great part of the Christian devotion, both in the public assembly, and more privately in the family, and in their retirements in the closet." When our Lord had instructed his family, the twelve Apostles, he sung a hymn with them, (Matt. xxvi 30.) and then prayed with them. John xvii. This great example may encourage us to go and do likewise. St. Paul says, "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," Eph. v, 19; see also Col. iii, 16. Anticipate thus, on earth, the songs of the blessed above, learn here below the employments of heaven, and fulfil the promise, "the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion, with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads." Isa. xxxv, 10.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYER. To some, God has evidently given the spirit of grace and supplication, so that they can, after some practice and experience, pour out with ease and fluency the continued and refreshing stream of holy feelings and ardent devotion. This gift is bestowed on them for the benefit of others, and they ought freely to use it. It is also a gift which may be more generally attained, than is commonly supposed. Many pious poor, without human learning, possess it in a great degree. Let others use good forms. Happy, are the families that have devout and heavenly-minded masters or parents, who pray for them in private, and edify them by praying with them!

The Lord's prayer seems particularly appropriate as a family prayer; and while comprehending the case and circumstances of the Universal Church, it still has a reference to that Church, under the idea of a family, " a whole family," one in heart and mind, however separated or dispersed in person.

After those directions which have been given respecting private, the less need be said on family prayer.

Respecting the PROPER SUBJECTS to be mentioned, there are some things which may, with great propriety and interest, be brought before the family altar.

Any particular circumstances which have occurred should be mentioned. Is any member of the family unwell? the prayer of faith may save the sick. Is any afflicted? call upon God in the time of trouble, and he will deliver him. Has any member left your family for a season? by praying for him, though absent in body, you will be present in spirit serving the Lord.—Arè any changes about to take place, any scheme to be effected, in which the family are interested, any one about to join or to leave the household-are any special means of grace, confirmation, baptism, or the Lord's supper before you? these things may properly be mentioned, and their due improvement be requested of God in family prayer.

Much of the substance of the Scriptures which you have read, may generally be advantageously turned into prayer. This, while it gains the blessing and averts the evil about which you pray, will also impress the passages of Scripture more deeply in the mind and on the heart, and will prevent sameness and repetition of expression.

These local circumstances induce the writer to think that extempore prayer is often more suitable and affecting for a family, than a form of prayer.* Nor is the

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*The writer is far from desiring to press this upon all. knows several good and judicious men who use forms. ly wrong in any to think worse of those who do so, and to con➡ sider them on that account as deficient in the gift of prayer. not such rather prove their own deficiency? for the true gift of prayer will be followed by charity, tenderness, and humility.

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objection that those who pray with you, do not know what is coming, and therefore cannot join you, a really solid one. Experience confirms the remark of Bishop Wilkins, "that as a man may in his judgment assent unto any divine truth delivered in a sermon which he never heard before, so may he join in his affections unto any holy desire which he never before heard."

But to sum up the heads of family prayer in a few words, attend to these four things.

FAMILY SINS. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another. James v, 17. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James iv, 10. This habitual, periodical, and mutual confession, morning and evening, of your mutual infirmities, your pride, your selfishness, your impatience, and your sinfulness, will have a great tendency also to soften down what is harsh and forbidding, and to unite you together. FAMILY WANTS, whether spiritual or temporal. Here is a large scope for daily prayer. And here you may pray that each fulfil their relative duties as father and mother, husband and wife, master and mistress, inmate, servant, and child; and that all may apply themselves faithfully, constantly, and diligently, in their respective situations, to the work which God, has given them to do; that they may exhibit the truth of David's saying, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

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FAMILY FRIENDS. The parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends of those assembled together, and the minister by whom they are instructed, should not be forgotten. Your immediate neighbourhood, the town in which you dwell, the nation to which you belong, all in authority, and specially the cause and Church of Christ throughout the world, the Jews and the benighted Gentiles, should all have place in your prayers.

FAMILY MERCIES.

In the morning, after having been kept in safety through the defenceless hours of night, free from fire, accidents, or disturbance: in the evening, when the wants of the family for the day have all been supplied, it is surely right, and almost natural for you, to unite in acknowledging God's mercies. That you have bread enough and to spare, that you have light, life, liberty, health, and strength, call for your united praise. But above all, the common salvation, (Jude 3,) offered to you all; the common faith, (Titus i, 4.) which you all profess to receive; the union in Christ Jesus"One body and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all:" (Eph. iv, 4-6.) all these things bestowed on Christians, through the inestimable love of God in Christ Jesus, require you to offer united sacrifices of thanksgiving.

GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS is another part of family prayer, which no Christian master can neglect. The Apostle's direction is express. After reproving those who commanded to abstain from meats, he goes on," which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." 1 Tim. iv, 3, 4, 5. Only take heed of a few mere formal words. Be serious and devout in every approach to the great God.

The MANNER of conducting family worship is of much importance. Be not on the one side needlessly tender about your own reputation in mere outward things, nor on the other carless and remiss. Let us have a greater awe of God's majesty, than of man's presence. We will now notice some things to be avoided.

Some, by a voice too loud or too low, or from using a particular whine or tone-or by a repulsive manner— or by excessive length, fatigue and perhaps disgust those whom they desire to edify. Let all be natural and simple, short and devout, and your voice such as you use in conversing with your friends on serious subjects. In the multiplied engagements of large towns, long prayers are not suited to the situations of most families; yet do not abridge the duty so as to make it a mere form, and as if you were glad to hurry through it. Seek, in short, to have your worship such that a piously disposed family may rejoice when the time of prayer is come: and amid the cares, distractions, and sorrows of life, may count it a relief and a privilege.

We have hitherto considered the duty of the Head of the family. The DUTIES OF THOSE WHO JOIN IN FAMILY WORSHIP, are, duly to prize the privilege, and to beware of a wandering, cold, and careless spirit, which will destroy all your benefit and comfort in it, whoever teaches, whoever prays. It is the joining of every heart in the requests offered up, which gives to family prayer its greatest efficacy. You should agree to ask; your spirit should join the spirit of him who prays; let there be a secret Amen in your hearts to every petition, (1 Cor. xiv, 16.) and thus you will obtain the promised blessing. And do not think it sufficient for you to have joined in family worship, and that you may then neglect secret prayer. Never forget to pray in secret also.

What a lovely sight it is to see a whole family thus uniting together morning and evening, preparing and being made meet, day by day, for "the inheritance of the saints in light; obtaining on earth, the humble, dependent, thankful, holy, and heavenly state of mind, which fits them for joining the family of their Lord in heaven. Whatever storms rage without, such a family,