tion, we must evince our sincerity by carefully shunning all that leads to it. It is only as far as we are conscious of the integrity of our motives, that we can presume to expect the assistance of Divine grace, either to direct or to restrain us. While we determine to cherish the tempter in our hearts, in vain do we bend the knee to God, and with our lips invoke his holy name, saying, "lead us not "into temptation!"

In beseeching God to deliver us from evil, we again recognize him as the sovereign disposer of events; we again profess our belief in the perpetual exertion of that ever-active wis

dom, power, and beneficence, to which, when spoken of collectively, we give the name of providence ; attributes which, in the concluding sentence, we again acknowledge and adore.

Such

Such is the serious and solemn purport of that address to the Deity, which is so often repeated by rote, as if it were a mere string of words, without either sense or meaning. It may be thus repeated through life without producing any effect upon the conduct. But let the heart and understanding be both engaged in it, and it will be found impossible regularly to offer up this prayer to the Almighty, without experiencing the influence of that Holy Spirit which breathes in every line. The heart that is thus turned to God will require no excitement to make frequent use of the glorious privilege of addressing itself in prayer to Him who is able to grant to the uttermost every request. Let us, however, be careful that the requests we make are such as we can hope to be presented by

our

our Mediator and Intercessor at the throne of grace. Let us likewise be careful never to engage in any pur suit, nor to indulge in any inclina tion, on which we cannot implore the Divine blessing. Let this be to us a test of the lawfulness of every pleasure, assured that within these limits we may enjoy with thankfulness all the gifts which Providence has bound in our lot.

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By a confirmed habit of connecting ideas of happiness with the ideas of Him from whom all happiness proceeds, you will learn to turn from those illusive phantoms of delight, which so often prove snares to the careless and unwary.

May the prayers which I shall never cease to offer for the beloved children to whom I now address myself, find acceptance in his sight, who

knows

knows the sincerity of the heart from which they proceed! May you all be protected by his providence, enlightened by his wisdom, and at length received into his glory!

Adieu !

LETTER IX.

I

HOPE I do not vainly flatter myself in believing that my dear Lady Elizabeth will have so far penetrated into the scope of my arguments, as to perceive that prayer must, upon the principles I have endeavoured to unfold, be a certain means of improve ment. The grace of God was never sought in vain. If we use the means, he will not fail to favour us with that. Divine assistance, which, though