3.  Several things are necessary to be observed, in order to wait upon God, in the sanctuary, in a proper manner:—­(1.) Go to the house of God with a preparation of heart. First visit your closet, and implore the influences of the Holy Spirit, to prepare your heart for the reception of the truth, and to bless it to your own soul and the souls of others; and, if possible, go immediately from your closet to the house of worship.  On the way, shut out all thoughts except such as are calculated to inspire devotional feelings; and, if in company, avoid conversation.  Whatever may be the nature of such conversation, it will be very likely to produce a train of thought which will distract and disturb your mind during public worship. (2.) When you approach the house of worship, remember that God is there in a peculiar manner.  He has promised to be where two or three shall meet in his name.  It is in the assembly of his saints, that he makes known the power of his Spirit.  As you enter his house, endeavor to realize the solemnity of his presence, and walk softly before him.  Avoid carelessness of demeanor, and let your deportment indicate the reverence due to the place where “God’s honor dwelleth.”  “Keep thy foot, when thou goest to the house of God.”  But, above all, avoid that indecent practice of whispering and conversation in the house of God.  Before service commences, it unfits the mind for the solemn employments in which you are about to engage.  After the congregation is dismissed, it dissipates the impression received.  When seated in the place of worship, set a watch over the senses, that your eyes and ears may not cause your mind to wander upon forbidden objects.  There is great danger that the attraction of persons, characters and dress, may dissipate every serious thought with which you entered the sanctuary.  By this means, you will lose the benefit of the means of grace, and bring leanness upon your soul.  Again; set a watch over your imagination.  This is a time when Satan is particularly busy in diverting the fancy; and, unless you are doubly watchful, he will lead away your mind, by some phantom of the imagination, before you are aware of it.  Keep these avenues of temptation guarded, and seek to bring yourself into a prayerful frame of mind, that you may be suitably affected by the various exercises of public worship.

4. Unite in spirit with the devotional part of the service. “God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  Be particularly careful that you do not mock God in singing.  This part of worship, I fear, is too often performed in a heartless manner.  Try to sing with the spirit, as well as the understanding.  And whenever you come to anything in the language of the psalm or hymn which you cannot adopt as your own, omit it.  If you sing before him what you do not feel, you lie to him in your heart.  And you know, by the terrible example of Ananias and