prayers being answered years after they were offered, in the case of parents of ungodly children; perhaps during their lifetime they may not have had the satisfaction of seeing them turn from their evil ways, but the time does come when these prayers are answered, and fully answered too. This should teach us "always to pray and not to faint."*

I have tried to show you the value of public and private prayer; I would now earnestly entreat you to consider well before you set aside or refuse such precious offers. What can Christ do, more than he has done? He has said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."+ "Come now, and

let us

reason together, though your sins be as

*Luke xviii. 1.

saith the Lord; scarlet, they shall

† Matt. xi. 28.

be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."* "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."+ "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out."That heart must indeed be hard that can resist invitations such as these!--Your sins blotted out, if you will but come and cast yourself upon his mercy. There is no such thing as putting off making your peace with God. If, when he offers, you reject; when, wearied of this world, you wish to accept his offers of salvation, he will hide

* Isa. i. 18.

John vii. 37.

|| John vi. 37.

‡ Rev. xxii. 17.

his face; for he will not always "strive with men.”* Have you thought that to-night it may be said to you, "This night thy soul will be required of thee?" and have you thought where you would like your eternity to be spent? These are very awful questions -of more importance than even life itself. We are told that the longest lifetime on earth is but as a moment, when compared with Eternity. What, then, must Eternity be! Oh! think well of this:-many have thought of it when only too late.

Pray without ceasing. 1 THESS. v. 17.

What various hindrances we meet

In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,

But wishes to be often there?

*Gen. vi. 3.

Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw;

Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love;
Brings purest blessings from above.

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright:
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when, thro' weariness, they failed,
That moment Amalek prevailed.*

Have you no words? O think again;
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creatures' ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To Heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful song would oftener be,-
"Hear what the Lord hath done for me!"

* Exod. xvii. 11, 12.

SIMPLE FAMILY PRAYERS.

SUNDAY MORNING.

THIS is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. cxviii. 24. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto

his name;
beauty of holiness. Ps. xxix. 2.

and worship the LORD in the

O LORD, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Ps. li. 15.

LET US PRAY.

O Lord God Almighty, we kneel before Thee, desiring to begin this day and this week with Thee. Help us, O Lord. Pour