When I have sinned, wrote a pious soul, I feel chastisement will fall upon me, and as if I could hide myself from God's Eye. I shrink into myself, and then I pray, I pray, and the chastisement not being sent, I again expand.

Chastisement is like a stone threatening to crush me; Prayer is the hand that withholds it while I make atonement.

Oh! how can those live peacefully who never pray?