particular juncture, to glance (so far as the subject would admit of such allusion) at some of the reasons for the observance of that day. Many passages in the Sunday Evening Devotions which precede the petition "O Almighty and most Bountiful God," (which is an expanded form of one of the prayers for Ember weeks), are taken (with alterations) from Wasse's Reformed Devotions (1709). From the same work are taken the Private Morning and Evening Prayers, as well as those from page 78 to 86, but with numerous omissions and variations. The meditations at pp. 97 and 99, are extracted (with alterations) from Wasse's Book. The last three prayers are taken (subjected to omissions and changes) from Bp. Jeremy Taylor. The Morning Prayer at page 51, and the Evening Prayer which follows it, are well known. The Prayers for the Sick, are chiefly from Comber's Paraphrase. Many of the ideas in the Prayer for Godfathers, were suggested in reading a passage from Hunter's Sacred Biography; neither is the Prayer relative to the Sacrament an original one.

Persons accustomed to converse with cottagers know, that to recite "The Belief” is one of their evening forms of devotion. That it may be used more for the purposes of edification, than (there is some reason for supposing) it is often employed, a devotional character has been given to it, (chiefly from Dr. Comber). Where the knowledge is small (if the intention be upright,) it is better to improve

upon a practice already followed, than to propose an entire change: and, in general, we act more safely by widening the channel, in which habitual thoughts of a devotional nature may enlarge themselves, than by introducing subjects altogether new. Besides, with all, portioned or unportioned, learned or unlearned, who are in any kind of affliction, (and who is exempt?) a clear declaration of Faith is to the soul, what an anchor is to a ship in distress.

It may be thought by some, that many expressions in our Common Prayer, thus spread out, have been weakened by the operation. There may be occasional foundation for this opinion; but as no attempt is made by the publication of this work, to put any out of conceit with the language of the Prayer Book, (the object being rather to put honour on the Liturgy,) a rigid comparison cannot, in fairness, be instituted between them. It is, however, not to be lost sight of, that a certain degree of fulness and expansion in prayer seems inseparable, from the notion, as well as from the term, of spreading our wants before God.

May the will which prompted the design of this work, excuse the errors in the performance; and may the Prevailing Name in which the prayers are offered, recommend them to acceptance !

E. F.

HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP.

PRAYER FOR SUNDAY MORNING.

O ALMIGHTY GOD! who in the days of man's innocence didst establish an everlasting appoint- ment of the Sabbath, and didst enjoin the observance of it upon our first parents, even when they knew no interruption to their happiness; we, who are not merely finite but sinful creatures also, and immersed in worldly cares, cheerfully acknowledge the benefit of a day set apart for Thy worship, in which we may be more intent upon the duties of Thy immediate service.

Worthy art Thou, O Lord! of all our time -worthy of the highest praise of all Thy creatures. Every moment of life proceeds from Thy goodness; but if Thou hadst left us to ourselves in this matter, in vain should we have agreed when to render Thee our united homage. Endless would have been the differences of opinion, had it been left to our own fancies and our own views of convenience to fix a period for public worship. Of a truth, Lord, Thou hast commanded us to

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pray to Thee in secret, yet must we not forsake the assembling of ourselves together a day devoted to Thy public worship, not only raises our affections to things above, but makes us instrumental in promoting our brother's welfare. We rejoice with them that rejoice, and we join in penitential sorrow; and the assembled multitude being of one heart and one soul mutually establish and edify one another.

O Thou! who didst put honour on Thy commandment by engraving it with the weighty matters of the law on tables of stone, write it in our hearts, we beseech Thee, and grant that we may never think lightly of the duty, but may regard it as a high privilege, and of universal obligation; a seasonable relaxation to the wearied body, a blessed opportunity to the immortal soul.

As in the days of old, Thou didst inspire Thy holy Prophet* (when referring to the times of the Gospel) to set forth the duties of this day;endue us, we pray Thee, with that mind which will connect the observance of it with the hopes and privileges of Thy Gospel," esteeming it a delight, the holy of the Lord, and honourable; and * Isaiah, lviii. 13.

honouring Thee, not doing our own ways, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words." Such is the weakness of our mortal nature, that we seldom do that well which we pretend to do always; we therefore gratefully acknowledge Thy wisdom and Fatherly goodness in appointing one day to withdraw our hearts from the world, and to fix them upon Thee and upon heavenly objects: help us to collect the scattered energies of our souls, and to pursue in earnest the one thing needful!

May all, from the least to the greatest, habitually and consistently improve this day, the observance of which preserves religion among us, that so Thy blessing may rest upon our land- that it may be* " a land which the Lord our God careth for; that the eyes of the Lord our God may be always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year!"

May we concur, as far as in us lies, with the mercy of this institution, and be a hindrance to none in partaking the benefit of Thy dispensation! May our thanksgivings be the inward sense, and our prayers the earnest desire, of our souls!

*Deut. xi. 12.