edly Christian families spend the Lord's day in a very improper manner. This delightful rest is by no means hallowed as it ought. Many begin, and spend, and close it, nearly as a common holiday. The attentive observer marks them staying on the Saturday evening, till the last minute, in the world and in worldly society; retiring to rest with their hearts and hands so full of the things of time, as to be utterly unfit for the approach of the day of God. The hallowed morning dawns; they are not prepared for its light; they rise much later than on the common days of the week; the habitation is full of bustle and noise. The earliest part of the day is employed in looking out apparel, in decorating their persons, and in providing a dinner more than usually plentiful and excellent. A part only of the family can get ready for the worship of God. and, from their conversation, it appears that they knew who were present, and how they were dressed; and, indeed, every object attracted their attention, but the great truths of infinite importance which were delivered in their hearing. Some of the family are often permitted to roam the fields, or to pursue their worldly schemes on this holy day. The day is often closed by eagerly planning the pursuits of the coming week. They retire early to repose,

They return home,

as though they were completely wearied, even with merely appearing, for a few hours, to be religious.

The reverse of this picture was to be seen in the family of Mr. H. The day was begun with family devotion. The whole of the family were expected to be twice a day in the sanctuary. Very often, on the morning of the Lord's day, Mr. Howard would remind his household of the admonition of the Saviour, "Take heed how ye hear!" He used frequently to remark, that a devotional spirit was the great qualification for hearing the word with profit. "Should the subject," he would observe, "be penitence, faith, love, or obedience, earnest prayer offered at the moment, that these invaluable principles may be implanted in our bosoms, cannot possibly be in vain. Or if," he was accustomed to say, "some illustrious example from holy writ should be proposed for our imitation, fervent ejaculatory petitions, that we may be enabled to follow them, as they did the Great Exemplar, will assuredly be attended with the happiest consequences."

Mr. H. encouraged the youth of his charge to attend the Sunday schools. There were more than five hundred children in these pleasing and useful establishments. They were educated gratuitously by the young men and

women of his congregation. These exertions had been greatly beneficial, not only to the children but even to their parents. It was a delightful spectacle, to see these children and their teachers thus happily engaged, and to hear the little ones pouring forth their hosannas to the son of David.

Among the attendants on the ministry of Mr. H. a society was formed for finding out, visiting, and relieving the afflicted. The business of this institution was often attended to on the Lord's day, by some of the elder and more judicious persons in his congregation. Much good had been done by this most useful association. In one year, about fifteen hundred visits had been paid to the abodes of the wretched. More than sixty pounds had been given away to persons in the greatest need, during the same period. A book was kept, descriptive of the circumstances of those who had been relieved. The following memoranda, as a specimen, are extracted from this interesting record:

John S. Very ignorant, but greatly desirous of instruction.

Peter N.-Died very happily, the instruction he had received having been very beneficial.

Jane L.-She has recovered; and has been

brought, though before regardless of public worship, statedly to attend the house of prayer.

Lucy P.-She has become truly serious, and given the most pleasing testimony of a change of heart.

His

Thomas M.-He is restored to health. friends have sent a letter of thanks for the aid afforded.

George D.-He was very wicked, and neglected and even despised religion; but was convinced of his guilt and folly, and brought back to the great shepherd and bishop of souls. He died, hoping for the mercy of God in Christ Jesus.

Nathaniel C.-When first visited, he was very careless in reference to his soul; but the little tract on Eternity was made very useful to him*.

Several other useful institutions exist among the people committed to the care of Mr. H. Would not the Psalmist have said of such a community: "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces; for my brethren, my companions' sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee."

These accounts are really taken from the book referred to.

When the public services of the day were closed, Mr. H. was accustomed, in the evening of the day, to assemble his household: he once more spoke to them briefly of the important truths which had been addressed to them, and endeavoured to direct each to what was most suitable to their particular circumstances. Indeed, the fine picture of the poet was often realized in the family of Mr. H.

"Then kneeling down to heaven's eternal king,
The saint, the father, and the husband prays;
Hope springs exulting on triumphant wing,
That thus they all shall meet in future days;
There ever bask in uncreated rays,

No more to sigh or shed the bitter tear;
Together hymning their Creator's praise,
In such society, yet still more dear,

Whilst circling time moves round, in an eternal sphere.”

CHAP. V.

EDWIN was not without his employment on the sabbath day. It was the plan of Mr. H. to engage every one, so far as he could, in what