There was no natural turning to a strong sympathetic Friend and Father
on the part of these girls, or the twenty or more whose testimony I have
been looking over. Those who were trying to be Christians made it a
matter of duty to try to pray but it was irregular and forced; there
was no natural spontaneity about it. It wasn't real to them, it played
no vital part in life. In looking over the papers one is convinced of
the tremendous asset the girl has who from childhood has been trained to
turn to the Source of Strength when in fear or trouble or need and when
filled with the joy of living. A girl's life must be raised to a higher
plane by daily contact with the Highest. If she sincerely speaks but for
a moment to God, realizing his love, mercy, justice and righteousness,
it will not be as easy for her to be jealous, unkind, untrue or a
gossip. One covets for all girls this natural, spontaneous turning to
God which has seemed to come to so many through the Christian home and
its unconscious influence and instruction. Nothing can take the place of
the earnest daily prayer of a manly father, and the instruction of a
sweet, Christian mother. But the task which so many homes lays down the
community must take up. The public school _cannot_ cultivate the spirit
of prayer, and if the home does not, the church remains the only
possible agent through which it may be done. The Sunday-school teacher
is the church's most potent instrument, therefore a large share of the
task is hers.

The teachers in the Beginners' departments realize the need of the
cultivation of prayer and pray simply and often during the session, baby
lips repeating the words. Through cards and memory verses prayers go
into homes where none are ever made. In Primary departments the
instruction is continued and children are led to express themselves in
simple words of worship. In the Junior departments there is the