Remembering, then, how sensitive the soul is, and how easily by example,
or conduct, or fashion it may be so perverted as to lose its clear vision
and higher aims, its pure tastes and ennobling emotions, we have to make
it our ambition and endeavour that our life may be kept free from such
debasement.

But, if we are to succeed in this, we must make it our daily prayer that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ will enlighten the eyes of our
understanding, and give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in
the knowledge and love of Him.




XVII. A NEW HEART.


"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within
you."--EZEKIEL xxxvi. 26.

In the beautiful and suggestive dream of Solomon, which is recorded in
the third chapter of the First Book of Kings, God appears to him, saying,
"Ask what I shall give thee"; and Solomon's answer is, "O Lord, I am but
a child set over this great people, give me, I pray Thee, a hearing
heart." And God said to him, "Because thou hast asked this thing, and
hast not asked for thyself long life, nor riches; behold, I have done
according to thy words. I have given thee a wise and understanding
heart, and I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both
riches and honour." And the record of this vision was clearly meant to
indicate that the supreme gift of the wisest of men was the hearing or