NOTICE.

These "CLOSET EXERCISES" were originally designed by the Author exclusively for the people of his own charge. But it was asked by a friend, why exclusively for them? If they would be useful for them. would they not also be useful to others. This led to their appearing in the present form, and they are thus offered to professing Christians, not without some misgiving, but yet with the hope that they may in some instances at least, have the effect of leading to a more regular and attentive observance of those retired engagements, without which, in this age of stir and active movement, religion cannot adequately grasp the conscience, or take vigorous root in the heart.

The brief essay of each paper is designed to lead the mind to some thoughts bearing on the topic introduced, and the "Self-Questions" to promote the habit of self-examination, a duty it is to be feared greatly neglected. Each "Exercise" is composed on the supposition of its being perused alone, and the author presumes, that it will not be felt to be inappropriate to conclude such an exercise by an act of devotion. The whole, however, is designed to be suggestive and nothing more.

The cheap form in which these "Exercises" are presented, is to afford an opportunity to the poorer members of our churches obtaining them, while it is hoped, that those of ampler means will not deem them unworthy of purchase for distribution among those to whom they may be useful, but by whom even a penny a month is felt to be a sacrifice. May a kind God bless the effort to his own glory!

THE closet is the only gate of heaven! Angels could not open another! It must witness your agonies, your transports of devotion! It must hear your groans and your songs; for it is the ante-chamber of heaven too! If there you find your dreadest moments, there likewise you shall enjoy your brightest days. Earth has not such another asylum! Heaven is not reflected by such another type! I would blow the silver trumpet as from the walls of a city of refuge. I would compel the strangers into a banqueting house of royal festivity. would proclaim as a herald, bow the knee! O ye guilty, this must be your sanctuary! Ye harassed, this your shelter; ye enquiring, this "The Lord is there!" your oracle; ye weary, this your rest!

R. W. HAMILTON.

I

MR. CECIL, during a severe illness, said to a person who spake of it "It is all Christ, I keep death in view. If God does not please to

raise me up, he intends me better, I find every thing but religion only vanity. To recollect a promise of the Bible, this is substance! Nothing will do but the Bible. If I read authors and hear different opinions I cannot say this is truth! I cannot grasp at it as substance; but the Bible gives me something to hold. I have learnt more within these curtains than from all the books I ever read."-Sir Henry Wotten, after his customary public devotions, used to retire to his study, and there spend some hours in reading the Bible.-Sir John Hartop, in like manner, amidst his other vocations, made the Book of God so much his study that it lay before him night and day.-James Bonnel, Esq. made the Holy Scriptures his constant and daily study; he read them; he meditated upon them; he prayed over them.-M. D. Reuty, a French, nobleman, used to read three chapters of the Bible with head uncovered, and on his bended knees.

h on my

grace, in ance and -t fix my Compare

a percep

-perience, aching of he truth, nding to of God's revealed, ience,―

t faith is

ope conand God emption,