But to conclude my observations on this point, and to give additional weight to the remarks above made, I would remind the reader that the words stand and stood are frequently used where no posture of body is alluded to. See Psa. i, 1: "Blessed is the man that walketh Thus we see, as before stated, not in the counsel of the ungodly, we uniformly find in Scripture that nor standeth in the way of sinners." "all the worshippers of the most Again-Psa. iv, 4: "Stand in awe, high God, whether upon earth or and sin not." So that it yet remains in heaven, either bowed or in some to be proved that any of the Old way prostrated themselves when Testament saints or New Testa- they approached the King of kings ment Christians ever stood on their and Lord of lords.

But inasmuch as falling down, prayers to God, while it has been falling on the face, and kneeling, are

all spoken of in the foregoing quotations as postures used in the worship of God, perhaps the reader by this time is ready to ask which of these attitudes are the most proper. To this I answer that all these modes of expression are used nearly or quite synonimously, and signify some kind of bowing or kneeling down; and as a proof of this I would here bring into notice the accounts given by three evangelists of the prayer offered by our Saviour just before he was betrayed:

Mat. xxvi, 39: "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed." Mark xiv, 35: "And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed." Luke xxii, 41: "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed."Now it is unquestionably evident from St. Luke's account in this case, that our Saviour offered up this prayer upon his knees, though the others express it by falling on his face, the ground, &c.

To make this still plainer, let us suppose A. retiring to a garden or grove for the purpose of private prayer: when he gets to a certain spot of ground, he first bends his knees to the earth, and next, with his hands somewhat on his face, he places his face near the ground. Now, suppose B., C. and D. were all looking on at a small distance from A. B. says A. fell on his face; C. states that he fell on the ground; but D. affirms that A. fell on his knees, or kneeled down.Now, in this case there would be no contradiction, though D. gives the clearest account; and suppose E. would also add his testimony to the former, by saying that A. bowed down, it would also agree with the rest.

:

And now I think this illustration

sets the whole Scripture account of the attitude of prayer (and particularly the account given by three evangelists of one of Christ's prayers) in a clear and just light; only it might be here noted that falling on the face, in some passages of Scripture, may be intended more particularly to point out complete prostration, which form was sometimes used by individuals or persons in great distress: in other cases, bowing or kneeling appears to be the uniform practice.

Having dwelt so long on Scripture testimony, and having, as I humbly conceive, proved thereby that bowing down or kneeling, in opposition to standing, is the correct attitude of prayer ;—let us next hear the testimony of reason on this subject; and when reason takes into view the greatness and holiness of God, and the weakness and sinfulness of man, together with his entire dependance upon his Maker, it at once concurs with revelation in declaring that the most humble posture best becomes such a supplicant.

But perhaps by this time some may be ready to say that the subject above treated is not of sufficient consequence to occupy the attention of any wise and judicious mind; and they would therefore tell us that, provided the heart be right, it matters not what posture our bodies are in when we pray. To such I would reply, 1st, by asking them how they know that it makes no difference what form the body is in when a man prays to God. I fear such would be quite at a loss to give any solid reason for such an assertion, though it be made with an air of confidence. 2d. I would ask such if the most worthy examples found in the word of God, accompanied with Scripture precept and sound reason, are

all matters of so little consequence in a praying circle, you find that it makes no difference whether we act up to them, or take a contrary course?

But I reply, 3dly, that the principle in this case, on which the objection is grounded, is false and self-contradictory. What! to say that "it makes no difference what posture our bodies are in when we pray, provided the heart be right!" Here let me ask, Is there no connexion between body and mind? or, in other words, if it is no difference what posture our bodies are in when we pray, why of course a man may as well pray standing on his head as on his feet, or get down all-fours, hands and feet alike, as to kneel, or do it any other way. But does not every person see at once that such forms or postures of the body would be unfriendly to a devotional spirit; and in some degree, though not to an equal extent, standing upon the feet in prayer is in itself unfriendly to the devotion of the heart; or at least even a sincere worshipper cannot in general be so fervent on his feet as though he were on his knees?— Should this assertion be doubted, I am ready to vouch for its truth by an appeal to facts.

And here it is known to many that men may and often do say over fine words of prayer standing on their feet; but it is equally well known that such prayers are generally languid and void of energy. This is a fact, and cannot be denied. But let us turn from the individual who thus prays as an organ for the congregation, to those standing around. him, and you will seldom see or hear any thing like prayer among them: this is also the truth, and cannot be denied. In short, if you find general and powerful engagedness

VOL. VIII. October, 1825.

them on their knees, of whatever denomination they may be. If you find penitent mourners praying for mercy, you see them on their knees, or otherwise prostrate; and I confess that I never saw any converted to God in their standing prayers, nor any thing like it.

But, on the other hand, I have seen hundreds rising from their knees, and with a loud voice giving glory to God for his saving mercy. I have been the more plain and pointed in my remarks on this part of the subject, because many who are esteemed both wise and pious have said that it is "no difference what posture our bodies are in when we pray, provided our hearts be right." Believing this assertion incorrect and self-contradictory, I knew no way to make this appear so plain as in the severe observations above made; and though they may sound harsh to some, they must appear to be correct to every man of candour that will look at facts.

Before I close these remarks, I wish,notwithstanding all that truth and candour has compelled me to say unfavourable to standing prayer, to have it distinctly understood that I charitably trust and believe that many who, through the force of education and surrounding example, still continue to offer up their prayers to God standing on their feet, are nevertheless among the children of God, and on their way to a better world. And I do feel a sweet fellowship with such of them as do, when they come into a congregation where it is the usage to kneel, conform in this respect, though they may stand in their own churches; and I think common civility requires this mutual conformity among the several Christian denominations: but the 49

bigot who stands on his feet during sit and pray! Certainly we have

prayer among a kneeling circle, evinces to me that he has as little sense of good breeding as religion. Therefore, the most that I can do for such is to pity and pray for them: but the impropriety of a man standing on his feet in a kneeling circle is almost eclipsed by the indecent appearanceofthe man who continues to occupy his seat. What!

no such custom in any of the Christian churches, however corrupt some may be. Surely such a man is an insult to every praying or genteel person present, and a disgrace to his family and friends.Certainly the least particle of what is commonly called good breeding would at least raise him to his feet, if not to his knees.

ATTEMPT TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF MONT BLANC, In Switzerland.

THIS mountain, so named on account of its white aspect, belongs to the great central chain of the Alps. It is truly gigantic, and is the most elevated mountain in Europe, rising no less than 15,872 feet (somewhat more than three miles) above the level of the sea, and 14,624 feet above the lake of Geneva, in its vicinity. It is encompassed by those wonderful collections of snow and ice called glaciers, two of the principal of which are called Mont Dolent and Triolet.

The highest part of Mont Blanc, named the Dromedary, is in the shape of a compressed hemisphere. From that point it sinks gradually, and presents a kind of concave surface of snow, in the midst of which is a small pyramid of ice. It then rises into a second hemisphere, which is named the Middle Dome, and thence descends into another concave surface, terminating in a point, which, among other names bestowed on it by the Savoyards, is styled "Dome de Goute," and may be regarded as the inferior dome.

The first successful attempt to reach the summit of Mont Blanc was made in August, 1786, by Dr. Paccard, a physician of Chamouni.

The ascent occupied fifteen hours, and the descent five, under circumstances of the greatest difficulty— the sight of the doctor and that of his guide (Balma) being so affected by the snow and wind as to render them almost blind, at the same time that the face of each was excoriated, and the lips exceedingly swelled.

On the first of August, 1787, the celebrated and indefatigable naturalist, M. de Saussure, set out on his successful expedition, accompanied by a servant and eighteen guides. At eleven o'clock on the day next but one following, they reached the top of the mountain, where they continued four hours and a half, during which time M. de Saussure enjoyed, with rapture and astonishment, a view the most extensive, as well as the most rugged and sublime in nature, and made those observations which have rendered this expedition important to philosophy.

A few days afterwards, Mr. Beaufoy, an English gentleman, succeeded in a similar attempt, although it was attended with greater difficulty, arising from enlargements in the chasms in the ice.