faithfully and successfully. To the influence of these meetings we scruple not to ascribe that spiritual-mindedness, that holy zeal, for the spread of the gospel, that more frequent and steady attendance upon the means of grace, and that strong and cordial union among Christians; the more this spirit of prayer is kept alive and extended among us, the more will its benefits be seen and felt in every direction. It is to these weekly meetings of prayer that our thoughts are at present principally directed; and therefore I shall proceed

II. To point out the objects to which they should be chiefly directed. They may with propriety embrace sinners at large. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2.

But the special and more immediate object upon which we should fix our attention, is the welfare of Zion: we should carry with us into our prayer meetings the sentiments and feelings of David. Ps. cxxii. 6-9. should be very earnest and importunate with God, that We the boundaries of the church may be enlarged and extended on every side.

Our prayers should not only be directed to God for its enlargement, by the addition of new converts, but also for the advancement of its edification, by a growth in knowledge, grace, and holiness. To this end, we must follow the directions of our blessed Master, (Matt. ix. 38,) and also that he will keep those whom he hath sent sound in the faith, walking closely with God, and adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Whilst in our social meetings of prayer we express our desires to God for the prosperity of Zion at large, and especially for those sister churches that walk in the same faith and order with us, let us remember, that the primary object of these meetings is the peace, union, and prosperity of our own society: it should operate with us as a powerful stimulus, that there are many who worship with us in the general congregation, yea, some perhaps in our own families, who have not yet discovered the glory, or felt the power of the Christian religion: it should be the constant subject of our prayer, that they may be truly converted to God.

But now, to be more particular, seeing, in our weekly meetings of prayer, our own churches have a special VOL. II.

C

interest in them, the objects which should immediately be prayed for, are

1. A blessing upon the officers of the church, that they may have wisdom and grace so to manage its concerns, and to walk before it with such a temper of mind, and in such an outward walk and conversation, as may be productive of the most beneficial effects. 2 Thess. iii. 1.

2. Another particular subject of prayer at these meetings should be the sick and afflicted members of the church. (James v. 14.) They should be carried by the whole society to the throne of grace in the arms of faith and prayer.

3. For the weak and the feeble of the flock: these should be the immediate object of the church's care and attention.

4. The distressed and tempted soul has also a strong claim upon the church for an interest in its prayers, when surrounding the throne of mercy in its associate capacity.

5. In our social prayers we should not forget the backslider, who hath declined from the good ways of God. (1 John v. 16; Gal. vi. 1.) What so likely to convince, humble, and restore a fallen brother, as making him the subject of humble and fervent prayer in our social meetings?

6. We should pray for the unruly and disobedient. There were some of these in the church at Thessalonica, and Paul directed that they should be warned. 1 Thess.

v. 14.

III. The great encouragement there is to begin and persevere in prayer meetings.

1. The relation God stands in to his church is a strong ground of expectation. He is the God and Father of his people; (Matt. vi. 31, 32,) and again, Luke xi. 13. From the promises every society of Christians may draw encouragement to ask largely and expect confidently, the blessings of which they stand in need, seeing God is their Father, and that he has, in all ages, given his children ample proof of his tenderness, care, and liberality.

2. Christians may take much encouragement to associate in prayer, from the consideration of the great love which God has to the church. (Jer. xxix. 11, 12; xxxi. 3.) How beautifully Christ urges this doctrine upon his disciples, John xvi. 26, 27.

3. Another source of encouragement to social prayer, is the express promise of Him who "abideth faithful, and cannot deny himself." 2 Tim. ii. 13; Matt. xi. 12; xviii. 20.

4. Christians have good reason to conclude their meeting together for prayer shall be attended with a blessing, because the glory of God is implicated in the safety and prosperity of all who fear him, and call upon him in sincerity and truth. Isa. xliii. 21; Num. xiv. 12. 16, 17.20.

5. The peculiar interest which Christ takes in his church is another source of encouragement. Never let us forget when we assemble for prayer, that He whom John saw (Rev. i. 13,) takes special notice of and regards our supplications. Let us not then fear to ask much, and to ask often. John xvi. 24.

6. And lastly, We should be greatly encouraged in our meetings of prayer in the remembrance of God's having so wonderfully answered the prayers of his people. Prayer is a mighty weapon, and has accomplished marvellous things; the same effects which have been ascribed to faith, may be justly ascribed to prayer. Heb. xi. 33, 34.

Those wonderful deliverances which were wrought for the church in the wilderness, were for the most part afforded as immediate answers to prayers. (Josh. x. 12; Sam. vii. 10; 1 Kings xvii. 6.) It has checked, broken, and destroyed numerous and well-appointed armies; (Isa. xxxvii. 4. 36;) it has turned away the wrath of God, when it was just on the point of breaking forth as a devouring flame; (Ex. xxxii. 9—14.) It has changed all the wisdom and experience of wise and crafty politicians into foolishness, and made their best concerted and most secret plans the instruments of their shame and of their destruction (compare 2 Sam. xv. 31, with 2 Sam. xvii. 14-23;) it has broken open the prison door of the grave, and liberated the mouldering captive: (John xi. 42 -44;) finally, it has, in a manner, conquered and overcome the Almighty; pressing through every difficulty, and refusing to take any denial, it has at last prevailed; and not only received the blessing, but received it with high commendation; such was the nature of the prayer of Jacob at Bethel, and also that of the woman of Canaan,

IV. The blessings which attend them in those countries and churches where they are most frequent and best conducted.

1. They are a blessing to the country. The praying part of the community are its glory and its strength, (Gen. xviii. 32,) and it was because there were a few of these praying people among the Jews, in the days of the prophet, that he observes, Isa. i. 9.

2. Prayer meetings are a signal blessing to our churches; it tends to enlarge and strengthen the bond of Christian union; to make the weak strong, and the strong stronger still: this is one of the mediums by which Christian societies go from strength to strength. (Ps. lxxxiv. 7.) This is one of the instruments by which the Holy Spirit fans the flame of true devotion, and keeps the soul alive to God. In short, prayer meetings are nurseries both to the gifts and graces of Christian societies.

3. They promote the edification and comfort of all the parts of the church. The afflicted, tempted, and fearful, are helped to meet difficulties with more patience. (Phil. i. 19.) A praying people are helpers of their ministers. (2 Cor. i. 11.) They perform for their ministers the needful and honourable office which Aaron and Hur performed for Moses. (Ex. xvii. 2.) I shall now hasten to a conclusion of this subject, with an address to three descriptions of hearers, by way of

Improvement-1. To you who never attend prayer meetings. Perhaps it is a subject to which you have never seriously turned your thoughts, as to its being a question of duty; or, it may be, the service itself may be objectionable to you, because some exercise in prayer who have but small gifts, and the inaccuracies of whose language are to you disgusting. But those prayers which are very plain indeed, are frequently so scriptural, so devout, and withal so appropriate to the feelings and trials of the Christian, as to render them ghly useful. But, in regard to giving countenance to prayer meetings by your personal attendance, we urge you to it by the consideration both of duty and interest. Heb. x. 25.

2. To you who once constantly attended them, and that with advantage to yourselves and others, we address the expostulatory reproof of the apostle, Gal. v. 7.

Is it better with your soul now than it was then, or is it as well? Or rather, is it not worse with you in all respects? Rev. ii. 5.

3. To you that attend and take an active part in prayer meetings.

The person praying should not speak to God as an individual; but, as it is a social service, he should speak in a manner suitable to it.

It is equally wrong to make our prayers the medium of publishing our political creed; to endeavour to make God a party in those differences. Neither let your prayers be tinctured with the leaven of your private disputes and contentions.-Let your zeal for the glory of God, and the prosperity of Zion, swallow up every inferior consideration.

CLOSET PRAYER.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, &c.
Matt. xiv. 23.

THE duty which the ehildren of God owe to their heavenly Father, is, in some measure, naturally to be inferred from the relation itself, as well as from the precepts of the word and the example of Jesus Christ. He often proposed his own temper and actions as the model, after which all his disciples shall copy: "Learn of me," was a maxim which Jesus Christ constantly inculcated. In his practice we see beautifully illustrated that maxim of Solomon, Eccles. iii. 1.

If Jesus Christ found it needful and advantageous to engage in retired devotion, how much more so must it be for such weak and imperfect creatures as we are, not only ministers, but private Christians also? May I be enabled so to speak of this subject, as to engage some to adopt it who have hitherto neglected it, and stimulate others to continue it with growing pleasure and more abundant profit.

The nature and grounds of this duty. Closet or