consequences which naturally and almost unavoidably flow from the neglect of family prayer?

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But let a man take a different course. pose, as he meets all the members of his family at the breakfast table in the morning, he says, "I have become convinced of the impropriety of the manner in which I have been living, and have determined to live a different life. I hope I have become a Christian, and feel it to be my duty to establish morning and evening prayers in the family. I shall be happy to have all the members of the family remain a few moments after breakfast, while I read a short passage of scripture, and implore God's blessing upon us during the day." Having thus taken the first step, and broken silence, he feels that peace of mind which invariably follows the discharge of duty. The Christian

has gained a signal triumph over himself, and he feels encouraged to press onward to farther spiritual conquest. His first effort to conduct family prayer may have been painful, but every day it grows more easy and delightful.

He now, without fear of reproach, can converse with others upon their spiritual concerns. He is not restrained by the consciousness that his own life contradicts his professions. His prayers at home are preparing him to take a more active part in the meetings of the church, and are thus increasing his influence and usefulness.

And O, how powerful is the effect of the fervent prayer of the Christian upon a thoughtless family! Many an infidel has thus been reclaimed. Many an irreligious man has been convicted of sin, and learnt to pray, by attending the devotions of a christian family. The truth is, the larger your family, the more imperious are your

obligations to have the influence of religion seen and felt.

I once passed a few days in one of the most extensive hotels in a large city. The house was thronged with company, continually coming and going. But at an early hour of the morning a bell was rung for prayers, and all who were in the house had the privilege of being present. And many a passing traveller there had his thoughts guided to judgment and eternity.

The man who has a large number residing in his family, instead of feeling that he may, therefore, neglect the duties of family religion, should feel that this very fact renders it the more necessary that these duties should be faithfully performed. God has introduced you to a wide field of usefulness. He cannot hold you guiltless, if you neglect to improve that field. He has committed to your care many talents, and you must be accountable for the manner in which they are used. If you are unfaithful, under these circumstances, the more extensive is the desolation which your unfaithfulness causes. O, disciple of Jesus! if you would share in the triumph above, you must bear your part in the conflict here below.

Sometimes a christian family is visited by friends who are not interested in religion, and a person may be tempted under these circumstances in some degree to waive the ordinary religious arrangements of the household. There is now lying upon my table the copy of a letter written by a lady to a gentleman, in whose family she had made a visit, and who, in deference to her presence, had postponed the exercise of evening prayer till she retired for the night. The lady and her husband were of high rank in life, and of

polished manners and intelligence, but not professed Christians. The family in which they were

visiting ordinarily maintained family worship, but on the occasion of a visit from their friends, they thought it would be more agreeable to them to retire before the exercises of family prayer. How must this christian gentleman have felt reproved in receiving from the lady the following letter!

"Now that circumstances have parted us, I cannot help regretting, my dear friend, that notwithstanding we sympathized so well in many things, there was still reserve enough between us to prevent you from pursuing your habitual conduct while we were at your house. I assure you that, although we are not accustomed to daily family prayer, we regard it as very commendable, and both my husband and myself would heartily have joined you if you had allowed us to stay. Instead of which, we only kept you up late for nothing. I cannot but say that you did very wrong."

The remainder of the letter showed that the lady had become much interested in the subject of religion. She would have esteemed it a precious privilege to have united with the family at devotion, and her feelings were just in that state in which they were most liable to be influenced by the exercise, It is false modesty and false politeness which induces us to swerve from the straight forward path of duty. The consequences which may result from a neglect of duty, even in the most trifling particulars, far surpass our comprehension. Some little things may lead an immortal soul to glory, or confirm it in sin, and ruin it for ever. And the reproaches of that lost immortal may reach our ears from his dying bed, and perhaps pierce our hearts at the judgment day.

How important, then, is family prayer, as the

means of influence! The family is a part of the field of labour which God has entrusted to the care of every christian parent. Family prayer is one of the most important of the means which are to be used for the cultivation of this field. Oh, as you value your peace in a dying hour, and as you value your redemption at the judgment day, let no combination of circumstances, let no temptation of the adversary, induce you to lay aside your christian armour, or to remit your watchfulness! Let your home on earth be a christian home, and that you may be prepared for a holier and a happier home in those mansions not made with hands.

Family prayer is, however, the commencement, not the termination, of the Christian's duties in his family. He must feel that ingenuity is requisite to devise plans of usefulness. Cotton Mather appropriated a few moments every day, while he was dressing in the morning, to consider the question, “What can I do this day to benefit my children?" It is not enough that we go on continually in the routine of the same recurring exercises. We must seize occasions-improve providences-adopt expedients to excite interest and affect the heart. The christian father should often have his child upon his knee, explaining to him the interesting truths which the Bible has made known to us. He should hear from a father's lips that there is reality in death, and solemnity in judgment, and scenes of surpassing joy and sorrow in eternity. The father should, in the twilight of the evening, lead his child to the grave yard, and show him the termination of life; he should point him to the glories of the evening sky, and warm his youthful heart by speaking of that home which is above the

stars. Your family is your peculiar and appropriate charge. Its temporal and its spiritual interests are as entirely entrusted to your guardianship as God ever entrusts any privilege or any duty to created beings. And there is no christian minister more loudly called upon to be untiring in effort and eloquent in earnestness, than is the christian father. The teachings of private Christians by the fireside may be no less influential towards the conversion of the world than the preaching of the pulpit. And before the glories of the Millennial day shall blaze upon us, this truth must be more deeply felt and practically obeyed. Professing Christian! you must study these your duties to acquire skill and knowledge. You must practise upon these principles. You must point your

family to heaven, and lead the way.

There is no want of peculiar and appropriate occasions which a father may improve for the purpose of inculcating religious principles. One of the most eminent of the English clergy was led to the surrender of himself to the Saviour by the following interesting circumstance: He was a little boy, and like other children playful and thoughtless. His father was accustomed to converse with him, as favourable occasions could be found, upon his religious duties. The evening of his birthday, when he was ten years of age, his father took him affectionately by the hand, and reminding him of the scenes through which he had already passed, urged him to commence that evening a life of piety. He told him or the love of Jesus, and showed him, that he must perish unless he trusted in his Saviour, and gave his life to his service. The interest of the occasion caused the child to listen with tearful eye and feeling heart. The