During the latter part of my service in five pastorates, I developed a habit of sleeplessness in the middle of the night. As my responsibilities increased in larger situations, I felt I needed more than ever the refreshment that sound sleep brings. But to my disappointment I would become wakeful after four or five hours in bed and often would lie awake for an hour or two before falling asleep again.

In earlier pastorates I had experimented in getting along on less rest, trying both a couple of hours of study in the middle of the night or making myself begin my day at 5 o'clock in the morning. These experiments were never successful. Inevitably I dragged through a tired and tiring day.

I had to face my limitation. Others could do with less rest, but I needed about eight hours in bed.

As my habit of lying awake became pronounced, it occurred to me that if I couldn't lick it, I could join it. I began to recognize that in the stillness of the night I could lie in bed but engage profitably in ...