"I trust no one will receive the impression that I leave out of consideration, or have not attached proper importance to the part which the Spirit of God takes in these things (the preaching of the gospel). I think there is no one with whom I am acquainted that believes more fervently than I do that in order to succeed in preaching the gospel one must do so by the gift and by the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that the Lord has given instruction to the Elders of the Church that separates their methods of work, as wide as day is separated from the night, from those methods of preaching adopted by the world--I know that he has said: "Think not what ye shall say, but in the very hour that it is needed it shall be given to you that which you shall say." But while I remember that, I remember also the admonition which he has given to the Elders in the self same passage, to the effect that they should "treasure up continually the words of life," a part of the instruction that I have sometimes thought is too much neglected. I believe we shall best succeed if, when treasuring up the words of life, we do it systematically; that instead of being like an unwise builder who throws into one promiscuous heap lime, sand, bricks and frames, together with a hundred and one other materials that enter into the construction of his building, that each be placed by itself, carefully stored away where the workmen can readily find it and bring each part to the building as the builder has need. So, I say, systematize your efforts in reading, in thought, in speech, and after you have done all that, I believe that you will have all the more claim upon the Spirit and blessing of God. After you have made the attempt to carry out the instructions which our Father in heaven has given in respect of storing your minds with the words of life, you can then go to him saying: "Father, I have done all I can with the powers thou hast placed at my command, now help me by thy grace; and bless all that I have done, and the honor and praise and the glory shall be thine." Under these circumstances, if your efforts be accompanied by secret prayer before God, who hears in secret and rewards openly, he will bless your ministry beyond all your expectation." ("Preparation for the Ministry," a discourse delivered in Salt Lake Tabernacle, Oct. 28, 1894.) Footnotes 1. Compare verse 33 with verse 32: also verses 25 and 26, with verses 23 and 24, Doc. & Cov., Sec. 107. _PART II._ _A Study of the Hebrew Scriptures.---The Old Testament._ LESSON I. _THE ANTIQUITY, CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTER OF THE OLD TESTAMENT._ ANALYSIS. REFERENCES.