Those who are anxious to progress in the divine life, will not neglect the more private exercises of piety, without which those of the sanctuary will be in a great measure ineffectual. Prayer is the believer's vital breath; the scriptures are his spiritual food; and it is only as the study of their sacred truths is combined with fervent supplication for every promised grace, that his course will correspond with the beautiful representation, in which the path of the just is compared to the shining light—which shines more and more unto the perfect day.