heart, the necessity of earnest prayer. Private prayer is inseparable from a state of grace; it is one of the first, one of the plainest and strongest symptoms of spiritual life; as it was said of the apostle Paul, "behold he prayeth !" In our closet devotions we have the most free and unrestrained intercourse with God. Every heart knows its own bitterness. The Christian has trials, conflicts, and temptations, all which he can spread before the Lord, and before HIM only. Not only would we urge the necessity of closet prayer, but would most solemnly enforce the following highly important, but it is feared much neglected, duties of family prayer and instruction. Every day let some portion of the word of God be read in your families; it will afford subjects both for meditation and prayer. It is a pleasing fact to know, that of late the important but very neglected duty of reading and explaining the scriptures daily for the benefit of children and servants, is reviving among pious heads of families in all classes of society. Ignorance the most fatal is entailed upon every family where the wisdom from above is not known or desired. Do we love our church? Do we really love and value our holy religion? Do we love our country? Do we wish suc ceeding generations to be more virtuous and more happy than our own? Remember that the work must be begun with parents and masters, with labourers and tradesmen, mechanics and artizans, as well as with the rich and noble of the present generation. Happy is the family, whether high or low, where the word of God is loved, dwells in the heart, and influences all its members. Let us be much with God, both at the family altar and in our closets. This will be well calculated to produce an advancement of the power of vital godliness in our hearts, and the universal and perpetual practice of it in our lives. It is an old and well established maxim, "praying will either make a man leave off sinning, or sinning will make a man leave off praying." I desire now to bring my little work to a close in a prayerful spirit. May the God of peace and love, "from whom cometh every good and every perfect gift," grant that his blessing may accompany the reading of this book to the hearts of all. May He, "whose blessed Son was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life, grant us that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves even as He is pure: that when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in his eternal and glorious kingdom: where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen."* May a dying Saviour's love, An ascended Saviour's sympathy, Be the joy and comfort of your heart." * Collect for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany,-Church of England Book of Common Prayer. THE END. Edinburgh: Printed by JAMES PEDDIE, 2 Nicolson Square. |