feared that this rule is often neglected, or at least but partially complied with by the generality of professing Christians. Our perusal of the Scriptures should ever be accompanied by prayer; diligent, heartfelt prayer for the teaching and illumination of the Spirit of God. To read without prayer is but solemn mockery at the best. Our understandings are naturally dark and prejudiced; it is the peculiar office of the Holy Spirit to "guide us into all truth," to "take of the things of Christ, and shew them unto us." Our consciences are naturally insensible, and we are told, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth." Our hearts are naturally cold and hard, but there is one who has graciously promised, "A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." In vain do we read the page of heavenly truth. without habitual prayer for the aids of the Spirit ; and we have direct encouragement to do so, from the assurance that "God will give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him." It was my intention to have suggested a few remarks on the desirableness of the Christian mixing in general society, and with what limitations; but I must reserve what I have to say on this head until a future opportunity. In the mean time, I remain, my dear young Friend, Yours, very sincerely, CHARLES. SCRIPTURE REFLECTION. (Old Author.) "I know him (Abraham) that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment." (Gen. xviii. 19.) "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua xxiv. 15.) "This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham." (Luke xix. 9.) EVERY house ought to be a temple dedicated to God, and every master a priest who should offer up unto God the daily sacrifices of prayers and praises. But alas! how many profane persons have we, and how many profane families, who scarce ever make mention of God but in an oath, nor ever call upon his name, but when they wish some evil upon others? How many who wholly neglect the duty of prayer, and think they sufficiently discharge their trust if they provide for the temporal subsistence of their families, though they utterly neglect the care of their spiritual concerns! such profane families as these, God ranks with infidels and heathens, and devotes them to the same common destruction. (Jer. x. 25.) Nor ought our family duties to be seldomer performed by us than morning and evening. In the morning, prayer is the key that opens unto us the treasury of God's mercies and blessings in the evening, it is the key that shuts us up under his protection and safeguard. God is the great Lord of the whole family both in heaven and earth; other masters are but under him, entrusted to see that those who belong to their charge perform their duties both to him and them. One of the greatest services that we can do for God is to pray unto him and praise him. And how unjust and tyrannical is it for master of a family to exact service to himself, when he takes no care to do service to his great Lord and Master to whom it is more infinitely due. Neither is there any excuse that can prevail to take off our obligations from this duty. Not that thou art ignorant and knowest not how to pray. For many are the helps that God hath afforded thee. Do but bring breath and holy affections; others have already brought to thy hands words and expressions proper enough for the concerns of most families. And besides, use and common practice will facilitate this duty; and by an incessant conscientious performance of it, thou wilt, through the promised assistance of the Holy Ghost, be soon able to suit thy affections with appropriate expressions and to present both in a becoming manner unto the throne of grace. Not the multiplicity and hindrance of thine affairs. For the more and nightier they are, the more need hast thou to ask counsel and direction of God, and to beg his blessing upon thee in them, without which thou wilt but labour in the fire and weary thyself for very vanity. Not thy bashfulness and modesty. For will it not be a far greater shame to thee, that those whom thou governest and perhaps overawest even by thy rash and unreasonable passions, should arouse thee from so excellent and necessary a duty? Be ashamed to sin before them; be ashamed to talk loosely, and profane the name of God, to be intemperate or unjust before them, to defile thy mouth, and their ears with unclean and evil speaking; be ashamed to neglect thy duty; but be not ashamed to pray; for our Saviour hath told us, that "whosoever shall be ashamed of Him in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels." And therefore since there is no just reason why thou shouldest refrain prayer from the Almighty, whosoever thou art that doest so, be thy conversation in all other respects never so blameless, (which yet it is not very probable that it should be, when thou beggest not grace from God to direct it) thou art a profane person; and declarest thyself to be so, by the neglect of the most holy and spiritual of all those duties, wherein we are to draw nigh unto God.From Bishop Hopkins, (1633—1690.) ON LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, POLPERRO. On the second of May, 1838, was laid the first stone of St. John's Episcopal Chapel at Polperro, in the parish of Lansallos, when the following Hymn was sung, and little Address given,— THE HYMN. This stone to thee in faith we lay, To thee this temple, Lord, we build ; Thy power and goodness here display, Here, when thy people seek thy face, Hear them in heaven thy dwelling place, Here, when thy messengers proclaim Thy glory never hence depart; Yet choose not, Lord, this house alone; THE ADDRESS. My dear Friends,-The design for which we are assembled together at this time is not merely to lay the foundation stone of St. John's Chapel; not for the performance of an unavailing ceremony; not for amusement and entertainment; but that I may have the opportunity of requesting you to unite with me in most fervent prayer, that the anticipated chapel may be begun in faith; that it may be erected for the glory of God, and the good of souls; that it may indeed be the house of prayer, and the temple of praise; that within its walls the everlasting gospel may be proclaimed from age to age; that here the eternal Trinity may be glorified; that here Jesus may be exalted, the bread of Life be broken, the Sacraments be duly administered, sinners converted, saints comforted, Angels from time sing a hymn over |