let your requests be made known unto God. -Philippians iv, 6.

Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.-I St. Peter v, 7.

For suitable Prayers see page 162

Self-examination in Sickness.

GOD has placed you on a bed of sickness for a time. Now, God loves you, He cares for your body, but even more for the health of your soul. Very likely He has laid you here to give you time to repent for the past, to make good resolves for the future, and to prepare for the life to come.

Perhaps God will raise you up again, and give you back your health and strength. If so, don't waste this warning and opportunity, for you may never have another.

As much as you can, then, spend your time in thinking over your past life—what you have done wrong, and what you have left undone. Then humbly and sincerely confess your sins to God, telling Him all,

and asking Him earnestly to forgive you for Christ's sake. But, also, promise Him faithfully that if He spares you, you will lead a very different life, that you will try hard to put away your old sins, to love and serve Him better, and to keep His commandments.

If you do these things your illness will be really a blessing to you, for it will be a gain to your Soul. If it pleases God to make you well again, you will have a fresh start, and be a better Christian, and if He sees best to take you out of this world, you will have done the best you can to prepare yourself for the great change. God will accept your repentance, and will pardon you for the sake of His dear Son.

But when one is weak and ill it is not always easy to examine oneself. There are added therefore a few questions which you can ask yourself, and think over as you lie on your bed. Judge yourself honestly, try to see yourself as God sees you. Remember that nothing is hid from Him.

1. Have I done my duty to God, and tried to advance His Kingdom?

2. Have I been to Church as often as I could?

3. Have I been regular at the Holy Communion?

4. Have I said my prayers? Have I prayed for others?

5. Have I read the Bible often, and thoughtfully?

6. Have I kept my Sundays properly? 7. Have I sworn, used bad or irreverent language?

8. Have I done my duty in my home to my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, my husband (or wife), my children. Have I been kind to them, loving and unselfish?

9. Have I given way to anger, passion, and irritability?

10. Have I been pure in life, have I used bad talk, or let myself think of impure things?

11. Have I been quite straightforward and honest? Have I worked properly? Have I paid all my debts?

12. Have I spoken untruly and unkindly of any one? Have I Have I gossiped about my neighbours ?

13. Have I tried to make myself contented with my lot in life?

14. Have I been kind and generous to other people? Have I given away as much as I ought?

15. Have I given way to drink, to laziness or self-indulgence?

16. Have I really been grateful to God for all that He has done for me?

Prayer.

O MY Father in heaven, I know I have done many things which I ought not to have done, and I have left undone many things which I ought to have done. I am a great sinner in Thy sight. I am very sorry for all my sins,