Yet this is only an incidental benefit of family prayer. A secret about neglect at home is sometimes published when we cannot pray

abroad.

The sameness in the circumstances of a family, in its ordinary state, is favourable to the employment of the gift of prayer in an early stage of its exercise; and the habit of varying the expression but a little every day may in the end lead to a more comprehensive power in the employment.

The generally desirable brevity of a family prayer is also in favour of the young Christian in this duty.

In a happy family, (and it is always difficult to maintain family worship in an unhappy one,) it may be expected that a very charitable feeling will exist towards that member who may ̊commonly lead their devotions. What Christian parent does not wish to be pleased with the prayers of his child? what Christian brother does not desire to think well of his own relative?

The watchfulness which family prayer naturally tends to inspire in the person who must conduct the devotions of those with whom he lives, is at least so far favourable to the growth of his gifts, that it is likely to prevent them from

being checked by the withering influence of immorality in the life.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Let them learn first to shew piety at home. 1 Tim. v. 4. The man who wrote the largest proportion of the prayers of Scripture said, Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice. Ps. lv. 17.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chambers towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Dan. vi. 10, 11.

The Apostles and their company, when living together, as one family, continued with one accord in prayer and supplications. Acts, i. 14.

Cornelius received an increase of spiritual light, as the result of the Divine blessing on family prayer. Acts, x. 1, 2, &c.

I prayed in my house. Acts, x. 30.

Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name. Jer. x. 25.

XXV. THE SICK CHAMBER.

The sick and the dying beds of Christ's people are, in a very eminent degree, schools of instruction and consolation. I have often gone to them as cold (spiritually speaking) as a stone, and returned from them half as warm as an angel.-TOPLADY.

THE sick and the distressed are, in some respects, the best persons with whom a Christian,

beginning to pray, can exercise his gifts. The earliest advances beyond the circle of the most intimate friendship may be profitably made in the chamber of affliction.

There is an eloquence in woe which affects the heart, and thus inspires the tongue; and when a man is praying only with the sorrowful, he is not likely to be surrounded with critics. A mind which deeply feels its need of mercy will not be fastidious about the expressions by which that mercy is implored,-provided only that there be a manifest sympathy with its wants, and such an agreement with the word of God as gives a reasonable expectation that prayer will be answered.

Next to the privilege of holding communion with God, and deriving personal blessings from his throne, there can hardly be a more becoming motive to desire the gift of prayer than the remembrance that such a gift may prove of service to a suffering fellow-creature; and there is scarcely another engagement so conducive to the actual growth of holy eloquence in devotion, as a frequent employment of the heart and tongue in sympathy with the distressed. We should, in general, pray better with the healthy and the prosperous, if we prayed more frequently with the sick and the sorrowful.

If there be one habit likely to be injuriously acquired in the sick chamber, it is that of praying in too low a tone of voice. A little common sense will, however, remedy this; and the benevolent prudence which enjoins a low tone in prayer with the sick, (unless they be deaf,) will also suggest the propriety of praying in a larger company so as to be heard by all.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Prov. xi. 25.

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. Eccl. vii. 2.

I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matt. xxv. 36.

Pure religion.... is to visit the fatherless, and the widows in their affliction. James, i. 27.

XXVI.-PRAYER IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

I wish that every Christian pilgrim in the way of grace, as he walks through the Lord's pastures, would try to lead at least one little child by the hand; and perhaps, while he is endeavouring to guide and preserve his young and feeble companion, the Lord will recompense him double for all his cares.

REV. LEGH RICHMOND.

IT has pleased God to bless the benevolent efforts of his people, so as to render them subservient to many important purposes-besides

the fulfilment of their first and kind intentions. This truth, which might be illustrated by reference to the indirect effects of many other charities, has been singularly evinced in the personal and unanticipated benefits which Sunday-school teachers have derived from their endeavours to instruct the rising race. Perhaps more young Christians have, in the nineteenth century, obtained the power of free prayer, through the instrumentality of the duties, the circumstances, and the associations of the Sunday-school, than in any other way. They only meant to teach poor children, but they have insensibly been taught themselves.

A Sabbath-school teacher has a motive to endeavour to pray well, by which every Christian cannot be inspired. The first lispings of some of the children, in prayer to God, may be directed by the example which he is enabled to present.

The act of praying with children-if there be any becoming sense of the manner in which the service should be conducted-is likely to occasion a simple and unaffected habit in the expression of devotional ideas. The Christian who prays most like "a little child" will pray best; nd the act of praying with little children is a ral method of acquiring this holy art.

nday-school prayers are always expected to