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But next to the Intellectual and Religious claim of the Work, is that which arises from the object of unquestionable benevolence to which the large profits arising from its sale have been invariably devoted. In their Preface for 1793, the Editors express a hope, "that the profits arising from the sale of the Work, will enable them to alleviate the distresses of many Widows and Orphans of God's dear faithful servants." Such were the anticipations cherished by those devoted men, who, more than half a century ago, established the Evangelical Magazine-anticipations which have been fully realized, in the distribution of a sum considerably above THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS, among the Widows of Christian Pastors of various Orthodox communions. By the publication-arrangements, moreover, of the last ten years, the income applicable to their relief has been considerably increased. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY WIDOWS are now receiving regular annual grants; and have had voted to them, in 1847, the sum of ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN POUNDS!

May we venture, then, earnestly to remind the friends of the Pastor's Widow, that they cannot dispense with the Fund connected with the Evangelical Magazine? There is nothing else to supply its place. Let it be remembered, also, that no charitable supply can be provided with less inconvenience to the Public. Every purchaser of the Evangelical Magazine, may have the soothing satisfaction of ministering effectually to the relief and comfort of many a widowed and sorrowful heart. Who would deprive himself of this pure and unmingled feeling of delight, for the sacrifice of a single sixpence per month? But it must not be forgotten, that the present large revenue at the disposal of the Trustees depends entirely upon the continued extensive circulation of the Magazine and Missionary Chronicle.

We look, then, to our earnest friends, in Town and Country, for an enlightened and generous estimate of our claims. Surely they ought to be regarded as paramount. The competition of the Periodical Press, at the present moment, is extraordinary and almost perplexing. We rejoice in this. We hail it as a happy omen for our country and posterity. The sun is up; and the darkness of former ages is passing away. But we plead, on moral grounds,-in consideration of long and important services rendered to the public,-of the intrinsic merits of the Work committed to our care,-and, above all, of the humanity and tenderness due to objects entitled to the warmest sympathies of good and Christian men,-that the Evangelical Magazine may continue to occupy the high place which has been assigned to it for more than fifty years. We look, then, with confidence to the MINISTERS of CHRIST, for the full realization of our hopes. They cannot doubt the claim. They cannot be unmindful of the Pastor's Widow. The very stones would cry out against them, if they were to relax their efforts on her behalf. On the first or second Lord's Day in December, we ask of them an effective pulpit notice. They will offend no good man by such a course, and they will please and gratify the most benevolent portion of their flocks. It is but fair then to give the signal, and thousands will forthwith order the Magazine. Whatever will best tend to promote the circulation of the Work, will not, we are sure, be wanting on their part. We confide in their generous conduct. We know they will not disappoint our hopes. Let the orders for January encourage the Trustees to take on all the new cases that may be presented to their notice at their next meeting. Why should not the Fund connected with the Magazine be sufficient to afford relief to all the necessitous Widows of Evangelical Pastors ?-We say to every beloved Brother, for the case is urgent, "What thou doest do quickly;" and "verily you shall have your reward!"

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THE

EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE,

AND

MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

FOR JANUARY, 1847.

FAMILY WORSHIP.

WHAT delightful associations are connected with HOME! The very word has a pleasant sound, when it is descriptive of reality, and not of fiction. Its true existence and genuine comfort depend much more on moral excellence than on any outward and adventitious circumstances. What is home without religion? on this its highest happiness and real enjoyments depend. Nowhere is sterling piety, in its power and manifestation, of more value than around the family hearth, and in the midst of the family circle. This is the sphere of its greatest influence—there, ought to be the scene of its purest exhibition, and the field of its holiest attractions. It will come out from the soul where it exists in vitality and vigour; it will issue, glowing with affection, from the closet, and first of all show itself with sacred attraction and holy beauty around the family fireside throwing a charm over the enjoyments of the parlour, and scattering its blessings through all the departments and employments of home, in a way that nothing earthly or temporal can.

One of the most important and beautiful manifestations of this family religion

VOL. XXV.

is Domestic Worship. It is simple, and its very simplicity gives it a charm. Where will a man, with religion in his soul, love to sing the praises and supplicate the blessing of his Maker, so well as under his own roof, in the midst of his own family? There it will be his delight to worship God—" the God of the families of Israel,"—whose Revelation to man has formed domestic society, and thrown a halo of sweetness and grace around all the domestic relationships. Where can you find the enjoyments of home, and the ties of conjugal, parental, and filial affection, fully, faithfully, and feelingly recognised, but where Christianity has sown its seed and scattered its blessings? In vain do you look to the mythology of antiquity, or the philosophy of Confucius to the religion of Brahma, or the paganism of Caffreland, for the sacredness of family relationship and the pure enjoyment of family love. No; apart from religion, through its influence, either direct or indirect, domestic society, in all the sweetness and sanctity of its bonds, does not exist. What is more natural, then, and what more appropriate, than domestic worship-the grateful acknow

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ledgment of the goodness of Him who "setteth the solitary in families," Psa. lxviii. 6.

Family Worship is the most ancient of all kinds of worship. It is the simplest and earliest institution for the homage of God amongst men. Of course, for a considerable period, in the first ages of the world's history, and while there were but comparatively few families upon the earth, there could be no such thing as public worship. The head of every family was a prophet, priest, and king in his own circle-offering to the one true God, with his children and dependents, the homage due unto his name. Thus it was in the days of Adam, of Noah, of Job, and of Abraham-of the last of whom God said: "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment," Gen. xviii. 19. Nor after the institution of public religious services, during the legation of Moses, was domestic worship abolished. On the contrary, the children of Israel were commanded to teach the statutes of the Lord diligently unto their children, and to talk of them while they sat at home, Deut. vi. 6.; and Joshua, determined to act on this command, intimated that they might serve idols if they were so disposed, but that he and his house should serve the Lord," Joshua xxiv. 15. And during all subsequent ages, whether under the Old or the New Testament dispensation, family worship has flourished, wherever God has been known and adored. Thus it is the primitive has been the most general, and is perhaps the most useful of all forms of worship. In the present state and claims of society, public worship is absolutely necessary and important. To the vigorous growth and lively maintenance of religion in the soul, private devotion is indispensable; but the worship of God in the family has an attraction and an influence which, in some respects, belong to neither. And where can a man with such interest, and earnestness, and grati

tude, worship God, as in the bosom of his family, surrounded with family mercies? To the young members of the household the services of the sanctuary are unmeaning, indefinite, and too protracted: the value of closet worship is neither seen nor understood by them; but domestic worship, where it is conducted as it ought to be, meets their age, their position, and capacity.

Active and vigorous piety in the souls of the heads of families will seek such adaptation, in domestic exercises, to the condition of the younger branches. The word of God will be read, his praises sung, and his blessing sought, in a way to impress children and servants with the idea that God is worshipped "in spirit and in truth."

One or two suggestions on this subject may be useful.

Let the domestic worship be conducted with simplicity. It is, as we have said, primitive in its institution-from its very nature it is simple, and ought to be conducted with simplicity. All technical phraseology should as much as possible be avoided, and nothing allowed to have a place in the family devotions which is beyond the general understanding of the assembled household, or which might tend to give a difficult and impracticable view of religion. As already hinted, the exercises will usually consist of singing, or reading the Scriptures and prayer

and in each and all of them simplicity will seek for appropriateness. It is questionable how far the reading of commentaries and annotations at family worship is desirable. It tends to distract the attention, and embarrass the minds of children and domestics, rather than to interest them. A simple verbal explanation, where it may be necessary, or a pointed practical remark, when the portion of Scripture suggests it, is far better.

Let there be fervour and solemnity. God is professedly worshipped where his word is read, his throne is approached; and there ought to be, as in all religious exercises, so in this especially, devout reverence and holy fervour. Yet some

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