<p>FOREWORD</p> <p>The work of editing the Bounds Spiritual Life E-books has been a labour of love which has brought great profit and blessing to my own soul. After years of close study of the literary remains of this great Christian, together with the work of other mystics, I am fully persuaded that to but few of the sons of men has there been given such spiritual power as was vouchsafed to Edward McKendree Bounds. Truly he was a burning and a shining light, and as The Sunday School Times says, "he was a specialist in prayer and his e-books are for the quiet hour, for careful meditation and for all who wish to seek and find the treasures of God".</p> <p>It was my great privilege to know the author well, and also to know that his intention, in everything he wrote, was for the salvation of his readers. The Essentials of Prayer is sent forth in this spirit. May God bless it to many hearts and use it for the upbuilding and strengthening of Christian character through the length and breadth of the land.</p> <p>Homer W. Hodge<br />Flushing, N.Y.</p> <p>I. PRAYER TAKES IN THE WHOLE MAN</p> <p><i>"Henry Clay Trumbull spoke forth the Infinite in the terms of our world, and the Eternal in the forms of our human life. Some years ago, on a ferry-boat, I met a gentleman who knew him, and I told him that when I had last seen Dr. Trumbull, a fortnight before, he had spoken of him. .Oh, yes,. said my friend, .he was a great Christian, so real, so intense. He was at my home years ago