of that river Perhaps you But is not this

There is neither safety nor happiness but in constant prayer. If you would obtain the waters of life, you must come to the fountain. If you would drink of the streams you must come to the banks which maketh glad the city of our God. think prayer to be needless or useless. sad folly? You think it necessary to inquire, What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed? necessary to seek after the provision of mere temporal wants; and yet you can be careless about the pardon of your sins, the salvation of your soul, the eternal ruin of hell, and the everlasting glory of heaven. Prayer is no more to be esteemed needless, than eternal bliss is needless. No man ever repented of prayer. Baxter says, "I often repent that I have prayed to him so coldly, and communed with him so negligently, and served him so remissly; but I never repent of the time, care, affection, or diligence em. ployed in this holy work."

2. Some are ASHAMED OF PRAYER.They think that it is the mark of a weak, or superstitious mind.They are afraid of being laughed at and ridiculed by their ungodly companions; and perhaps they have no place to which they can retire to be alone. But is it not the grossest ignorance, weakness, and delusion, to be afraid of the ridicule of a perishing, guilty man, and regardless of the displeasure of the ever-living and ever-blessed God? Only be firm, and constant, in your devotions, and you will soon put to shame the ridicule of your companions, or God will manifestly appear on your side. Imitate Daniel's noble openness and frankness, his firm decision, and integrity of devotion, (Dan. iv, 35.) and you may expect to be carried through every difficulty. It is not a mark of a weak

and little mind, but of the deepest wisdom, of the highest grandeur, and nobleness of spirit, to hold constant intercourse with the Lord of heaven and earth. The true weakness, the real littleness, is to be afraid of a worm, a creature of a day, mere dust and ashes.*

3. There are others WHO DID ONCE PRAY WITH EARNESTNESS AND FERVOUR, BUT THEY HAVE BECOME RE

MISS OR CARELESS. Some alarming sermons, some terrors of conscience, some dangerous event, and some convictions of sin, once excited you to seek God; but now, both your fears and your prayers have passed away, or at least you are unsteady and negligent.David describes the case, Psalm 1xxviii, 34-37.-How precious once were the hours of prayer! How delightful a place was your closet! How tears filled your eyes while you confessed your sinfulness, or thanked God for his mercies! But now, all is cold and dull. Surely your own conscience will most pow erfully condemn you, and plead with me when I exhort you to renewed efforts to obtain the spirit of grace and supplication. "Prayer," says Cooke, "is

*The following fact will shew that God's blessing to others may also attend a faithful discharge of our own duty.

A pious man was once led by some common engagement to associate a whole day with a minister who had greatly neglected his sacred duties. Their business took them from home, and they had much conversation together on religious subjects.At night they came to the same Inn, and found that they could only have one bed room. The minister was soon undrest and in bed, without saying any prayer. His companion at first hesitated whether he should put out the candle and then pray, or say his prayers openly. He thought that his duty at that time led him not to be ashamed of prayer, and he prayed, extinguished the light, and went to bed. This faithful discharge of duty was not lost on him who had gone prayerless to bed. The conversation which he had heard, and the example which he had seen, left a deep and abiding impression on his mind, and from that time he became a faithful and laborious minister of Christ.

compared to incense; and if the smoke of it ceases to rise up before God, it is a sure sign that the light of divine knowledge and the fire of divine love are both extinguished in the heart." The exhortation belongs to you-O Israel, return unto the Lord, thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Are the realities of a dying bed and the judgment day less near, or less important than they once were? Nay, every day is bringing you nearer and nearer to them. Every day is of more importance, and shortens that little span of life, in which we have to escape the misery of hell, and gain the heavenly mansions. Lose not a moment-plead earnestly for the renewed spirit of prayer. Think not that your sin is beyond forgiveness, and therefore now prayer is of no use. Let not Satan so tempt you. Again seek the presence of God, and it will be a proof that you are not given up to a reprobate mind. Even in the wicked city of Nineveh, when they cried mightily unto the Lord, they were spared. Now if God heard the Ninevites crying for temporal blessings, doubt not but he will hear you when you earnestly implore pardon, peace, and salvation. Yet there is a way open to the throne of grace; and so long as it is open, you need not be miserable, you need not be unhelped.

4. Others are ENDEAVOURING TO LIVE IN CONSTANT PRAYER.--They need no proof of the obligation, no additional argument, to shew them that it is their duty. But perhaps they are often discouraged and cast down by their difficulties in attaining a constant spirit of devotion. If, however, you are desiring and seeking, Augustine justly says, "If he seeks, let him not doubt but that the desire of seeking has been received from him whom he seeks." And may I not say, when you really attain a good measure of the

spirit of devotion, you enjoy a peace of God which passeth all understanding.; it is your privilege-your happiness. You have free. communication with the Lord of Lords and King of Kings-You are permitted to come near to him on all occasions. He grants all your requests, and supplies all your wants. On account of our corrupt nature, it requires indeed watchfulness, patience, and perseverance, to maintain this spirit of prayer, but you find it to be its own reward. Let us not then be content with small measures of the grace of sup plication: let us seek to attain more and more of this gift: and soon the work of prayer ended, the never-ceasing song of praise will commence, which will endure through the boundless ages of eternity.

But let me speak to every reader.

CHRISTIAN MINISTERS! we should be men of prayer;. it is the half of our duty, and that by which we carry on the rest. We will say the Apostles, give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word. The prayers of ministers avail much. We may expect more assistance than others. It is the divine direction for our people-Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him. When Abimelech was threatened with death, he was told to send for Abrabam; and the reason given was, for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live. Should not we then abound in prayer?

CHRISTIAN PARENTS! we next address you.-Pray for your children. "Whenever," says Bishop Hopkins, "thou comest unto the throne of grace, bring these thy dear pledges upon thy heart with thee.-Earnestly implore of God that he would own them, and provide for them as his own children: that he would adopt them into the family of heaven, make

them heirs of glory, and co-heirs with Jesus Christ : that he would give them a convenient portion of good things for this life, that they may serve him with the more cheerfulness and alacrity; and a large portion of spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus and at length bring them to the heavenly inheritance. And know assuredly that the prayers of parents are very effectual, and have a kind of authority in them to obtain what they sue for. This is the blessing which holy fathers in Scripture have bestowed on their children. Thus Abraham asked, Ọ that Ishmael might live before thee. Thus Jacob prayed for and blessed bis children, and his grand-children. Thus Job remem. bered his children, and offered burnt offerings accor ding to the number of them all. Bring them up, also, in the practice of prayer. They cannot too early begin to seek their Saviour and to lisp his praise. No habit will be more profitable to them than that of daily prayer. Teach your children this, and they will then rise up and call you blessed. Store their young minds with the Scriptures, furnish them with short portions for all occasions. This will arm them with invincible strength against their enemies. They are about to journey through a dangerous wilderness; teach them to pray, morning and evening, and it will direct their way, "like that pillar which guided Israel through the wilderness, as a cloud by day to shadow them, and as a fire by night to comfort them."

Prayer is a duty at all times and in all seasons of life. ARE YOU IN PROSPERITY? Let prayer and praise sanctify all your enjoyments. Great is the snare of ontward prosperity. How hardly shall they that are rich enter the kingdom of heaven. You have need to pray much, lest that which was designed as a talent