18. Never for _one day_ omit to read the bible with prayer. This is a most important direction. It is of the utmost importance that you should never _for once_ break over this habit. Prayer and the bible are your anchor and your shield, which will hold you firmly in the path of duty, and protect you from temptation. You had better give up one meal every day, if it is necessary, in order to secure time for this duty. You had better give up any thing else. _Nothing is a duty_, if the performance of it will interfere with this duty. Remember this is the bread of your life, and the water of your salvation; and that you cannot live in health a single day, without their strengthening and invigorating influence. 19. Be regulated by a principle of duty in _little things_. This is the way that common christians are to cause their light to shine. Few christians can expect to do any _great_ things to show their love for the Saviour, but all can “deny themselves, and thus daily take the cross and follow him.” Religion should govern the temper and the tongue; should save us from indolence, from vanity, from pride, from foolishness, from levity, from moroseness, from selfishness, and all the little every day foibles to which we are exposed. Religion should exemplify its gentleness in your kind and affable manners; its purity and propriety in your conversation; its benevolence in your conduct, and its consistency and heavenly tendency, in all your ways. 20. It is a most excellent method to go to some sincere and candid friend, and inquire what are your own defects in temper, character, and every day deportment, and when you have discovered these, make it the object of your prayers and efforts to correct them. 21. One thing ought to be strictly regulated by principle, and that is the _employment of time_. Always feel that you are doing wrong when your time is passing unprofitably. Have some _regularity of method_ on this subject. Endeavour to ascertain how much time should be devoted to your friends and to relaxation, and to let the remainder be _all of it_ employed in the most useful manner you can devise. Never be satisfied with the manner in which you are spending your time, if you can think of any possible way in which it might be more usefully employed. Remember that _time_ is the precious talent for which you must account to God; and if you find yourselves indulging in listless inactivity, or tempted to engage in employments of no practical use, _remember your account to God_. _Be in a habit_ of inquiring when you commence any employment, “Is there any thing I can do, more useful than this?” And do not be satisfied till you have settled the question, that you are doing all the good you can.