a religious book, you do in reality lose all the peculiar benefits of public worship yourself, and do all that the power of example can effect, to keep others from its advantages. Besides, did you really know more than your teachers, you might still learn, from the example of our Saviour, in whom were and are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, to attend public worship. We read of him, "as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day." Luke iv. 16.

Others think that it is UNNECESSARY TO GO CONSTANTLY.-The same reasons which require you to go at all, call on you also to be constant in going. It is the regu lar return of the duty which makes it so valuable in the Christian life. You do not think it unnecessary to partake constantly and regularly of food for your body; nor is it less necessary to be regular in seeking food for your soul. A leaky vessel in the ocean, continually letting in the waters, needs continual pumping and bailing to keep it free; and thus the corrupt heart of man calls for a constant use of every means to keep it free from sin. There is a great advantage in a constant attendance. "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God; they shall bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing." Ps. xcii, 13, 14. It would appear from Heb. x, 25– 27, that remissness respecting the assembling of ourselves together was the first step to Apostasy. Will not the constancy of the early Christians in frequenting their assemblies for worship in great difficulties, and often at the risk of their lives, condemn you who refuse to attend, though the house of God is open and you have full liberty to go thither?

Some refuse to go because they have a personal PREJUDICE AGAINST THE MINISTER.-There may be, indeed,

trying cases of unfaithful teachers, and there is a sad wo pronounced on those by whom the offence cometh; but surely this objection ought not to induce you altogether to neglect attendance on public worship. We should not disregard that instruction even of an ungodly minister, which is scriptural. "The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; all, therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do ye not after their works, for they say, and do not.” But let me ask, have you practised fervent, persevering, and united prayer for your minister ? Try this, and perhaps your prejudices may be removed, or his character changed. Christians often forget, in their desire of having a faithful minister, who shall preach to them the pure doctrines of Christ, that it is as easy for God to enlighten their present minister, "with the true knowledge and understanding of his word," to enable their present pastor, "both by his preaching and living, to set it forth, and shew it accordingly," as it is to send them such an one as they desire. Let me strongly and urgently recommend you to try the plan of fervent and persevering prayer for your minister.

Many of my readers, however, ATTEND PUBLIC WORSHIP CONSTANTLY.*-To them, on this point, I need only say, be not weary of well doing. You have, however, perhaps, relatives, friends, dependents, or connec tions whom you greatly love, who never come at all.— May what has been said incline you to use every proper means in your power to bring them. You have over

It is to be regretted, that the appointment of the Church of England, for public worship twice a week as well as on Sundays, is, through the decay of Christian piety, in a great measure nugatory. It is, however, in some measure supplied by the weekday Evening Lectures, which are more convenient to our present habits, and which Christians in most large towns have now an opportunity of attending.

them, probably, the influence of authority, circumstances, friendship, or affection; use this talent of influence in your Saviour's service; and, by the constraining power of love, compel them to come in to his house. And while you thus exert yourselves in their behalf, O seek, on every account, duly to perform that great duty in which you yourself are engaged. Seek, when you come into his courts, to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

We proceed to consider How WE MAY DULY WORSHIP GOD IN HIS HOUSE.-We must worship God in the beauty of holiness. We do this, when approaching him, in the name of Jesus Christ, and through the assistance of his Spirit, all our faculties are fixed and engaged in this work; our expressions accompanied by suitable affections, by holy longings and thirstings of soul after God. In short, when the whole man is dedicated to the solemn act of worshipping God.

There is no beauty of holiness, without a reference to the mediation of Jesus Christ. God cannot, but through him, look on sinners with acceptance. But Jesus Christ, like the High Priest of Israel, bears "the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts." He has HOLINESS TO THE LORD upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. Exod. xxviii, 38. Every prayer must be offered up in his name. John xiv, 13, 14.*

It may be useful to point out some things inconsistent with this due worship of God.

* Here I cannot but remark, that the conclusion of the various Collects in the Liturgy gives the members of our church a frequent and continual opportunity of having respect to the intercession of the Saviour, and offering up every petition in his name. Many excellent persons have found the advantage and comfort of this

AN UNPREPARED MIND, thoughtless of the work till a bout to be engaged in it, will very generally lead to careless worship.

Coming from WRONG MOTIVES will lead to the same thing. Some come merely from form or custom, or to be seen of men; without any expectation of finding the presence of God, or any desire to obtain his grace. Others come merely as a self-righteous act, fancying public worship to be a species of meritorious obedience, that will entitle them to heaven.

CARELESSNESS AND IRREVERENCE mark the worship of some. They come in late, in the middle of prayers, when they have it in their power to come in good time. Not to mention the bad effect of this as an example, only consider for a moment the disturbance which it occasions in the devotion of others. It has been justly observed, “a well-tutored mind will revolt at the thought of unnecessarily disturbing others in the most solemn of all employments. If you look at the various classes of Christians, you will find, with scarcely an exception, that those who have been the greatest honour to religion, and added most to the edification of their brethren, attended on God's worship steadily and in proper time. There is often a striking analogy between people's manner in such things, and their general character."*

Others are careless during worship. They sit at the proper time for kneeling or standing, though no bodily infir nities may require it. They look about them, and * Se Kingborn on Public Worship.

The propriety of kneeling in public worship, is manifested by various scripture examples. 2 Chron. vi, 11-13; Ezra ix, 5; Dan. vi, 10. Paul, Acts xxi, Eph. iii, 14. Observe the invita tion of the Psalmist, Ps. xcv, 6. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.-and the example of our Lord, who kneeled down and prayed, Luke xxii, 41; and also

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are attracted by any thing that may pass in the congregation. But if servants were to come before any master on earth to ask for any favour in the same careless disrespectful way, what could they expect, but a denial of their request, and a rebuke for their contempt of his person and presence? Our minds and faculties ought to be absorbed in the great act of worshipping Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh; but, alas! all have more or less reason to bewail sad wanderings and distractions of spirit.

These things are inconsistent with worshipping God as we ought. Our Lord says, that his true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

As some of the directions which follow will have a particular reference to those who join in the forms of our church, it may be expedient to point out some of THE ADVANTAGES OF A LITURGY.* Great allowance must indeed be made for the power of custom and education, which have such an influence upon our minds as much to affect our devotional feelings. One who has been accustomed to join a congregation in worshipping without forms, has perhaps a great prejudice against them, and may find it difficult with a form to worship God in spirit and in truth. But another having found the presence of God in the simple and scriptural devotion of our Liturgy, will find extempore prayer, in public worship, an impediment to his devotions.

While it is admitted that there is danger of mere formality, weariness, and inattentiveness, both to the minisof St. Paul; see Acts xx, 36; where it is said, that he kneeled down and prayed with them all.

* We are here speaking of forms of prayer, not for private, or family, but for public worship. The word Liturgy is derived from a Greek word, signifying public work-he who labours not in his prayers, does not pray aright,