great truths which we want to know, that it may be very useful to begin with them-such as the following-In the Old Testament, Genesis and Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Isaiah; and in the New Testament, Matthew, John, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles to the Romans and Ephesians. You may begin a first easy course by going carefully through these books, reading a chapter morning and evening.

When you have gone through these books once, then begin again with the whole Bible, reading one chapter from one Testament in the morning, and another from the other Testament in the evening.

But the mere reading of the Bible, as we would any other book, for amusement or information, or to get a knowledge of its contents, is far short of the design for which the scriptures were given. The chief design of the Bible is to make us wise unto salvation, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and all scripture is given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Now, in order to the obtaining of this end, the Bible must be read in a different way to other books, and I will give you here two or three plain rules.

1. READ IT WITH CONSTANT PRAYER TO GOD. See in the 119th Psalm how much David prayed: Lord, teach me thy statutes. Give me understanding, that I may know thy word. God has promised to teach us, and we must obtain this promised instruction through fervent prayer- prayer before we begin, prayer while reading, and prayer when it is over. The Holy Spirit is the only effective teacher.

2. READ IT WITH MUCH MEDITATION,—thinking very patiently and deliberately over each verse; What does this teach me? How can I attain this promise? escape this threatening? fulfil this duty? be warned by this sad history? or be animated by this blessed example?

3. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO DISCOVER THEIR TESTIMONY TO CHRIST JESUS. The Bible is the word of Christ; its leading design is to shew us plainly and fully that gracious Redeemer, who having delivered us from sin and ruin, invites us to receive his great salvation, and by whom, through the Spirit, we sinners can come with freedom to God, our most holy, merciful, and compassionate Father, who gave his Son to die for us.

4. READ THe Bible to BE MADE HOLY BY IT.Our Saviour prays for his disciples, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. It is God's great instrument or means for making us holy, or separate from the world, and devoted to God. Holy desires and feelings, and holy practice, are given to us in the humble, diligent, and devout study of the Bible. Since without holiness we shall never see God, or dwell with him, let us diligently read the Bible, to attain boliness.

Meditation.

What an important work have I daily to fulfil in reading and meditating upon God's word, and how profitable it is! God has testified of the truly happy man, His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night: and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither, and

whatsoever he doeth it shall prosper. Oh that this may be my character and my blessedness! I shall find many things to hinder me in this work, but let me resolutely, firmly, and steadily set aside everything that would interfere with the daily, patient reading of God's blessed word.

5. FAMILY READING, AND CONVERSATION ABOUT, THE BIBLE.

Parents and heads of families have a great duty to fulfil with reference to the Bible. The name 'Family Bible' is a pleasing sound, and a very appropriate title for this holy book. It teaches us that the Bible is to be the great guide of the family, and the supreme rule of every Christian's house. The directions of the Bible are very clear and full on this duty:-Hear, therefore, O Israel! the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

Take up, then, Christian parents, Joshua's resolution-As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Endeavour to fulfil these directions every day by reading a part of God's word to your family, and in prayer with them, seeking his grace and blessing. It is the only way to have your children dutiful and obedient, and such as will give you comfort when

they are grown up. No wonder so many parents' hearts are broken by the continued misconduct of their children, when they so grievously neglect God's directions in their education.

Meditation.

Blessed, O my soul! is that family of which God is the head and Father, and which is governed according to the rules of the gospel of Christ. Surely it is a protected and well-cultivated seed-plot, or nursery, where plants are training for a more beautiful garden, and to which they shall soon be transplanted, to flourish for ever in the paradise above. God make my family thus blessed, and let not one be wanting in the day when he counts up his children! God help me to live before them so as may lead to this blessed end, and let family reading, family prayer, and family singing, every morning and every evening, and the daily course of our conversation, mark my home as one of the dwellings of the righteous!

6. PRAYERS.

1. PRAYER BEFORE READING.-O Lord, help me to read thine own word with reverence, deep humility, and an earnest desire to do thy will. Remove all darkness from my understanding and all perverseness from my will, and enable me to receive thy truth with the simplicity and teachableness of a child. Send thy blessed Spirit to guide me into all truth, to shew to me the things of Christ, and to sanctify me by his truth. Give me grace now and ever patiently to search, truly to believe, deeply to meditate upon, heartily to love, and unreservedly to obey thy word,

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that I may be made wise unto salvation, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. PRAYER AFTER READING.-Almighty Father, my God and my Saviour, I thank thee for the light of divine truth; may it shine more and more in my heart unto the perfect day. Grant unto me an assured faith in my Redeemer, and write thy laws in my heart. Let no subtilty nor malice of the Devil; let not the world, nor any inward vain imaginations, proud reasonings, or corrupt affections, prevail to turn me from thy ways; but let the power of the Holy Ghost make me to triumph over all temptation. Strengthen me heartily to embrace thy truth, steadfastly to hold fast the word of life, and faithfully to do thy will. O Lord! direct my heart into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Hear me, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A Prayer to be formed and moulded according to God's Holy Word.

Almighty Father! my Maker, my Redeemer, my Sanctifier! thy word is truth, and it will stand for ever; and thou hast given that word that I may know and do thy will: but my mind is dark, and my heart is evil; give me, then, I beseech thee, thy allsufficient help, to enlighten my understanding, purify my heart, and mould and fashion my whole inward man to be conformed to thy will.

O grant unto me such grace that thy threatenings may move me with fear to fly from the wrath to come, the truths of thy gospel be received with faith unfeigned, thy promises embraced with joyful hope, and thy commandments written on a heart which thou hast made willing and obedient, and give with every