the obedient only are to eat the good of the land; if faithful servants only are to share the smiles of their Master, does it not become all the followers of Jesus, and especially the preachers of his gospel, to arise from the bed of sloth, and to do the work which God hath assigned them. O that I may ever feel the importance of these things. I, who am so prone to inactivity, who am so backward to duty, need every incentive to arouse my sluggish soul. I have to mourn the little ardour which I feel in the cause of God. It is a cause which demands all my exertions. Shame should cover my face, and confusion fill my soul, upon a recollection of my stupidity. I can do but little; but that little should be done with all my might. When looking within, I am almost discouraged. The wickedness of my heart, the coldness of my affections, connected with my want of talent, serve, at times, almost to destroy every expectation of my doing good. Forgive, dear sir, my complaints. IfI had not struck upon the thoughts which nearly fill my letter, I am apprehensive that you would have been pained with the sad tale of my feelings. But I will forbear. In the autumn of 1815, and also the ensuing summer, Mr. C. was the subject of much bodily indisposition. His sickness was occasioned by exchanging the scenes of active life for the sedentary habits of a student. The person with whom he passed several weeks, when compelled to relinquish his studies, remembers very distinctly the pleasing and yet painful state of his mind. As to his own personal interest in Christ, and a participation in the final rest which remaineth for the people of God, Mr. Colman had an humble and steady hope. But the expectation that he might live, and yet be unable to preach the gospel, produced at times very gloomy sensations. Death appeared more de The words of Cowper within a few days past, have made a deep impression on my mind: "God moves in a mysterious way, The divine proceedings frequently appear dark and mysterious. No doubt the reason is this, the Lord of heaven and earth works upon a scale too extensive for man to comprebend. All the plans of God are laid in infinite wisdom, and we may rest assured that they will advance the best interests of the universe. How pleasing is the consideration that a Being of infinite wisdom and benevolence directs the affairs of nations and individuals. When we can be suitably impressed with this idea, every dispensation of providence which relates to us, appears calculated for our good; we view the divine dealings, as proceeding from a kind and tender Father, whose compassion is so great, that he will never send us prosperity or affliction, unless they are to answer valuable and important ends. How sweet is Christian submission! It is a plant which does not thrive in nature's garden. The cold and sterile ground of modern philosophy is not calculated to produce it. But it springs up, and grows, and blos soms in that heart, which is daily wet with the dews of heavenly grace. There it appears in its native beauty, and renders a character far more amiable and attractive than the most accomplished of this world. Christians always stand in need of this grace, but never more than when they are visited with peculiar afflictions. When our hopes and prospects are blasted, how apt are we to repine! When severe dispensations are our lot, we are too much inclined to arraigo the divine conduct at the bar of our limited reason, and judge Him in whose sight the wisdom of a Newton is folly. Oh! that I may ever feel resigned to the will of God. I feel peculiar need of that blessed grace at the present time. Since saw you, the Lord has visited me, I believe, in answer to prayer; "but it has been in such a way, as almost drove me to despair." The all wise Disposer of events has been pleased to send upon me an affliction which I dreaded most of all others. How often have I thought that nothing would so much discour age me, as to discharge blood from my lungs; but I have experienced sweet consolation and strong support when called to endure the trial. I have much reason to be thankful for the peace of mind which I have enjoyed. I have not, howev. er, been without trials on this occasion. Sometimes I have been afraid that my sickness was a token of the divine displeasure, and that the Lord frowned upon me for daring to undertake the important work of preaching the gospel, without being qualified and sent. At other times, I have been tried with the thought, that if I had a work to perform, it has been accomplished, and that I should no more be permitted to point sinners to the Lamb of God. This was a severe temptation; I feel its force this moment. But O, Sir, I know not how to part with poor sinners. I have warned We should ever feel willing hand of God. He is the Father of to resign all our concerns into the mercies, and will never lay upon us a heavier burden than we are able fall, the words of Cowper used to to bear. During my sickness last afford me much consolation, "But all, is in his hand whose praise 1 seek." How animating is the idea that diseases are at the disposal of his messengers, frequently sent to our heavenly Father. They are promote the work of sanctification in his people, and to ripen them for the world of blessedness. And, indeed, if we seek the praise of God, the very trials we endure may be tensive usefulness. When we have the means of fitting us for more exhow to sympathize with the afflictpassed through afflictions, we know ed. been made sweet and strengthening The promises which have and exhort them to trust all their to us, we can exhibit to their view, concerns in the hand of Him who was our present help in time of trouble. Affliction gives us confi When we have dence in God. fect, and that he will never disap- It requires such constant exertion to withdraw the mind from sensible objects, and fix it on those which are purely religious, that although we may regularly attend on the publick worship of God, there is great danger lest our attendance should become formal. As frequently as the sabbath returns, our seats in the house of God may be occupied, and yet, as to the great purposes for which we should assemble together, our feelings may be entirely estranged. Our bodies may be there, while our thoughts are wandering to the ends of the earth. We may be forming plans for the improvement of our farms, or the sale of our merchandize, when we ought to be devoutly engaged in the solemnities of Zion. And when we are going to the house of God, we may be altogether inattentive to that state of mind which is so desirable, if we would derive profit from the services in which we expect to be engaged. These are, doubtless, powerful causes why there is not a more el evated piety and consistent deportment, observable among professing Christians; and why hearers generally, do not derive more benefit from the ministry of the word. If according to the doctrine of our Saviour, the cares of the world choke the seed of the word after it is sown, it is equally true, that they may so fully pre-occupy the heart as to leave no place into which it can fall. It is therefore hoped, that the remarks in this communication will receive the serious at→ tention of your numerous readers. In prospect of going to the house of God, we should examine ourselves We should commune with our own hearts, and seriously inquire, what is our knowledge, feelings, and conduct? We should endeavour to ascertain, what are our deficiencies of character; what instructions we most need; what tempers and feelings ought to be corrected; and what motives would be most likely to arouse us from a state of apathy, and animate our languid feelings. We should seriously ask, whether we have in earnest, attended to the concerns of our souls; whether we have considered the weighty arguments by which the truth and importance of revelation are supported; and whether we have sufficiently reflected on the awful consequences which will follow a neglect of the gospel? It is believed that inquires of this kind would have a happy influence in solemnizing the mind, and producing that tone of feeling which is favourable to a profitable hearing of the word. They would awaken and keep alive our attention. And we should be more likely to seize with avidity those parts of a discourse, which our reflections had made us feel, were more particularly adapted to our own individual situation. By this previous process, the image of our characters, presented to view in the glass of the gospel, would be so much more clearly and distinctly apprehended by us, that the impression would be longer retained, and productive of more salutary effects. We should go to the house of. God in a spirit of prayer Having inquired into our own condition, we should mourn over our imper. fections. We should approach the divine footstool with humility and supplication. And as we shall receive no benefit from publick ordinances without the blessing of God, we should plead with him, that his own appointed means may be bless ed to our souls. We should labour to feel a deep sense of our dependence on him, who is the Father of lights, and the Giver of every good and perfect gift. We should pray that the word may come with pow er to our hearts, so that we may be instructed, comforted, and edified, by the means of grace. In our supplications, we should especially remember the ministers of the word. For, however they may be distinguished by their talents, fidelity, or zeal, they can do nothing of themselves. "Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither be that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." How important then, that we should look to Him, who alone can make the ministry effectual. If we go to a place of worship with such a spirit as this, waiting upon God, and desiring his blessing, we shall not be disappointed. In answer to prayer, the influences of divine grace will be imparted to our souls. There should be a desire and determination to profit by the ministry of the word. Let a person, before he leaves his habitation, or whilst on his way to publick worship, resolve within himself: "I will endeavour to derive some benefit from what I may hear to-day. If a doctrinal subject is discussed, I will try to understand it. If the discourse is experimental, I will examine my own exercises and feelings, and see whether they accord with what is stated If the sermon is practical, I will bring my practice to the test of scripture, and not be satisfied until I am more conformed to the will of Christ." O! how much more would Christians grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, were they to pursue this course. If there were less of a spirit of indifference; and less of a disposition to be merely entertained with the modulations of a fine voice, or the harmony of well turned periods; and more of a desire to hear with profit; much greater advantages would be derived from the services of the sanctuary. There are few sermons, however defective they may be as to matter, or however imperfectly delivered, but some substantial good would be received from them. We should always hear something, either to add to our knowledge, to comfort our hearts, to revive our hopes, to guard us against temptation, or to alarm our fears. We should, in prospect of going to the house of God, avoid every thing that will unfit us for divine worship. And here it may not be improper to observe, that the same quantity of food which may be proper when we attend to manual avocations, may be injurious to us on the sabbath. Whatever produces drowsiness or listlessness in the house of God, should be conscien ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. tiously avoided. When we attend to the exercises of worship, our immortal concerns should be uppermost. And hence, whatever clogs or fetters the soul, should be given up. If a degree of abstinence keeps the mind more wakeful, and is favourable to greater elasticity of soul, let us conscientiously practise it. Let us be careful that we do not rob the soul of its proper food, by pampering that body which in a few days must be laid in the darkness of the tomb, and become a feast for worms. We should also endeavour to exclude from our thoughts those objects which have no connexion with the concerns of the soul. When we attend to business, it is proper that our minds should be occupied on that business, so far at least, as is necessary to perform it well. And when we go to the house of God, it should be our aim, to have our thoughts exclusively occupied with the concerns of religion. As the sabbath is a day of rest from secular avocations, our minds should be at rest from them. As we shut up our stores and shops, we should endeavour to shut worldly concerns from our hearts, On our way to the house of God, we should keep ourselves from worldly conversation. We should be careful that the affairs of nations, the political contests of the day, or the state of trade, should not engross our thoughts. If we set any value on spirituality of mind, or regard the feelings of pious ministers, we should avoid those groups which are frequently collected around the doors of meeting houses on the sabbath, and engaged in the discussion of mere secular subjects. It is surely not necessary to remark, that such topicks unfit the mind for the publick worship of God, and render it like the strings of an instrument, which must be wound up before they can emit melodious sounds. If Christians would enjoy the full advantages to be obtained from the [May, services of religion, they must come with minds in some degree attuned to these services, by serious reflection, and the exclusion of those objects which enfeeble the moral tension of the soul. There is such a thing as the chords of the heart, vibrating in unison with the solemnities of religion. And thrice happy is the man, who, on his way to the house of God, keeps his heart with all diligence, and labours to bring up his feelings to that pitch which shall harmonize with sanctuary devotion. There is reason to fear that the minds of hearers generally, and even of Christian hearers, are not sufficiently impressed with the great importance of a right preparation of heart for publick worship. But it is believed, that if self-examination-a spirit of earnest prayera desire to be profited-and the exclusion of objects which are not connected with religion, were habitually to precede our appearance within the gates of Zion, we should be more substantially benefitted by the ordinances of the gospel. We complain, and no doubt justly, that we go and return from publick worship without apparent benefit ; and that we do not feel higher degrees of spirituality, greater deadness to the world, and more conformity to the image of God. May not a want of suitable preparation be a reason of this dearth of religious enjoyment, and of our little growth in the divine life? Have we endeavoured to open the door of our hearts, and let out the busy crowd of earthly cares and pleasures, that there may be room for the word of truth, and the exercises of Cbristian piety? Were this to be seriously attempted, there is would awake, and put on their reason to believe, that Christians beautiful garments, and be girded with strength. They would be tue; and to virtue, knowledge; and seen adding to their "faith, virto knowledge, temperance; and to |