PRAYERS

August 4.

1824-

FOR THE

USE OF FAMILIES;

OR, THE

DOMESTIC

MINISTER'S ASSISTANT.
BY WILLIAM JAY,

Author of Sermons, Discourses, &c. &c.

The principal part of family religion is prayer, every morning and evening,
and reading some portion of Scripture; and this is so recessary to keep
alive a sense of God and religion in the minds of men-that where it is
neglected, I do not see, how any family can, in reason, be esteemed a family
of Christians, or, indeed, have any religion at all....................Archbishop Tillotson.

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY HENRY WHIPPLE; SOLD ALSO BY

C. WHIPPLE, NEWBURYPORT.

1822.

AGR251902 (986)

District of Massachusetts, to wit.

DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE.

BE it remembered, that on the thirteenth day of November A. D. 1820, and in the forty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America, HENRY WHIPPLE, of the said district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor in the words following, to wit:

"Prayers for the Use of Families; or, the Domestic Minister's Assistant. By WILLIAM JAY, Author of Sermons, Discourses, &c. &c. The principal part of family religion is prayer, every morning and evening, and reading some por tion of Scripture; and this is so necessary to keep alive a sense of God and reli. gion in the minds of men that where it is neglected, I do not see how any family can, in reason, be esteemed a family of Christians, or, indeed, have any religion at all. Archbishop Tillotson. From the Second English Editiou With an Appendix, containing a number of Select and original Prayers, for Particular Occasions."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an act entitled, "An act supplementary to an act, entitled. An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical, and other prints."

JNO. W. DAVIS, Massachusetts.
Clerk of the District

PREFACE.

IF, in the title of this volume, the Author has used the word "Minister," in rather an unusual latitude; its adjective will serve to explain, and restrict it. The "Domestic" minister, intends, not the pastor, or preacher; not the servant of the Most High God, who officially shows unto men the way of salvation-but he, who adopts the resolution of Joshua-As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The preservation and spread of religion should not depend, exclusively, on a particular order of men, however important their function may be. All christians, in their respective stations, ought to co-operate with those, who are, by designation, workers together with God.

It ought to be a matter of thankfulness, that the number of ministers properly so called, who enter into the spirit of their office, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus; is exceedingly increased. But compared with the field, and the vastness of the work, the labourers are yet few. And few they would be found, if multiplied a thousand fold; and we should still need, the prop erty, the talents, the influence, the example, the exertions, the prayers, of all the subjects of divine grace.

And can their services be dispensed with-now?

-God is not the God of confusion, but of peace and He has said, Let every thing be done decently, and in order. It is his providence that determines the bounds of our habitation, and furnishes the several stations we occupy: and into these we are to look for our duties and opportunities. Men are often led out of their own proper sphere of action, in order to be useful: but it is ignorance, if not discontent, and pride, that tempts them astray.