y accomplish by an of his purity and in-iority of rank may ution of soul, grow. mity, will soon outted with the history -less men who start led by their prayers metimes to conquer hen God was with n we not remember ficant man, without ho, by his pious and obstacle, finally ac → undertaking? Be. › and broken down, Escape is impos em, who, alas! are discipline! They nevitable ruin that noment they kneel 'their adversaries! eir devotions could the enemie's ar le clangor of their A Now they are ery countenance! ce! God is with them, and every man has become a hero! The charge is given. The battle rages, and blood is streaming on every side! Finally, the contest is over, and the hitherto despairing and shattered troops have proved victorious! Do you yet doubt of the power and influence of prayer? Without it, there can be no courage-no great and philanthropic enterprises-no energy or resolute purpose of soul. This communion of mortals with the holy spirit, begets within them the highest of all earthy wisdom-the entire perfection, we may add, if there moral natures. Then they view with abhorrence the sinfulness and injustice of the world. As man improves in knowledge by mingling with the more intelligent of his fellow beings, so does his soul become more sanctified by spiritual intercourse with the Almighty. We cannot pray with proper devotion, if we do not feel ourselves operated upon by the majesty and holiness of our Maker. And he who truly possesses this devotional feeling, will not be guilty of an impure action. He, therefore, is not a good man, who would pray, and at the same time deceive his neighbour: nor he who would prefer wealth, honor and reputation, to the things of the Lord; for it is impossible to serve two masters at a time. Devotion elevates and purifies our desires-and hence, the treasures of earth are nothing in comparison to the soul. He, who is imbued with the spirit of prayer, takes no pleasure in those things which cannot increase his happiness. His conduct will be essentially different; for that which he before esteemed as the mant !. now regards as the most trifling and mean. suance of these principles, he daily increases in wisdom. Christ prayed in Gethsemane, and fearlessly fore his accusers who condemned him to the cross who was furiously stoned by the mob, asserted standing, his belief in the Saviour, and died a ma faith. There were hundreds also who followed ple. The Jews were astonished and almost conf the heroism which these men displayed. Their of death, excited alternately, their pity and admra till, finally, many of them became believers thems the temples of the heathens disappeared before of Christianity. What self-love often renders desirable, cease a charm when we are more immediately associ God. In the light of his holiness, we blush for t hardness of our hearts-which, can alone be san our devotions. The greater number of the calamities which hap are the consequences of our own indescretions. far different results from a wise and virtuous life, th debauchery and crime-and while prayer fills us w and tranquillity, we must rationally conclude that a beneficial influence upon our conduct, generally. Resting under this conviction, let us never eng important undertaking, without first devoutly a ourselves to the Deity. Then, in view of all his pe our desires will be purified; we will not subject to the control of violent passions; and our moral powers will be strengthened and improved. May all mankind engage deeply and fervently in prayer. It was commanded by our Saviour, who, himself, prayed for the redemption of a sinful and wicked world. If we ask, it will be given us: if we seek, we shall assuredly find. Where will we find refuge, if we are forsaken by God? or where comfort without his mercy? In our afflictions, he is the anchor of our hope. In our temptations, he will protect and bless us. The friends of Christ were assembled about hi passover. Among them was the traitor who the love of his master with treason and ingratitude they all had eaten, they sang a hymn of thanksgiv Jesus went into the mount of Olives, near Jerusal disciples followed. He revealed to them the dan which he was threatened. "All ye shall be offende of me this night: for it is written, I will smite t herd and the sheep of the flocks shall be scattered They were terrified by the mystery of his words answered: "Though all men shall be offended b thee, yet will I never be offended." And when J him, that before the cock crew, he would deny hi the disciple, who thought himself capable of any replied: "Though I should die with thee, yet w deny thee." But how soon was the solemn pro ken! A vast multitude, armed with swords and came at midnight, with Judas at their head, and fo away, a prisoner, to be condemed by sinners. His disappeared like sheep who had lost their sheph even Peter, who had made such protestations of hi FORMED PIOUS led about him at the e offended because of 7 sinners. His disciples st their shepherd, and Few people, however, at the present day, who call themselves followers of Christ, can boast of the same degree of magnanimity, as the generous and high minded Peter. Although in a moment of terror and threatened persecution, he denied his beloved master, yet we are told of his bitter repentence: and that regardless of the insults which were heaped upon him, and the dungeons which were open on every side to receive him, he fearlessly went among his enemies, proclaiming his belief of the Saviour. His vows were faithfully kept, and after a joyless though virtuous life, he suf fered an ignominious death at Rome, as the penalty of adherence to his divine belief. How many christians can now be found who resemble Peter? They may censure the rash promise which he made on his way to Gethsemane ; but it is probable, if they have not already acted in like manner, that they never formed a truly noble or pious resolution. We hear of such men calling on God to deliver them from some eminent danger, and making declarations of the charitable intentions, which they may honestly fulfill; but what unworthy ideas they must have of the Deity to suppose that they will make themselves more worthy in his estimation, merely by a few beneficent actions! There are others deserving equal censure, who affect to believe if they pursue the path of rectitude, and obey, in some measure the precepts of Christ, that God will require nothing further at their hands. They perform no more than their convenience will warrant. They pray daily, and are thinking perhaps, at the same moment, how they can be revenged of him who may casually ha-- |