Each day, after a good night, we can renew our souls with the wonders of a beautiful spring morning; all is fresh in mind and body, all interior faculties are warmed; life experiences a sort of need of expansion; all thoughts, all desires seem to tremble with cheerfulness, as plants in a celestial garden. If the sun of prayer arises on the horizon, all the germs of good awake, develop, and mount up in proportion as the divine heat becomes more intense. "The manna," said the prophet, "disappearing at the dawn of day; was to show us, my God, that we must anticipate the rising of the sun to receive thy most precious benedictions." [Footnote 262]
[Footnote 262: Sap. xvi. 28.]
There is something remarkable in our Lives of the Saints; morning prayer is always specially mentioned: "My God," said the prophet "thou wilt favorably hear my prayer in the morning." [Footnote 263]
[Footnote 263: Ps. v. 4.]
"I will present myself before thee in the morning, and will see thy glory." [Footnote 264]
[Footnote 264: Ps. v. 5.]
"It is in the morning that my prayer will surprise thee." [Footnote 265]
[Footnote 265: Ps. xxxvii. 14.]
"In the morning thy mercy is shed on us abundantly." [Footnote 266]
[Footnote 266: Ps. lxxxix. 14.]