it that others should know that you fast?  If you do not keep the Sabbath holy, you cannot see the Father.  But when you pray, do it secretly in your chamber; you are nearest your Father in heaven in quiet humility.  Use not many words in your praying as idolaters do.  Not he who constantly praises the Lord finds Him, but he who does His will.  Lift up your heart in trust, and submit to the will of Him who is in heaven.  Honour His name, seek His kingdom.  Ask pardon for your own fault, and be careful to pardon him who offends against you.  Ask that you may receive what you require for your needs each day, so that you may find strength against temptation, and freedom from impatience and evil desire.  If you pray thus, your prayer will be heard; for he who asks in the right way shall receive, and for him who continually knocks shall the gate be opened.  Is there a father among you who would give his child a stone when he asks for bread?  And if a poor man grants his child’s request, how much more the mighty, good Father in heaven.  But be not too anxious for your daily needs:  such anxiety spoils pure pleasure.  If you heap up material goods, then death comes.  Gather not the treasures which pass away; gather spiritual treasures to your inner profit, treasures which your Heavenly Father stores up into life eternal.  Such a store will benefit the souls of those who come after you.  Man is so fashioned that his heart always inclines to his possessions; if his possessions are with God, then will his heart be with God.  He who is for the body cannot be for the soul, because he cannot serve two masters.  Earn for the day what ye need for the day, but take no care for the morrow.  Be not anxious about what you shall eat to-morrow, about how you shall be clothed in the years to come.  Trust in Him who feeds the birds, and makes the flowers bloom.  Shall not the Heavenly Father have greater love for the children of men than for the sparrow or the lily?  Do not burden your life with cares, but be glad, glad, glad in God, your Father.  Set your minds on the Kingdom of Heaven; all else is second to that. . . .  I observe, my brothers, that these words come home to you; but first see if the teacher follows His own precepts.  Beware of preachers, wolves in sheep’s clothing, who live otherwise than they teach.  Whoever speaks to you in My name, look first at his works, as ye recognise the tree by its fruit.  Judge men according to their works, but do not condemn them!  Before you condemn, remember that you yourself may be condemned.  As you judge others so shall you yourself be judged.  How often, my friend, do you see a Mote in your brother’s eye, while you do not see a whole beam in your own eye.  Get rid of your own faults before you censure the faults of your brother.  The path which leads to salvation is narrow, and while you escape the abyss on the left hand you may fall into that on the right.  And that you may proceed in safety along the narrow