FOR SUNDAY.

Reflect, O my soul, how much time there is in a little opportunity. How many days and years may be affected by the observance or neglect of thy religious duties. How many a sorrowful season is included in the prayers and promises of this holy day. Consider what provision thou needest for that future which is always drawing nigh, and never past. How necessary to thy salvation God's grace is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

There are times when the Spirit does especially strive with and does quicken our love and faith in God our Saviour. Oh that I may observe this time of the healing of my infirmity; and when the angel stirs the water,

rejoice in the descending of this heavenly and eternal Comforter: wait on the Lord, O my soul, and He shall renew thy strength; and "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby thou art sealed unto the day of redemption."

It is a devout and comfortable exercise to pray over some passage of the divine service that has especially affected our heart, and express our thankful sense of its application to our own case, and our joy in its holy comfort. If we have before examined into our sins, and wants, and fears, there never will be a morning or evening service without some particular scripture or blessed doctrine which shall seem to speak its words of love to us from God; and if we pray, to remember and im

prove them, we shall hear them often again in the time of temptation and in affliction's darkest night (words which shall never pass away), words of Him who hath "overcome the world."

It is not difficult thus to pray to our Father who is in heaven, for He hears not according to our much speaking, but our godly sincerity. Only let us kneel down before Him with a desire towards his word and blessed will, and it will be given us in that hour what we shall speak. God will look down upon him that so prayeth with this gracious approval,"He understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness." "I will cleanse their iniquity:" "He retaineth not his anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy."

REFLECTIONS JUST BEFORE GOING TO

CHURCH.

Before you direct your footsteps unto the house of God, pray fervently to Him to guide and draw you near unto Himself and your Redeemer, where He may be found so nigh unto you. Consider, as you pass over the sacred threshold, that the world is divided from you, and you are divided from the world. Say, with the patriarch, "This is none other but the house of God, this is the gate of heaven." "The place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Ask thy soul whether it knows that awful voice that speaketh, whether it has respect to that great and fearful name, the Lord thy God. Lift off the veil from thy heart, that it may know the presence of that Pure and Holy

Being by whom actions are weighed, thoughts discerned, and every wandering prayer found wanting, and returned into thine own bosom.

Art thou fearful or cast down at the gate of that awful sanctuary? Remember that thou hast an advocate with the Father, thine only Mediator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Hear a voice behind Thee, saying, The Lord hath taken away thy judgment-fear thou not.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee.

I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly'.

1 Zeph. iii. 15. 17, 18.