OX PRAYER AS A FORM OF PHYSICAL ENERGY. 45 



well calculated to correct the temporary flightiness of 

 the journal itself. 



It is not my habit of mind to think otherwise than 

 solemnly of the feeling which prompts prayer. It is a 

 power which I should like to see guided, not extin- 

 guished devoted to practicable objects instead of wasted 

 upon air. In some form or other, not yet evident, it 

 may, as alleged, be necessary to man's highest culture. 

 Certain it is that, while I rank many persons who resort 

 to prayer low in the scale of being natural foolishness, 

 bigotry, and intolerance being in their case intensified 

 by the notion that they have access to the ear of God 

 I regard others who employ it, as forming part of the 

 very cream of the earth. The faith that adds to the 

 folly and ferocity of the one is turned to enduring 

 sweetness, holiness, abounding charity, and self-sacri- 

 fice by the other. Religion, in fact, varies with the na- 

 ture upon which it falls. Often unreasonable, if not 

 contemptible, prayer, in its purer forms, hints at dis- 

 ciplines which few of us can neglect without moral loss. 

 But no good can come of giving it a delusive value, 

 by claiming for it a power in physical nature. It may 

 strengthen the heart to meet life's losses, and thus in- 

 directly promote physical well-being, as the digging of 

 ^Esop's orchard brought a treasure of fertility greater 

 than the golden treasure sought. Such indirect issues 

 we all admit; but it would be simply dishonest to 

 affirm that it is such issues that are always in view. 

 Here, for the present, I must end. I ask no space 

 to reply to those railers who make such free use of the 

 terms insolence, outrage, profanity, and blasphemy. 

 They obviously lack the sobriety of mind necessary to 

 give accuracy to their statements, or to render their 

 charges worthy of serious refutation. 



