But accommodated as these meditations are to the studies of the closet, they are beyond all question equally appropriate to the family circle; and wherever circumstances may allow, it will be found that this work, as its title implies, will prove a fit companion to the "Family Worship." There is no duty of man; no relation in which he is placed; and no doctrine; no precept; no promise, unfolded in the divine Word, which this manual fails, however shortly, to handle; and much care has been taken that it might, by the divine blessing, be efficacious to the awakening of the conscience, and engaging the affections of parents and children, of masters and servants, with a view to strengthen every obligation and enhance every endearment of the family tie. But whether perused in company or seclusion, it is calculated, by its Scriptural lessons for every morning and evening throughout the year, to afford a pleasant and profitable way of acquiring a comprehensive knowledge and inward application of revealed truth. It has often been recorded, as the experience of devout Christians, that besides searching the Scriptures daily, it is of excellent use to take a small portion of the Word as a theme of meditation for the day. By this method some momentous text of inspiration is more fixed in the memory, whilst being clearly remembered, it becomes by much thinking engraven on the heart; and the scenes which from morning to night are ever shifting before the eye; whether they be of inward emotions, or the ways of men, or the dealings of Providence; present the occasions on which the truth so kept in view cannot fail to be applied as heaven's own wisdom, and to be appreciated as heaven's best treasure. And if such method of using the sacred volume be found so highly beneficial, then obviously the work now furnished is not only in accordance with that method, but designed for its furtherance and fitted to secure its best results. It is indeed the Spirit of God who alone can make the word spirit and life, or cause anything of man's help to avail; but it is by such means as those now contemplated that the Spirit is pleased to operate; that He guides the believer into all truth, and brings all things to his remembrance whatsoever the Lord hath spoken. And, O if the reader would but reckon the mornings and evenings of a year, and the number of lessons for eternity which might thus be easily and successfully learned, he would be astonished on the one hand at the amount of good that might be gained by the diligence which keeps pace with time; and on the other at the loss insensibly incurred by taking no note of moments as they fly, and suffering so many seasons of grace to pass away unimproved. To the reader it may not be uninteresting to know what is the scope of this work, and by what means it was provided that a diversity of writers might be led to act in concert, and avoid alike the tediousness of unnecessary repetition, and the injury of vital omissions. It was essential to the attainment of an end so desirable, that a previous plan and arrangement of the several parts should be laid and conducted by one hand; a department which it is hoped the reader will find to have been well entrusted to the Rev. Dr. PATERSON of Glasgow. And with regard to the scope of the work, it was judged necessary, and this is its chief characteristic, that the passages for meditation should not be merely select, but so selected as to embrace an entire view of Divine truth, in its doctrines, promises, and precepts, as well as practical application; and that not in the dryness of a system, but after the manner of the Word itself, now giving relief by variety, and now lending force by the union of precept and promise; of privilege and duty. It will be observed, however, on glancing at the "List of Subjects," that the exercises for each day have a special bearing on each other. and preserve for the most part a certain association whether of resemblance or of contrast: whilst the whole series has been so ordered as to unfold to the utmost that the limits would allow, all that counsel of God which is given to make wise unto salvation. And let the pious reader rest assured that he is followed by the prayers of all who have contributed to these pages. It is their earnest desire, that in all their labours, whether of the pul pit or the pen, they may have a single eye to the glory of God and the saving of souls and their humble hope is, that this work may, by the Divine blessing, be of use to many long after its writers are numbered with the dead; that it may prove a guide to the young a staff to the aged, a consolation to the afflicted and the dying. Let every reader pro ceed with its perusal only in the spirit of prayer, and then as the Lord liveth, and i faithful and true, there will be a good hope through grace that this manual of devotion wil be instrumental in winning souls to Christ, and increasing the faith which worketh by love purifieth the heart, and overcometh the world. Travail of the Saviour's soul, The Lamb in the midst of the throne, Christ's kingdom not of this world, The Redeemer's throne in the heavens, The Lord, judge, lawgiver, and king, Christ the sole Head of the Church, King of Zion dispensing grace, Satan bruised by the God of peace, Every thought brought under obedience, Zion's children rejoicing in their King, Divine teaching sought in prayer, Saviour giving up the ghost, House appointed for all living, The sepulchre hewn out of a rock, Christ foretels his resurrection, Being dead with Christ, we shall live with him, Rom. vi. 8. The empty tomb, Christ the first-fruits, Our Lord's ascension, 'Seek those things which are above,' Confidence in the Lord's coming, Lightning coming out of the east, Spirit of truth the only guide to truth, Three that bear record in heaven, Gospel not in word, but in power, Not by works, but through mercy saved, Saviour praying for the Comforter, Argument to prayer for the Spirit, God just, and the Justifier of them that believe,Rom. iii. 26. The soul's sense of redeeming love, |