when they join together in the public worship of God, to " exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy." Ps. xcix, 5. All the heavenly host, angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, surround the throne of glory, and unite in giving "blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, unto our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Rev. vii, 12, &c. The employment of saints and angels in heaven is the worship of God and the Lamb and we must commence this worship upon earth, in order to be qualified to unite with, and join the saints and angels in their worship, adoration, and felicity in the heaven of glory. It is the will of God that the honor and worship due to his name, should be given him in heaven and on earth; we are therefore to do "his will on earth as it is done in heaven :" and in order to be prepared and made meet to join the host above, we must here on earth worship God in spirit and in truth.

By the public worship of God, we publicly profess our faith in the truth of our most holy religion: we hereby shew "whose we are, and whom we serve." See Acts xxvii, 23,

The religion of a people is known by their worship. All people will walk every one

in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God, for ever and ever." Mic. iv, 5. If heathens assemble to worship idols, if Mahomedans join in worshipping an unknown God, in honouring their false prophet Mahomed; surely Christians. should assemble to worship the only and true God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christthe Father of the spirits of all flesh; and thus publicly profess themselves the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of sinners.

Those persons who withdraw themselves from the public worship of God, do in fact avow themselves not to belong to those who love and fear God, and who shall dwell with him for ever. It is a lamentable fact, too obvious to require a proof, that even in our Christian land, there are many who habitually neglect the public worship of Almighty God! Such, as it has been before observed, either believe not in the existence of a Supreme Being, or are practical atheists, and believe only in Mammon; therefore our blessed Saviour has declared "Ye cannot serve God

and Mammon;" (Luke xvi, 13.) or they have no correct and scriptural notions of the being of a God.

Though it be no certain criterion of the truth or sincerity of a person's profession of religion, that he regularly attends public worship, yet the habitual or frequent absence, when he has it in his power to attend, is an evident sign that such a one has no real religion; because his conduct is contrary to that of Jesus Christ, who always attended public worship, and to that of the Apostles of Jesus Christ; and also because he acts contrary to the general precepts of Scriptures relative to public worship. Such a person, if he continues to despise the earthly house of God, will fail of having an entrance into that "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Cor. v, 1. A constant, regular, and habitual attendance at the house of God, should characterise every humble and pious Christian. It was foretold that the followers of Jesus Christ should assemble together to worship and serve him: "Many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob;

and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." Isa. ii, 3.

Those who habitually neglect public worship, either totally neglect religious duties at home, or perform them carelessly and irreverently. It should be duly considered that public worship is a means of grace of divine appointment, and so cannot be neglected without incurring the displeasure of Almighty God; for, to neglect worshipping God in his house, is a dishonour done to him, and a contempt of his ordinance. In a neighbourhood where persons of rank and influence reside, who are negligent and careless in observing the sabbath, and in attending the public worship of God; such an example has a powerful effect to keep others from public worship, and has also a strong tendency to demoralize the lower ranks of society, and to render ineffectual the labors of the Christian pastor. But, when the rich and the great not only profess but practise religion, then it is letting their light so to shine among men, that they may see their good works, and, by such example, be constrained to glorify the Father of heaven: such exemplary Christians are a

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blessing to their neighbourhood, and greatly strengthen the hands of the Christian minister.

The same reasons, which require people to attend the public worship of God, urge them to be constant in their attendance; for, as it is necessary to partake periodically and regularly of food for the support of the body, so it is no less necessary to be constant and regular in seeking food for the soul. The primitive christians were regular and constant in frequenting their assemblies for divine worship, even in times of great difficulties, and often at the risk of their lives. Will not their conduct condemn many who "profess and call themselves christians," for neglecting to attend the public worship of God, when his house of prayer is open, and there is full and free liberty to go thither?

The sabbath-day is to be peculiarly appropriated to the public and solemn worship of God, and should be considered as one of the greatest blessings which God has given to man. The different avocations of mankind, the things of time, and the cares of this world, occupy much of the attention of almost every individual person during the week, so that it