munion with himself. When this sacred exercise is suspended, the health of the soul declines; nor can the symptoms of its debility and languor be long hid. If this, then, is the state of a Christian, how may prayer be best promoted? This is a question of great importance, and will lead us to specify some of the means.

I. The hearing of the word is one means of stirring up the spirit of prayer.

When our Redeemer ascended on high, he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. The preaching of the word is the usual instrument which God employs, both in first awakening the soul from a state of insensibility, and afterward in arousing it from those partial slumbers, which imperceptibly creep upon us. The fire of devotion is generally, though not always, kindled in the sanctuary; and it is there that the sparks, struck out by the hammer of the word, are fanned into a flame. On the memorable day of Pentecost, when more than three thousand were pricked in their hearts, under Peter's sermon, how many serious inquiries and earnest supplica

tions began to flow from their lips! And even to this day, the faithful ministration of the divine word has proved a powerful and effectual means for producing, among the most ignorant, profligate, selfish, and degraded of mankind, a spirit of piety and benevolence. The fact is obvious, and admits no dispute. We often behold the population of a certain district, sleeping the sleep of spiritual death, under the cold formal prayers and soporific lectures of some dry moralist; and the same pulpit is no sooner filled by a man of sound principle and serious spirit, ardent, affectionate, and unwearied in doing the work of an Evangelist, than a promising excitement commences, and here and there, through the inert mass, the signs of life appear.

"Truth from his lips prevails with double sway,

And fools who came to laugh, remain to pray."

By nature, men are strangers to the real state of their hearts, and unacquainted with their true character. With some knowledge of the facts and doctrines of Christianity, they entertain the delusive idea, that penitence and prayer are absolutely in their own power; nor are they convinced of their mistake, till, by the searching ministry of the word, they are put upon attempting those spiritual exercises, for which they are unfurnished and unprepared.

A man has repeated some form of prayer, ten thousand times, and yet never gains one clear view or affecting discovery of his real character, till he makes an actual effort to pray.

Nor is it merely in the first instance, that the preaching of the word excites prayer, but in all the subsequent stages of the Christian life. Those disciples, who were scattered abroad by the persecution that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Antioch, preaching the word. And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Upon hearing this pleasing intelligence, the apostles sent Barnabas to give assistance in advancing the good cause. How did he proceed in this important business? When he was come and had seen the grace of God, he was glad." But though the scene he witnessed was delightful, and his soul overflowed with joy, he did not spend all his time in congratulating the new converts on their happy change. Well knowing, that though much was done, more yet remained to do; exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord." (Acts xi. 23.) The conduct of Barnabas in this place, supplies an example worthy the imitation of all who fill the sacred office, and take upon them the care of souls. The ministry of the Gospel was intended not only to furnish cordials, but also

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stimulants. It not only invites us to fly to a merciful and covenant-keeping God; but likewise urges us to take hold of Him, and bind our souls to his service with indissoluble bonds.

Experience proves, that the Christian may for a time lose the power, the savour, and sweet enjoyment of religion. When the hand of faith slackens, and lets go the great and precious promises; when the fire of love abates, and at length appears almost extinct; when the duties of the closet, the family, and the sanctuary, are either in a great measure neglected, or dwindle into mere formality; then is the soul in a backsliding state. And is this, Reader, your present condition? Are you sunk into a Laodicean indifference? Does the spirit of the world predominate? Remember whence you have fallen; weigh your loss against your paltry gain, and weep over your egregious folly. Measure back your steps, that you may regain the paths of righteousness, and the possession of that peace, which passeth all understanding, and can reside only in a humble, penitent, praying heart. Oh! fly, instantly fly, the bewitching temptations and snares of the world. Go to the God from whom you have revolted, and laying your soul at his footstool, seek forgiveness and restoring grace. If you find a reluctance and disin

clination even to prayer, let me intreat you to take up the resolution of the Psalmist, "I will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people and his saints, but let them not turn again to folly."

It is by the faithful preaching of the divine word, that God speaks to men with plainness, and power, and solemnity; and in this way the native evil of sin is unfolded, the devices of Satan are detected, and the dangers and delusions of the world are laid open. The spiritual watchmen on the walls of Zion sound an alarm, to awaken those who are slumbering at ease, and give warning of the enemies' approach. The true ministers of the sanctuary delight to illustrate the attributes and promises of God, to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, to pourtray the character, the conflicts and victories of his genuine followers. Now, this is one of the principal means of stirring up the drowsy declining soul.

I am perfectly aware, that many persons, especially in cities and large towns, are seized with a sort of mania for hearing, which with them is not so much an aid to piety, as a substitute for it. Popular preachers in succession, each elevated for a time, are the idols they worship; but they have not learned to shew either piety or prudence at home: their families are disordered, their closets deserted.