I did not, however, enjoy constant victory. At times I gave way to
ill-temper or selfish motives. My conscience being tender, I often felt
instant condemnation after yielding to these things, and then I would
pour out my heart in secret prayer for forgiveness and for grace and
strength to resist the temptation more successfully the next time. I
remember, also, occasions when, upon the approach of temptation, I would
steal away to the secret place of prayer and ask for strength to keep me
sweet in my soul. I could then go forth to meet my trials with the
utmost calmness and serenity, and victory then seemed easy.
Although I had a Christian home, yet sorrows and trials came into my
young life, very painful ones at times. How often I would seek the place
of prayer and there in simple, child-like faith unburden my heart to the
Lord. Whenever I called upon him, he always gave me relief and never
failed to provide a way of escape from every temptation and difficulty.
"In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer."