bless and to save his creatures, the energy of which no finite intellect can measure. For ages he has been feeding the inhabitants of heaven with imperishable joys: he is now upholding all things by the word of his power; and there is not an emotion of happiness, through the wide range of the universe, but what he inspires. And what is there that the character and circumstances of man can possibly require, but what this Great Being, in the plenitude of his inconceivable energy, can do for him? I bring, therefore, my wayward, polluted, and sinful self to Thee, "O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer!" What is dark in me, Thou canst illumine: what is wrong, Thou canst correct. on strength, O arm of the Lord!" deliverances !" "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children."

"Put "Command

"Hear! O hear ye the clangour of his voice,

And the peal that issueth from his mouth!
Under the whole heavens is his flash,
And his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
After it pealeth the voice;

He thundereth with the voice of his majesty !

From the utmost zone issueth the whirlwind;
And from the arctic chambers, cold,

By the blast of God the frost congealeth,

And the expanse of the waters, into a mirror.

He also loadeth the cloudy woof with redundancy;

His effulgence disperseth the gloom.

Thus revolveth he the seasons in his wisdom,

That they may accomplish whatsoever he commandeth them,

Over the face of the world of earth,

Constantly in succession, whether for judgment

Or for mercy he causeth it to take place.

Hearken to this, O Job! be still,

And contemplate the wondrous works of God.
Dost thou know how God ordereth these things?
How the light giveth refulgence to his vapour?
Dost thou know of the balancings of the clouds?
Wonders-perfections of wisdom!

TEACH US HOW WE MAY ADDRESS HIM,

When arrayed in robes of darkness;

Or if brightness be about him, HOW I MAY COMMUNE;
For, should a man then speak, he would be consumed!

Even now we cannot look at the light

When it is resplendent in the heavens,

And a wind from the north hath passed along and cleaved them. Splendour itself is with God!

Insufferable majesty!

Almighty!-we cannot comprehend him!

Surpassing in power and in judgment!"-Job xxxvii.

CHAPTER VI.

PRIVATE, SOCIAL, AND DOMESTIC PRAYER.-THE PRAYERS OF CHRIST.

Both

"LET the words of my mouth," said the monarch of Israel, "be acceptable in thy sight:" a request which was afterwards repeated and amplified by the followers of the Saviour:-"Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." petitions are founded upon the presumed importance of prayer: they betray solicitude about its proper performance: the speakers had evidently a conviction of their own inefficiency to discharge the duty acceptably, and a deep impression of the solemnity of the engagement.

In order to be instructed how to pray aright, we have precepts inculcated, directions given, and the example of the Redeemer to imitate. We have many instances of his engaging in prayer, as an act of worship, a service of devotion, enjoined upon all his followers. He did this frequently in a private manner, retiring to some place of silence and of secrecy; and he discharged the duty publicly, for the benefit of his disciples, teaching them the