our, and welfare of his people, the constant and invariable object of their deliberations. To this end they should banish from their breasts all considerations of private interest, and local or party attachment, and should always remember that peace and happiness,' which we daily pray for, can never be obtained or preserved, without the establishment of truth and justice, religion and piety;' for righteousness alone exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach, and will in the end bring ruin and destruction to any people. (Prov. xvi. 34.) But whether our governors and legislators do their duty or not, we must be careful not to neglect ours; which is, to speak of them with respect, to submit to the laws they enact, and to pray fervently to Almighty God, that he will direct their councils according to his will, and teach our senators wisdom."*

There are also special and appropriate prayers for deprecating the evils of drought, of deluge, of war, of pestilence, of famine-those terrible scourges with which Jehovah sometimes sees fit to visit the sins of a nation. Who that has ever joined with the congregation in God's temple, in praying to be delivered from either of these, has not called to mind the supplications of Solomon at the dedication of the Jewish temple ?—" If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpillar : if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be ; what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel,-then hear

* Slightly altered from Waldo, p. 170.

thou in heaven, thy dwelling place." And who that has not been encouraged to "ask in faith, nothing wavering,” by that gracious answer to Solomon's prayer, "mine eyes shall be opened, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place?"

There are also forms of thanksgivings provided for corresponding blessings, to be offered up when our prayers have been answered. All the prayers and thanksgiv ings we have now noticed are for averting public calamities, for calling down public blessings, or for acknowledging those already received.

There are, in like manner, forms for such distinguished private mercies, or such individual wants, as seem to require public prayers and praises. These are among the most comforting provisions of the church, and it is much to be lamented that they are not more generally used, on the occasions to which they are appointed. How exceedingly appropriate are the prayers "for a sick person," "for a sick child," for " a person, or persons, going to sea," "for a person under affliction ;"—and the thanksgivings, too, "of women after child birth," "for a recovery from sickness," "for a safe return from sea!" Now, if any one is desirous of having these occasional prayers read for himself, his family, or his friends, it is obviously proper to request the clergyman to use them; indeed, the expression that occurs in each of them," thy servant for whom our prayers are desired,” "who desireth to return thanks unto thee," plainly shows this. No doubt the minister is rarely called upon to read them, solely because his people do not well con

or,

sider their importance; for a moment's reflection must convince every pious person that he can no where look for success to his prayers, so certainly as in the house of God; to say nothing of the acknowledgment thus publicly made of our entire dependance on the Divine power, and unreserved trust in the Divine goodness. So far our example is of great weight; it is "letting our light shine. before men" in such a way "that they also may glorify their Father who is in heaven." The occasional prayers for persons who are sick, in affliction, on the sea, or "for a sick child," ought always to be used by those" who profess and call themselves christians," whenever their situation and circumstances render them applicable. And whenever any signal mercies have been received for which special thanksgivings are provided, these also should be offered up agreeably to the Psalmist's pious resolution, "I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people."

St. James not only delivers this injunction to christians,-" Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him ;”— but he gives this further direction, "Pray one for another, that ye may be healed." And when St. Peter was in prison, and consequently exposed to imminent danger, we read that "prayer was made without ceasing of THE CHURCH unto God for him ;" the result shows how efficacious prayers may, be when offered up in public by faithful and pious worshippers. It is then both the duty and the interest of every christian to ask to be remembered in the prayers of the congregation; and he will

esteem it one of his greatest privileges, not only in the private devotions of his closet, but in the more solemn offices of the church, to comply with the rule of the apostle,-In every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

CHAPTER V.

FAMILY PRAYER.

As the church has set forth some admirable "forms of prayer to be used in families," this seems to be the proper place to say something on the advantages and pleasures of family devotion.

This branch of the christian's duty is perhaps more generally neglected, even in pious families, than almost any other; although it would seem to be a part of worship due to our Creator and bountiful Benefactor, in which every parent would delight to engage. No doubt the neglect arises, in most cases, from a want of confidence and resolution to begin the pious work of calling our children and servants together, and making them kneel around us, while we present our supplications and praises to "the God who heareth prayer." But we are persuaded that when a beginning has once been made, no master of a family will wish to lay it aside; on the contrary, the moments spent in the morning and evening devotions of his household, will be the happiest of the day. Let every parent be prevailed upon to make the attempt for a single week, or month, at least; using the forms set forth in the prayer-book, or some one of the numerous manuals of devotion intended for family worship. He will soon feel the good effects on his own religious character, and discern its blessed influences on the conduct of those entrusted to his care.