ADDRESS

TO THE

HEADS OF FAMILIES.

OUR Saviour's words, "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them," both contain an explicit and gracious promise, and disclose a principle which governs many of the divine proceedings towards us. It appears that there is a peculiar manner in which the Incomprehensible, Illimitable, Soul of the universe, is present in certain places. And as we may conceive that in his boundless dominion, there is a presence chamber, where rays of his glory and majesty are disclosed, to the adoration of the heavenly hierarchy; as in the temple of Solomon there was behind the veil, a most holy sanctuary, where his presence was signally manifested; as he was revealed to Moses in a lambent flame out of a bush, and to the Israelites in the wilderness in the pillar of a cloud; so, for similar purposes of condescending mercy, does the Saviour

still promise to be, in a peculiar sense, present with his people upon the earth. In all those cases before named, the visible disclosure of his majesty of to the senses, was not the most important part the divine arrangement. There was a gracious design thus indicated. And in the benefit of such a design we now participate. The faith of a martyr, and the rapt devotion of a seraph, when only breathed out in the privacy of one's own closet, can exert no direct hallowing influence upon society, nor contribute to extend and exalt Jehovah's moral dominion. While then with infinite tenderness and condescension, he meets with us in our lonely walks, and communes with us in a secret chamber, and acknowledges his presence with the devout spirit every where, by a still, small voice in the conscience, he has proclaimed that public homage, united acts of worship, offerings placed upon an altar, are not only peculiarly acceptable to him, but are entitled to the utmost assurance of a gracious recompense. "If two of you," said the Redeemer, "shall agree on earth touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." To obtain this privilege, however, we must meet in his name; having boldness of access to the mercy-seat only through his atonement; expecting grace and bounty only through his intercession; feeling in every approach to the throne of the Father, even with an offering of praise, that it is

his office and mediation alone which can procure for creatures so guilty an answer of peace. However small and obscure the number of worshippers may be, who, with this reliance upon Christ as their mediator, unitedly acknowledge his sovereignty, they possess as solemn an assurance of his presence in the midst of them, and of all the privileges to be derived from it, as if they were mingling in the great assembly before his altar. Such is the foundation which a single promise affords for the exercises whose nature and importance I am about to recommend. By social worship God is most honored. And therefore to social worship he has made peculiar promises.

Religion is the living, practical power of a knowledge of God, exerted upon the heart and conduct. But by Family Religion is commonly intended, all the devout means usually employed in a household, to disseminate and cherish that power. Among these, the careful and judicious exhibition of Christian principles, by the parent and master, in the government of his own conduct, is of great moment. For though the young and ignorant may fail to discover the wisdom of some sound maxims, and the beauty of some pure principles, they never fail to detect and feel the absence of consistency in their elders and superiors. They may yield to authority, and admire the attainments of age, and love the hand and the office which provides for them: but they conform themselves to the