father and mother then retired to their chamber to pray for their child. And the child also went to his chamber to pray for himself. Sincerely he gave himself to his Saviour, earnestly he implored forgiveness, and most fervently he entreated God to aid him to keep his resolutions, and to refrain from sin. Angels looked with joy upon that evening scene. The prayers of the parents and of the child ascended as grateful incense to the throne, and were accepted. And from that affecting hour this little boy went on in that path which leads to usefulness, and peace, and heaven. A short time since he died, a veteran soldier of the cross, and is now undoubtedly amid the glories of heaven, surrounded by hundreds who have been led by his instrumentality to those green fields and loved mansions. O, what a rapturous meeting must that have been when the father pressed forward from the angel throng to welcome his son as with triumphant wing he entered heaven!

How happy must that father feel who, in a dying hour, can look around on his christian family, feeling that he was the guide whom God blessed in leading them also to piety and peace; and O, how grateful and how reverential must be the feelings of those children who gather around such a father in the hour of his triumphant death! He is honoured with an affection which is heavenly in its nature and its purity. Surrounded with the blessings of his children, he is borne home to the bosom of his Saviour. Who would not give more for one such hour of joy in death than for all that the world can give of wealth or honour? And if we look forward in imagination to the judgment day, when the family are again assembled, and have a new home assigned them, O what heart can conceive

the bliss of such a meeting-the rapture of such a home!

EVENING HYMN.

WATCH of Israel! we shall rest
Calmly, if thy voice hath blest-
If thou sayest, "All is well!"

Ever wakeful sentinel.

If in sleep our spirits dream,
Still, O still, be Thou the theme;
Heavenly let our visions be-
E'en in dreaming, dream of Thee.

But if sleep be far away,
And we watch till dawning day,
Let thy Spirit still impart
Calmness to each aching heart.

THE NATURE AND THE DUTY OF

INDIVIDUAL PRAYER.

CHAPTER III.

TO THE OLDer children.

I CAN best convey to you my views in regard to the nature and influence of prayer, by relating several stories, with which I have recently met. I shall make some remarks upon each. The first is as follows.

THE GATE OF PRAYER. AN ALLEGORY.

Having been employed one evening in reading the first part of the 11th chapter of Luke, which contains various excellent directions and pleasing encouragements relative to the duty of prayer, I leaned back on my sofa, and fell into a gentle slumber. I fancied that I was standing opposite a large and ponderous gate, which was the outward entrance to the palace of the King of the country. At the top of this gate I observed the following inscription, written in large golden characters, "KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU.

A gay gentleman, elegantly dressed, soon approached in a beautiful phaeton. He staid for a few moments; but, on reading the inscription, he exclaimed, "I have no inclination to knock or enter this gate; I am too much engaged, and I

think all the beauties of the palace would not repay my trouble if I were to go and examine them." Saying this, he dashed away down the broad road which was opposite.

The next person I observed was a man of demure appearance, who seemed to have an affected gravity of countenance. He went up to the gate

in a fearless manner, and appeared secure of admission; for he said he knew the porter at the gate, that he had associated with many who had been at the King's palace, and had received many proofs of His Majesty's kindness. He, therefore, called out to the porter, and desired him to open the gate for one who was a friend to the King, and who was well known to many of his best servants and officers. To this request, which was repeatedly made, no answer was returned, and at length he departed from the gate, disappointed and confounded.

The third person who attracted my attention marched up to the gate with an elevated mien and confident step, as if he possessed a right to enter, and was conferring a favour on the Prince by approaching his mansion. He read the inscription on the gate, but seeing that the knocker was towards the bottom, and that he must stoop to reach it, he resolved to content himself with striking the door with a stick which he held in his hand; but he could not obtain admittance, and went away with indignation.

When I observed these unsuccessful attempts, I was much discouraged, and thought it was useless for me to try; I was therefore going to depart; but on locking up I saw the inscription written so plainly, and signed by the seal manual of the King, that I resolved to stay a little longer.

Soon a pilgrim appeared, journeying towards the gate. His eye was fixed intensely on the inscription, but he was not sufficiently careful in choosing his way, so that he often stumbled. He knocked at the gate, and it was immediately opened; but, in his hurry, he fell down, and it was shut by the porter, who said to him, "Watch and pray. However, he knocked again, and being more careful, was then admitted.

I next noticed a poor weary beggar, almost destitute of clothing, and nearly perishing with hunger. When he came to the gate, his eyes glistened with pleasure at reading the inscription. He kneeled down on the ground, and took hold of the knocker, but on looking at himself, and seeing his unworthy condition to appear before his Lord, I saw tears drop from his eyes; but he soon wiped them off, and resolved, " If I must perish, I will perish in the act of seeking admittance." So he lifted up the knocker and gave a rap, when the gate was immediately opened, and he was admitted with many cheerful welcomes, while he exclaimed, "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord; this gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.' Psa. cxviii. 19, 21.

After this I saw another person, somewhat similar to the former, though with much more coldness. He continued knocking for a long time without any success; but he was not discouraged, and repeated his efforts with ardour and importunity. While he was thus employed, and appeared to meet with no success, he pulled from his bosom a scroll, and read these words aloud: " Verily,