ADVERTISEMENT. THERE are many things in the aspect and character of the present time, which must be seen with alarm by all who receive the Scriptures as the word of God. Whether they consider the moral condition of a large proportion of their fellow-countrymen, or look towards the future prospects of their country as affected by that state; they see just cause for sorrow and anxiety. But it would be unreasonable and ungrateful to deny that there are also causes for thankfulness and hope. And amongst the satisfactory signs of the present day, I place in the first rank the increased and increasing habit of family instruction and devotion. Should this habit continue spreading amongst us, as it has spread of late years, especially since the publication of the Bishop of London's "Manual," it would be the brightest ray in the prospects of our land.* * Besides the "Manual" alluded to, Bp. Wilson's "Family Prayer" is on the list of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. Another is published by the Bristol Tract Society. The following volume of Expository Lectures has been prepared in the hope of assisting family devotion, and of more generally adding to it scriptural instruction. The members of a family are travelling together the same road of life, with the same present obligations and the same future destination. That they should unite in studying that Book which alone can lead them safely to the end, is too natural in itself to require enforcement; and as a part of family religion, is calculated to prevent the great danger of its degenerating into a lifeless form. The best commentary to accompany such reading, would be such remarks as would naturally occur to the head of the family, who was well instructed in the Scriptures, and had consulted the various practical expositions with which our libraries are furnished. Such remarks, though not the best possible remarks, would probably be the most applicable to the party assembled, and therefore the most effective. But this requires more energy than is always possessed, and more leisure for reflection than the busi Another, which was compiled with an especial view to the labouring classes, has been printed at Lancaster, and may be also had at Hatchard's, London. The title is, "A Course of Morning and Evening Prayers, for the Use of the Families of the Poor." ness of life universally allows; and, in reality, the practice of reading Scripture in the family is often neglected from the acknowledged difficulty of selecting an exposition. The present volume has been prepared with the sole object of supplying this deficiency; and, if I should be permitted to fulfil my intention, will be followed by the other historical books of the New Testament. I shall be happy if it should tend to promote, generally, a more uniform attention and a closer application to the Scriptures themselves, in every department of Christian instruction; because I am assured that this is what individuals most need, and congregations would most profit by. But certainly the purpose kept mainly in view, both in the design and composition of the volume, is to increase the usefulness of family devotion by facilitating the practice of family instruction. That it may receive the blessing of "the Father of lights," the source of "every good and perfect gift," is the earnest prayer of the Author, J. B. CHESTER. |