unavoidably longer than those of the New, and therefore suit the evening better, when more time can be had, as in general the younger members of a family are not present. It may however be remarked that the longest lesson in this calendar may be devotionally read in ten minutes, and that if the same time be devoted to prayer, much less than one hour of the twenty-four will be given daily to Him, from whom every breath and every blessing are derived.

It is found desirable, in the Author's family, that the time of worship should be, immediately before breakfast, and before supper; that so the devotions of the closet, may be a preparation for those of the household, in the morning; and those of the household for those of the closet, in the evening: for, however important family worship may be, it must never be allowed to supersede private communion with God and with our own hearts, when we rise up, and when we lie down.

How positive is the command, how gracious the promise, of our Redeemer ;- "But thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father, who seeth in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."-Every Christian knows that it is well with him, or otherwise, just as the duties of the closet-that is, of self-examination, prayer, and thanksgiving-are delightful to him or otherwise.

The Author is accustomed to pray, according to the ability which God giveth him, or, as it is called, ex tempore; but as he cannot always be present at the hours of family prayer (which he does not think it right to vary) he has found much good result from the occasional use of a book of Family Prayer: to this his household are accustomed; and thus, if he be not with them, some one of his family can conduct the devotions of those present. This method has prevented any interruption of the worship of Almighty God, morning or evening, for

many years; and if the members of the family have been divided by distance, their worship has been nearly, or exactly, the same.

The Author has met with persons who regularly attend the public worship of God, with their households, but have no domestic worship, alleging that they do not feel competent to conduct it. Surely, with the helps now offered them, this need not be the case. He has heard some say, that they believe pre-composed forms to be unacceptable: he never heard such persons attempt to give scriptural authority for this opinion. It is certain. that the services of the Temple, which our Lord and His disciples attended, were pre-composed, as those of the Jews still continue to be. Almost every denomination of Christians has its books of Family Prayer, prepared by ministers of distinguished piety, so that it cannot be difficult for any to find such assistance as is needed; precomposed prayers were in use at a very early period of the Christian Church though not exclusively. The experience and observation of many years have convinced the author that there is no necessary connection between form and formality, against which he is desirous to be watchful; but there is very great danger that, if the time, place, and manner of doing anything be not fixed, it will not be done at all.

The Author has little more to add: he will do it in the words of two much honoured ministers of the Christian Church :

OF FAMILY WORSHIP.

"A household in which Family Prayer is devoutly attended to, conjoined with the reading of the Scriptures, is a school of religious instruction. The whole contents of the sacred volume are in due course laid open before its members. They are continually reminded of their relation to God and the Redeemer, of their sins and their wants, and of the methods they

must take to procure pardon for the one, and relief for the other every day they are receiving line upon line, and precept upon precept; a fresh accession is continually making to their stock of knowledge; new truths are gradually opened to their views, and the impressions of old truths are revived and deepened. A judicious parent will naturally notice the most striking incidents of the lessons in his devotional addresses, and such occurrences as take place in his family or neighbourhood; such as the sicknesses, deaths, or removals of those of whom it is composed. His addresses will vary according to circumstances. Has a pleasing event spread joy and cheerfulness, it will be noticed with becoming expressions of fervent gratitude: has some calamity overwhelmed the domestic circle, it will give occasion to humble acknowledgment of the divine equity, and grace will be implored through the blood of the Redeemer to sanctify and sustain the shock. In this way, through the divine grace, lasting and useful impressions will be made, for God is accustomed to work by means; and surely none can be conceived more likely to secure such ends."

OF PRAYING AND LIVING.

"Ever labour to live suitably to thy prayers: it is to no purpose to begin the day with God, and then spend it with the Devil; to be a saint in thy closet and with thy family, and a sinner in thy calling the rest of the day. Having prayed against sin, see that thou watch against it, avoiding occasions and temptations thereto, else shalt thou fall into it. Having prayed for holiness of life, walk humbly; having prayed for sobriety and temperance, labour to live soberly and temperately; having prayed in the Spirit, strive to walk in the Spirit. To pray for one thing, and to live for another, is equally a contradiction and an impiety. Let thy life savour of thy prayers: he whose whole religion is his prayers, hath not any religion in the sight of God, who abhorreth most

those who honour him with their lips, whilst their hearts are far from him."

ORDER OF WORSHIP.

1. Look out the Lesson by the Calendar.
2. Read one of the Collects.

3. Read the Lesson.

4. Then, kneeling, pray, or read the prayer.
5. Let all join in the Lord's Prayer.

6. Conclude with one of the Benedictions.
If a hymn be sung, it should be after the lesson
is looked out.

COLLECTS FOR USE BEFORE READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 2nd Sunday in Advent.

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 7th Sunday after Trinity.

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our consciences are afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen. 12th Sunday after Trinity.

B

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

CONCLUDING BENEDICTIONS.

MORNING-The Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us; the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace. Amen. Numbers vi. 24.

EVENING. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all. 2 Corin. xiii. 14.

Amen.

HEADS OF PRAYER-AND THANKSGIVING.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. (1 Timothy ii. 1.)

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians iv. 6.)

ADORATION-Of God our Creator, Saviour, Comforter. Make mention of his attributes, promises, mercies. Seek the promised aid of the Holy Spirit.

CONFESSION-Of our natural depravity.

That His law is holy, just, and good, given in mercy.
That we have sinned by transgressions and omissions.
That invitations, mercies, warnings, have been slighted.
That we are without excuse, and utterly helpless.
That we come to God relying on Jesus Christ his Son.
That we seek redemption through his blood.

That we trust in him alone as our advocate.