a branch grow, unless it receive nourishment from the vine? And how can the branches of Christ receive this nourishment, except by frequent communion with him? And how can this be obtained, without spending much time in the appointed place of this hallowed intercourse? Secret prayer, devout reading of the Scriptures, meditation, and self-examination, are as necessary to the soul as food and drink to the body. Spiritual meditation and self-examination are in great danger of being neglected, in the daily round of Christian duties, when so many objects are constantly claiming our attention. Yet they are absolutely enjoined in the word of God; and the practice of them is essential to deep spirituality of mind.

CHAPTER I.

Practical Hints on the Exercise of Prayer.

IT seems hardly necessary to urge prayer upon a true child of God as a duty. Every lively Christian must feel it to be a soulexalting privilege. What child needs to be urged to converse with his parents? Yet prayer is nothing less than the most intimate conversation with our heavenly Father. Prayer is the Christian's breath. Without it, he can no more maintain his spiritual life, than animal life can be sustained without breathing. The design of this work, however, does not admit of a full discussion of the subject. We suggest only a few practical hints.

1. Maintain a constant spirit of prayer. "Pray without ceasing." Continuing instant in prayer.” 'Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." "And he spake a parable unto them, to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." The meaning of these passages is, not that we should be always upon our

knees, but that we should maintain such a prayerful frame, that, the moment our minds are disengaged, our hearts will rise up to God. Intimately connected with this is the practice of ejaculatory prayer, which consists of a short petition, silently and suddenly sent up from the heart. This may be done any where, and under all circumstances. Frequent examples of this kind of prayer are recorded in Scripture. It has also been the practice of living Christians in all ages. It is a great assistance in the Christian warfare. It helps us in resisting temptation; and, by means of it, we can seek Divine aid in the midst of the greatest emergencies. To maintain this unceasing spirit of prayer is a very difficult work. It requires unwearied care and watchfulness, labor and perseverance. Yet no Christian can thrive without it.

2. Observe stated and regular seasons of prayer. Some make so much of the foregoing, as to neglect all audible and formal prayer. This is evidently unscriptural. Our Saviour directs us to enter into our closet, and, when we have shut the door, to pray to our Father who is in secret. And to this precept he has added the sanction of his own example. In the course of his history, we find him often retiring to solitary places, to pour out his soul in prayer. Other exam

ples are also recorded in Scripture. David says, "Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray." And again, "Seven times a day do I praise thee." And it was the habitual practice of Daniel to kneel down in his chamber, and pray three times a day. But this practice is so natural, and so agreeable to Christian feeling, that no argument seems necessary to persuade real Christians to observe it. It has been the delight of the saints in all ages to retire alone, and hold communion with God.

With regard to the particular times of prayer, no very definite rule can be given, which will suit all circumstances. There is a peculiar propriety in visiting the throne of grace in the morning, to offer up the thanksgiving of our hearts for our preservation, and to seek grace for the day; and also in the evening, to express our gratitude for the mercies we have enjoyed, to confess the sins we have committed, and seek for pardon; and to commit ourselves to the care of a covenant-keeping God, when we retire to rest. It is also very suitable, when we suspend our worldly employments, in the middle of the day, to refresh our bodies, to renew our visit to the fountain of life, that our souls may also be refreshed. The twilight of the evening is also a favorable season for devotional exercises. But let me

entreat you to be much in prayer. If the nature of your employments will admit of it, without being unfaithful to your engagements, retire many times in the day, to pour out your soul before God, and receive fresh communications of his grace. Our hearts are so much affected by sensible objects, that, if we suffer them to be engaged long at a time in worldly pursuits, we find them insensibly clinging to earth. But, by all means, fix upon some stated and regular seasons, and observe them punctually and faithfully. Remember they are engagements with God.

For devotional exercises, we should select those times and seasons when we find our minds most vigorous, and our feelings most lively. As the morning is, in many respects, most favorable, it is well to spend as much time as we can in the closet, before engaging in the employments of the day. An hour spent in reading God's word, and in prayer and praise, early in the morning, will give a heavenly tone to the feelings, which, by proper watchfulness, and frequent draughts at the same fountain, may be carried through all the pursuits of the day.

As already remarked, our Lord, in the pattern left us, has given a very prominent place to the petition, "THY KINGDOM COME." This is a large petition. It includes all the