may find in your constitution a disposition leaning to some error, prejudice, or fancy. In short, we are apt to dwell on sacred things in a partial manner that subject absorbing the attention which happens to be pleasing to the mind and heart at the particular time. I cannot enlarge on this important and boundless topic. Let these hints suffice to put you on your guard-producing in each heart the conviction-"I am acting wisely, and doing well, only whilst I am improving in religion, correcting what is wrong, and seeking to possess it in its own sacred and heavenly integrity."

8. Improve providential occurrences. Such will take place in your families and neighbourhood. They may be painful or delightful. Own in them the hand and will of your Heavenly Father. Consider that His measures are designed for spiritual ends. Let those which are painful urge you to seriousness and reflection: those which are joyful, to gratitude and praise: and all, to prayer that every dispensation may be profitable both to your→ selves and others.

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9. Turn your faults to good account. Never be ashamed to own them: fabricate no excuse for them at any rate, never justify them. The best are liable to err. Few spend a day so correctly, as not to have done or said something which, upon reflection, they wish had not been said or done. Let your faults make you humble and circumspect, and particularly careful not to repeat them. Let

them make you less censorious, and more compas sionate, when you hear of the faults of others. He makes a right use of his faults, who is urged by the past to seek greater excellence for the future.

10. In all circumstances, and in all respects, study to maintain your character as true Christians. In your temper, words, and actions; in prosperity and adversity; in solitude and in company; when approved and when provoked; remember your divine Master. Let it be made evident that your piety is not a notion, profession, imagination, sentiment-but a principle that is solid and influential, competent to support, comfort, guide, and control you. "I am Christian"consider that, and not only exempt religion from censure, but adorn it.

11. Make your lives useful. I do not say, Be in a bustle-never satisfied but when you have something to do abroad. Wisely consider your duties, stations, talents, opportunities, little things as well as greater things. To most persons, the family is the first sphere of duty. Your neighbourhood is the next. Then something perhaps may be done for your country, and for the remotest districts of the globe. If wisdom teach you, and love inspire you, you will be always striving to obtain, or to do, good. "All human life is really made up of a succession of little occupations and duties, which without tedious minuteness, could not be re

lated; but in reality, it is a constant fidelity, in the aggregate of these little things, that forms the true greatness, and grandeur, and solidity of the Christian character." Memoirs of Port Royal, vol. ii. 95.

"To be

12. Cultivate nearness to God. Enoch walked with God-and why should not we. spiritually minded is life and peace." "I am continually with thee"-was the language of the Psalmist:-and why should it not be ours? Happy he who lives near to God in faith, fear, love, and holy aspiration! What watchfulness over the heart does it imply! What crucifixion to the world! What devotion! What grace from above! But without something of this pure and sublime piety, what poor, feeble, darkling, groping, grovelling, defective Christians we are!

more,

Once

13. Be always advancing in the divine lifeabound more and more in all the excellence of piety, both spiritual and practical. You will never arrive at any point this side the grave at which you can say, Nothing more is to be obtained, or abandoned, or done. Some may affect to bewail their sins and sinfulness, and yet make no effort to correct the evil. Some may see higher attainments to be possible, but yet rest satisfied with those which have been already made. Be thankful for what you are by divine grace: but always seek to become more wise, humble, be

lieving, holy, obedient, heavenly. Never forget the declaration of the Apostle Paul-"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

THE COLLECT.

"Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto Thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so faithfully serve Thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain Thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen.

THE PRAYER.

O Ever-blessed God, when I think of my circumstances and my duties, I clearly see and strongly feel the absolute need of Thy preventing and sustaining grace, that I may be stedfast in religion, adorn it and glorify Thee by leading a truly Christian life. I acknowledge my utter inability to proceed successfully in the Christian course by my own strength, so as to enjoy the pure consolations, and to exhibit the real excellence, of the consistent believer. I have enemies to conquer, difficulties to surmount, dangers to guard against, duties to perform, sufferings to endure, and one narrow path to walk in to the end of my pilgrim

age. How perilous and hopeless were my condition, if I did not know that Thou art as willing as Thou art able to supply my wants, and to make me in the midst of my weakness, strong, courageous, and persevering. This is my joy and comfort—if I look to Thee, and depend upon Thee, Thou wilt bless, guide, and preserve me in all circumstances. Give me, O Lord, a thoughtful and devout mind: and let me be more and more separate from a vain and sinful world, near to Thyself, and pure and sincere in religion. Help me to demean myself as a Christian in all cases. Make me duly sensible of my manifold imperfection: lead me on to higher attainments: and let the whole of my life be spent in a faithful and diligent preparation for the future world. Make me unfeignedly thankful unto Thee, O Lord, for all Thy goodness to me: and let me never be slothful in temporal or spiritual business, but fervent in spirit, serving Thee. May I be always anxious to become more humble and holy, more obedient and useful, more fit for the mansions of everlasting blessedness. While I live, to me let it be Christ to live: when I die, to me let it be gain to die. Thus, O gracious Father, be pleased to bless and keep me day by day, until, this life ended, I am with Thee for ever, through Jesus Christ our only Saviour. Amen.