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<»>•*■•* «rba>*r! siassft '&S& «k»t i . _ AND DEALXjk 48—3tn P w tA< th America. «« 8, he cl , and iu ___ to the cluupAT' ------ —»1» «•*•..• in • - •. wfi —....... ..rt*A I - xtrn gilt. » I*' ♦ • • •- • • a are n at one? ten per cent. i» ITION. . *■ r Arabesque, gesh try, $4. Ten per those who bur h ■ CHAPMAN, , Colnmbia, S C DouM* I .**»**• id. on South IdownT »l*o South on Chat H Railroad, and Aujmsta i-. -.. 7 15 a I...-'.... 9 05 * ■ rr-^Sj: .. 8 50 p* | 5 80p« ...1.. 7 30 a m 9 W*» L„...*.U J5*» I. 8 f**a « »P» 4»>p* ........ « Ofips hvn ,ve 5S?: 3»»* train fro* on Abbe- ■g»*l betwedi 'f*. 09** aber 22,1873. the foMowto* i this rosd; 3SS* $!»*» f> vflpEliW 1 W. I m:w SERIES, VOL, 5 —NO. 0. COLUMBIA. S.C., FRIDAY, N0VKMBER 8, 1872. ism OLD SERIES, VOL. V.-NO. 217. Communications. for the Lutheran Visitor. Ike Lord * Treasury Box yy e pie}* to show that tbo system .uervixonH by “the box *?•<«»" i<» aoe^Nirof to Scriptsre. , letm ptt inquire ichat « Mh , (| - r , a making benefiocnee a duty. Ito ootid have to ordered by his videnoe that ws should not always •» «N »o4 that thus thw would be «° tor the „««<* of cb»ri«J- f • huT * rntbUcM «be «»I>cl *" «r«r erm- willioot oar aid. He is not at all rte^mleut apo" “Envy beast of the forest is nunc, and the cattle upon a thousand hills f “If I "ere hangry I would ho$ tell thee, for the world is mine, and the fatness thereof “Tbo silver and the gold are iu ni« 1 Onr agency in the ministry of help to the seedy, and of giving the gnapel to the destitute, is designed for oar good, to overcome that whieh in wan is most prominent—a selfish jjatsre—and also to give scope to tbe excrete of our benevolent a flee two*. Hence there are so many forms cflT banian distress pleading at the portals of our hearts to develop me highest excellence from nature -charity. And hence God has or* (baaed that the evangelizing of the world shall not advance faster than ^ the saattifleation of his church. \Heaee we are asked to give of our mmSsAorenr own good. Now the Scriptsres teach this, and therefore the 4 hox system* isf according to Scripture, as it urges constant giv- iog. I L 9te the teachings of the Old Testa- ' mat. There is an account of giving gifts for religions purposes, ns acts of homage to God and kindness to man, long before the time of Moses and the system given through him. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek. Job offered burnt offerings. The system of oft brings or gifts is incor porated in the Mosaic ritoal aud N&Uws. Tkm required gilts to be they did not have their funds invest ed in such a way that they could command ready money, as many do now, owning much property, yet al most or quite congratulating them- selves that they can not, as they think, turn it to the cause of Christ aud flatter themselves that they are thus excused fioui giving. But they are renroyed by the early Christians, who, it Is recorded in the Acts of the Ajmstles, “sold their posse* siontf to raise money for the needs arising. They were, iu other words, systematic aud constant iu giving of iheir means according to their ability. Again, therefore, we say the sys tern we advocate is sustained both by the Old and New Testaments. And men’s hearts are as depraved now as ever and need to be exercised ill the grace of giving and in the discipline of denying self for the good ol others. There is still a world to be brought to the know I- edge of Jesus. The door is open everywhere to preach the Gospel and establish the Ghnrch. For the love of Jesus and for the sake of perishing souls whieh may he loot by our neglect or saved by our exer tions, let us seek to enter every open door, show their souls the way of life—give them the Gospel and church. Dki.ta. A Good Way. Blacksburg, Va., » Oct 19, 1872. \ Editors of the Lntk. Visitor : It is perhaps not known to many of the readers of your paper that this charge basin contemplation theerec- tiou of a i>ur*oiiafre-\For many years Bro. Schaeffer, now gone to his re ! ward, occupied the Montgomery pas j torate, aud unfortunately (for we call it unfortunate for the itastor and peo pie, for the former to be thewowuer of a little farm) being the owner of a small form, the need of a parsonage was not m> apparent. But after his death, in casting about for a succes sor it soon became evident that a parsonage was an absolute necessity to the well being of the charge, ami the comfort of him whom they might call to its pastoral care. It warn therefore deterniiued to build or buy one as early as practicable, and a call was extended to your kuuible correspondent, with the understand ing that a parsonage should be Selections. Shall ths Preacher be Fakl ? I only by the analit sit-in may never poo—ml David, IVOli the depths of bis sorrow', prays atari, “Have me, O God; for the ***** are come in Tide is about the time iu the year o»to my soul ;* “le* me not aiak." wheu the question whether the pan* Bwl jet again, wheMtee floods have tor shall be paid is to be settled in subsided, in a psalm hf thanksgiving many a heart, class, circuit and *t* he cries oft, “Thou in foitbfulness tion. It ought to be decided in the hast afflicted toe j it Is good for me affirmative. To promote this end, | l hat I hare been iAUetcd ; that 1 perhufie we can not do better than ! ®Miht learn th|> sUtetas.” coll the attention of our people to | Tfwly, an iuimeaatamhje volume of the following, tahen from the Raleigh *"•«*» »«# inefcy Is the Christian Adeomie, which shows of the righf<m»; the fldnt* how some others, as well as our \ ‘“i* riufhl soul may selves, look upon this quretiou: treasure drop by Pay up all your pastor’s small * >0<n * Dt * salary punctually as it foUs dm itself from fleshly Can you expert your church to live and prosper wheu you are so dish on eat as to withhold from your uncom plaining pastor that which is justly his, and bring upon him, if not ac tual starvation, at least serious em barrassnieiit and suffering f I>o not deceive yourselves by aeorrUy think mg that you can prosper well in your fluancial affairs by withholdiug what you have solemnly promised tiefure Go«l to i*ay your minister. For, wl- though you may lay your project* of enterprise with prudence, jet God, as he often docs, can embody and transform the dispensations of hie provident** into a canker worm to gnaw and sap the basis of all your plans of worldly prosperity, so thaU he saved her. your cherished hope will never even Frtari, have you bloom, much lees yield the rich fruit Nwthiug else will of your vain anticipation. Conae* there is a* other 1 quently, your most prudent course j given among men is to be honest with God, and pity your pastor, os well os all other juat debts. Then, under the favor aud blessing of God you may reason ably expect to prosper. •ver the separation from those dear as life itself; or, worse still, mourned over the ruin of some darling one, who might have been the greatest blessing and comfort earth could of fer f Who has not seen bright, beautiful hopes of happiness or use fulness blasted in * moment, aud buried the ruins in his own heart 1 How many are there that have no graves in them t And think of the wiany lonely ones to whom God, in hia providence, bos denied the joys of kindred and home, and whose whole lives are a conatant struggle to submit cheerfully to his decree, ► *0, riches both of the w edge of God! how his judgments, and finding out r— Chris, —*—- Christ ths Bad A woman wfoo wfh in trees about her sins, went to a great many meeting* in tape of getting comfort, but did m* Aud it. “At last,* she said, “I fowad that 1 w going to meeting instead of going to Christ, sad then 1 go* tight." She gave ap depettfitog cm tafaelf, or tar minister, or the | tug, aad came right to Christ, sad Christ I l “For | that Is oo bound fully bestowed on others. Barely to —oh this passage speaks most clo quently,* “They stall hunger no more.” No more of these intense the mountains shake with the swel- liug thereof; .... God shall help us, aud that right early.” The terror-stricken passengers al- moat felt as if he were a prophet, for even as he s|»oke the elouds broke, aad though the rain still fell gently, a beautiful lion spa 11 tied w the waters. “Behold P said Father Jieid. “Be hold the sign of God’s promise, aud be at peaceand he quietly slipped out of the cabin, followed by Miss Porter, who grasped his hand, aud asked: “Bir, how cau 1 obtain this rest aad peace T -j, fe«hed at Ur witJ^eyes Ml of love and pity, and said, gently: I “Jesus said, ‘Come unto me, all ye j that labor and are heavy laden, and II will give you rest.’ » . W “l have beard that often before,” longings, these unsatisfied craving*, | ^ i4 but it seems uew.” after taliaess, knowledge, aud hap : “Yea, it ia the old, old story, yet pirn**. No more struggles for per . ever uew; but it ia all you can do. feet uitiuiiMtou to, aw1 aofailiux o.l, iron Him „„1 folio* Him ; iu M,h.,K« r , bat to. *»!«,, 1lhen) lndMd , tlu . {ltMX B{ God . Does | *kall keep your heart aud it not a»ke u. feel Uk. crying oat, i tb , u „gi, immi Chrua.’ — When shall I <mr to thee ? The Bowl of Fellowship with God. Wheu shall my sorrows have an end T mind, Thy joys wheu shall I are r \Ckristian Weekly. Ths Pease of Ood. the full tars.' m m 0.3- 5 50 p® 11 06 P® I 6 OQ *® slower tbs* M No. 2 da'b oonnecdo® ^ ■tSk ** >M1’ vm efforts ’ '.isSpJ . . .*•••• Ja. Ail Ah**#?*- <***«*>■. sS»* :.«»** ll that if the heart was exercised in one gift, the effect would remain till the act was repeated. The Lord required the gift of the first-fruits of the flock, of tire field, the ransom of the first-born *male child. The corners of the fields were to lie left iiitbe harvest; what fell from tf»o reapers’ hands belonged to the poor. Every seventh ye«r the fields were not to be cultivated at all, but left to produce spontaneously forthe * poor. The tenth of produce of the fields was given to the Levjtes, the ministers of religion. Tbert^ were also trespass offerings aud sin N oflwiogs, and certain portions of the animals to be given to the Levttee every seveuth year; all debts were to be remitted; three yearly jour- ueys were to be made by all the males to Jerusalem to attend the fes tivals, this being no smaU\jax ui»on their possessions, besides' iiamerous gifts to the poor and also the half shekel for the sanctuary. As God wold have ordered all this other wise we must see in the system of giving God’s design to benefit those engaged in it. Hence we sec the system we nrge niton the Church is according to the teachings of the Old Testament. 2. A* id the teaching of the Neic Testament. Here wo sec the law of the Gospel writtfi^bn the hearts o the early christianslund manifested in their conduct. B&w they seem to have paoght the spirit of the blessed Master—what a. spirit of self-denial *®d self-sacrifice for the good of oth- efB > “Distribution was made unto every man -according as he had need.” But there was not an aliena tion of property or community sys- teiD as is supposed by some. They still held property like other people; hence mention is made of the “boose °f Mary and Martha,” of John to w hom our Savioar commended his , toother, Tabitha; Simon tbe tanner, and Lydia, and also Peter’s ship. the declaration of Paul is in place here, “If any provide not for his own, and e*i>ectally for those of •*8 own honse, he hath denied the ^‘th, and is worse than an infidel.” Bence they had not a common fund ro,n which they all drew, but so charitable were they and ready with - their gifts that distribution could ••ways be made to those in need. " 0W M the conduct of the early Christians and as well the positive precept# of the New Testament are 01,1 8 ui( le, we cau see what is the aching of the New Testament. Its spirit is that of ministering to the “ced* of others. And we find tot> discharge of pastoral doty here for about three months, during which ime the Subject of a }>araonage has been fully discussed, and some ad vanee made. We have purchased a ot of two acres iu Blacksburg for a onosage aud church as aoou os we are able to build the latter. The lot is advantageously located, and cost $300. We regret that it has In-en the policy of our chureh in the South to j»ass around ami neglect the towns in building churches. Much, we are satisfied has been lost here, os else wbefe, by leaving tbe strougholds in the bauds of other denominations, and squatting down just outside. But we are glad that the signs of the times betoken better things for the future, ami at some, we hope not fur distant, day we expect to see a Lu theron church in Blacksburg. A few weeks ago Mr. T.'and tbe ladies of the charge concluded to get np a fair, in order to raise some of the pur chase money for the lots. They went to work earnestly, with wo man’s determination, u nerer failf canvassed the country and town, soliciting fancy articles ami pro vision*. At this they met with gratifying success. All gave some, wherever they went, irrespective of denominational lines or bias. On the the 11th inst they met and spread their table in the Academy, which was kindly furnished them by tbe teacher and trustees of the school. Ami the result was the most bouuti fnl fair of the kind we ever witness ed. At night fall tbe door* were 0[>ened, and a large attendance showed their appreciation of their efforts. Everything passed off pleas antly, all seemed to enjoy them selves finely, and when the treasurer reported, it waa found that about $1J0 clear cash had been realized. Still waters are deep water*. High up on the mountain side, the shallow stream come* loam mg and tonaiog down ita rocky pathway, a very pie- tore of turmoil and unrest. But in tiie vale below, the full, broad oir- ■ em lotto iwntrif—ij mwh|, tr*e* jag' ged stone* and sunken rocks, it may tab but so deep dawn are they buried as not to affect ita placid flow. Tims it is in the experience of *he Christian It is not tbe enthusiasm of the “first love,” am) the first aenae of sins forgiven, that brings those calm depttia of thought and emotion with which Ood rewards those who faithfully otmtiuus in well doing; but only when the feeble rill of Christian effort broadens and deepens into the one life stream does it become the “still waters,” beside which tbe ten der Shepherd leads hi* charge. be saved ’ —Acta iv {JL2. Your ama need aa atoaemeat; coma then to Christ, “Who his own salt bare oar atua ia his awn body the tree, should live « Mas.*—!. Peter it: U. t’oae freely, for he says, “ij that 00®elk unto B&, 1 will in no wise east oat.” Jota vi: 37 Come quickly, for “Thou knoweat not what a day Pruv. xxvii: 1. In all men’s deejieat feelings they | do acknowledge—it is an instinct ir- 1 repress!ble—Giat tbe 00c thing need ■ ful for them la a loving intercourse —— with God. All other things we need “The »on ia very hot ou this aide ‘ only qualified!}', as wealth, or friends, of the boat,” said a portly gentleman, or learning, or the arts of life; bnt who, wtth two ladies, utn* standing ; thia one thing we do need abaolate- oa the deck of a large steamboat. | Hy. It were by itself essential Mias ; “It is boiling,” said one of the * T< ‘ n in th * *«» of *** worldly They Shall Hi Rightly He Hare tb ta one < the most beautiful aad comforting promises in all God's word; but we are .too apt to lose the force of it, from the idea generally attached to it, of its rHerencn to purel> physical hunger, t here are assay of our Ba- vfour’s dear children *ta have known what it is to foe! all the peugs of nnaaliafled craving for the bread of life, bat the most of as have had 00 such ex|»erisaca, for from clnhl ho*al we have sever lacked a sufll cieoey of good, whidasssae food j aad 00, ia reading these wards a* a pari of the description of oar future gio rtous home, we do not feel aa if they thaa lutsa ladieo, fretfully raising a tiny parasol. “It will ruin my complexion ; aud on tbe other end of the boat it is blow ing a perfect gale. For my part, 1 don’t see any pleasure in it.” “Nor I,” said the other. “It ia hoi low, like the other so called pleasure*. 1 don’t believe there is sack a thing in the world as Uapjaocss. I would be glad to And even peace; but the more you cry, Poore! peaceV the awire you fod that there is no peace.” thy peace been as a river.” Turning, they saw au old man, leaning heavily on a fane, for be was evidently past his tbnwwcoee and ten year*. Ilis garments were good. That an assured fellowship witjr God must exercise aud satisfy tbe exact selfhood of a man is a very intuition with all men. Where aa all worldly good, without God, dqes bat leave us restless aud ach ing still. All the things thou canet desire, the passion* gratified, tbe ap- |ietlle regaled, the inebriation of |mwer, the mimstiy of art, the won derw of aeienoe, the glow of thought, seutisseot and sensibility, enterprise, dance of the spirits, a froth of joy, leaving the soul more rapid than before.” Serious minded men know it to be so. Nor is it any mere thinking of God that will satisfv ns; neither the rr ' m£ : , !‘ 0U ‘ : »».r«dmlrin K ofhi. womlerful works, but only the per- diguilied ju^qing with God. A mau will give his lifetime to tbe study of ! a butterfly, or a rock, or a star, and ; fondly claim that he is conversing Iu the valley, too, il flows; far awant far aa, and removed from it are we when lifted 0 |^, u a^kreding. up with pride and self conceit. They who drink of them* life giving water* must abide in the vale of meekiicaa and humility. How rich the privilege of Mich! With what choice bleaaing* doea the Baviour visit them! Such are they ‘ who inherit that heavenly fieaee, the legacy of tbe dying Isml. The depths of calm truat and confidence are revealed to them, of whieh the PsaTtnist had partaken, when he ex claimed, “Great peace have they winch love tby law: and nothing •ball offend them.” Truly their “peace i* as a river, and their rigfat- eousneaa os waves of the sea.” Through depths of joy, also, do the still waters flow. Again and again docs the Bible exhort Chris tiana to rejoice a* their right. Bongs of gratitude and praise are ever aa- liul a htile thought and attention will eonv inee aa that exemption from ptijideal hunger is hot a small part of the blessing promised; and who of aa is so bfoasad a* sot, at time* at least, to hangar aadiy in qnrit,; ‘“ft» l<*t 0,1 >« I and heart f Indeed, we can »amc. 1 would give were carefully brushed, lad tew drew bark with a air. The geatiemau was about toj order the intruder away, hut hi* gaze wm fixed afar off, on the calm flow iug waters of the river, and they contented themselves with drawing away. The lady who had last spoken leaned over the aide of the bout, aud looked for a time down into the water. Then she said: “That wasn’t a bad <x>m|tariaon of the old fellow, atmat peace How iug u a river. Jnst think of it—calm, but deep, never oeaaing, uevrr end an ocean of the the world for Bo much for tbe energy and enter I ™ ™ ™ F ■ i prise of the ladies ol Mon tgo.nary J hrevrewazd, an proofs and charge, and the liberality of those if ho aided them. A word now about fhirs. We have never been an advocate of raising funds for church purposes by all sorts of means. We have never sane tinned the raffle, the grab bag, the ring cake, anu numerous other little lotteries brought forth sometimes on such occasions, and we are happy to say that nothing of the kind was em ployed on this occasion. No one could raise objection ou ground of immoral means, unless he could raise objection to the farmer who raises his wheat, sells it, and gives the proceeds to the church. The articles contributed were sold at reasonable rates, snpjmr, cakes, ice cream, Ac., served, and all went home at an early hour, feeling that they bad con tributed to a most worthy reuse. Thus ended the first fair ever held by the ladies of Montgomery charge; but from the success with which they have met, we hope it may not be the last. The contemplated parsonage is to be 36x18, passage 7 feet, kitebeu Hxlfl, all two stories high. This will give tbe Montgomery charge tbe beat parsonage, wo believe, in the bounua of this Synod. More hereafter. J- Tuiuut*. outbursts of this holy joy. And why should they not ting f To them be longs no common good; theirs hi the loftiest theme of song, and never* foiling are tbe “wells of salvation” from which with joy they draw. . Like one of okl, we become amazed at the fullness of love, with which tbe repentant and forgiven sinner la overwhelmed. No transient burst of passionate devotion is bestowed, bat the sources of this everlasting love are hidden from all eternity. The stream, unaffected by any temporal accident, neither ebb* nor flows with drought or flood, but flows silently, steadily onward, bearing in its un known depth* a love which many water* can not quench, nor floods drown. Bo metises, it may tie, the “still waters” torn their courts from the gleams of peace and joy, and gluts through the glooms of antic lion and the valley of the shadow of scarp be Ckriat’a ihartpiea, if *e do not know wreethiag of spiritual banger; the “liangsring and thirst ing after ngbteoarerre” upon which be himself pronoaseed a bleaaing. We moat often loaf for more of bis grace aad love soft Bp ml ia oar hearts, lor a greater likeness to hiss, and holiness in urov aad outer life. And we hunger far a sight of his blessed fare, tor “the King ia his beauty* that we map “eee him as be la,” crowned ia gfory, yet rear, al ways onr loving ttmpnlhmng 8a vfonr. Then shall *w And plentiful provision for our loigiug souls. Again, taw monyof as know what it is to hunger in mind, to thirst after knowledge V There ia eo much to be learned, aad eo little time to Irerti it in! Our mods, at beet, are ■o weak, aad we cm comprehend eo little of nature’s materie* that we try ia vaio to solve. And with some of us the inflrmiSM of the flesh weigh so heavily, md the days are so foil of cares for he dror ones at home, or the utrugfe for bodily sub- ftiateitce, that thre ia acereelj any time or strength fa the aequiring of that knowledge forwhieh we so ar dently long. Bui friends, let ns take courage, aud iears all here, knowing tliu when 1 into tne valley death; but not with the sunlight do ita healing virtues sod blessings de- . , part Many of iu purest pearls and ,AI »ed years of mennty but knows •neb a peace as that” •There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.” Tbe old man waa still gaxiug at tbe -blue water*, and perhaps was speaking aloud unconsciously; but an angiy exdamatiou escaped from the gentleman, and they walked hastily away. Meeting the caidain, the geutleman said— “Captain, why did you take that crazy man 00 board T” “What crazy man, M; Lr. Porter 1 U!” a* hi* eye followed Mr. Porter’s, “that »» old Father Bcid. He i* no more crazy than 1 am. He used to be a wealthy merchant, but failed. He paid hi* creditor* iu foil, but he left himself penniless. He say* it was a blessed day for him, for it led him to seek for rest and peace where alooe they may be found. He is the* happiest man I ever saw, aud 1 iqpet with a great many men in my trips up and down the river;” and the busy captain bowed and passed on. In the afternoon a thunder storm arose, tbo lightuing flashed, the thunder pealed, the waters foamed, while the boat shook as if it were a reed at tbe mercy of the storm. Tbe we can i passenger* were terrified, ladies * reach shrieked, and even sturdy men paled. with God ; but vainly thus will he whisper peace, jieace to his sonl, when there is no peace. That but terfly waa bnt a beaming forth from God, not God himself. A light from yonder man*ioti is shining into the outer darknea*. and a poor, house less stranger on the street thiuk* it lieauti^nl, look* at it wistfully, and nil the more wraps his tatters about him in tbe shivering bla*t of a win ter’s night. But see! another wau. dercr i* in the street. The long lost •os of the honse ha* returned, his step i* nt tbe door, he enters, the shout of welcome greet* him, loving | arm* are all around him, nnd a fa ther’s heart is besting next his own. Wliat a difference between the two because of that one element of filial fellowship! Even so he whose religious consciousness is shut off from a per sonal embrace with Gcal, is a vaga bond iu rag* aud darkness, although iu the midst of the mnrvelouR works of God; and the sense of responsi bility to God goes shivering along hi* life. Besides, if now we stand aloof from God, ho will hereafter say to ns: “Depart, ye cursed!” while if be aud we do come together now, he wi!l say to us; “Come, ye blessed.” Oh! surely a present fel lowship with God is the very chief- est of our bleaaing*; and how should we bound forward to it, seeiug that we can have it by simply drawing nigh to him by faith in Jesi — The Witness. onr Hemal borne,our mind*, frith Loud and dear, iu every other part of our natures, j tumult, rose tbe shall be satisfied, nd go on improv ing from age to sg> Bat such deprivation* are, after all, easy to best computed with hea.it hunger ; and*bo that has al most precious treaaurea lie hidden in these shade*, which they who Unger x'Uu-th.bg buried H Of tbM Who daa Mood or the midst of the voice of Father Reid: “God I* our refuge and strength, a very present help iu trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though tbe earth be removed, and though the uKHUriains be carried into the midst of the aeas; though tbe wafer* thereof roar aad be troubled; though fesus Christ. TV* tunlttl bj- . vok*, U v friMHWiip, ta-ily, «J» Stale-all to my iXMuroaodmeuts! then had The strongest argument in favor of religion, as addressed to men, is that of a pure and holy life. Logic which can establish a system infalli bly, may fail to convince a man, but the pious life of a devoted follower of Jesus Is more than he can with stand. The most violent infidels have acknowledged the power of religion on men’s lives. In reading Paul, we are made to trust his logic, because we see the effect of what he teaches upon himself. That great, noble, Mlf-Mcrificing haro of the faith proves by his character that religion i« a power and blessing. Logic is good. The system of theo ry, upheld by consistent reasoning, is of great value. But it is only when argument is illustrated by a beautiful life, that it is powerfully convincing— United Presbyterian. Family Worship. Family worship is a most impor tant doty, and one that I fear is lamentably neglected these times. If aakod why I believe it to be a mush neglected duty among profess ing Christian*, my an*wer j*, I judge it to be so from tbe ungodliness of our youth, from seeing the little influence which the public ordinances of religion have upon them, and from seeing so many of them wan dering away from the religiou of tbeir fathers. From the numerous motives enforcing this duty, I will mentiqfi at tow time only a few, and these noto&e noticed. ' L So plain is the obligation to this duty that even unassisted reason urges a* to It We can not neglect it without sinning against the light of nature as well as against the teachings of the Bible. Now, is it not a plain dictate of reason that God is to be acknowledged in all those relations which be has estab lished for the good of the human family f No one can deny that God is tbe author of that oldest of all human rehit ions, the family. That as he is the author, so be is the preserver of families. Should he not, then, in this relation be acknowl edged and adored t You dare not say God has indeed created and preserved me, but he has not cre ated aud preserved mine, has no right or authority there. 2. Is it not a plain dictate of rea son that, if there be blessings which the family needs, it is right and proper for tbe family as such to pray to God for them t And there are many mercies of this class, such as preserving mercies, supplying mer cies, delivering mercies. Now, since these family mercies flow from the kindness and liberality of God, is it not reasonable that we should ask him for them f 3. Is it not a plain doctrine of na ture that those, who have a com mon interest in favors received, should together express their thanks to tbe bestower of these favors! Look >rtvileges which God has given yoo, and then say is it reasonable that, unitedly os a family, you should give thanks to the giver f If some indigent family were supported by a generous bene factor, would not the head of that family, as the organ of the rest, be chargeable with base ingratitude if he did not express the thanks of the family to this benefactor T 4. Is it not a plain dictate of rea son that they who sin together should before God make humble confession and together ask pardon ! And where is ths family that is not chargeable with family sins! Surely if personal sins require personal confession, family sins also demand family confession. These reflections sh >w that un- perverted reason teaches us the ne cessity of family prayer. Lastly, the conduct of tbe heathen folly estab lishes this doctrine. Amidst all their darkness, errors and superstitions, this practice of family religiou has not been entirely lost sight of. They are found to have their household gods, or family divinities, to which worship is paid in their family ca pacit.v. Now, my dear readers, shall these benighted heathens pay higher honors to their vain idol deities than we bestow on tbe liviug and true Godf Shall Tyre and Sidon and the whole heathen world rise up iu judgment agaiust us at the last day for our neglect of this most reasonable aud most necessary duty t Thiuk of this, ye neglecters of family worship. Plaoe and Work for AIL Let it be for the encouragement of such among us as are conscious of no high powers, and who sometimes wonder for what service in Christ’s church we are fit, that in a great structure all the component portions are not equally great There is not only the solid and the costly, the rock and the timber; not only the pre cious and ornamental, the gold and the silver; but likewise the humble and subsidiary—yea, even the otherwise valueless and the minute; for not even mortar and earth can be spared from the construction. The Great Builder has some lowly crevice in his house which the mean est and feeblest of us may occupy. We may not be called to bear up buttresses, or to crown turrets, or to adorn the carved work of the sanc tuary ; but it should satisfy os if in some remote recess and unknown shade we fulfill the office which the Master has laid upon us.—James “ * Alexander. , j. ,