LITURGICAL LESSONS.-No. III. DAILY SERVICE. I. Times of Public Prayer.-The custom of appointing times for daily religious service is universal. God ordered those of the Jewish Church,-two lambs offered daily, one at the third, and the other at the ninth hour: these correspond with our hours of nine and three. (Exod. xxix. 39; Num. xxviii. 4. These hours afterwards observed by the primitive Church, being connected with the Passion of Christ. Morning and Evening Prayers appointed by our Church; the times for its daily offering unfixed, being determined by convenience. II. Places for Public Prayer.-In the Jewish Church, among the Patriarchs, altars, groves, and mountains were consecrated for Divine worship. The moveable Tabernacle in the wilderness, and the magnificent Temple were both erected under the direct superintendence of Almighty God. The second Temple was frequented by our Lord and His Apostles, and by the former called "The House of Prayer.” (St. Matt. xxi. 13.) The Apostles, after the Ascension, assembled in "an upper room."* (Acts, i. 13.) This place of assembly called the Church by St. Paul. (1 Cor. xi. 18.) Called the "House of God," the "House of the Dove," that is, of the Holy Ghost, by early writers; these buildings were solemnly dedicated to the service of God; considered as holy and not to be used for any but sacred purposes; regarded "Places in that part of the house, highest from the ground, set apart by the Jews as well as by Christians for the performance of the public worship and devotions."-Wheatley, p. 82. as the especial residence of GOD. (See Exod. xl. 34; also 1 Kings, viii. 10.) 'Though private prayer be a brave design, Leave thy six or seven, Pray with the most, for where most pray is heaven." III. The Minister.-The Ministers of the Jewish Church divinely appointed, as Aaron and his family to the Priesthood; the Levites as assistants. (Lev. viii.) Miraculous punishments, inflicted on those who presumed to take upon themselves this office, as Korah, Dathan, and their company. (Num. xvi.) Saul, Uzzah, (2 Sam. vi. 6, 7,) and Uzziah, (2 Chron. xxvi. 16.) Apostles and Teachers appointed by our Blessed Lord, and were endued with power; this authority conveyed to others, as to the seven Deacons, (Acts, vi. 6,) and to the Elders [priests] ordained by St. Paul and St. Barnabas. (Acts, xiv. 23.) Our bishops, priests, and deacons, the successors of these, having the power, authority, and commission received of the Apostles. "And the Bishop, and the Deacon, And the Presbyter were there, In pure and stainless raiment, At Eucharist and Prayer." Compiled from Wheatley.-W. J. L. Ir we were as patient in waiting for the instruction of wisdom, as we are earnest to take sure steps in the prosecution of our worldly affairs, we might soon become acquainted with her lore, and proficients in her school.Dillwyn. BAD TEMPER. "How few seem properly to consider the baneful influence which the giving way to ill temper diffuses over the circle of their family and friends! In such a wilderness of thorns and briars as this world, where we can scarcely touch, much less venture to grasp, any object without now and then being wounded, how needful is it to be possessed of that heavenly principle, which, like the balm of Gilead spoken of by the prophet, (Jer. viii. 22,) shall drop its holy unction into the corroding irritation of the fallen nature, and from the very bosom of distress and disappointment, elicit a sweetness which breathes the atmosphere of heaven around it. "But oh! how different is the case when the leading person in a family, be a father, mother, humoured son or daughter, disturbed by that common position of human affairs which is usually characterized by the expression of "things going cross," comes, in the potent dominion of selfishness, to scatter the withering blight of an unhappy temper through the whole habitation! The chill of an ice-house is but a faint image of the congelation of heart which such a spirit produces on all that is amiable in social feeling. And alas! to deaden and blight anything that is tender, and kind, and lovely in our fellow creatures can be no light offence against a God whose nature and whose name is love." How little do we know what to wish for!-how often is the gratification of our desires attended with mortifying reflections! and how frequently are the very disappointments at which we murmur, productive of happy conse quences! YOUTH AND AGE. With cheerful step the traveller Pursues his early way, When first the dimly-dawning east, Reveals the rising day. He bounds along his craggy road, And all be sees and all he hears, And if the mist, retiring slow, But when besides the western clouds Departs the fading day, How wearily the traveller Sorely along the craggy road His painful footsteps creep, And if the mists of night close round, He dreads some unseen precipice, So cheerfully does youth begin, The fear of weary age. SOUTHEY. THE HOUSE OF GOD. WE read of one, who in olden time was obliged to leave his father's house, and wander forth to seek another home for himself in a far-off land. The journey before him was long and wearisome, and he knew not what might befall him by the way; but he had acted in obedience to the wishes of his parents, and had set out with his father's parting blessing upon his head; so he went cheerfully on his appointed path. He journeyed on until the sunlight faded, and the shades of evening gathered round him, and then he halted; and as the night closed in, the lonely way-faring man laid down to sleep in the wilderness, with a stone for his pillow, and the blue sky above with its shining stars looking down upon him as he lay there slumbering peacefully, with his staff and scrip beside him, ready to pursue his pilgrimage on the morrow. As he slept he dreamed,-not of the home and the parents he had so lately left, but of a wonderful ladder, reaching from earth to heaven, upon which the angels of God were ascending and descending. And his Heavenly Father Himself talked with him, and comforted him, and promised him His blessing and protection. Well might he awake full of awe and reverence, and consecrate the place by setting up an altar there, and vowing a vow unto the Lord! might he in love and faith go on his way rejoicing! Well You may, by this time, have found out that this was the Patriarch Jacob; and will perhaps wonder what it can have to do with you: but it seems to me that the lesson to be drawn from it will apply to all of us. We like him have set out on a long journey, full of perils and difficulties, even the journey of life; and seek a home in "the land that is very |