cut off, a dead branch, a withered limb. How can you pray with your lips, "From schism, good Lord, deliver us,"-yet act schism in your heart, and separate from your brethren who come to feed on the heavenly banquet of Christ's body and blood? These things are worth at least a question. They may be true, and if true, in what position do you stand? Surely, then, to conclude, and sum up the whole: These things if ye earnestly con- If you will not do your part, at least, say God's ministers, we will do ours; we will pray for you. But the very consideration of these things will do much. It does but require a little honest consideration. Consider the love of God in the offer, the dignity and blessing of the offer, the shame of making false excuses, the sin of doing injury to God, the danger of neglecting the commandment in respect to your own salvation, the schism you make in cutting yourself off from the head of the body, and the want of charity you shew in separating from your brethren. All these things consider, and surely "you will return to a better mind." But prayer avails much, and men's hearts are very hard. It takes much to eradicate the prejudices of a sinful world. Perhaps God may hear the voice of ministers interceding for a rebellious people; and so send down from his throne on high his Spirit of grace, and when men will not pray for themselves, if their appointed pastors pray for them, who knows but joyful things may follow. This is our part. So said Samuel, when he prayed for the disobedient people of Israel:"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I shall sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for "(1 Sam. xii. 23.) And Simon, when he had committed his great sin, cried out to Peter, and said: "Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken, come upon me." (Acts viii. 24.) And St. Paul says, in all the earnest affection of his love towards the erring brethren: "For this cause we also do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding." (Coloss. i. 9.) And again: "I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. v. 23.) If you, the reader, will still refuse, still reject God, and do despite to his spirit, at any rate let the ministers of the altar never forget their duty. One of their very greatest duties is to intercede for their flocks. To pray with them is one duty, to pray for them is another; and while there is a single hour left, before death separates the pastor from his flock, while there is a single opportunity remaining for God's grace to visit the heart of man,-scorn and mock the holy ordinances of religion as they may, still prayer is the hope, prayer is the comfort; and the sorrowing heart of the shepherd, who beholds his flock wandering and separating from the fold, may yet possess one source of refreshment, and one hope of success in this secret and all-effectual duty-PRAYER. Sermons may be useless, and arguments may not convince; the eloquence even of the Apostle Paul may fall short; but when all else has failed, the Spirit of God, descending at the intercession of a faithful pastor, may reunite the scattered sheep, and join them, together with himself, under the one great Shepherd and Bishop of men's souls, Jesus Christ. Therefore, while we rebuke others, let us be careful that we be not rebuked ourselves. While we, the ministers of the altar, stand ready at his bidding, and wonder that we see not the thronging footsteps of devout communicants, let us be careful lest that wonder be very easily accounted for, when we have lifted up no voice of prayer to our God, that he |