other, becoming one in heart and one in speech. There are the suppliants, prepared in spirit with the matter of their petitions and addresses, ready to be offered. And there, too, on his throne of grace, sits the great Dispenser of good in the person of Christ, uttering those large and gracious promises, just recited from his own word. Can you look on such a spectacle and say with careless indifference, "Oh! it is only a prayer-meeting, and therefore it matters little by whom it is attended, or how it is conducted?" "Only a prayer-meeting?" and what would you have more or greater than a prayer-meeting? Say, rather, "It is a prayermeeting, which if taken in its largest sense, is the most solemn and interesting place this side of heaven." No matter how a prayer-meeting, a meeting to converse with God, is conducted! Shall every point of etiquette be regarded when we meet our vile and worthless fellowmortals, and yet, when we come before God shall all regard to decorum be laid aside? Instead of this,our very best thoughts and feelings, our best words, should be held in requisition.

CHAPTER XII.

The Presiding Member.

In all deliberative assemblies there is needed a head, or presiding member, through whom the other members may maintain intercourse with each other; and very much depends upon the manner in which this member discharges his functions. It is, therefore, proper that we consider for a moment the duties of this presiding member. I am constrained to believe, that rightly and skilfully to conduct the exercises of a prayer-meeting requires rare qualifications; more rare than is commonly supposed. Even ministers more often fail here, than in any other pastoral gift. They deem the thing so plain and so easy thatt hey never learn to do it well.

If we rightly judge, the great requisites are, a nice and quick perception of times and circumstances, and a skill in drawing out minds. in such a way that they shall not feel conscious of any external influence.

Much is said about using freedom in social meetings, and all feel the value of it; and yet

this freedom, duly regulated, is seldom obtained. We generally find formal stiffness, or wild disorder.

The using of this freedom is urged by argument, and enforced by exhortation. Brethren are invited, and coaxed, and scolded, to bring them out, but they will not show themselves; and with a little insight into human character, we might know they would not. The human mind is not so moved. A man may be driven to work with his hands unwillingly, but never to engage in the work of mingling hearts. Nothing is more freezing than artificial efforts, to force men to glow with emotion, and to speak with earnestness.

The thing is hardly to be defined, and yet we apprehend the great secret lies in throwing out the right thought, at the right time, and in the right way, so that all shall at once catch hold of it, as a suggestion of their own minds, and feel an instant desire to hear and talk freely about it.

A leader capable of fully doing this we may not have always at hand, but with a correct model before us we have a double advantage. We know better whom to select, and the person selected will know better what he ought to do. We can thus approximate to correctness, if we may not reach it.

Of one thing we may be certain; nothing will so effectually draw out and cultivate all the talent for edification that may be found in a church, as the skilful conduct of its social meetings.

A question propounded for inquiry, a topic for discussion, an incident narrated, a theine for prayer proposed, may give an impulse to a meeting, which shall run through it and continue beyond it.

The leader should feel that he is sustained by the brethren, and that as their organ he has only to let his feelings act, and to give free exercise to good common sense. He should not demean himself as anything more than an equal, neither should he fear to say or do anything which he may think ought to be said or done. He should feel himself easy and at home, like a father among his children. It is plain from this sketch, that skill and tact in the conduct of a prayer-meeting is not to be attained accidentally by any one, whatever may be his natural talents. It requires the study of men, the study of the Bible, familiarity with God. The work to be done requires not official station, but it does require official qualifications.

The attendance of the pastor should never be considered essential to a good meeting, but

when he can attend, his presence will on various accounts be beneficial. Aside from his better preparedness for presiding well, he will in this way, form an acquaintance with the character and talents of his people, of great value in his intercourse with them, and one which can be no where else acquired. No general rule will, however, always apply, except this, that the meetings should be made useful and interesting, so far as this can be done.

The proper gift of God bestowed on each one should be turned to the best possible account, whatever that gift may be.

CHAPTER XIII.

Manner in Prayer.

BUT while these things are so, it is also true that the less of form and rule there is among those who have assembled for conference and prayer the better, provided there be no disorder, and no intervals of blank, chilling silence. An occasional outbreak of indiscretion, even, is no way so bad as stiff, stately, and cold formality.

In some respects, the exercises of a prayer