bread his mother
gives him, because it does not suit his capricious notions? Surely, you
would say he did not deserve to have any. But, if your minister is cold
and formal, and does not exhibit the truth in a clear, pointed, and
forcible manner to the conscience, mourn over the matter in secret,
before God. You will do no good by making it a subject of common
conversation. It will lead to the indulgence of a censorious spirit, to
the injury of your own soul, and the wounding of the cause of Christ. If
you speak of it at all, let it be in a spirit of tender concern for the
welfare of Zion, to some pious friends, who will unite with you in
praying for your pastor. You recollect the conversion of Dr. West,[J]
in answer to the prayers of two pious females. So you may be
instrumental in reviving the heart of your pastor. (4.) _Hear with
self-application._ From almost any passage in the Bible the Christian
may draw a practical lesson for himself. Some truths may not be
immediately applicable to your present circumstances; but they are,
nevertheless, calculated to affect your heart. Even a sermon, addressed
exclusively to impenitent sinners, is calculated to rouse up the most
intense feelings of the Christian's soul. It reminds him of the
exceeding wickedness of his past life; it shows him what an awful gulf
he has escaped; it leads him to mourn over his ingratitude; and it calls
forth his prayers and tears in behalf of perishing sinners. Strive to
bring home the truth, so far as it is applicable to yourself, in the
most searching manner. Examine your own heart diligently, that you lose
nothing which belongs to you. (5.) _Do not hear for others._ Let every
one make his own application of the truth. Many persons are so intent on
finding garments for others, that they lose their own. (6.) _Hear with a
prayerful frame of mind._ If any part of the discourse is intended for
professors of religion, let your heart continually ascend to God, for
the Holy Spirit to apply it to your own heart, and to the heart of every
Christian present. If any part of it is designed for impenitent sinners,
let your soul put forth an agony of prayer, that it may be blessed for
their conversion. (7.) _Remember and practise what you hear._ This is of
great importance; and, unless you attend to it, every other direction
will be of little avail.

[Footnote J: See page 64.]

Intimately connected with public worship are social meetings for prayer.
We have