day is then ended, and, when supper is finished, what would be more proper, or more suited to that frame of mind which a Christian family, ought to possess at the close of a day, when they have each shared in the divine bounty, which has carried them through their labour, given them food, to refresh them, and which now holds forth the prospect of sleep to prepare them for the business of the morrow? what would be more proper, or more suited to Christian gratitude and faith, than that the whole family should kneel down and commit themselves, in earnest prayer, to the protection of that gracious Father, “in whom they live, and move, and have their being ;" and who gave up, for their sakes, to a painful death, that "beloved Son, in whom he was well-pleased?"

They who are accustomed to meet morning and evening for this purpose of family worship, will feel a satisfaction in thinking that they have been thus employed. It will help to check any bitterness of feeling, and we may humbly trust that God's blessing will follow a practice, which, when conducted with seriousness

and reverence, cannot fail of being approved by him. God's favour may not indeed be shewn by extraordinary marks of worldly prosperity, but it will be attended with peace of mind, contentment, cheerfulness, and kindness of feeling towards all around. These are the proper fruits of obedience to God's will, and these are among the best gifts which, as far as respects this life, are bestowed by the Holy Spirit.

What sight can be more welcome to Almighty God, and what sight can be more pleasing to all who have the welfare and happiness of their fellow-creatures at heart, than to behold a family united by this bond of daily worship? We may conceive the Almighty Father to look down from heaven upon them, as they are kneeling before him, and to say, These are my beloved children, my ears are open to their prayers. Where two or three are gathered together," says Christ," there am I in the midst." Who would not wish to engage for himself and his family the

• Matt. xviii. 20.

gage his assistance by pleading the cause of him in whose behalf you have come forward? And, when any of these favours have been granted, do you not feel bound to return thanks to the person who has taken pains to serve yourselves or those who are dear to you? Do you moreover take an honest pleasure in mentioning to others what kindness you have received? Here then you have all that comes under the general term of prayer-intreaty, thanksgiving, and praise.

If then you address yourselves to a fellow creature, and seek to engage his support for your own benefit, or for the benefit of others, is it not most reasonable that you should apply to the Being who gave you life, and on whom you depend, not only for all you possess, but also for all you can receive hereafter?

When a practice, so reasonable in itself, and so agreeable to the actual conduct of men towards their fellow men, is required of us by Almighty God and his Son Jesus Christ, do we not stand in a manner selfcondemned, if we neglect this duty?

Hitherto I have confined

my

attention

to prayer in general; I shall now consider more particularly family prayer.

It surely becomes those who live under the same roof, and meet together to share the daily bounties of God at their meals, to join in acts of prayer and praise to the Being from whom they derive these blessings. They are accustomed to act together for the service of the family; if any thing is wanted, each is ready to seek after it, so that all are engaged to forward the advantage or comfort of those who belong to the same household. What then can be more reasonable or proper than that they who act together for worldly objects, should join, as members of a family, in daily prayer and praise to him who holds in his hands the keys of life and death?

Would not the practice of meeting morning and evening to offer up prayers and praises to Almighty God, serve to make you feel more united, and help therefore to increase the kindness which prompts you to serve and assist each other! If David says, "how good and joyful a thing it is to dwell together in unity"-why should

Psalm cxxxiii. 1.

heavenly Father, for his blessing upon the small congregation assembled before him?

The following prayer will be very proper for this purpose of family worship in the morning; it makes, you will easily remember, a part of our ordinary Church service.

66

“O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

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This should be followed by the Lord's Prayer; and you may conclude with those words of St. Paul, which closes our public morning and evening service.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen."

At night your first family prayer may