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PRAYERS

FOR THE

USE OF FAMILIES;

OR, THE

DOMESTIC

Minister's Assistant.

BY WILLIAM JAY,
AUTHOR OF SERMONS, DISCOURSES, &c. &c.

Hartford,

PUBLISHED BY SILAS ANDRUS.

1829.

LENOX LIBRARY

NEW YORK

PREFACE.

IF, in the title of this volume, the author has used the word “minister,” in rather an unusual latitude; its adjective will serve to explain, and restrict it. The "domestic" minister, intends, not the pastor, or preacher; not the servant of the Most High God, who officially shows unto men the way of salvation-but he, who adopts the resolution of Joshua-" As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The preservation and spread of religion should not depend, exclusively, on a particular order of men, however important their functions may be. All christians, in their respective stations, ought to co-operate with those, who are, by designation, workers together with God.

It ought to be a matter of thankfulness, that the number of ministers, properly so called, who enter into the spirit of their office, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus, is exceedingly increased. But compared with the field, and the vastness of the work, the labourers are yet few. And few they would be found, if multiplied a thousand fold; and we should still need, the property, the talents, the influence, the example, the exertions, and the prayers, of all the subjects of divine grace.

And can their services be dispensed with-now? God is not the God of confusion, but of peace: and He has said, "Let every thing be done decently and in order." It is his providence that determine the bounds of our habitation, and furnishes the several stations we occupy: and into these we are to look for our duties and opportunities. Men

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