cases, it is less necessary to go before them, than to follow. Events too are always turning up; and these will afford a wise parent a thousand hints of natural and seasonable improvement. Yet there are those who though they levy a tax upon every thing their avarice, sagacity, and zeal can find, to promote the temporal interests of their offspring, never seize, and turn to a religious account, any of those occurrences of the day, and of the neighborhood, whether pleasing or awful, that might so easily be made to speak not only to the understanding, but to the imagination and the heart. Fifthly, By securing their attendance on the Means of Grace. Servants should be allowed opportunities of public worship and instruction, as often as circumstances will permit; and we admire the plan of our forefathers, who disengaged their domestics as much as possible on the Sabbath from the preparations of the table, that they might be at liberty to go themselves, and get food for their souls. Children also should be led to the house of God-though there is a proper time for their "shewing unto Israel."In determining this, it is not easy to draw the line. If they are taken too early, besides hindering the attention of those who have the charge of them, there is danger-that holy exercises will become irksome by frequent and long detensions, before they can feel any interest in them. Yet an early attendance is valuable, as it tends to render the habit natural; and impressions may be occasionally made, even upon infant minds, sufficient to lead them to inquire, and to aid you much in your endeavors to instruct them at home. gle man is required to serve God as an individual only; but if he enters into connected life, he must serve God as the head of a family, and will be judged by the duties arising from his household relation. God has given him a talent, and he is to make use of that talent. He has committed to him a trust, and he is to be faithful to that trust. He has made him a steward, and he is to give account of his stewardship. I assigned you," will God say, "the empire of a family. To qualify you for the office, I furnished you with authority, and influence, and resources. How have you employed them? Where are the servants and children you were to have trained up for me?" -A relation of gratitude. How much dost thou owe to his kindness and care! Who crowned the wish of thy heart, in granting thee the object of thy dearest choice? Behold thy wife, like a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house; and thy children, like "olive plants round about thy table." Who has supplied not only all thy personal, but all thy relative wants? Whose secret has been upon thy tabernacle? Whose providence has blessed the labor of thy hand? Whose vigilance has suffered no evil to befall thee, and no plague to come nigh thy dwelling? And will thou refuse to serve him, with a family which He has formed, and secured, and sustained, and indulged? And wilt thou, instead of making thy house the temple of his praise, render it the grave of his mercies! -A relation of dependance. Can you dispense with God in your family? What are all your schemes, all your exertions, all your expectations, without him? "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so he giveth his beloved sleep." How wise is it then to secure the favor of one, who has all things under his control, and is able to make them all work together for your good, or conspire to your destruction. And has he not bound himself by promise and by threatening? "The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wick Lastly, By Domestic Devotion. This service ought to be performed every morning and evening. It includes prayer. Prayer is not only to be made for your family-though this is a duty, and a privilege, and enables you to obtain for your household a thousand blessings; but also with them. It takes in also reading the Scriptures. Mr. Henry goes further: "They," says he, "who daily pray in their houses do well; they that not only pray, but read the Scriptures, do better; but they do best of all, who not only pray, and read the Scriptures, but-sing the praises of God." This exercise is very enlivened; but he blesseth the habitation of the just.”— ing, and tends to throw off the formality which ad- What may not be dreaded from the curse of the heres perhaps more to domestic worship than either Almighty? What may not be expected from his to public or private devotion, as it allows of less blessing? Under the one, the evils of life become variety. If singing be not practicable, a psalm or intolerable; we sow much, and bring home little; hymn may be read. It will often produce a good we earn wages to put it into a bag with holes; our effect, by impressing the minds of servants and table becomes a snare; our successes gender many children. The whole of the service will help you foolish and hurtful lusts; our prosperity destroys in performing what we have previously recommend- us. Under the other, a little is better than the riches ed, the duty of teaching and admonishing your fami- of many wicked; our trials are alleviated; our sorlies. The psalm or hymn will furnish them with rows are tokens for good; our comforts are enjoyed sentiments and sentences. The reading of the word with a relish others never taste; the voice of rewill store their minds with facts and doctrine.-joicing and of salvation is in the tabernacles of the While the prayer itself will be no inconsiderable righteous.-Therefore, instructer. The very engagement will remind them of the presence and agency of God. Your addressing him for pardon, will convince them of guilt; your interceding for your country, will teach them patriotism; for your enemies, forgiveness of injuries; for all mankind, universal benevolence.Thus a man may bless his household.-Let us consider, II. THE REASONS WHICH SHOULD ENGAGE HIM TO ATTEMPT IT. For this purpose, let us view Domestic Religion. First, In reference to God. To Him it has-a relation of responsibility. We are required to glorify God in every condition we occupy; in every capacity we possess. A poor man is required to serve him; but if he becomes rich, his duty is varied and enlarged; and from the hour of his requiring wealth, he will be judged by the laws of affluence. A sin Secondly, View it in reference to yourselves.-You ought to be concerned chiefly for your spiritual welfare; and should value things as they tend to restrain you from sin, and excite you to holiness.If this maxim cannot be denied, let us judge by this rule--the man who performs this duty, and--the man who neglects it. Can he give way to swearing and falsehood, who is going to hear from God, and to speak to him? Can he throw himself into a fury, who is just going to hold intercourse with the source of peace and love? Must he not guard his temper and conduct, even on the principle of consistency? The other exonerates himself from the reproach of hypocrisy; and because he makes no pretensions to duty, thinks he is justified in living as he pleases.-And this it is that restrains many from adopting the practice. They think that it would embarrass them; that it would abridge their liberty; that it would fix upon them the charge of inconsistency. And so far they think justly. But here is their folly; in viewing a freedom from moral motives and restraints as a privilege! and an obligation to urge them to what is right and beneficial in itself, as an hardship and complaint! And the practice is not only right, but every way profitable. While you teach, you learn: while you do good, you are gaining good. Your mind will be tranquilized by a confidence in God, which you alone are justified in reposing, and which you alone can repose in Him. How much does your comfort depend on the dutifulness of those that are under you! But how can you look for morality without piety? It is by teaching them to regard God, that you must teach them to regard yourselves, and to be diligent and submissive in their places. It is thus you bind them by sanctions the most powerful, and which operate in your absence as well as when you are nigh. It is thus you are not only obeyed, but regarded and honored. Religion, when it is consistently exemplified, always inspires respect and reverence. But what hold have the irreligious on the homage of others? So true it is even here, They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." View it, of glory must such benefactors feel even now, when they hear a servant saying, "Blessed be God for the hour I entered such a family. I was as ignorant and careless as a heathen-but there the eyes of my understanding were opened, there my feet were turned into the path of peace." Or when they hear a child confessing, "O what a privilege that I was born of such parents! How early did they teach me to know the Holy Scriptures! How soon they led me to the throne of grace: and, by teaching me to pray, furnished me with the best privilege of life! How patiently they watched, and how tenderly they cherished, and how wisely they directed, every pious sentiment and every holy purpose!And, "As a bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt her new-fledged offspring to the skies, They tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." It is thus their children rise up and call them blessed!-Let us view it, Fourthly, In reference to Visitants and Guests. These, instead of inducing you to decline the practice, should furnish you with an argument in support of it. Wo be it to you, if you shrink back from the duty in compliment to the rich, the infidel, the irreligious, or the dissipated-should such ever be found beneath your roof! For "he that is ashamed of me and of my words," says the Saviour, "of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the clouds of heaven, with the holy angels." Thirdly, In reference to the Family. By how many ties ought the members of your household to be endeared!" And we do love them." But wherein does your love appear? Can you imagine that it only requires you to ask what shall they eat, and what shall they drink, and wherewithal shall they be clothed? What is the body to the soul? What is time to eternity? Do you wish to do them good? Can any good equal that godliness which is profita-owning them verbally and practically, that you ble unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come? Were you to suffer your children to go naked, to perish with hunger; were you to leave them in sickness to die alone; you would be shunned as monsters. But you are far more deserving of execration, if you infamously disregard their spiritual and everlasting welfare. Doubtless Herod was viewed with horror by those who had witnessed the massacre of the infants of Bethlehem: but he was far less cruel than some of you. He slew the children of others; you destroy your own. He only killed the body; ; you destroy both body and soul in hell. Had you any real love to your children, what would be your feelings in life to see them going astray, and verifying, by the evils of their conduct, that the way of transgressors is hard-while conscious that you have done nothing to secure them from it! But what, at death, would you think of a meeting that must take place between you and your children, in the great day! Then they will rise up against you in the judgment, and cause you to be put to death. "Cursed be the day of my birth! Why died I not from the womb? Why was I not as a hidden untimely birth, as infants that never see light? Thou father, and thou mother, the instruments of my being-to you I am under no obligations. You only consulted your barbarous inclinations-you gave me an existence over which you watched while I could not be guilty; but mercilessly abandoned me as soon as I became responsible: as the creature of a day, you provided for me; but as an immortal, you left me you made me-to perish. I execrate your cruelty. I call for damnation upon your heads -and the only relief of the misery to which you have consigned me is, that I can reproach and torment you for ever!" From such a dreadful scene, how delightful is it to think what a happy meeting there will be between those who have blessed their households and the favored subjects of their pious care! Yea, without going forward to this period of mutual and happy acknowledgment, what a joy unspeakable and full It is not by concealing your principles, but by must be useful to others, and gain their respect. And here you have an opportunity to confess Him before men; and withou going out of your way to effect it. It cannot appear to be sought after, to give offence. It comes, in the regular course of your household arrangement. And nothing is more likely, without effort and without officiousness, to awaken attention; to inform; to admonish. The preacher remembers well the acknowledgment of a man now with God. He moved in superior life; and from his rank and talents, and extensive and various acquaintance, was likely to have persons frequently at his house who were strangers to his religious economy. He said his manner was, when the time of domestic service arrived, to inform them that he was always accustomed to worship God with his family: if they disliked the practice, they might remain; if they chose to attend, they might accompany him into the library. He said he had never known any that refused; and many of them owned they were much struck with the propriety and usefulness of the usage, and resolved on their return to adopt it themselves. The lecturer has also known several individuals himself, whose religious course commenced during a visit to a family who thus honored God, and were thus honored by him. It is recorded, I believe, of Sir Thomas Abney, that even when he was lord mayor, and on the evening of the feast, he told the company that he always maintained the worship of God in his house; that he was now withdrawing for the purpose, and should presently return. There are few professors of religion who could have done this. They would not have had consciousness enough of their claim to confidence in their integrity. But where the thing was known to be, not the pretence or show of extraordinary sanctity, but the steady and uniform operation of principle; not an exception from common conduct, but, fine as it was, only a fair specimen of the whole piece; this noble resolution must have produced some impression even in such an assembly. Observe it, Fifthly, In reference to the Country. None of us should live to ourselves. Every one should be con- | over this division of our subject; not only because cerned to benefit and improve a community in which we perceive that we must trespass on your time, but he has enjoyed so many advantages. But we know because objections can be raised easily against any that "righteousness exalteth a nation," and that "sin doctrine, or practice. The weakest reasoners most is a reproach to any people." What an enemy then frequently advance them; and no wise ones will are you, if irreligious, to a country that deserves so ever be influenced by them. They will look at armuch at your hands. However loyally you may gument and proof; and if a principle be established talk, you contribute to its danger and disgrace, not by sufficient evidence, they are satisfied, even if only by your personal transgressions, but by sending there should be difficulties which they must leave out into the midst of it so much moral contagion, so unsolved. I will however glance at four or five many unprincipled and vicious individuals from things. your own family. And how much would you befriend it were you to fear God yourselves; and to send forth those from under your care, who will serve their generation according to his will; and induce Him to say, "Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it." Who can imagine the good even one of these individuals may effect, by his prayers, his examples, his influence, his exertions? What a blessing did Elkanah and Hannah prove to Israel by their training up such a child as Samuel! And what gratitude do all ages owe to his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, for such a character as Timothy! who presided in his council, and gave audience to ambassadors, and orders to generals-who reigned over an extensive and distracted empire? Yet he found time for domestic worship; and even on a day of peculiar activity "returned to bless his household," The first regards Leisure. "We are so much engaged, that our affairs leave us no time for these exercises." But what time do they require? And is there one of you that does not waste more time every day of his life than is expended in such devotions? And if more time be really necessary, could you not gain more? How do you manage your concerns? Could nothing be saved by more diligence and order? At what time do you rise? Could nothing be saved from late slumberings on the bed, without any injury to health; yea, with the likelihood of improving it? If time falls short for any thing, should it not fall short for things of less Finally, Let us regard it in reference to the moment? Is not the serving of God the "one thing Church. Baxter thinks that if family religion was needful?" And cannot He, by his grace and profully discharged, the preaching of the word would vidence, more than indemnify you for every sacrinot long remain the general instrument of conver- fice you make? Is there not truth in the proverb, sion. Without being answerable for the extent of "There is nothing got by stealing, or lost by praythis observation, we know who hath said, “Training?" Are you more employed than David was, up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." We know that among our earlier godly ancestors, religion was a kind of heir-loom, that passed by descent; and instead of the fathers were the children. Families were then the nurseries of the churches; and those who were early "planted in the house of the The second regards Capacity. "We envy those Lord flourished in the courts of our God, and still who are qualified for such a work; but we are unbrought forth fruit in old age." Even the minis- able to perform it, as we wish-and as we ought." ters of the sanctuary were commonly derived from This is perhaps the only instance in which vou hence; and these domestic seminaries prepared them think and speak humbly of yourselves. But we to enter the more public institutions. And what well will not accept of your voluntary humility, till we defined and consistent characters did they display-have obtained from you an answer to a few inand what just notions did they entertain of divine quiries. Is it not the want of inclination you feel, truth-and how superior were they to those teacher rather than of ability? Have you ever fairly made who, brought up in ignorance, and after a profligate the trial? Have you done every thing in your course, are suddenly converted; who, impressed be- power to gain a fitness for the duty? Would not fore they are informed, are always in danger of your capacity increase by exercise? Is refinement extremes or eccentricities! who hold no doctrine here necessary? Is not the most imperfect perin its just bearings, but are carried away dispro-formance preferable to neglect? Suppose you were portionably by some one truth, which first caught their attention; and who often continue crude and incoherent in their notions, and illiberal and condemnatory in their sentiments, through life! They were not always making discoveries, but " continued in the things which they had learned, and been assured of, knowing of whom they had learned them." They were enlightened, but not dazzled. They were refreshed with divine truth, but not intoxicated. They staggered not, but kept on steady in their course; neither turned to the right hand nor to the left. They were not Antinomians; they were not legalists. None could honor the grace of God more; but they never abused it. Not only therefore would the Churches of Christ be more filled, but better filled: and though our eye is not evil, because God is good, and so far from wishing to limit the Holy One of Israel, we rejoice in the conversion of any we reckon, and not without much observation, that the best members and the best ministers of our churches-they who in their conduct and in their preaching most adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, are those who are brought from pious families. III. We were to ANSWER SOME OBJECTIONS TO THE to do nothing more than, after reading a portion of God's word, to kneel down with your household, and address our Father who is in heaven in the words which the Saviour himself taught his own disciples? Are there not helps to Family Devotion of which you may avail yourselves? We prefer in this service free prayer to forms; but preference is not exclusion. We love not the contempt with which forms have been treated by some. Baxter, a Howe, a Watts, a Doddridge, did not ridicule them as "crutches." But, admitting the justness of the depreciating figure, yet surely crutches are a help and a blessing to the lame: and we know who hath said, "Where there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath. and not according to what he hath not." A The third regards Shame. "We are ashamed to begin!" What! ashamed of your glory? Ashamed of following the great? Ashamed of following a David-a King-who "returned to bless his household?" Of following a Joshua; a hero; a commander; the first man in the commonwealth of Israel; who said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" Of following Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who made it their first care, wherever they came, to build an altar for God? Was his late majesty ashamed always to worship God with his household morning and evening? Is there not an increasing number of persons in our own day, of high rank and nobility, who keep up, even in their establishments, a custom so laudable and useful? The shame is that you have neglected it so long, not that you are willing to begin it now. Follow the example of a man who was well known to some of us, but whose name we must suppress. He had heard the minister preach in the morning of the Sabbath on Family Worship. The very same evening he called together his wife, and children, and servants, and apprentices; and recapitulated the arguments and motives they had heard, appealed to their reason and conscience whether they were not unanswerable and irresistible. He then said, I condemn myself for the neglect of this duty, in which I have hitherto lived: but as the best proof of repentance is practice, I will now commence it; and, by the help of God, I will omit it no more, as long as I live. Was this weakness? or moral heroism? The fourth regards false or mistaken Orthodoxy. God forbid we should undervalue divine truth; but there is a highness in doctrine so commonly connected with lowness of conduct, that we have known not a few, whose creed has soon led to the abandonment of family worship; and it is indeed the natural tendency, not of the principles they abuse, but of their abuse of the principles.-"The Lord knoweth them that are his. And he will call them in his own due time; and make them willing in the day of his power, without our anxiety." But we are not sure of this. Our exertions may be the very means which he has appointed by which to accomplish the end. And when does He work without means? He gives the increase; but Paul plants, and Apollos waters-and what right have we to ask for a moral miracle, by expecting the one without the other? "Where is the use of it? We cannot give our servants and our children grace." And why not? "If," says James, "a man err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins." Here it is supposed that you may save and convert. "Yes, but not meritoriously or efficiently." How then? "Why only instrumentally." We have no objection to this. Still it seems there is a sense in which you may do it. "Yes, under God." This again is right. We never wish to exclude him. But he is with us: and by prayer we secure his assistance. There is indeed a sense in which you cannot give grace; it is as to the success of means. But for this you are not responsible. This is the Lord's part. But what is yours? Think of another case. The husbandman cannot raise an ear of corn; but he can manure the land, and plough, and sow. And he knows this is indispensable to a crop. And how rarely does he labor in vain! If God promises to communicate his blessing in the use of means, they who refuse them have no right to complain; and they who employ them, have no reason to be discouraged. Another-But I will answer no more of your objections. You know they are excuses. You know they are such as you will be ashamed to urge before the Judge of all. You know that your consciences are not satisfied with them even now.I will therefore, in the I must first address those who at present are unconnected in life.-How powerfully does our subject say to such, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." This will render the performance of family religion in all cases difficult, and in many, impossible. It is lamentable enough with regard to pious individuals themselves, that while they want every kind of encouragement and assistance, they are allied to those who, instead of helping them, must oppose and injure: but it is also to be deplored, as producing partially or wholly the ruin of domestic godliness. When Peter enforces relative duties, he admits that unless we dwell "as heirs together of the grace of life," our "prayers will be hindered." How can they rule well their own house? How can they seek a godly seed, while, instead of striving together, they thus draw different ways? and, alas! the one drawing heavenward is the least likely to be successful; the opposite attractions falling in with the depravity of human nature? For evil wants only to be seen or heard; but good must be enforced with "line upon line, and precept upon precept." But there are those who are already in family alliance, who are living in the neglect of family devotion. And this is the case, I fear, with not a few. And yet you would be offended if you were called infidels-but according to the apostle you have no reason: "He that provideth not for his own, and especially those of his own house, hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Many of you attend regularly the public services of the sanctuary, and we love to see you in the courts of the Lord, and willing to hear his words. But if you gained good in the house of God, you would carry it away, and diffuse it in your own. Yet when you are followed home, there is no more appearance of religion in your habitations, than in the houses of heathens. Heathens! forgive me this wrong. We blaspheme you by the comparison. You had, not only your gods for the country, but your household gods: which you regarded as your defenders, and guardians, and comforters; and which nothing could induce you to give up or neglect. What can I say more? He has threatened to pour out his fury upon the nations that know him not, and upon the families that call not upon his name. But I would rather work upon your ingenuousness, than upon your fears. God has revealed himself under a domestic relation, and calls himself "The God of all the families of the earth." And will you refuse him in this endearing character? Will you rob yourselves and your families of your greatest mutual honor and blessedness? An angel, in his intercourse with this world, sees nothing so uninviting and dreary as a house, though rich as a mansion and splendid as a palace, devoid of the service and presence of God! But what so lovely, so attractive as the family altar, "garlanded by the social feelings," and approached morning and evening by the high-priest of the domestic temple, and his train of worshippers? There the master's authority is softened, and he feels respect for the servant who is kneeling at his side, and "free indeed." There the servant's submission is sweetened, and he loves, while he obeys, a master who is praying for his welfare. Here the father, worn down with the labor of the day, is cheered and refreshed. Here the anxious mother hushes her cares to rest. "If any thing in the day has been diverted from its course, now all finds its place, and glides along its wonted channel. If the IV. Place, conclude with some ANIMADVERSIONS relative affections have declined during the day, AND ADMONITIONS. the evening service, like the dew of heaven, revives and enlivens them. If offences have come, they And "to whom," as says the Prophet, "shall I are easily forgiven, when all are asking for pardon speak and give warning?" for themselves. Every angry word, every wrong temper, every petulant feeling, flies before the hal- | word fitly spoken, O how good is it?) but by your lowing influence of social devotion." I must address myself to those who perform it, I beseech you, brethren, "suffer the word of exhortation."-Beware of formality. God is a Spirit. He looketh to the heart.-Beware of tediousness and length. "Use not vain repetitions as the heathen do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking." "God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth; therefore let thy words be few." God cannot be fatigued: but he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Beware of lateness. When langour and drowsiness and listlessness prevail, you would bless your households more by suffering them to retire, than engaging them in services irksome to the performers, and insulting to the receiver. "If ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor, will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. But cursed be the deceiver which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen." tempers, your behavior, your character. And thus you may be the instruments of introducing religion where you ought to have found it. Not only have wives thus won their husbands without the word, but servants have removed prejudices from their masters and mistresses, and induced them to attend the gospel. And thus children have conveyed religion to those from whom they ought to have derived it. "Well," said a mother, one day, weeping-her daughter being proposed as a candidate for Christian communion-"I will resist no longer. How can I bear to see my dear child love and read the Scripture, while I never look into the Bible-To see her retire, and seek God, while I never pray-To see her going to the Lord's table, while his death is nothing to me." "Ah!" said she, to the minister who had called to inform her of her daughter's desire-wiping her eyes-"Yes, sir, I know she is right—and I am wrong. I have seen her firm under reproach, and patient under provocation, and cheerful in all her sufferings. When in her late illness she was looking for her dissolution, heaven stood in her face. O! that I was as fit to die! I ought to have taught her; but I am sure she has taught me. How can I bear to see her joining the I must not overlook those who are living in re- Church of God, and leaving me behind perhaps ligious families. The lines have fallen to you in for ever!" From that hour she prayed in earnest, pleasant places; you have a goodly heritage. From that the God of her child would be her God, and was how many snares are you secured! What oppor-soon seen walking in company with her in the way tunities of instruction and improvement do you everlasting. Is this mere supposition? More than possess! What pious excitements, and encourage- one eye in reading this allusion, will drop a testiments, and aids do you enjoy! But your responsi- mony to the truth of it. "We speak that we do bility grows with your advantages. To you much know, and testify that we have seen.' May God is given. From you much will be required. For bless us, and make us blessings! Amen. "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." There may be wicked servants in religious families: such an one was Gehazi, who waited upon Elisha. And there may be wicked children in religious families: such an one was Ham, who called even Noah his father! But if you abuse or neglect your means and privileges, your guilt and your condemnation will be greater than those of Pagans. "It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for you."-" There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God and ye yourselves shut out."` LECTURE IV. THE CHRISTIAN, IN THE CHURCH. "That thou mayest know, how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the living God."-1 TIM. iii. 15. THE Connections of life are many and various; and they have all their appropriate claims and advantages. Some of these relations are natural; some, civil; some, commercial; some, intellectual and literary. But the most important of all alliFinally, there are some who reside in irreligious ances are those of a religious quality. The bonds households. You we sincerely pity. Whatever of these are not flesh and blood; but faith and love temporal advantages you enjoy, they can never that are in Christ Jesus. These regard the spirit in compensate for your spiritual privations. How man; and fall under the power of the world to come. sad, and how awful, to see the Sabbath polluted, All other connections have their sphere only in this the house of God forsaken; every book read, but life; but these aspire after "new heavens and a new the Bible. To hear, instead of prayer, profane earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." All other swearing, and the taking God's name in vain, in-unions, however firm, or however tender, having stead of praise. Or, if no gross immoralities prevail, to witness, lying down and rising up, no acknowledgment of God; but a practical, if not verbal rejection of him; every thing really saying unto God, "Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." Surely such a situation, since you have known God, or rather have been known of him, has not been the object of your choice. But you may have been providentially placed here. You have perhaps been called here, being a servant; or you have been called here being a child. Be mindful of your danger, and "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation." Look to him who preserved saints in Caesar's household, and Abijah in the family of Jeroboam, that he may secure you. You are much observed. Therefore walk circumspectly. Be harmless and blameless. And not only be without rebuke, but hold forth the word of life-not by stepping out of your sphere-not by talking, (though a answered the destinations of Providence, will be dissolved by death; but though Christians die, they are still related. The separation between them is only temporary; a period of re-union will assuredly and speedily arrive. Yea, it is only partial: even now "The saints below, and all the dead, You are to view the Christian, this morning, In this state Timothy was when Paul addressed him in the words which we have chosen for our motto " That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the living God."-Him, it is true, he addressed as a minister; and his official station de |