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J. F. DAGG, Editor.
VOL. YYYI.-Aew Series, Vol. 20.
nr am r mm am •
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PREACH THE GOSPEL.
It cannot be possible that any who are
really Christians, enjoying the hope ofhap-
Einess in eternal communion with Him who
as begotten this hor> ■ in them, and feel
ing the blessedness of tin's hone in th * evi
dences of His love to them, which are con
tinually manifested to their heart .<. n feel
indifferent as to their neighbor’s reception
of the same blessing.
. The purity of the joy which they <xpe
rieucc must beget in their hearts a fervent,
sincere love to Christ, the bestower of this
joy, and also for their fellow-men. The
Christian must love. “God is love, and he
that dwelleth in lovedwelleth in God, and
God in him.” “His love is perfected in
us.” llow blessed the feeling! love for all,
for every one; no cares, no sorrows can
overcome the gentle, kind sympathetic fe 1-
ings of the heart of love. “ It is as a foun
tain; nay, it is as a fountain pouring out
favor after favor, kindness after kindmss,
gentle acts of friendship after frien Isliip’s
gentle acts, and yet the more, the livelier,
the greater, the more abundant.
Christian love, like the waters of a foun
tain, becomes purer by allowing it to flow
freely, the more copious the stream the j
sweeter td*.e taste- iWt how many of us do
not think so; how many of us shutting up
this fountain let its waters become dull,
insipped, and bitter. How great the loss,
both to ourselves and to those who might
have been benefitted by its healing waters.
Did we but let it flow, happiness, comfort,
joy, and many other blessings, would be
and enjoyed by many.
we make influence fait,
these blessings to abound® Jesus muss
out the way. Preach the gospel. You can
preach it; plead not then your inability;
you should preach it; refrain not then thy
nand from the work.
Ist. You SHOULD rKEACH IT TO YOUR FAM
ILY.
These must needs be nearest to your
heart’s love. You cannot wish to enjoy
happiness in heaven, and be willing th it
they should suffer eternal misery in hell.—
No, your natural affection will not allow
it; your Christian love must far exceed your
natural affection. Your praying lor your
family is not sufficient; you must show
Vour faithfulness and sincerity by your acts.
Your prayers for, will not impress the minds
of your family; your prayers with, and in
the presence of your family, may reach the
heart. Then be persuaded to hoi I family
prayer daily, it is the neglect of this on
the part of mail}’ of our church members
which causes “Zion to weep,” for the weak
reasons which are offered as excuses tor
this neglect cannot but displease God, and
how can wo hope for a blessing when God
is angry with us. Search, we beseech you,
your reasons, and if they are not all either
the foolish, sinful suggestions of Satan, they
-arise from a feeling of shame or bashful
ness. And why should either of these
cause yuu to neglect, at so great a peril,
your plainly evident duty. Family wor
ship will be in your house family preaching.
2d. Preach to your Neighbors.
Yonr family miv, by their constant in
tercourse with you, fully appreciate your
Christian qualities; the world knows you
not so well. If, then, you would show
them your Christianity an 1 the truth of
religion, you must meet them and deal
with them through the intercourse of qu il
ities which are directly contrary to their
own. For anger, you must return love;
for spitefulness, kindness; for harsh re
buke, mildness of speech; for cursing, bless
ing. Yon must meet them more than half
way; you must excicd their measure; you
must overcome evil with good. At first it
may bea hard task; it is not natural; it calls
fora subjection of that temper which is so
uppermost in us by nature; it is self-deny
ing, but sweeter than the. sweetest pleas
ure which earth and the natural feelings of
the heart can ever be imagined to bestow
when gratified to their utmost limit.—
Though self-denial, it is a blessed foretaste
of heavenly delight, and gives joy purer
than the purest conceptions can conceive.
Ask the man, the Christian who has felt
this, and yon will find that he cannot ex
press in language his heart’s feelings.—
Preach then oy these to yonr neighbors.
3d. You MUST PREACH TO THE WORLD.
And here let me urge you to consider,
and not raise in ymir mind any objec
tion whatever; if you do yon cannot jn Igo
without prejudice. Your family and yonr
neighbors may know yon and your feelings
by yonr intercourse; the world at large
knows only yonr deeds. Reasoning nat
urally, you think it is impossible to expect
you to do anything for so great a field; yet
here God shows ns the truth of his dei i ir
ation, “My ways are not as yonr ways.”
We think so great an object must r qn re
immense influence to accomplish it—
®lj£ (XLhristian 3nii ex
i so far we think correctly—but this irn
; mense influence is the result (in God’s wis
! dom) oflittle means. As great, hardy, and
inde-tructible oaks are the produce of the
tiny little acorn, so the little tract, the lit
tle Bible, the little paper, the littl* sen
tence, nay, the little Weak word, are ap
pointed of God to bring about this immense
influence which is to accomplish immense
ly wonderful blessings.
“A little leaven leavcnetli the whole lump.’’
These little means you must set in motion
by your gifts. A gift awakens joy ami
; lively emotions in the heart of the lecipient,
an 1 the gift of thy heart shall awaken new
I life among th?se little means, and thy
; heart shall be cheered and refreshed with
their joyful effects. Benevolence unchetk
i e I sh ill increase from the little rill to the
j flowing brook, the broad, deep river, the
boundless ocean of universal love.
Then “in the morning sow thy seed, and
in the evening withhold not thy hand, for
thou knowest not which shall prosper, this
or that,” and if it prosper thy heart shall
| be rejoiced to behold the favor of thy God,
and many in eternity shall “call thee bless
ed.”— ]V. Y. Jiecorde ;
EXTEMPORANEOUS PREACHING-
Literally, extompoianeous means unpre
ra ditated, uttered without previous study. |
It is believed tint at the present tim •,
! those Christians are few who desire that un- ;
j inspired preachers shoul I present to their
hearers subj -cts which concern their eter
nal weal or woe Without premeditation and
j prayerful stii ly. If such there lie, they
i must be profuuu lly ignorant of the sub
jects of the gospel preacher, of the natural
, resources of the human un lerstnn ling; as
oftkum.-thol in which the Holy Spirit
j communicates his divine assistance.
| The minister of the Gospel, unless oqn il- !
j ly ignorant of his own resources and the
wants of his people, who yields to su h un- j
reasonable demands, must possess an over- I
weening de-ire to please his hearers, as
well as a rom irkable facile conscience.—
As no ju licious advocate would risk the
cause of his client in an unpremeditated
plea, be he ever so eloquent, >o certainly
no ju ‘ieious G >sp. I preacher, “who w tcli
es for souls as tti y who must qr ve mm--
count,” will ill-pit the ui>ri*K*U.o .mg and i
| jsop iMiie 4te souls of his Rearers by pfl’tn- j
mg off upon tilrin for aGs el s rmo /, !
the cm ‘e, uu ligested ui iterials tli ,t m y
eh nice to float upon the surface of his min 1.
The physician, who should a gle -t tli ■ pe
culiarities in the case an 1 treatment of his
pitient, woul I be guilty of jeopardizing
life by his neglect. Ail can spiritad
‘/uac'cery obtain in those who h ve to do
with peri-liing souls, and the blood of ihose
suuls not be required at their Inn !?
Tins term extemporaneous, how ver, is
often used to designate quite another tiling,
viz., spealiuj w thout notes, as opposed “ le
dicere scripto.” To speaking, then, ns op
posed to reading, the remainder of this pa
per will be devoted.
Each mode h is doubtless its a Iv.iufag s,
and each its disadvantages. The question
is, which method, all things considered,
will most effectu illy accomplish the design
of the Gospel preacher. Something of pre
cision an I accuracy is necessarily lost in
spoken discourses. But it becomes a ques
tion whether this is not more than counter
balanced by the attendant .advantages. In
reading, action is cramped, rendered unnat
ural and ungraceful, and the important aid
which the speaker borrows from the eye
and from g rueful ac ivi is almost wholly
lost. Tile action, which reading eng ai
ders, were we not so h ibi: tinted to it, would
be likely to give rise to other th in dec tin
al emotions. Wh it, for instance, more un
graceful an 1 unnatural tlun that see-s .w
motion of the head and chest, caused by
ben ling to read a line of notes and then \
rising to take a furtive glance at the an li- ;
! encc, accompanied pe"haps with an abor
| live attempt at a gesture?
It is well known that mu h of the pow-
I er an 1 success of those divines whose la
bors have been abundantly blessed to the
conversion of souls, lias, un lor Go 1, risen
from the charm of their manner. This is
not strange. The attention of an an litorv
must be g line I before t nth can m ike an
impression. Wore the Gospel preacher,
in the place of the Scientific lecturer, whose
avocation it is to impart instruction to those
whom self-interest renders eag -r in catch
ing every truth tli.it falls from his lips,
manner were comparatively unimportant.
But his situation is just the reverse of the j
lecturer’s. The great m ijority of his hear
ers have not only a distaste , but a heart
felt enmity to tne truth, which duty calls
upon him to urge home upon the con
j science and the understau ling, with the
emphasis of a “thus sniththe Lord.” List
j lesdy they seat themselves on a Sabbath in
their cushioned pews, obtain the most com
fortable posture possible, and then glaneeat
’ the preacher with an expression that says as
j plainly as words, “Now interest me and
i Keep nu awake if yon can!” Then the
’ truths he must present are wanting the
charm of nocdtyfmX to them appear stale,
worn-out th ernes—the speaker, one they
| have heard Sabbath after Sabbath, perhaps
| for years. Thus eir umstanced, is it proh
, able, without the aid of action—of a grate
| ful, energetic delivery—his best written
discourses can long k ep the attention of
j such hearers!
It is rea 1 *ly a 1 mitte 1 th it .■ brnc tise notes
j so gracefully and with such ease of manner
Pcnfield, Georgia, Thursday, April 15, 1852.
as to obviate in a great measure these dis
advantages. But such are among the ‘Va
nce avts” ofthelaud. And most of these in
stances are, in fact, examples of speaking
rather than of reading—while the general
satisfaction with which both learned and
unlearned listen to one who, in common
pari an '-e, “is not at all confined to his
notes,” speaks lon ’ly in favor of spoken dis
| courses! Who, that has not witnessed the
: almost electrical effect upon a congreg it ion
I who had been listl.ssly drowning under
1 the heavy reading of a discourse, when the |
I reader in his peroration has shut the Bi >le |
and assumed the air and life of speaking?
They who have noticed the reviving effect
of a speaking voice and eye an 1 m inner at
such a time, could but lament that the ex
cellent truths just read had not been pre
sented in such a manner. How often is an
inferior sermon, delivered with a graceful
an I energetic eloquence of action seem to
in ike a lasting impression, whilst a sermon
of the very highest intelloeiul order an I
breathing the spirit of a fervent piety, is
almost wholly lost upon the congivg ttion
from the dull monotonous reading tone in
which it was presented! The fact is, that
the great majority of those who compose
oar congregations cannot as well listen to
a written pro (notion, which is read to
‘ tli em from tli; m muscript. Unamistom- !
| el to mental application, it is more than
I doubtful wh tiler they can follow the read
er—this being the case, tli it minister who
“w it, lies for souls,” and whose motto is to
do “tile greatest good to the great st num
ber,” cannot be content w th a lnetlio 1 of
preaching which places l> v.md his reach a
large priuiortioii of those wli ise salvation lie
soaks? If it bo objected that the>e disad
! vantages are rather the abuses of the sys
tem,an Iby no moans insep irablo from it
! that care an i practice will remedy them.
I Even if this be admitted, it m rely goes to
show tli it reading is endurable only ah it
approach.s sneaking; and that when com
pletely r. me tied -leading will h ve in arg
il 1 into speaking. That thei'eaiv those who
use notes neatly an I give fully, li isalre idv
been admitted. But. even they who thus
use tli in if eii feel that th. ir ministrations
Would be much in ire impressive c add they
-A-caii w h e ding, i oe 1 tli.r.
But I w.mlvl not He mt mranniwirff’
ifoas.’ .>V{ C i‘>m to VA* tit Fig <SCi't'AqhS
ii .to’j ctions to w ,tiny.
lie stu lied. Other tilings equal, he is lik -
ly to be the most isejul preacher who .8
the most studious. Some writer says, that
the man who e ries stu ly in then i:i stry
is only fie to he torch- carer to aiio.h. r Ca
liph Omar, an 1 to act the part of iucen IL
ry to all the libraries in the world. Tile
minister who woul I wield the weapons of
his warfare with skill and energy; lie win*
woul 1 not pall the appetite of Ins hearers
by the sameness of Ins pro luetions; and he
who would enrich Iris discourses with va
ric lan 1 appropriate illustrations, will care
fully elaborate his sermons. It is believed
also that writing in full will generally be ;
found necessary to a careful elaboration.
But must, then, every sermon ho commit- i
ted to memory ? That were unnecessary.
Each shoul I he studied , and that thorough
ly, too, “for,” asks Dr. Cotton Mather, “how
can you de.uan l of your hearers to remem
ber inu.h of wh it you bring them, when
you can remain her nothing of it yourself?”
The preacher should umloti .terily commit 1
the subst .n. c of each discourse; not the
Wirt’s, but the ideas.
With the arrangement, the substance of
the 8 Tinon in the mind, easy, copious and
appropriate language will lie inspired by
tb • occasion; as it is rare that we fin 1 any
difficulty .n expressing wil d we fully cot;-:- 1
preh n . Or, if the memory be tr.a her
oin the. c is a me ho 1, lying like truth, “in
media res” —i kin lof su. g sted plan. Iff
! is to take down o.t p.per me hea.s of dis
j course and here an t there a principal wor-L
under each division suggestive of the lead-1
ing ideas. Such is the power of assume
tion, tliat those occasional words will bring
to mind the whole sentence. Action .M
thus unrestrained; the eye need scarcely
be turned from the hearers. Aud the;
the preacher has an advantage over the ay
temp, r.ser in being Hole to lay aside i{!
anxiety as to wh it is to come next, air
thus placed at ease he is at liberty to erf
ploy all his resources to set forth the pntr :
ent idea in the most impressive in inner./’
It is not, however, suppose 1 that tj*s
or any one method is pr f-iable for evitw |
minister under all circumstaui es. PX-u- !
! liariti sand idiosyncrasies in the men'al
constitution dem .nd peculiarities in w>ch
ol. M n are ready enough to proude
Procrustean spare-beds for others, but wry
loath to have themselves stretched upon
them.
Every minister ought to discover the
method in which lie can accomplish the
greatest good to the greatest unmoor <fhis
own par.sh m.-rs. Ue ought not, c* the :
one li m I, slavishly use written seruons, !
because they h .ve become fmiombo in
our cities, and because in vogu, de
ni .n leil l>y the “upper ten” of our cuiatry
congr gitions; nor on the other, yiel/is lur
conscientious convictions that Ins nanner
ia, on the whole, for him and his .oojjlt,
the st, because of the not o-phobii rife
among another portion of our hean.is.
I have seen nothing better upon tie sub
ject than the advice of Cotton M itb r. “If
( yon must h ive your notes, let ttpre be
With you a distinction between ti e neat i
, using of notes and the dull reading jf them. !
TIIS TRUfH It LOVE.
What I advise you to is, let yonr notes
be no more than a guide on which you may
cast your eye now and then, to see what
arrow is to be next fetched from thence;
and then with your eye as much as may be
on those whom you speak to, let it be shot
away with a vivacity becoming one in earn
: est ibr to have the truths well entertained
by the auditory.”— Zion's Advocate.
REV. LEGH RICHMOND.
Every bo ly who has read the “ Dairy
i man’s Daughter,” and what Christian has
| not? wjl find something to interest him in
the following sketch relative to the con
version of tne author of that celebrated
work. It is from Grimshawo’s life of Legh
Richmond.
11, $ entrance on his professional duties —
Remarkable chanys in his views and con
duct, and the ine dent that occasioned it
Reft ction on the foregoing cveiit.
Mr. Richmond appears to have entered
on the ministry with the desire and aim of
discharging its important duties in a con
scientious manner; and he manifested such
propriety of conduct in his moral deport
ment, and in the general duties of his new
charge, as to procure for him the character
of a highly respectable and useful young
clergyman. A few mouths, however, after
his residence at Biuding, a most important
revolution took place in his views and sen
timents, which produced a striking and
prominent ch ingain the manner and mat
ter of his preaching, as well as ill the gen
ral tenor and con duet of his life. The
It inge was not a conversion from immoral
ity to morality; for lie was strictly moral,
m tile usual acceptation of the term. Nei
ther was it a conversion from heterodoxy
to orthodoxy; but it was a con version from
orthodoxy in name ami profession, to or
thodoxy in its spirit, tendency and influ
nce. Bat before wo indulge in any fhr
ih r remarks, it is necessary to record the
particulars of the occurrence to which we
It ive allu le 1. Shortly after he had enter
e 1 on his cuiacies, one of his college friends
wari on the eve of taking holy orders, to
wlhjina near relative had sent Mr. Wilber
fon/u’s “Practical view of Christianity.”
flii/ thoughtless candidate for tile moin. n
os the Christian ministry for-
annfto inform
hiniwh it he must say respecting its con
ten*-. In compliance with this request, he
o. i ln to read the book, and found himself
so jieeply interested in its contents, that
th -volume was not laid down until the pe
mstl of it was completed. The night was
■sp. it in reading, and reflecting upon the
important truths contained in this vahio
ore and impressive work. In the course of
lips, employment, the soul of the reader was
Jo net. rated to its inmost recesses; and the
effect produced in innumerable instances,
®y the book of God, was in this case ac
cu.nplished by means of a human compo
sition. From that period his mindreceiv
; eda powerful impulse, and was 110 longer
; aiie to rest under its former impressions.
1 A change was effected in his views of di
vine truth, as decided as it was influential,
lie was no longer satisfied with the creed
oltlie speculatist—lie felt a conviction of
lis own state as a guilty and condemned
sillier, and under that conviction, besought
tiercy at the cross of the Savior. There
\ arose in his mind a solemn consciousness
t,Vat, however outwardly moral and appa
'ently irreproachable his conduct might*
ippear to men, yet within, there was want
ing that entire surrender of the heart, that
Ascendancy of God in the soul, and that
idevoteduess of life and conduct, which dis
tinguishes morality from holiness—an as
jsjnt to divine truth, from its cordial reeep
t;on into the heart; and the external pro
fession of religion, from its inward and
transforming power. The impressions awa
kened were therefore followed by a trans
fer of his time, his talents, and his affec
tions, to the service of his God and Savior,
an l to the spiritual welfare of the flock
committed to his care. But while his mind
was undergoing this inward process, it is
necessary to state how laborious he was in
his search. The Bible became the frequent
and earnest subject of his examination,
prayer, and meditation. His object was
fonts haurire sac rot —to explore truth at
its fountain head, to “draw water out of
the wells of salvation.” Isa. xii. 3. From
the study of the Bible, he proceeded to a
minute examination of the writings of the
Reformers, which by a singular coinci
dence, came into his possession shortly af
ter this period; and having from these va
rious sources acquired increasing certain
ty as to the correctness of his recent con
victions, and stability in holding them, he
found, whitt the sincere and conscientious
inquirer will always find, the Truth; and
lus heart being interested, lie learnt through
the heart, and believed it because he f. lt it.
Ilis own account of the effect produced
on his mind by the perusal of Mr. Wilber
torce’s book, will excite the interest of the
reader. Speaking of his sou Willierfbrce,
he remarks:
“He was baptized by the natse of Wil
berforce, in consequence of iffy personal
friendship with tnat individual, whose
name long has been, and ever will be allied
to all tliat is able, amiable, and truly Chris
tian. That gentleman had already accep
ted the office of sponsor to one of my daugh
! ters; but the subsequent birth of this boy,
i afforded me the additional salisfaction of
I more familiarly associating hist name with i
| that of my family. But it was not the tie
| of ordinary friendship, nor the veneration
1 which, in common with multitudes, I fait
for the name of Wilberforce, which induced
mo to give that name to my child; there
had, for many years past, subsisted a tie
between myself and that much loved
j friend, of a higher and more sacred ebar
-1 oicter than any other which earth can af
ford. 1 foci it to be a debt of gratitude,
which I owe to God and to man, to take
this affecting opportunity of stating, that
to the unsought and unexpected introduc
tion ‘/Mr. \l ilberforce’s book on ‘Practi
cal Christianity,’ I owe, through Go l’s
mercy, the first impression which I ever
received, as to the spiritual nature of the
| Gospel system, tlie vital character of per
■ sonal religion, the corruption of the human
heart, amt the way of salvation by Jesus
Christ. Asa young minister, recently or
dained, and just entrusted with the charge
of two parishes in the Isle of Wight, I had
commenced inv labors too much in the
spirit of the world, and founded my public
instructions 011 the erroneous notions which
prevailed amongst my academical and lit
erary associates. The Scriptural princi
ples stated in the ‘Practical View,’ con
vinced me of my error; led me to the stu
dy of the Scriptures with an earnestness
to which I had hitherto been a stranger;
humbled my heart, and brought me to
seek the love and blessing of that Savior,
who alone can afford a peace which the
World cannot give. Through the study of
this book, I was induced to examine the
writings of the British and Foreign Refor
mers. I saw the coincidence of thar doc
trines with those of the Scriptures, and
those which the Word of God taught me
to be essential to the Welfare of myself and
my flock. I know too well what has pass
ed within my heart, for nowa long period
of time, not to feel and to confess, that to
this incident I was indebted, originally,
for those solid views of Christianity, oil
which I rest my hope for time and eterni
ty. May I not, then, call the honored au
thor of that book my spiritual father? And
if my spiritual father, therefore my best
earthly friend? The wish to connect his
name with iny own, was natural and justi
fiable. It was a lasting memorial of the
1 Tn% r .‘ n fi Uinl transaction of my life ; it
sun h*eu flmidst the tenderness of present
emotions, oig\ni
gratitude; and I trust its character is im
perishable.”
Though Mr. Richmond’s mind and heart
were experiencing’the remarkable change
that has been recorded, it is necessary to
state that the regularity and decorum with
whi h lu was previously discharging his
duties, far exceeded those of many other
ministers. If then, notwithstanding these
exertions, he was still conscious how much
lie fell short of the standard of ministerial
faithfulness and zeal, and the requirements
of personal holiness; may we not ask, what
ought to be the convictions of those who
evince a far less degree of earnestness,
where the claims are precisely the same,
and the obligations to fulfil them are equal
ly binding? If he felt need within, of &
more operative principle of divine grace,
as the only genuine source of inward and
external holiness; what must be their-etate
who, with greater deficienccs, experience
no conflict of the mind, no secret misgiv
ings of the conscience? If, in his ardent
inquiry after truth, he meditated over the
sacred page, and explored the voluminous
writings of the R formers: what is their
responsibility who rest in a system, with
out an endeavor to ascertain its correctness?
INFLUENCE OF A CHRIBTIAN LADY.
Some two years since, Mrs. 1® n, wife
of D. G. I’ , Esq., commenced a small
Sunday school at her private residence, on
San Jacinto, Harris county, Texas. She
had no library—nothing in the way of Sab
bath school publications, but a sow miscel
laneous books, which she had brought with
her, and no one to aid in teaching. There
was no minister of the gospel in the settle
ment—no preaching; no church; no school
house—and she th j only professor of reli
gion in the settlement; a large majority of
her neighbors were Romanists. Was not
the prospect dark and gloomy?
But Mrs. P. saw that she was surround
ed by the young of another generation,
growing up in ignorance of gospel truth,
and she felt it her duty to make an effort
to impart to them that truth. She found
a sow willing to receive instruction. She
persevered in her benevolent labors, and
now beholds their fruits in a very neat an 1
comfortable country church—a good week
day school, the stated preaching of the gos
pel on the Sabbath, one of her scholars
converted, and now acting as secretary of
the school, which has now become a well
organized Union Sunday school of some
thirty scholars, having a good supply of
the publications of the American S’uuday
School Union.
These are part of the results of Mre. P.’s
efforts in the Sunday school cause on the
San Jacinto, about ten miles above the
celebrated battle ground of that name.
Eternity alone will reveal the whole. Can
Sunday schools be sustained in the country,
in advance of a regular gospel ministry,
and among a Southern people? Let the
above facts answer the question. Can
Sunday schools be snstaiuea in the country?
Como to Texas, and you may find a satis
factory answer to the inquiry.— Tdtai Cor.
Christian 01m> ver.
J. TANARUS, BLAIN, Printer.
THE PRAYER WAB TOO LONG.
c NTell, that is a fault. We have no mo
del'in the Bible for a long prayer. The
longest on record is that of Solomon ttpon
the momentous special occasion of the
dedication of the temple. The deliberate
offering ol this woull scarcely occupy
eight minutes. One ofthe shortest, that
of the publican, “Go l be merciful to me
a sinner,” may be offered in one breathing;
and it was heard an 1 answered. “Lord,
save, I perish,” ami “Lord h.-lp me/ are
patterns of earnest, effectual prayer. Earn
estuess utters its desires directly, briefly,
even abruptly. We are not beard because
of “much speaking.”
The prayer was too l mg. It is certain! y
difficult to concentrate our thoughts with
the intensity that devotion requires for a
I lu ng time, or maintain without weariness
the proper attitu le of prayer. He who
: leads in public prayer, representing not
simply his own desires, but those 01 the
congregation, should go no farther than
he may reasonably hop -to carry with him
their thoughts and devotions. All beyond
this, it it be sincere, is private devotion,
and should be uttered in the closet; if it
be not sincere it is Hypocrisy.
Ihe prayer was too long. Perhaps the
good brother did not know it. In the self
torgetfulness of devotion, perhaps he took
“no note of time.” As the prayers ofthe
social meeting are generally too long, ha
was but extending a bad custom. Now,
if you were kindly to mention it to him,
not cuuiplaiiiingly, but as though you real
ly desired to promote his usefulness and
influence, might it not have a good result?
Just try it, and if he is a reasonable Chris*
tiun; lie will thank you for it.
The prayer was too lung. Perhaps your
own heart was not in a proper frame to
sympathize with the devotions. You did
not pray in private before you came to the
public meeting, and consequently you
wanted a praying spirit. There has been
but little fellowship of spirit between you
and the brother who sought to express
what ought to be your desires, and if his
heart was warm, and yours cold, it in no
wonder you thought the prayer wag too
long.
‘The prayer was too long. Was there
SliV preach.ng in it? Sometimes brethren
siim to instruct the cpnjfcregat :£>:%’ sv>.l>-
turn their/prayer into exhorta
tion* or statements (jf doctrine. I think
in all such cases it would greatly add to
the interest and profitableness ofthe meet
ing, if a division were made, and the
things that differ were separated;
The prayer was too long. Was it for
mal and heartless? Without unctiori and
earnestness. Did it seem as though the
brother prayed merely because he was
called upon, without appearing to have any
special errand to the tLroneofgrace? Did
he seem to pray merely to fill up the time,
or to perforin his part in the prescribed
routine of service? Was it the same old
stereotyped prayer which he always offers,
as though circumstances never changed,
and our wants and supplies were always
the same? li it was so, then the prayer
was too long, even if it occupied only one
moment.
There may not be much poetry, but
there is common sense and piety In the
following stanza:
“Fe-.v be our werds and short cur crayert,
When we together meet;
Short duties keep religion up,
And make devotions sweet.”
THE DYING BISHOP.
Bishop Butler, when on his death bed,
having sent for his chaplain, observed that
though he endeavored to avoid sin and
please God, yet from the consciousness
which ho felt of perpetual infirmities, he
was still alraid to die. “My lord;” said
the chaplain, ‘fymi have forgot that Jesus
Christ is a Savior!” “True,” rrplied the
bishop, “but how shall I know he is Sa
vior for me?” “My lord, it is written,
‘Him that cometh to"me I will in no wise
cast out.’ ” “Ti ue,” responded the worthy
prelate, with admiration, “and I tttu sur
prised that though 1 have read that passage
a thousand times over, I never felt its vir
tue till this moment, and now 1 die hap
EVERY CHRISTIAN* BHOULB LABOR.
Dr. Wayland, speaking of the Chris
tians who were dispersed by the first per
secution of the church at Jerusalem, says!
“This little band of disciples accomplished
more for the conversion of the world than
all the Christians of the presentday united
have done.” Docs any one ask why? “Be
cause,” says he, “every individual felt that
the conversion of the world was the work
to which he himself, and not an al>6trac
tion called the church, was responsible.
Instead of relying on man for aid, even
man looked directly np to God to forward
the work. God was tuns exalted, his pow
er was confessed; and very soon, in a few
years, the standard of the cross was carried
to the remotest extreme of tbo then known
world.”
tS£T"I hat is not the best sermon which
makes the hearers go away talking to one
another, and praising the speaker; nut that
which makes them go away thoughtful and
serious and battening to be alone.— Bum*.
£g r *To a benevolent disposition, even
state of life will afford some opportunities
: of contributing to the welfare of mankind,
I —JUTi e/o/in^OTln
Number 16.