offence was given by another, did you retaliate? Then also you have much to repent of. Justice to yourself requires that you should, as far as is possible, prevent all injury to yourself, your family, and your property. But no advantage is gained by the impetuosity of anger; retaliation only puts you upon the same level with the very person whose conduct you justly condemn, and can afford no satisfaction which is not poor indeed, compared with that of a mind conscious of its own magnanimity, in having forborne to return evil for evil, when the opportunity of so doing presented itself.

Still there is another question. Though in a moment of excited and irritated feeling you may have exceeded the limits of Christian mildness, and highly resented the offence committed against you, do you retain feelings of enmity to the offender? If so, you must correct them: and if your better principles of piety and charity are not strong enough to overcome infirmity of temper, or a keen sense of wrong, reflect upon the object of your resentment. His indulgence of malice and ill-will proves him to be a weak, misguided creature, who must be corroding his own happiness more than he injures yours; and who, if he were suddenly cut off from this life, to give in his account to his Almighty Judge, of the talents committed to his trust, would be obliged to confess that they have been unimproved, and that the tares which he had it in charge to eradicate, have been fostered by him, till the good seed originally sown was obliterated and

lost. If you would not be in a like case, soften your feelings towards him, and when you can truly say, (which, if you cannot say, you disgrace your profession of a Christian) that you would not do him an intentional injury, nor revenge those he may do to you, you are fit to be a partaker of the body and blood of Christ.

They who allow no moments for reflection, save what is called forth by worldly interests they who wilfully persist in the indulgence of vicious passions, and they who harbour in their hearts ill-will to their neighbours, and hasten to show it on every opportunity, are not faithful members of the Gospel, and are quite unfit to be called the sons of God; their joining in public prayer is a mockery of God, and a mere ceremony. But they who think themselves fit to enter the house dedicated to the worship of God, for the purpose of professing themselves his servants, and the disciples of his Son, can have no allowable excuse for leaving the Church, when the most solemn part of the service is about to be performed.

It is a very false notion to separate the celebration of this Sacrament from the other public acts of devotion, as if, like the Sacrament of Baptism, it was to be performed once only during a person's life. On the contrary, it forms but a part, though indeed a very material part, of the whole body of divine worship; it is the consummation of prayer and praise, and its distinction consists only in its being the most solemn part of worship, the most important, the

most extensive in its benefits and comforts, and in its being a very positive command of Him, to whom we owe life when we were doomed to death, and from whom we look for support and consolation in this world, and sanctification and glory in that to which we are all approaching.

Every sincere professor of Christianity is absolutely obliged to attend the commemoration of Christ's death. They who think themselves strong in the Lord should come, that their faith may be confirmed: they who are weak, and they who are fearful, should come, that strength and hope may be imparted to them: they who are in prosperity should come, that they may give thanks, and pray for humility; and they who are in affliction should come, that they may receive consolation. No situation or circumstance of life can be a reasonable excuse for the neglect of this sacred duty, nor would any reflecting Christian seek for an excuse: The young and the old, the rich and the poor, have all sins to be forgiven, and wants to be supplied; and, by a constant participation of the Holy Communion, they will receive comfort and support in every trial, in pain, in sickness, in affliction, and in death; it will diffuse a consoling balm, which will lighten the sorrows of this earthly tabernacle, and raise the soul to the contemplation of those regions of bliss, whither Christ himself is gone to prepare a dwelling for all his faithful servants.

Prayer for Monday.

O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, dwelling in light unto which no mortal can approach, it becometh us, the work of thy hands, at all times to reverence, and magnify thy glorious Majesty ; but chiefly in that thou, O Lord, rich in mercy, and infinite in goodness, hast provided for our redemption, by sending into the world thine only and well-beloved Son, whom of thy very love thou didst give to be made man like unto us in all things, sin excepted; to receive in his body the punishment of our transgressions; by his death to make satisfaction to thy justice; and through his resurrection to destroy him that was the author of death; and so to bring again life to the world, from which the whole offspring of Adam most justly was exiled. O Lord, I acknowledge that no creature is able to comprehend the length and breadth, the depth and height of this thy most excellent love, which moved thee to show mercy where none was deserved; to promise and give life, where death had gotten the victory; and to receive them into thy grace who only rebelled against thy justice. Look upon me, I beseech thee, strengthen my faith in thy word and promises, purify my heart from every corrupt affection,-increase my charity to my fellowcreatures, and enlighten my mind to know, and walk in the truth as it is in Jesus; for by Him

thou hast opened the gates of Heaven to thy erring people, and hast invited all penitent sinners to come to be pardoned, the sorrowful to be comforted, the hungry to be filled, and the thirsty to be refreshed with the waters of life. Admit me, O Lord, in thy mercy to a participation of all those benefits which our Saviour obtained for me by his death, and teach me to have a right understanding of this divine Institution, the Communion of his Blessed Body and Blood; that I may approach this awful mystery with due preparation, and a heart entirely disposed to love and obey thee in all things; so that being filled with the Bread of Heaven, and armed with the strength of the Spirit, I may continue, and finish my journey through this vale of tears with hope and consolation, unto my portion in that Heavenly Kingdom, whither our Saviour Christ is already entered for us. Grant this, O Eternal God! for His sake who died for us, who now intercedes for us, and by His Holy Spirit gives himself daily to us-Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.