and generous;-not an ignorant, enthusiastic zeal, which wastes itself on some trifling peculiarities, or which displays itself in an ostentatious show of superior sanctity. But let it be a zeal always accompanied by humility; active and fervent, yet temperate and rational; mild and charitable; benevolent and persevering; embracing, with a generous and extended philanthropy, the whole human family; and desiring, like your divine Lord and leader, that all might come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved. Upon such a zeal as this, thus directed-thus employed, Angels will look down with pleasure; Jesus will behold it with an approving smile, and pronounce us good and faithful servants; and God, even our own God, will give us his blessing.

It is perhaps unnecessary for me to remind you, that public duties do not supersede the necessity of family and secret devotion, or render them the less necessary, or the less useful. They are both recommended to us in the scriptures, and by the practice of the pious in all ages. Where family worship is

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Auly performed, it impresses, and preserves upon the mind, a sense of religious obligation, and of dependence upon divine providence and grace; and, more effectually than any thing else, strengthens the bonds of union and of affection between the different members of a family. The excuse which is frequently made for the neglect of this duty, cannot be urged in your favour. For admitting that you are not sufficiently gifted (as some express. it) to enable you to conceive, and to utter an extempore prayer with propriety; yet you have a form well adapted both for morning and evening family prayer, and placed in your prayer book for this express purpose, that you might always be able to perform this important and grateful duty, in a rational and be coming manner.

Your private devotions (of which I hope you are not negligent) should be performed with all possible secrecy and retirement. It has often been observed, especially in times of what are called awakenings, or stirs, that persons apparently the most zealous, (certainly very ignorant or enthusiastic,) have ré

tired to barns, woods, and fields, for the purpose of performing their private devotions. But in these secret places, they have been. careful to utter their groans and prayers so loud, that persons passing at a considerable distance, might hear them. My advice to you in this particular, I give in the words of our blessed Saviour" Be ye not like unto them -But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet; and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

It is true, that we are directed to "let our light shine before men." But this should not be done by an outward and vain show of religious fervor and engagedness, to attract the attention of others, especially to those which ought to be our secret devotions: nor by downcast looks, or a sad countenance; nor by displaying our zeal and our abilities, in public extempore prayers and exhortations: But by a constant and reverent attendance upon the -divinely instituted means and ordinances of religion; by an upright and irreproachable

life and conversation; and by acts of benevolence, tenderness, and compassion-visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world: for this, St. James assures us," is pure religion, and undefiled before God and the Father."

Finally, remember that love is the end of the commandment, and the fulfilling of the law; the very bond of peace, and of all virtues : "Chief grace below, and all in all above."

Without this divine love, centering in God as its supreme object, and thence descending in just proportions to the household of faith

our fellow creatures in general, even our enemies, nay, all mankind; without this first, this richest fruit of the Spirit-this heavenborn charity; without this, (I speak the language of an Apostle,) with all our attainments, whatever they may be, we are "but as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Beware, therefore, of a bitter, persecuting spirit, or a haughty, disdainful disposition. It may be proper for you to point out errors where you see them; to detect misrepresen

tations; and to defend the Church against the unjust imputations, or mischievous insinuations of its enemies. But this should always be done in that spirit of meekness and candour, which usually renders reproof the most acceptable and the most salutary.

To conclude, my brethren; pray ye always for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem-the Church of the living God; for they shall prosper who love her. Pray as directed by our blessed Lord, "that the kingdom of God may come, and his will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Pray, in the language of the Church, that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed, in all places; to the breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till at length the whole of Christ's dispersed sheep, being gathered into one fold, shall become partakers of everlasting life, through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour."

Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. AMEN.