HOW CAN THE BROOD BE GATHERED TOGETHER

at night so surely as when there is an engagement with the Creator at the hearth where life began?  In all views, from all sides, this holy custom is seen to be founded in divine wisdom—­and divine wisdom includes human wisdom “as the sea her waves.”

I have prefaced this subject of worship with the matter of family services, on account of its vital importance.  Without the reading of the Bible and the praise of God at home, worship appears to the young like the grinding of the corn, the shoeing of the horses, or the aid of the physician—­a matter to be paid for rather than to be done by one’s self.

SOME OF THE HAPPIEST AND BEST FAMILIES,

who have turned out into the world the strongest, bravest men, have not limited their worship to stated hours, even, but upon occasions of unusual peril or unusual gladness have poured out to God their prayers or their gratitude.  Charnock, in his “Attributes,” says:  “As to private worship, let us lay hold of the most melting opportunities and frames.  When we find our hearts in a more than ordinary spiritual frame, let us look upon it as a call from God to attend Him; such impressions and notions are God’s voice, inviting us into communion with Him in some particular act of worship, and promising us some success in it.  When the Psalmist had a secret notion

‘TO SEEK GOD’S FACE’

and complied with it, the issue is the encouragement of his heart, which breaks out into an exhortation to others to be of good courage, and wait on the Lord:  ’Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.’  One blow will do more on the iron when it is hot, than a hundred when it is cold; melted metals may be stamped with any impression; but once hardened, will, with difficulty, be brought into the figure we intend.”

THE WISEST AND THE BEST.

We have in religion the experience of the wisest and the best minds before us.  Their guarantee in all else is of the very highest human standing and degree.  We must, therefore, in reason, profit by their knowledge.  In this, also, we are aided by our own development.  Behold the truth of this from the mouth of Colton:  “Philosophy is a bully that talks very loud when the danger is at a distance, but the moment she is hard pressed by the enemy she is not to be found at her post, but leaves the brunt of the battle to be borne by her humbler but steadier comrade Religion, whom, on most other occasions, she effects to despise.”  There died in Paris, not long ago, a man named Emile Littre, as well known in France for his infidelity as is Colonel Ingersoll in this country.  Over there

THEY CALL ATHEISM POSITIVISM,