ce in

elves, ejoice

in the

spirit.

f little

leness those

ldren

d its

erior they

must

ains

- for

And

tion,

nigh

ness,

ray

many

men,

into

tions

im

ould

Creator, not by any written form of words, but rather by
training their minds to good and virtuous impressions.

There are numberless inducements to engage in the
simplicity of family devotion. It is not necessary to be
always repeating the name of the Lord; lest it might be-
come a pernicious habit. In our daily avocations, we
should think only of our business; but in prayer, we should
not suffer our minds to go astray: We will find it impossi-
ble to attend to two things at a time.

Hark! the dull sounds of the muffled bell, break upon the ear! The coffin of a neighbor is moving slowly and mournfully along. The husband grasps the hand of his wife-eternity opens more vividly to their view-they strengthen their faith, and rely with still greater confidence upon the goodness and providence of God. Here is domestic devotion!

The spring has returned and is scattering her flowers upon the earth; the lark is singing merrily in the skies; the nightingale is whispering its notes in the distant grove, and gladness and joy pervade the whole creation. The delighted father describes to his listening son the wonderful works of nature, and the order and regularity of its government, until their minds are lost in wonder and admiration. Here, indeed, is domestic worship!

A family passes away many lonely hours, without any other enjoyment, than that of their own society. Then, how pleasant it is to engage in cheerful conversation, and sometimes reflect upon the more serious concerns of

the bible; the songs of David, or the history of Jesus Christ, be read aloud, while the family listens with an attentive ear. The understanding is hereby improved; virtue appears in all her beauty and loveliness; vice, in its hideousness and deformity; the flame of devotion is enkindled in every heart, and the soul seems to have leaped into the more immediate presence of the Deity.

These few examples will show the manifold inducements to domestic worship. But it is not necessary to be always exhorting and entreating each other to be good. An excess of devotion will weary the mind. To the father and mother, and to the world at large, we would say, that the most effective sermon, is that of a virtuous and exemplary life. Your example will be more powerful than your words; your instructions. your actions, more heeded than

The tender and industrious parents, the obedient and affectionate children, the honest and faithful domestics; these are the constant worshippers of God. Their whole conduct is upright and just. The piety of their souls shines forth in all their actions. Other men may have thrown aside their devotional feelings in the bustle of life; they may have forgotten the high resolves and noble purposes of soul, which were sealed with a vow in the hour of tribulation; yet these remain with us, faithful to the last, and mingle their prayers and thanksgivings with our own. There is a sublimity in private devotion, in which every It increases our worth and one more or less participates. respectability in the estimation of the world. It familiar

izes us with God; and we commune with him, not as strangers, but as little children with their parents.

The prayers which we offer to God in the stillness of solitude or in the midst of the family circle, seems purer and holier, and contributes more immediately to our domestic bliss and happiness. We avoid every immorality common to those who do not hold themselves responsible to the Almighty. A conscience void of reproach diffuses an inexpressible serenity over the mind, and imparts new pleasure to our existence.

O Lord, I am thankful that I am no stranger to thee! I would be unworthy of thy blessings, even for a single day, if I ceased to call upon thy holy name! Thy son prayed, even in the solitary garden of Gethsemane. I, too will go out into the lonely places of the earth, and though far from my home, I will worship thee in spirit and in truth; for thou art omnipresent and will be found amid the rocks and mountains, as in the temple that is consecrated to thy service.

In me, O Lord, thou reignest, and why should not thy precepts govern my household? Shall we profane with sin and wickedness, the chamber in which we have so fervently prayed? Shall we utter falsehoods and lies, on the spot where we have so often knelt in worship before thee? Shall we indulge in envy and slander and hatred, in the place where we have so often called upon thee to bless us? No! Where should we find peace or happiness on earth, if, by our transgressions, we convert our own cottage into a hell? I know the blessings that flow from domestic de

2*

There would be no religion upon earth, without the ceremony of public worship. The king and his subjects partake alike of its blessings.

Shall public worship, in a christian country, receive the disapprobation and contempt of those, who boast of enlightened understandings? There are individuals who think it gives them a sort of public notoriety, to think and act differently from their christian brethren and sisters. Is our religion inferior to that of the heathens, that it cannot awaken those feelings of sublimity, which they experience in their idolatrous worship?

Examine well thy reasons, for withdrawing thyself from the house of God. Is it not a want of religious feeling that prevents thee from appreciating the beauty and holiness of prayer, and to look upon it as an idle and superfluous custom? Does thy vanity lead thee to suppose, that thy impiety will cause thee to be looked upon as more enlightened and intelligent than those around thee? Is it shame that keeps thee aloof? Dost thou fear thy society will not be courted by the rich and proud men of the earth, who might neglect or despise religious worship? Or, is it thy indolence that raises objections to the performance of so sacred a duty?

I hear thee say, "There is nothing I can learn at church that I do not already know." Yet, an indifferent speaker