lively and painful a remembrance of the fickle disposition of that people in the wilderness, not to fear how they would conduct themselves, now settled and prosperous in Canaan; but he most solemnly exhorted "If it seem evil to you,

them to fidelity to Jehovah.

said he, to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve,"-but, propounding his own faithful example, he added "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The effect, at least for the time, of this appeal, was what he intended it should be; for the people answered as with one voice, "God forbid, that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods. We will serve the Lord, for he is our God." Without enlarging on the historical view of the text, let me say, that it is most solemnly incumbent on every head of a family to adopt the pious resolution of Joshua, and to live up to it."As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The temptation, which most easily beset the Israelites, was idolatry, with the licentious indulgences which always followed in its train. The temptations, to which men are now liable, are forgetfulness of God, neglect of his worship and ordinances, an eagerness after the world and its pleasures, the fear of man, and of being singular, even if it be to be singularly good. I am anxious, if God may succeed my feeble efforts, to aid you in making and keeping the resolution of the valiant and pious Joshua; the resolution to maintain family religion. In doing this, I shall endeavour,

I. To show a few important things implied in family religion.

II. Consider arguments and encouragements which should decide parents to maintain it. I am,

I. To show a few things implied in family religion. Under this head I shall confine myself chiefly to two important things; family prayer and family instruction. 1. Family prayer.

This can scarcely be touched too often, so many are the benefits resulting from it, and so many the evils which inevitably flow from its neglect. Family prayer is, perhaps, the very first thought which starts up to the mind from the words of Joshua; and few would think that resolution kept in a family, where worship was wholly neglected. It seems the very principle and beginning of every thing which is religious in a family. It is a direct acknowledgment of God, and of the duty and obedience which we owe to him. And something of this nature has been kept up by pious men from the beginning of the world. Before the flood, "men began to call on the name of the Lord." Noah in the midst of his family erected an altar, and offered up his devotions to God in the form, then most striking and edifying. And Abraham and the Patriarchs followed his example; David also and Solomon were devout men in the presence of their assembled people, and the former returned from public worship to bless his household; and how much pains he took to fan the sacred ffame in his own bosom, and in the hearts of his family, we may see in the book of Psalms, some of which

were evidently intended for domestic use. Indeed, the prophet seemed to regard domestic prayer as the distinctive mark of a pious man; and such Jews as neglected it, he subjects to the same condemnation as the impious heathen-" Pour out,-or thou wilt, pour out thy fury upon the heathen, and upon the families that call not upon thy name." It seems as if our blessed Lord was anxious in this important respect, to exhibit his own persuasive example. For although he had no home, not even "where to lay his head," yet adopting the twelve as his family, he prayed with them, and took special pains to instruct them in the genuine spirit of devotion. That family prayer should come thus strongly recommended, by scriptural example, is not strange, when we consider the excellent tendencies of it. It solemnizes a family, and tends to make religious impressions on their minds; inspires reverence for the head, and a deeper degree of affection to him, when he is seen interceding with God in their behalf. It strengthens his authority and influence in the family, so that order and obedience are more easily preserved. And it affords excellent opportunities of imparting instruction, counsel, reproof, and comfort, as they may be needed in a family, whether by a word spoken in season, or by a portion read from the word of God, or other edifying books. Such, and so important is family prayer. I feel a deep solicitude, that it may be general, universal in the families of my beloved people. O what a different face would it immediately put upon religion among us! If the breath of prayer might as

cend from every house, it would betoken great life and spirit in your religion. I beseech every head of a family to engage in this duty; to follow the bright example of patriarchs and of the pious of every age; to feel a deep solicitude for the early piety of his children, which can in no way more certainly be insinuated into their hearts, and strengthened, than by family devotion. Let not the usual excuses, unfounded as they are, prevent this essential part of family religion. Inability can with no propriety be pleaded, since there have been so many excellent books of family devotion published, to aid in the important duty. There are many excellent forms of family prayer, by familiarity with any of which the mind would be stored with devout thoughts and expressions, which would enable a person of moderate powers of mind to lead in family devotion with great interest and edification. If still there be a want of self possession, a form from any of these books may be selected and read in the midst of the assembled family, and thus God be devoutly acknowledged, aud the family edified. In this way, most certainly, every father of a family, who can read, may pray with his household; and, in this manner, by far the greater number of devout families in the christian world are daily led to the throne of grace. The Catholic church, the English church, the Greek church, and Lutheran, have liturgies and pray by forms in their houses as well as churches; and many who belong to denominations that prefer extemporaneous prayer, avail themselves of written forms, as they ought to do, when they are per

suaded that they will be more acceptable to God and edifying to their fellow worshippers. Our Lord has put his sanction upon the use of forms, by having given one to his disciples, and transmitted, it in his gospel. In extemporaneous prayer, then, or in forms prepared by devout men, once more let me beseech my beloved people to be in the habit of family prayer, as a most important branch of family religion. I proceed to speak,

2. Of family instruction as an essential part and means of family religion.

This is exceedingly important, and, I fear, is too much neglected. Children are instructed at school; they are instructed, and sometimes particularly addressed in the house of God. These things are important, but not so efficient as parental instruction at home. There the interested parent can begin with his child at a tender age. In simple words, he can teach him great truths concerning God, and Christ, and heaven; and inculcate duty, and warn against sin, and ingraft instruction on the incidents of every day, and enforce it by gentle discipline, by rewards and punishments, smiles and frowns, as circumstances may require. How much may be done before the third or fourth year of the infant's life! How distinct and durable may be made the best impressions on the infant mind which is then as wax, but will soon harden into a state almost impenetrable. On the pure tablet of a child's mind the diligent and tender hand of the mother may write lessons the most precious, and indeli