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er's kingdom; and I will ever rejoice to hear of them, and will earnestly desire, that they may be multiplied until they shall be spread over the whole earth.

Q. Have I, in view of this resolution, earnestly desired a revival of religion in this place? Have 1 used all possible exertions to effect one? Can I with the prophet say sincerely, O Lord! revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

R. 72. I will study prudence and economy in all my expenses, that I may be enabled to relieve the wants of the destitute, and contribute towards the benevolent objects of the present day.

Q. What have I given in charity to-day? What is its annual amount? What proportion will my charity bear to my needless expenses?

R. 73. I will avoid an avaricious spirit, as being entirely opposed to the temper of the Gospel, but yet will highly value this world's goods, because they not only promote my own personal happiness, but afford me ability to benefit my fellow creatures, and to advance the cause of the Redeemer.

Q. Is mammon my idol? Why should I eagerly lay hold on the wealth of this world, which I must soon leave behind me? Can it be employed to a nobler purpose, than to advance the virtue and happiness of man, and the kingdom of Christ?

R. 74. I will endeavour to promote the happiness and spiritual good of all, with whom I associate.

Q. Do I daily pray for my friends and kindred, my neighbours and fellow men? Do I seek, in all other possible ways, their conversion and eternal salvation?

R. 75. I will endeavour at all times to realize the immediate presence of God, and to maintain a holy awe of Him, and a constant fear of offending

Q. Do I think, and feel, and speak, and act, as under the omniscient eye of God? Is it my supreme desire to glorify and serve Him? Is His favour my solace and joy?

R. 76. I will endeavour to model my character and conduct, in all respects, after the Gospel.

Q. Has this been my past endeavour? and is it my aim for the future?

R. 77. I will endeavour to recommend the religion of Christ by a mild and amiable deportment. Q. How far does religion shine forth in my conduct? and is it made to appear desirable and attractive by my example?

R. 78. I will regard, with Christian compassion and charity, the spiritual woes and wants of the great human family.

Q. Do I weep over the dying Heathen? and do I most ardently desire to send them the bread and the water of life?

R. 79. I will view with pleasure the many benevolent Societies, which have been formed to promote the temporal and spiritual good of mankind, and will give them my approbation, my prayers, and my pecuniary assistance, so far as I have ability and opportunity.

Q. Have I done so the year past? If the relief of human sufferings, and the spread of the Gospel depend on me and others like me, will not the poor continue to suffer, and sinners continue to die in ignorance and sin?

R. 80. I will call myself to a most solemn account every night before closing my eyes to sleep, for my thoughts, words, and actions during the day past, and will endeavour to rest in peace with God and myself.

Q. Do I maintain this habit of reflection, and selfexamination?

t

THE

ASSISTANT TO FAMILY RELIGION.

PART IV.

MORNING AND EVENING, AND OCCASIONAL PRAYERS.

Sabbath Morning.

O THOU Lord of the sabbath! enable us, on this morning of thy holy day, to worship thee in spirit and in truth. May we find it good to draw near to thee in prayer. We thank thee for the consecration of one day in seven to thine immediate service, and that there remaineth unto us the keeping of sabbaths. This is the day, which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice, and be glad in it. Grant us thy gracious presence and blessing. Take off our thoughts from the vanities of time and sense, and place them upon divine and heavenly things. We would cease from our own works, as God on the seventh day did from his, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and honour him, not doing our own ways, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words; but delighting ourselves in the Lord. We confess before thee, O God! our manifold transgressions. With the leper under the law, we cry, Unclean, unclean, and with the humble publican, God! be mer

R. 32. I will give glory to God, that He has purposed there shall be a season of millennial blessedness for the Church, and I will look for it, desire it, pray for it, and use all the means in my power to introduce it.

Q. Have I inquired diligently into the prophecies and promises, which relate to the spread of the Gospel, and the conversion of all nations? Do I trace with joy their gradual fulfilment? Do my prayers, and efforts, and sacrifices, correspond to my expectations and hopes? R. 33. I will at all times consider myself as the creature of God, entirely dependant and accountable.

Q. Do I remember that, being the creature of God, He has an original and unalienable claim to my love, homage, and service? Do I render these to my great Creator?

R. 34. I will consider my corporeal and mental faculties, my time, earthly possessions and influence, as the property of God, loaned to me, and I will use them as not abusing them.

Q. Must I not condemn myself for the habitual violation of this resolution? Have not my idols been many? And have I not exulted in my powers and possessions?

R. 35. I will love God with all my heart, serve Him with all my powers, and glorify Him in all that I think, say, and do.

Q. This is my plain duty, but have I ever performed it? Shall I not convert the resolution into a prayer; O God! fill my heart with thy love, and make me a voluntary instrument to glorify Thyself!

R. 36. I will commence and close every day with reading, and meditating upon the Holy Scriptures, and with secret prayer, and will be stated, uniform, and faithful in the discharge of these religious duties.

Q. Did I so commence this day? and shall I be careful so to close it?

R. 37. I will guard against formality and hypocrisy in worship, and endeavour to restrain wanderings of mind in publick, private, and secret prayer.

Q. In view of this resolution, am I not self-condemned before my omniscient Judge?

R. 38. I will strive for higher attainments in divine knowledge, in holiness, and happiness.

Q. Do I rest satisfied with present attainments? or do 1 aspire to grow in knowledge and grace?

R. 39. I will cultivate an habitual sense of God's presence and knowledge, and accustom myself to mental and ejaculatory prayer.

Q. Am I humble and circumspect under a conscious sense of God's presence? Is my heart drawn forth to Him, in all my joys and sorrows?

R. 40. I will every morning consider the business of the day, and enter upon it prayerfully, methodically, and diligently, and guard against procrastination and slothfulness.

Q. Did I begin this day with prayer? Am I pursuing its duties with method and diligence? Why do I postpone any good work, when I know to-morrow is not my own?

R. 41. I will think much of the shortness of time, and its value, and of eternity, and its retributions.

Q. Do I daily think how soon my life will be past, and I must go to meet the realities of eternity? Is nòt every hour precious to me, especially if I am in an unconverted state?

R. 42. I will consider life a journey, and eternity, my home, and strive so to number my days, as to apply my heart unto wisdom?

Q. How old am I? What part of my journey remains to be travelled over? Do I advance in wisdom, as in years?

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