5. I dare not say that the witness of the Spirit is dependent
upon our health, but there are some forms of nervous and organic
disease that seem to so distract or becloud the mind as to
interfere with the clear discernment of the witness of the
Spirit. I knew a nervous little child who would be so distracted
with fear by an approaching carriage, when being carried across
the street in her father's arms, that she seemed to be incapable
of hearing or heeding his reassuring voice. It may be that there
are some diseases that for the time prevent the sufferer from
discerning the reassuring witness of the Heavenly Father. Dr. Asa
Mahan told me of an experience of this kind which he had in a
very dangerous sickness. And Dr. Daniel Steele had a similar
experience while lying at the point of death with typhoid fever.
But some of the happiest Christians the world has seen have been
racked with pain and tortured with disease.

And so there may be seasons of fierce temptation when the witness
is not clearly discerned; but we may rest assured that if our
hearts cleave to Jesus Christ and duty, He will never leave or
forsake us. Blessed be God!

6. But the witness will be lost if we wilfully sin, or
persistently neglect to follow where He leads. This witness is a
pearl of great price, and Satan will try to steal it from us;
therefore, we must guard it with watchful prayer continually.

7. If lost, it may be found again by prayer and faith and a
dutiful taking up of the cross which has been laid down.
Thousands who have lost it have found it again, and often they