river Jordan, in order to be cleansed of his leprosy.

Now though this may not teach us to expect that God will answer us now at the seventh time of praying, we do at least learn that we must persevere and go on praying, and not give over because we do not get an immediate answer. It pleases God often to bear long with His people, and to keep them waiting, and it is to keep them praying. Therefore St. Paul says, we must be "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance." (Ephes. vi. 18.) Our Lord spoke a "parable to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." He knew this would be our temptation to give over asking for what we do not get soon.

It pleases God at times "to make as though He heard not," as David says. Yea; in that psalm (the xxii.) written by David, and quoted by the Son of David on the cross, it is said in the second verse, "O my God, I cry in the day time, and thou hearest not."

St. Paul prayed three times before he got an answer about the "thorn in his flesh," which he asked to be rid of. Our Lord prayed the same words three times over in the garden of Gethsemane.

Let this then be our rule, "I will go again seven times;" yea; if need be, though that is not likely, till seventy times seven.

It is not of course that God does not hear the very first petition. It is only that God has His own time of answering, and the mean time is to be spent by us in persevering in prayer.

I have said it is for the trial of our faith that God sees fit to keep us waiting. For so it pleases Him to give many blessings in such a way as does try our faith. As when Naaman must needs go and wash seven times in the river Jordan. As when the gentile woman of Syrophoenicia was first refused her request by Christ, who said, "let the children first be filled." As also the blind man, who had to go and wash in the pool of Siloam before he received his eye sight. Thus it is that our blessings will come to us in the way of obedience. We must do as He commands, and He will give as He promises. As the Israelites had to go forward, and in going forward, found the

protection they had prayed for, so God may not let us find out how He has graciously planned any help or desired blessing for us, until we have shown our faith by persevering in prayer and supplication. And as Elijah would not get up from his knees, nor run down from the mountain, nor let his servant weary in watching, so do you not run away from the throne of grace, nor get weary of kneeling, or of looking out constantly for the answer you want. It will surely come, and will not tarry; therefore wait for it.

Learn too, like Elijah, not to despise the day of small things. The man's hand, the tiny cloud, was enough for him; it was the first fruits, the rest was sure to follow. It could be no passing mist, or cloud without rain, it must be the beginning of the promised rain. So look out for the blessings you have prayed for. Let not the smallest tokens of God's mercy escape you. They will, if observed, strengthen your faith, and encourage you to hope the rest of the blessing will follow.

Remember too, God can make the smallest and weakest instrument become big and weighty with blessings. At His bidding they will increase, or change their character.

And that which seemed when seen in the distance as the most unlikely to answer the right end, will quickly spread and grow, and do all that was wanted; just as this little cloud did expand and spread, and cover the whole heavens with darkness, and the earth with refreshment.

Then, lastly, there is a rain we should all pray for, for our own souls, and for the Church of God. It is the rain of the Holy Spirit. "Until the Spirit be poured from on high," our souls are barren; we hear in vain, we read in vain, God's Word is a dead letter, a sealed book; our prayers are lifeless, cold, unmeaning, unsuccessful. Yea; we are altogether barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ: there are no fruits of the Spirit, no fruits of righteousness.

For this blessing God will be sought. Of this it is He says, He will give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.

O, be much in prayer for this one the first and best of all God's gifts. Without it, Christ is nothing to us, but a source of condemnation, a proof of unbelief, a witness to accuse us, a judge to condemn us. With it, Christ becomes exceeding precious, a beloved Saviour, a praying friend, a righteousness that perfectly and freely justifies,

a strength that never fails, and always triumphs, a beloved Redeemer waiting to receive us into everlasting mansions of glory. Go again and again, pray earnestly that God will pour this holy gift into your heart, that He may be to you, the Spirit of grace and supplication, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of adoption, and the source of joy, and peace, and hope that will never make ashamed.

PRAYER.

O GOD, who dost always hear those who continue by faith to seek Thee. I pray Thee to pour down on my poor barren soul, a gracious shower of a heavenly blessing. I can do no good thing, and think no good thought. I am altogether unprofitable, and weak, and helpless in myself. Give me a full measure of Thy Holy Spirit, that so I may become a fruitful disciple of Christ, and bearing much fruit, may evermore glorify Thy name, through Jesus Christ, my Lord. AMEN.