Prayer

508 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

extends to them his favor at all times. "Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." (Isaiah 56: 2). "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sab- bath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isaiah 58: 13-14). Thus, by an honest and conscientious observance of the Sab- bath day, the spiritual life is strengthened and built up, and the blessings and favors of God our Father are vouchsafed to us. But let us remember that we are not entitled to devote the Sabbath to any secular purpose, and that if we do so, we do it at our peril.

PRAYER. FOR THE IMPROVEMENT ERA.

Prayer is the safe-guard of the soul, Enriched by love divine; Arid blest is he or she who holds This treasure most sublime. —George W. Crocheron.