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show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night." And he resolves, "Evening and morning, will I pray and cry aloud." Daniel prayed at the time of the evening sacrifice. And, after the dispensation of Moses was abrogated, and the Christian dispensation was introduced, the continual sacrifice, which was morning and evening, was still observed. The apostles and primitive Christians were daily in the temple, praising and blessing God. The third and ninth hours were the times, at which they assembled. To these stated

seasons, Paul referred in his directions to "pray always;" to "pray without ceasing;"—and to "offer the sacrifice of prayer continually."-Thus, it fully appears to be the indispensible duty of every family to attend, ordinarily, upon family prayer, morning and evening.

Antecedent to family prayers, should be the reading of the Scriptures. This duty has been lamentably neglected. And this is one great reason, why ignorance on divine subjects, and impiety, prevail so alarmingly, in the present generation. It was not so in the days of our fathers. Then the Bible was read, morning and evening, and then a seed was trained up to serve God. "That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good." Ignorance is surely not conducive to piety or devotion. Previously to reading the Scriptures, it may be well to offer a short prayer, that God would "open our eyes, that we might behold wonderous things out of His law" and that He would enable us to "receive, with meekness, the ingrafted word, which is able to save our souls." The Scriptures should be read in course, that regularity in reading may be maintained, and that the family, from day to day, may know what portion of Scripture is to be read. In reading the Scriptures, we should consider ourselves as holding a conference with the Divine Being. Herein we inquire after God and His will; and He reveals Him

self and His will to us. The practice of reading the Bible will be found useful, as it creates a respect for the word of God, prepares the mind for devotional exercises, edifies Christians, and may be the means of converting sinners. In this way much good may be done*

Psalmody is the natural language of the heart, and seems to be a proper part of family devotion. This was practised in the days of the primitive church, and in the days of our pious forefathers. Then the voice of rejoicing and salvation in song was in the tabernacles of the righteous. Singing the praises of the Lord is a pleasing, and useful part of religious worship, and the most proper method of expressing thanks. God, knowing the constitution of our nature, has wisely instituted psalmody, that the melody of the voice may affect the heart, and elevate the thoughts. Hence the apostle exhorts Christians to "teach and admonish one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord." Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God, when they alone worshipped together in prison. Family worship must be defective, where holy melody is altogether neglected. Pleasant, therefore, is the consideration, that the religious public is waking up, both in sentiment and practise, in some good measure, to this subject. And, as religion advances in its true spirit and lustre, no doubt the singing of sacred song will prevail in family devotion. Let it not be said, that most families cannot unite in this heavenly exercise. If this be true, it is not owing, generally, to a defect in natural powers, but to a defect

*Archbishop Tillotson, who was no enthusiast in religion, speaks thus decidedly on this subject. "The principal part of family religion is prayer, every morning and evening, and reading some portion of Scripture; and this is so necessary to keep alive a sense of God and religion in the minds of men, that where it is neglected, I do not see how any family can in reason be esteemed a family of Christians, or indeed have any religion at all."

in education and application. Were proper exertion made, but few would be unable to sing in the devotions of family worship.*

Religious instruction is a part of family religion, proper to be attended to, morning and evening, especially on the Sabbath. Every Master of a family should set his house in order; and be in it what a preacher is in the pulpit. He should give instruction respecting the doctrines, duties, graces, and ordinances of the gospel. The Israelites were expressly required to instruct their families. "These words, which I command thee, saith the Lord, shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." They were commanded to teach their children particularly the nature and design of the Passover. And David in the seventy eighth psalm, considers it the duty of parents to teach their children, from generation to generation, the wonderful works of God. Elsewhere, they are commanded to "bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and to "train them up in the way they should go." In the religious education of children, it is not only important, that they should be taught to read the Bible, but they should commit to memory the most important portions of it,† and, that they may be assisted clearly to understand its doctrines and duties, they should be taught catechisms, containing the fundamental principles of our

*That great and good man President Edwards the younger, justly observes: "As it is the command of God, that all should sing, so all should make conscience of learning to sing, as it is a thing, that cannot be decently performed at all without learning. Those, therefore, where there is no natural inability, who neglect to learn to sing, live in sin, as they neglect what is necessary in order to their attending one of the ordinances of God's worship." Let those who are wilfully dumb in God's praises duly consider this observation.

They may begin with commiting the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Com mandments and some of the Psalms of David.

holy religion, accompanied with Scripture proofs. Catechetical instruction is profitable, as it gives just and precise definitions of sacred truth, which the memory can easily retain, and which may serve as a basis, on which to raise the superstructure of divine knowledge. The venerable and pious Mr. Baxter said, some years before his death, that he "esteemed catechising to be so necessary and useful, that he would be contented to spend the remaining part of his life in that work, though he should do nothing else." Too much exertion cannot be made to instil into the minds of the rising generation, the truths of Christianity. It was a true observation of Calvin, If we would have the church flourish, we must begin in the good instruction of children.

Another part of family religion is acknowledging God at our tables. To supplicate the blessing of heaven upon the provisions we receive to nourish our animal natures, and to express sentiments of gratitude to him upon their reception, is reasonable, becoming, and according to Scripture. It is as proper thus to acknowledge God at one meal as another; and it should be done at every formal refreshment, . whether in the morning, at noon, or in the evening. And uniformity, in this practice, is very desirable. Grace at meals is practised, more or less, in most nations. Even the heathen, it is said, make libations to their gods at their refreshments. Our blessed Saviour and his disciples, when they ate, gave thanks, or blessed the Lord, that is, prayed for a blessing to attend it. St. Paul, when in the perils of the deep, asked a blessing upon the food, before he, and those who were with him, partook of it. And saith God "Ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God;-when thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God." Says the apostle, "God created meats to be received with thanksgiving of them, which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is

good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Let us now,

III. Consider the manner, in which family worship should be observed.

Here let it be remarked, that the good effects, resulting from family worship, depend very much upon the manner of conducting it. As "the preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue are from the Lord;" so divine assistance should be sought in all our attempts to worship Him. Our services must be offered from the heart. If we draw near to God with our mouths, and with our lips do honour Him, while our hearts are far from Him, vain indeed will be our worship. Scripture direction on this subject is, "pray in the spirit;"-"lift up your heart with your hands unto God in the heavens." There must be pious sincerity. It is the fervent or inwrought prayer of a righteous man, that availeth much. We must pour forth our souls in devout aspirations. If we pray otherwise, our prayers will not only be heartless, but fruitless.Family devotion should be observed with solemnity and decency of manner, with deliberation, distinctness, and audibleness of utterance, and with propriety and pertinency in language, in those who conduct the services. All gloominess and austerity in looks or appearance, should be carefully avoided. Our minds should be composed and abstracted from the world. The injunction of Solomon should be remembered: "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few." Job sent and sanctified his children, before family sacrifices were offered. Some preparation of this nature is requisite, for a suitable performance of family

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