holy purpose." He divides public worship into four principal parts-Reading the Scriptures, Singing, Prayer, and Preaching. Respecting the first of these, he thus gives utterance to his sentiments:

"This is not only a very appropriate, but also a very important part of divine service. Yet we fear that too many look it as a mere form upon a useless ceremony, and think that worship has not commenced until they have gone through with this. But what can we do that will be more pleasing in the sight of God, than publicly and seriously read his Word, with a determination to understand and obey its teachings? The Bible comes to us from our heavenly Father. He speaks to us from its pages; and it is our duty to attend to its instruction. This book should be our guide in relation to both faith and practice. It is full of wisdom and important truth. It is written in a style of transcendent beauty and sublimity. It is adapted to the various capacities and conditions of men in the world. If we wish for expressions of piety and devotion, we find them in the Psalms of David, who exclaims, 'My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of my God.' If we need maxims of prudence and lessons of experience, we find them in the Proverbs of Solomon, who informs us that 'wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are paths of peace.' If we wish for passages of unparal Teled sublimity, we have them in the book of Job, in the Psalms, and in the writings of the Prophets, where we read of God, 'But the thunder of his power, who can understand? He toucheth the hills, and they smoke. He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.' If we would with joy draw water from the wells of salvation, we have only to

open the New Testament, and the fountain of life is full and fresh before us. Saith the great Teacher, Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.' 'Him that cometh to me shall never hunger, and whosoever believeth on me shall never thirst.'

"As the Scriptures are thus interesting, as they are the fountain of life, the gift of God to man, it is evident that we cannot serve our Maker more acceptably than by giving them a proper portion of our serious attention."

Mr. Tillotson's idea of the sphere and influence of the Pulpit is thus set forth. After saying that preaching is an essential part of religious services, he subjoins:

"The object of preaching is not so much to amuse, as to benefit the hearer. Hence, one great end of this branch of public services is, to impart instruction upon the subject of religion. And, as the Bible is our guide in faith and practice, the preacher should be familiar with its teachings, and be able to explain it to the edification of his hearers, and in such a manner as to cause them to advance in the ways of well-doing. But, the sphere of the pulpit should not be It should be so widened as to embrace all subjects of a moral and religious nature, which may properly be discussed in public and on the Sabbath.

too narrow.

"The pulpit is not only designed to enlighten the mind, but also to warm the heart. Hence it should be doctrinal, in order to convince the hearer; and practical to move him to act for himself and others. We should first teach the doctrine of the fatherhood of God; and then say,' As God is our Father, it is our duty to love and obey Him.'

We

should establish the truth of the doctrine of the brotherhood of man, and then say, 'As all men are brethren, we must endeavor to do each other good, and not evil.' And it should be the aim of the preacher, not to spend overmuch time in dressing up his ideas, and measuring his periods, but to present them in natural language, which shall be chaste, energetic and convincing."

The following thoughts are suggested respecting the public praise of God.

"This is a very important part of public worship. So thought the Psalmist, when he said, 'Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing..

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.'

"We have the same reasons for praising God which the Psalmist had. We believe that He is good, that He is good unto all, and that his tender mercies are over all his works.' We believe that his mercy is everlasting, that 'many waters cannot quench, nor floods drown it.' And we are confident that his truth endureth to all generations. "That singing is an important part of public worship, you will at once admit. How much pure devotion there is in a good hymn, well sung. It appears to elevate the soul above the groveling things of time and sense, to that land where angels dwell.

"The importance of singing is also apparent from the fact that it is about impossible to hold a congregation together, for any great length of time, where this part of the services

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is neglected. The early Christians often joined in songs of gladness, and so should we. Believing, as we do, that God is our Father and that He loves and blesses all, even those who hate and curse Him-that from Him cometh down every good gift, and every perfect gift,' there is the greatest reason why we should rejoice. Well may we 'enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.'.

Omitting, for want of room, the remarks on public prayer, we come to what Mr. Tillotson says of the utility of such worship as he has described.

"Such are some of the principal parts of public worship. And the true worship of God is not only delightful, but beneficial also to his children. We experience much real enjoyment while engaged in divine services. It is salutary and sweet for us to commune with our Maker in prayer. It is pleasant, it is captivating, to hymn praises to the Being who rules in love throughout the universe. And it is profitable for us to meditate upon the word of God, and treasure up the instruction which it affords.

"This world, so rich with blessings for the human family, nevertheless, often becomes to us a vale of tears. We are prostrated upon beds of sickness. Friends are called to part with friends, and death is the common lot of all. Consequently, it is necessary for us to engage in divine. services, so as to strengthen our faith, make bright our hopes, and thus prepare ourselves for whatever may await us while on the uneven journey of life.

"Also, the true worship of God tends to make us better. Our love for Him will be increased, as we meditate upon his

goodness to us. And, as we associate together, and call upon our common Father to bless the human family, our love for each other will strengthen, and our love for even the entire race to which we belong. Thus will worship increase our charity, and fit us for the faithful discharge of the duties of life.

"But should the effect be different from this, should not our devotions make us better and happier, we may well suppose that they are in some way defective. They certainly will not be acceptable to our Maker. We can do nothing to increase his happiness. Our worship, therefore, is pleasing to Him, only so far as it is profitable to us. "Let us, then, endeavor to worship God in an acceptable Let us serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with singing. Let us enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Let us be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

manner.

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