this is only an evidence of vanity. You are by no means the greatest sinner that ever lived, and you give yourself pleasure, and do not mortify yourself when you say so. If you face the situation you will realize that your sins are mean, nasty, petty little ones—that you do not commit great sins, that you are not tempted to, and that you are telling what is an absolute untruth when you call yourself the greatest sinner in the world. So put down vanity as one of your faults.
It seems most important to you that a certain number of prayers be said each morning; that is right, if the prayers are said at the right time as well as in the right spirit, but when you linger over your prayers, keep the breakfast-table waiting, or find it impossible to give a helping hand in the household because of your religious duties, your prayers are, in the sight of God, of no worth whatever. If you wish them to be as a lovely fragrance before the great white throne, get up half an hour earlier and in this way make faith and works combine. The tired mother, who sent a small child up to "sister" to be amused, only to be informed that "sister" was reading her good book and couldn't be bothered with him, is not to be blamed for sympathizing with Martha for being troubled about many things.
