a feeling of thankfulness, that it is a day set free, as far as possible, from worldly cares and duties, and a day especially given to the Christian, that it may be hallowed as a season of preparation for the eternal life and the heavenly kingdom, so surely opened up to us by the Saviour's Death and Resurrection. This is to be, in some degree, like St. John, in the Spirit,' or in that state of mind which is prepared to receive the influence and teaching of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, upon the Lord's Day. It is also the same spirit, or spiritual mind, which causes us sincerely and thankfully to value the House of God, with its appointed ordinances and means of grace. It is upon this day, more especially, that the opportunity is given to most Christians of taking part in that united worship, and thanksgiving, and praise, which we offer up together in the name of Christ,-or of receiving Christian instruction and comfort

through the ministry of the Word,-or of obeying in the Holy Communion that command of the Saviour, which was at the time and has ever since been so closely united with the greatest possible proof of His love, Do this in remembrance of Me.' The privileges, thus provided for us in the courts of the Lord's House, may appear in themselves very simple, while they are of necessity, in our present state, interrupted and imperfect. They may be often denied for a time, through the chastening of our Heavenly Father, to some of His children, who value them most deeply; and in every case they are given to us only as strangers and pilgrims in this world. Yet we may be assured of this, that they will never fail-upon one condition -to enrich us with those blessings which are not only sure and satisfying, but also lasting. These are always found by us when we advance beyond what is merely human, and outward, and changing to the Fulness

which it has pleased the Father should 'dwell for us in Christ,' coming to Him, as those who cannot be satisfied apart from the Saviour and His Atoning Work, and as those also who are sincerely seeking to learn of Him, and to follow Him as our Master and example.

When we are thus enabled, in dependence upon the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,' to profit by the Lord's Day, we may humbly trust that it will fulfil towards us the divine purposes on account of which it is given. We also prove, in this way, that we earnestly desire and seek, not only for our own sake, but also on account of our country, to guard faithfully and jealously the precious birthright which has been handed down to us in this day of sacred rest. For we have good reason to believe, that so long as the Lord's Day is thus honoured, and valued, and hallowed by many Christians in this land, 'God, even our own God, will continue to give us His

blessing; He will provide a sure defence against the overflowings of ungodliness,' and the attacks of those who would attempt to rob us of all that Christians account most precious and sacred. He will supply our need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus;' He will also prosper more and more visibly, the efforts made in various ways to extend the kingdom of His Son, with its 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.'

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II.

THE PROMISED PRESENCE.

'Where two or three are gathered in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.'-ST. MATT. xviii. 20.

ONE of the chief motives and plainest warrants for the united worship of the Christian Church is contained in those words of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are well fitted to dispel the vague and uncertain views which are so apt to prevail upon this subject. They also impart, as nothing else can give, a meaning and reality and glory to the assembling of Christians for the highest and holiest purposes in the House of God.

Long before, a similar promise had been addressed through Moses to the people of

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