Year: 1867

Judging from my own experience, the
Christian has but few trials greater than
the commencement of this important du-
ty. Ever since I made profession of
religion, have regarded this as duty
which few, and [ mig ght 90 so far as to
say none, who are heads of families can
neglect, and enjoy the comforts of reli-
gion. We are apt to imagine that we
have greater difficulties than others in
undertaking those things which we feel a
duty, and at the same time are not COM
PEELED to do by the laws of the land. How
often does the Christian hear from the
pulpit and in his daily intercourse, expe-
riences which he thought none had but
himself, and I think if we would only
take the time and trouble to communi-
cate, either privately or publicly, our ex-
perience as Christians, many would find
comfort, and perhaps some might become
more Jealous in doing their Masters
will.


The first nights experience 1 had in
bringing my family around the altar and
publicly opening my heart to God, will
not soon be forgotten. | imagined none
ever made worse effort, and even thought
1 could see it in my wife's countenance,
and mentioned to her that thought the
undertaking was more than 1 could carry
out. She being good Christian, en-
couraged me to persevere, as she regard
ed it my duty, and besides it was plea
sure to her. None but those who have
felt can fully appreciate the encourage
ment from an affectionate wife in the
performance of saelt-duties, and d-t-be-
ieve this day many families are deprived
of THE sacred duty, because the wife man
ifests so little interest. tits strange that
mother who appears so devoted to her
little ones in providing all earthly COM
forts, watching over them by day and by
night, administering to their temporal
wants, should so far forget the duty she
owes to their spiritual wants.


After retiring on that memorable night,
I began to think how / should pray on the
following morning, and even dreaded its
approach. The morning came, and the
first thought brought to mind the duty l
had to perform. My voice even trembled
in reading chapter; but looking to God
for strength, | made the second effort
with not much better success. After
breakfast | concluded that would take
prayer book that 1 had, and commit
one of the prayers so as to be'ready for
the following night. | was ashamed for
my wife to see me, so retired to another
room and examined all the prayers, and
although they were excellent, yet none
seem to suit my case. [ laid the book
aside and commenced trying in my own
mind to frame prayer, but nothing
could think of seemed to answer. SO the
night came, and 1 had the same trial to
90 through, and 1 thought that [ did
somewhat better. The next morning it
was not altogether so great cross, but
far from being pleasant. | then con-
cluded | would write me prayer; pro
viding myself with pen, ink, and paper,
1 tried in vain to couch it in such Ian
guage as suited me; so | laid all aside
and commenced praying in secret to God
to strengthen me in my trials, and aid me
in the performance of this duty found
more relief in this than all the rest, and
was soon convinced of my error in trying
to please by the use of language rather
than true deyotional petitions to our
heavenly Father. And here believe
lies great obstacle to many; they wish
too much to please by eloquence, and are
too much afraid of criticism.


And now, reader, do you ever retire
and offer in secret a prayer tc your heav-
enly Father? If so, do you wish to be
more eloquent to poor mortal man than
to Him who is the creator of your being,
and who so bountifully provides for you
Are you ashamed for your felow-man to
hear you in such language as you are
willing to bring before your God ? Don'l
defer This matter any longer, but take
your Bible and gather around your fire
side the affectionate wife and the deal
1little ones, night and morning, and pay
that debtyou owe to your heavenly Faith
er, and perform that duty you owe to
your family. And, take my word for it.
you will find it one of your greatest plea.
sures after awhile, tending more towards
preparing you for comfortable night:
rest, and fitting you for the daily duties
of life, than anything you can do.


r.
The SCRIpTUREs.-It was finely sal,