We have hitherto considered the duty of the Head of the Family. The DUTIES OF THOSE WHO JOIN IN FAMILY WORSHIP, are, duly to prize the privilege, and to beware of a wandering, cold, and careless spirit, which will destroy all your benefit and comfort in it, whoever teaches, whoever prays. It is the joining of every heart in the requests offered up which gives to family prayer its greatest efficacy. You should agree to ask; your spirit should join in the spirit of him who prays; let there be a secret Amen in your heart to every petition, (1 Cor. xiv. 16,) and thus you will obtain the promised blessing. And do not think it sufficient for you to have joined in family worship, and that you may then neglect secret prayer. Never forget to pray in secret also.

What a lovely sight it is to see a whole family thus united together morning and evening, preparing and being made meet, day by day, for the inheritance of the saints in light: obtaining on earth the humble, dependent, thankful, holy, and heavenly state of mind, which fits them for joining the family of their Lord in heaven. Whatever storms rage without, such a family obeying the direction, Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, till the indignation be overpast, (Isa. xxvi. 20) are safe. They are able to say, God is our refuge and strength. Psalm xlvi. 1.

May what has been said, induce THOSE WHO HAVE HITHERTO LIVED IN THE NEGLECT OF THIS DUTY, to take up at once David's firm resolution, Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed ; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the

Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Psalm cxxxii. Let me beseech you-lose no timenot a single day. Difficulties may be multiplied; but only set about it in faith and prayer, wisely and vigorously, and they will all vanish. Say firmly, as Jacob did to his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments, and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make there an altar unto God. Gen. xxxv. 2, 3.

And may THOSE WHO HAVE ATTENDED TO THIS DUTY, find the hints which have been given, an additional help to the performance of it; and also feel pledged, by their prayers and instructions, to bring into the family, in the day, the character which they have manifested, and the graces which they requested, in their united devotions.

But let them not think, as some have been ready to think, that a discharge of this duty will absolve them from the constant practice of daily morning and evening devotions in secret. He who prays only before others, has much to suspect that he prays to be seen of men, and has no real love to God, nor true knowledge of the nature of prayer.

CHAPTER IX.

SOCIAL PRAYER.

THE term social may be applied to all kind of prayer in which we join with others, but it is here restricted to the united prayer of Christian friends, distinct from public and family worship. It would be well if Christians were more accustomed than they are to sanctify their occasional meetings by prayer, and to meet also for the purpose of uniting in prayer to obtain those blessings which they need. The particular promise given to united prayer, has led many to practise this both as a privilege and as a duty. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. xviii. 19.

We have scriptural examples to encourage us to the performance of this. When Peter was in prison, prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him; (Acts xii. 5.) and when he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, he found there many that were gathered together, praying. Acts xii. 12. When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison they comforted each other by social prayer. Paul and

Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts xvi. 25. When Moses' hands were heavy, Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side, and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Bishop Hall remarks on this, "Doubtless Aaron and Hur did not only raise their hands but their minds with his the more cords the easier draught. Aaron was brother to Moses. There cannot be a more brotherly office than to help one another in our prayers, and to excite our mutual devotions. No Christian may think it enough to pray alone: he is no true Israelite that will not be ready to lift up the weary hands of God's saints."1

And as social prayer is a duty binding generally on all Christians, so there is a special reason for it in some particular relations. Husband and wife should pray together, with and for each other; the Apostle appears to suppose they do so, when he adds, as a reason for some directions given to them, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter iii. 7.

There are some things which seem peculiarly to call for social prayer. Let me especially mention the state of the church of Christ in our own country, and throughout the world, as calling for our attention. The various precepts and examples in the word of God on this subject, and the present remarkable signs of the times, evidently require the Christian's remembrance of this in all his social prayers. David gives us a solemn direction, and a copy of his prayer and determination on this subject; (Psalm cxxii. 6-9.) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they

1 See Bishop Hall's Works.

shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good. This will lead to prayers for the enlargement of the borders of Sion, by the conversion of the heathen. Isaiah lxii. Nor should the state of your own nation be forgotten. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2.

St. Paul hoped for deliverance from his difficulties, by the Corinthians helping together by prayer for him, (2 Cor. i. 11.) and thus supposes that Christians will unite in prayer for their minister. Remember, then, your minister in your social meetings, it will bring a blessing on him and yourselves also. Why should not those members of a family who are under the full influence of real religion unite, at stated periods, in praying for those of their relatives that are careless and regardless of its holy truths? There are various other things of general and personal, or local interest, that need not be here specified, which afford suitable subjects for social prayer.

It is a proof of the low state of religion among us, that many, and those even real Christians, (for of them only I speak,) can meet and part in our day without praying together. It is feared that this might be counted strange and uncommon? this is only a weak objection. The devoted Christian is an uncommon character, and must expect to be often reproached for unnecessary strictness and preciseness. Have you reason to think that this would be an unwelcome service? surely, then, you should not voluntarily be much in the society of those who would think it such. Or may not another reason be, that the conversation, even among those who have