T is an undoubted truth, supported by the doctrine of the Saints, and confirmed by constant experience, that the good or bad conduct of Christians depends almost entirely upon the manner in which they perform the holy duty of prayer. 'He who knows how to pray well,' says St. Augustine, 'knows also how to live well.' And St. John Climachus relates, that he heard a great servant of God say, that from the manner in which he performed his morning prayer, he knew with perfect clearness how the rest of the day would be passed. The same thing is also asserted by St. Bonaventure, who says, that without prayer 'religion is dry, imperfect, and nearly lost."

It is, therefore, of the highest importance that every Christian should be well instructed in the duty of prayer, that he may learn how to lead a life worthy of his holy vocation, and secure the salvation of his soul.

B

ARTICLE I.

NECESSITY OF PRAYER FOR ALL ADULTS IN ORDER TO ATTAIN TO ETERNAL LIFE.

SECTION I.

Necessity of prayer for all Christians in general.

It is of faith that man, without the grace of God, cannot do the least thing towards his eternal salvation. In the natural order, man can by his natural faculties and powers acquire a certain proficiency, and even arrive at some degree of perfection; but not so in the supernatural order ; for every thing bearing reference to eternal life is above his natural power, and consequently requires the aid of Divine grace. The Pelagians of old asserted that man did not stand in need of the helping grace of God to practise Christian virtues, and to acquire merit for eternal life; but this error was triumphantly confuted by St. Augustine, and they were consequently condemned as heretics by the Church. But notwithstanding this, the Semi-Pelagians arose soon after, maintaining that man could at least make an act of faith, take the first step towards his eternal salvation by his own natural strength, unaided by Divine grace; but they, like the former, were immediately condemned by the holy Church, and the grace of God was pronounced to be absolutely necessary towards the performance of every, even the least action, in order that it may become worthy of eternal reward. "Without Me," says our blessed Lord," you can do nothing." "Let the action be ever so insignificant,' remarks St. Augustine on this passage, 'it is impossible to perform it without the help of Him, without whom nothing can be done.'

Now, if it be certain that the help of Divine grace is absolutely necessary to enable a man to perform any good work towards obtaining eternal life, it is equally certain that the ordinary means by which the grace of God is to be attained is that of prayer; for prayer is the key, as the holy Fathers call it, of the divine treasures, and generally speaking, God confers His supernatural blessings only on those who pray for them. We believe,' says St. Augustine, that no one ever attains salvation but through the help and assistance of Divine grace; and that no one ever deserves the aid of Divine grace unless he asks and prays for it-Nullum credimus salutem

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suam nisi Deo auxiliante operari; nullum nisi orantem auxilium promereri." The earth gives its fruits only when tilled and cultivated according to the appointment of Providence; and that we may succeed in human arts and sciences, it is requisite to employ such means as are ordained by God for the attainment of that end; and so, that we may obtain from Almighty God that aid and assistance which we stand in need of to secure our eternal salvation, we must have recourse to prayer, that means which He has appointed for us to obtain His supernatural blessings. "Ask," says our blessed Lord, "and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He, therefore,' says St. Teresa, who does not ask shall not receive; he who does not seek shall not find; and to him who does not knock, it shall not be opened.' This Saint compares the man who neglects the important duty of prayer to a paralytic who has hands but cannot use them, and feet but cannot move them; so the person who neglects prayer is afflicted with a spiritual palsy; for although he 1 Lib. de Eccles. Dogm. cap. 57.

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