A youth, who was present and
escaped, declared that the very last
strength of the dying man was em-
ployed in sui^h words of charity and
prayer. Thus the converted African,
when unjustly slain, acted as the
holy Stephen did in similar circum-
stances. Yet perhaps we sometimes
find it difBcult to forgive an unkind
word or disdainful look.
SECTION EIGHTH.
293



15. What do we pray for in the sixth petition ?

In the sixth petition, which is, " And lead us not into
temptation ; but deliver us from evil," we pray
that God would either keep us from being brought
into such circumstances as will specially tempt
us to sin, or support and deliver us when we are
tempted.
Screened from Temptation. —
We pray that, so far as is consistent
with Divine Wisdom, we may be
screened from the power of the
adversary. If left to ourselves, we
are very frail. It would be very
lamentable if we were overcome,
and led into sin. So we ask that
no severer test shall be applied to
our religion than God deems indis-
pensable.
Temptation needlessly incurred. —
Four cities were destroyed by fire in
the days of Abraham. What were
their names? We are told, "The
men of Sodom were wicked and
sinners before the Lord exceedingly."
It must have been very undesirable
to live near to such bad people.
Abraham's nephew went to reside
near Sodom. Why did' he do so ?
(Gen. xiii. 10, 12.) Lot exposed
himself and his family to many
temptations because the country
near Sodom abounded in rich
pasturage.
