was of the seed of David, and was carried a captive to Babylon in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. He, who is the Ruler of nations and the Head of the church, had an important work for him to perform in his state of captivity. Wonderful was the providence of God in fitting him for this work, and in introducing him to it. Holding the heart of the king of Babylon in his hand, and improving him as an instrument of accomplishing his eternal purposes, he inclined him to select from the captive youths, a number of the most beautiful appearance and promising talents, to be taught the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, of whom Daniel was the chief. For them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank, was appointed. The reason of their being so delicately trained up probably was, that they, being in the flower of their age, might be allured with the delights of the court, and thereby be brought to forget their father's house and their religion; and, eventually, to be the means of bringing over all God's people to idolatry. But the thoughts of the Most High were not as the thoughts of the king of Babylon. While he was correcting his covenant people for their great wickedness, he took care of the faithful among them, and made them to be pitied of those who carried them captive. He gave Daniel and his friends a double portion of that excellent spirit of religion, which the Holy Ghost begetteth in the hearts of all, who are training up for heaven. This kept

them not only from being defiled with the king's meat, but from being corrupted with the errors of that idolatrous court. To prepare Daniel for what he had to do and suffer in the cause of religion, God brought him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs. This was a direct step to his promotion, while he was found eminently faithful in the service of his God. He was advanced to posts of honour, which he neither sought nor coveted; and, unexpectedly to himself, was enabled to be a kind of nursing father to the people of God in their afflicted state. His precious life was spared, that his prayers might ascend before the throne of the God of Jacob, during the whole of the seventy year's captivity. He maintained his integrity, and at the same time possessed great influence, under the reign of several kings, even in critical revolutionary times.

When Darius, the Median, took the kingdom, he appointed an hundred and twenty princes, who were set over the whole kingdom. Over these were appointed three presidents, of whom Daniel was first, that the princes might give accounts unto them, and that the king should have no damage. These presidents and princes hated Daniel, because he was above them. Their eye was evil, because he was good. To support a charge against him, on account of his administration, they found to be impossible; for there was an excellent spirit in him, and in all his undertakings he was upright and faithful. But they were determined that he should be deposed; to effect which,

ed upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. The piety and sincerity of Daniel,, in this case, were strikingly manifested. He did not fly to his chamber, like a mad man, and throw open his windows, that by praying in the view of his enemies, he might glory in his courage, and bid defiance to their decree. True religion never courts persecution. The windows of his chamber, where he was accustomed to bow the knee before God, were already open; and, under existing circumstances, it would have been, in a sense, yielding the point, for him to shut them. It is expressly mentioned that these windows were towards Jerusalem, the city of his God. Looking to the prayer made by Solomon, when the temple was dedicated, we see why particular mention is made, that the windows of Daniel's chamber were open towards Jerusalem. Doubtless all the devout Jews in their captivity, prayed towards the land of their fathers, and the city and house of their God. There God had promised to appear, and to accept his people. There he had placed his holy name. Daniel believed that God, in his own time, would deliver his people out of their captivity, and bring them back again. In the midst of all his honours, riches and employ ments, he did not forget these things. Daily, and three times a day, he carried the cause of his people before God. This was not ostentation; because it was no more than what had been Vol. II. No. 3.

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the same, as appears from his own words; "Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice."

The pious among the Jews had three seasons of praying to God, in a day. The first was at nine in the morning, which was their third hour; the second was at twelve, which was called their sixth hour; and the third was at three in the afternoon, which was called their ninth hour. The last was the time of the evening sacrifice, the hour that Christ offered up himself a sacrifice for sinners. Daniel, in his high station, ordered his affairs, though numerous, in such a manner, that they should not hinder his solemn devotions. He had his particular seasons for prayer, and so have all, who mean to walk with God. If he had restrained prayer, under these circumstances, he would have declared by his neglect, that he regarded man more than God; he would have sinned against his own conscience, offended the generation of the righteous, and hardened his enemies and the enemies of his God, by giving them occasion to triumph and blaspheme. Being resolved, he feared not to be found praying; his boldness prevented his enemies from breaking open doors to obtain proof against him.

Here, we behold the faithful man. Here, we see true religion exemplified. Such was the practice of one, who had the testimony of a heavenly messenger, that he was greatly beloved of God; of one, who, during the whole seventy years' captivi

ty, was the chariot of Israel and the horseman thereof, as Elijah was in his day.

Reader! pause, and ask yourself, whether you possess any portion of the excellent spirit of Daniel. Perhaps you profess, as he did, to be the friend of God; and yet stand chargeable with great inconstancy in your secret and family devotions, excusing yourself on account of the multitude of your avocations, and the crowd and hurry of your business. But is it rational to conclude, that in the comparatively small sphere in which you move, your hands are more full than were Daniel's? Upon him the management of an extensive kingdom, of an hundred and twenty provinces principally devolved, and yet he found time heart to be frequent and constant in his devotions. He wisely regulated all his affairs, and failed not of drawing near to his God, three times, every day. In what light, then, will you view your real character, if you find it in your heart wholly to dispense with family worship, on account of worldly concerns? Will you not have

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in prayer, you cannot but see that God is greatly robbed of his honour. That holy Being, whom Daniel delighted to serve, and who took such particular notice of his constancy in prayer, no doubt takes particular notice of all your neglects of the duty. He weigheth the actions of men, and pondereth all their goings.

Supposing your conscience allows you to say, that you neyer omit the morning and evening sacrifice in your house, only at those times when strangers, who are not religiously disposed, are present. Would this shield you from blame? Would this fully satisfy you, that you possessed a spirit of prayer? Compare such a practice with the conduct of Daniel. He failed not to pray, when he knew he was among the enemies of God, and when he was conscious that they were seeking occasion to deprive him, not only of all his honours, but his life. Seriously consider this example, and let the reproof which it may administer be as seed sown on good ground.

H.

PIOUS FRIEND, TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS, ON THE SUDDEN DEATH OF THEIR LOVELY INFANT.

But are you ready to say, that you do not wholly dispense with the worship of God in your house; that you commonly seek the divine favour, at least once every week? Admitting that you can say this, consistently with truth, still, comparing such a practice with Daniel's constancy

your amiable and beloved babe has become an angel? His condition is indeed happy. God has conferred upon him the crown of victory before he has been engaged in the perilous warfare; has bestowed upon him the joys of heaven before he had experienced the miseries of life; has shielded him from the influence of temptations before he could feel their power. I well recollect the expressive smiles of the dear boy, as he lay on the breast of his mother, and listened to her tender addresses: he is now in a securer place. He reposes on the bosom of that Saviour who "gathereth the lambs in his arms and carrieth them in his bosom." He is admitted to his heavenly converse, and "followeth him whithersoever he goeth." O! though we are still tossed about on this tempestuous ocean, yet it is joyous to reflect, that one whom we thus loved has safely arrived at the haven of eternal rest. And what an unspeakable honour has God thus conferred upon you, in making you the instruments of bringing into existence a being, who was born for immortal glory? A being, who is now partaking, and ever will partake of those pleasures, which are worthy to be the gift of a God, worthy to be the purchase of the blood of his Son! I recollect how carefully you have inscribed on your register the birth-day of your child. I read those plans, which you formed for the regulation of his future conduct. He has had a more careful and wise director. His heavenly Father, who loved him still more tenderly than you did, and who could not err in the choice of means to promote his

greatest good, had from eternity inscribed on the book of life both the day of his birth and of his death. The plans of God, all-wise and all-merciful, have been accomplished; and if yours have been frustrated, they have been frustrated in love.

I know that such bereavements are painful; that the heart is tortured in relinquishing all its fond hopes, in committing to the dust, a dear child, who, we trusted, would survive to close our eyes, and receive our last breath. But I know also that grace can regulate these feelings of nature. I say, regulate them, for their extirpation is not required by Christianity. Our Master, who wept at the tomb of his friend, permits us to weep over the graves of our connexions; and to indulge every sorrow that is consistent with an entire submission to his holy will. Let your graces then, my dear friends, be exercised. Let faith draw aside that veil, which conceals from our view the glories of heaven: you will then behold your child praising God without interruption and without sin; receiving in his soul the perpetual communications of divine love, and looking with pity upon the unsatisfactory enjoyments of earth. Oh! what cruelty would it be to wish for a moment, that he should again be struggling with the miseries, the temptations, and the sins of earth. Let hope anticipate the day when you also shall be released from this prison of clay, and admitted to the kingdom of your God. Oh! what delight will you then feel in again pressing your child to your bosom, with a certain