They would ask, knowing that they will receive; knowing that an answer that withholds what is asked for is as real, and frequently a more merciful answer, than one that grants it." Ah! That was the faith I could not fathom:--that was why my prayers gave me no comfort, I suppose.

And yet, it is said that God, whom rich men find so difficult of approach, manifests Himself to us more in adversity than in prosperity.

I could not believe in this myself; for, when I was successful, I really seemed to have faith, and could pray from my heart; while, now, despondent, it appeared hypocrisy on my part to pretend to bend my knees to the Almighty; I felt so despairingly faithless! La Mennais says, in his _Paroles d'un Croyant_, that-- "Il y a toujours des vents brulants, qui passent sur l'ame de l'homme, et la dessechant.

La priere est la rosee qui la rafraichit." And, again,-- "Dieu sait mieux que vous ce dont vous avez besoin, et c'est pour cela qu'il veut que vous le lui demandiez; car Dieu est lui-meme votre premier besoin, et prier Dieu, c'est commencer a posseder Dieu." The sirocco of sorrow had fanned its hot breath over my soul; but, no grateful spring shower had cooled it through prayer.

God, certainly, knows better than we what we should desire; but why does He not instruct us in His wishes?
Perhaps you think this all milk-and-watery talk, and that I do not mean what I say?
But I do.