clean in his person, and the very poorest, though only clothed in rags, will still be welcome to the presence of his God, if in that, as in every thing else, he does the best he can. The public service of the church must be attended by every one who is not prevented by some duty which obliges him to stay away. A sick person must not be neglected by those whose duty it is to take care of him. A mother who has the charge of young children cannot leave them. Frequently the servants in a family cannot all go to church at the same time. These are lawful excuses; but let every one who is deprived of the happiness of serving God in the congregation, consider it as a misfortune, to be avoided if possible. Let every one who stays away be sure that his reasons for so doing are such as he would not be ashamed to allege at the day of judgment. Families may be so ordered, that every one may go to church by turns; and if there be any service where this is not allowed, I should advise the servant of CHRIST to leave such a master, and to seek for one who fears GOD. It is impossible to point out every particular case; but if we really regard the service of GOD as our greatest happiness, if we love Him as we ought to do, and value the

blessings we enjoy in his house as they deserve, we shall not stay away if we can possibly help it. It is not a shower of rain, it is not a lazy wish to lie longer in bed, which will keep us from what we delight to do. They who are not in the habit of going to church, whose hearts are not right before GOD, those men know not the pleasures of religion; but, my brethren, I hope for better things from you. O taste and see how gracious the LORD is; blessed are all they who put their trust in Him!

When the service of the church is over, let the remainder of the day be spent in such a manner, as not to lose the advantages we have gained. It is a joyful and a happy day, it is a day to enjoy innocent pleasure; but let it be the pleasure of a Christian. Those who spend the other six days in hard work, confined perhaps to towns, or to unwholesome manufactories or mines, may with innocence, and with advantage to their bodies and minds, enjoy a walk into the country, breathe the fresh air, and gain health and strength to support the labours of the week. Those who live in the country may enjoy the company and conversation of their friends; they may be cheerful and happy. But if the love of

GOD fill their hearts, they will do all to his glory. When they look at this beautiful world, they will bless him who made it. When they feel the comfort of virtuous friendship, they will thank him for that greatest of blessings. Whatever is perfectly innocent in itself, and does not interfere with the particular duties of the day, may be enjoyed with thankfulness. I hope it is not necessary to say that gaming and excessive drinking are never innocent; and on this sacred day they must be regarded as doubly sinful. One employment which our Saviour seems to have delighted to perform on the sabbath-day, I earnestly recommend to all; and that is, doing good. This subject shall be particularly mentioned in a future discourse; and I will only observe at present, that the leisure which Sunday affords can never be filled up more delightfully than in practising the lessons we have learnt at church, and in giving to others what GOD has given to us. If a poor sick neighbour cannot go to church, a kind friend may read the Lessons, or say a prayer to him at home; or may tell him the text, and what he can recollect of the sermon. If he is in affliction, a kind friend may share with him the religious consolation he has himself

received. If he is in poverty, and that friend has neither silver nor gold to bestow, he perhaps may spare him a little of his Sunday's meal; or if not, he may at least speak comfort to his soul. He may tell him what he has just heard of Him who for our sakes became poor; who suffered more than ever man did; and who calls us to take up the cross, and follow him through the sorrows of this life to the everlasting happiness of the next. Those who have children should spend some part of the day in teaching them their duty, and should gladly accept every assistance that is offered by the Clergy, or by Sunday Schools. Those who have performed these duties to the best of their power will sit down with double pleasure to their cheerful meal, and bless GOD for it with a joyful heart. If there be service in the afternoon, they will not need any exhortation to go there, for it will be their delight. In the evenings, I would recommend, what is practised in some places, that there should be a friendly society of those who fear GOD; who may meet together, in order that some one of them may read the Bible, or some good book, to the rest; that those who cannot read themselves may have the comfort of

hearing the Word of GOD, and spending the evening like Christians.* This will promote friendship, and unite good people to each other: they will enjoy cheerful and innocent conversation, and learn to love each other as CHRIST has loved them. Such, my Christian friends, should be the employment, such should be the pleasures of the LORD's day. When you spend it thus, it will be unnecessary that I should remind you to thank GOD for such blessings before you sleep. Your evening song will be a song of thanksgiving. At peace with all the world, and with your heavenly Father, retire to rest; and rise refreshed, and ready to do your duty in that state of life to which GOD has called you. Then go forth to your six days labour, joyful, and glad of heart; hoping for the blessing of GOD on your honest industry, and looking forward to the return of this happy day, when we may again enter into the courts of the LORD, and meet in the house of GOD as friends. This happy day, which brings rest to the weary, instruction to the ignorant, and comfort to the

* See the Bishop of Durham's Charge, in the year 1797, page 25. See also a very interesting account of the Friendly Society at Winston, in the Reports of the Society for bettering the condition of the Poor, vol. ii. p. 82.