Morning Devotions

The habit of early rising is surely a friend to the soul.

If it is the best time for study, it is also the best time

for devotion. When prayer and praise are neglected

in the morning, they are commonly neglected all day.

If you let the world get the start of your soul in the

morning, you will seldom overtake it all day.

Morning devotion . . .

sweetens every succeeding hour,

pours a balm on the conscience,

gives a pleasant savor to business,

locks the door against wicked thoughts,

furnishes matter for pious reflection all the day.

It is better to go from prayer to business--than from

business to prayer. Fellowship with God prepares for

fellowship with our fellow creatures--and for every

event, whether pleasing or painful.

(James Alexander, "My Brother's Keeper" 1838)