"The religious man, who believes that all events, mental as well as physical, are pre-ordered and arranged according to the decrees of infinite wisdom, and the philosopher, who knows that, by the wise and eternal laws of the universe, cause and effect are indissolubly chained together, and that one follows the other in inevitable succession--equally feel that this ordination--this chain--cannot be changed at the cry of man. To suppose that it can is to place the whole harmonious system of nature at the mercy of the weak reason and the selfish wishes of humanity. If the purposes of God were not wise, they would not be formed: if wise, they cannot be changed, for then they would become unwise. To suppose that an all-wise Being would alter his designs and modes of proceeding at the entreaty of an unknowing creature, is to believe that compassion would change his wisdom into foolishness.... If the universe is governed by fixed laws, or (which is the same proposition in different language), if all events are pre-ordained by the foreseeing wisdom of an infinite God, then the prayers of thousands of years and generations of martyrs and saints cannot change or modify one iota of our destiny. The proposition is unassailable by the subtlest logic. The weak, fond affections of humanity struggle in vain against the unwelcome conclusion" (Creed of Christendom, pp. 322, 323). 536 Where are we commanded to pray? "When thou prayest enter into thy closet" (Matthew vi, 6). How long ought we to continue in prayer? "Men ought always to pray" (Luke xviii, 1). 537 Did Christ assume for himself the power of answering petitions? "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do" (John xiv, 13). But soon realizing that his capital was too small to conduct a business of such magnitude, he was compelled to announce that, "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (xv, 16). 538 Does God know our wants? "Your father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him" (Matthew vi, 8). Then what is the use of prayer? Is God a mischievous urchin taunting his hungry dog with a morsel of bread, and shouting, "Beg, Tray, beg!"? 539 What portion of their goods did he require the rich to give the poor to obtain salvation? Rich Ruler, No. 1: "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke xviii, 18.) Jesus: "Sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor" (22). Rich Ruler, No. 2: "Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor" (Luke xix, 8). Jesus: "This day is salvation come to this house" (9). 540 What did he teach respecting the publicity of good works? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works" (Matthew v, 16). "Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men to be seen of them" (vi, 1, New Ver.). 541 What original rules of table observance did he teach his disciples?