As to the frequency of social prayer meetings, no definite rules can be given. In general, it is desirable to meet as often at least as once a week. But the frequency must be determined by the circumstances of those who attend-by their nearness to each other, their domestic duties and relations, their secular engagements, their other opportunities for religious improvement, and by the state of religion in the society where they belong. Sometimes such meetings may properly be held three or four times a week, but I cannot deem it proper to neglect any domestic or other known duty, for the sake of attending so frequently. In this, as well as in other cases, wisdom must direct, and "happy is he who condemneth not himself in the thing which he alloweth."

Permit me also to suggest a few cautions in regard to social prayer meetings. One is, guard against formality. A meeting commenced for a particular object may for a while interest you; but the danger is, that after a while your prayers will be languid and formal-that the life and spirit will be gone, while the bare form remains. Better in such a case to vary in some measure the object of your meeting; create a new interest, and stir up each other's minds by new motives. In this connection I may also remark, that it is well, for the sake of variety and interest, to introduce free religious conversation and singing between the prayers which are offered.

Be cautious, also, lest you measure your religion and that of others by social prayers. If you conclude you are a sincere and growing Christian, merely because you are a frequent attendant on social prayer --and especially if you judge others harshly, who are less engaged in this exercise than yourself, you have much reason to suspect your heart of pride and self-righteousness. Remember that the Pharisees prayed "to be seen of men." Examine into your private devotions. Do you love your closet, as well as the social prayer meeting? Are you as careful to live holy in the world as you are to be present at the house of prayer?

Be cautious, also, lest you undervalue the public worship of God, in which you do not take an active part. In nothing is spiritual pride more manifest than in a disposition to magnify our own gifts, and disparage those of others. There are not wanting instances in which persons who have successfully exercised their gifts in social meetings, have acquired such conceited notions of their abilities, that they have absented themselves from the public worship of God, and set up for spiritual guides. If you ever find the thought intruding into your heart, that you can make a social prayer meeting so interesting and profitable as to justify your absence from the public worship of God on the Sabbath; if you are disposed to judge ministers harshly; and if you take more pains to be present at a meeting where you expect to lead, than to be at the sanctuary, where you will only be a hearer, you may be certain that your heart is lifted up with spiritual pride; that Satan has taken the advantage of you, and that your social prayers have become a snare to you. Oh! the pride and deceitfulness of the human heart, I would now suggest various inducements to engage you in social

prayer. And in doing this, I would endeavor to set before you some of the advantages of it. Consider the gracious promise contained in the text. "If two of you shall agree on earth, touching any thing," that is a suitable subject of prayer, "it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven." "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." How delightful the thought, that Jesus, as an omnipresent Savior, meets with his praying people where they assemble, in places however remote or obscure. He regards not only the multitude of worshippers assembled in his name on the Sabbath; not only those who meet on great and splendid occasions to celebrate the triumphs of his truth, and the progress of his kingdom-but even two or three met together in a retired room! And oh! how animating the consideration, that at one and the same moment, the cheering presence of Jesus may be felt by the praying companies of his people, however numerous they are, and however retired and unknown to each other. He is present with the little circle that meets in his name in the centre of a city, or a village, or in the thinly inhabited parts of a town. If they feel themselves feeble in gifts, and unworthy to pray-still he is with them. If they are despised by the ungodly, and for their safety are obliged to seek retirement, still they are honored by the presence of him who is King of kings-and whose glory fills the heaven of heavens! Yes,

"Low in the social band he bows

His still attentive ear,

And while his angels sing around,
Delights their voice to hear.".

Consider also the fulness of the promise: "If two of you are agreed touching any thing, it shall be done." I regard this promise as ensuring efficacy to social prayer, offered in a right manner, for things agreeable to God's will. Not that the blessings craved will always be granted in the way or at the time we may desire: but such united prayer will be heard in heaven, and will be the means of bringing down on the souls of the suppliants, and upon others, the most precious blessings. I agree so entirely with President Edwards on this point, that I cannot forbear quoting his words :- "There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God, and advance the kingdom of Christ, as by prayer. Let persons be never so weak, and never so mean, and under never so poor advantages to do much for Christ and the souls of men otherwise, yet if they have much of the spirit of grace and supplication, in this way they may have power with him that is infinite in power, and has the government of the word. Though they may be private persons, their prayers are put up in the name of a Mediator, that is a public Person, being the Head of the whole church, and the Lord of the universe: and if they have a just sense of the importance of eternal things, and concern for the precious souls of men, yet they need not regret that they are not preachers; they may go in their earnestness and agonies of soul, and pour out their soul before One that is able to do all things."

Moreover, social prayer has a most happy influence upon the persons engaged in it. It makes them acquainted with each other's religious exercises, opens their hearts to each other's view, produces a strong mutual affection, gives encouragement and boldness in the cause of Christ, prompts to holy zeal and activity, that the objects prayed for may be accomplished; and gives vigorous growth to the affections which are called into exercise by the prayers which are offered for various objects. On these points, I may appeal to experience. Tell me, ye who maintain social prayer, who of all the professed followers of Christ are most dear to your hearts? with whose religious character are you best acquainted?—with whom do you take sweetest counsel ?-and of whom, in the fulness of your heart, can each of you most truly say, "I love them in the Lord ?" Are they not the very ones whom you are accustomed to meet, not only in the sanctuary and at the communion-table, but also in the room for social prayer? Are they not those with whom you have often bowed at the throne of Grace, and whose supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings have ascended with yours to heaven? Have you not frequently, after having spent an hour in this delightful employment, felt your hearts knit together in love? Have you not lingered, as if reluctant to depart from the consecrated spot, lest you should lose the sweet experience of inward joy? Has not your language, at such seasons, often been,

"When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;

But we shall still be joined in heart,

And hope to meet again."

The lamented missionary Parsons, once speaking of his enjoyment in social prayer, said, "We assembled for prayer, and the Lord was in the midst of us; a smile sat upon the face of the saints: this appeared like the gate to heaven." President Edwards, after having parted with Christian friends with whom he had often conversed and prayed, thus expressed his feelings: "My support was in contemplation of the heavenly state--where is the enjoyment of the persons loved, without ever parting: where those persons who appear so lovely in this world will really be inexpressibly more lovely, and full of love to us. And how sweetly will they who mutually love each other join together in singing the praises of God and the Lamb!"

Further, to see the advantages of social prayer, look at facts which evince that God graciously answers it, and makes it the means of promoting his cause in the world. The united prayers of the primitive disciples, assembled in an upper room at Jerusalem, and afterward on the day of Pentecost, were answered in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the conversion of three thousand souls! In answer to the prayer of the company with whom Peter and John met, "the place was shaken where they assembled, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake the word of God with boldness." In answer to the social prayers of the church, an angel released Peter from prison. Generally, times of uncommon prosperity to the church have been times of fervent and importunate social as well as secret and public

prayer. Richard Baxter, in accounting for the extraordinary success which attended his preaching at Kidderminster, says, "One advantage which I had was the zeal and diligence of the godly people of the place. They thirsted after the salvation of their neighbors, and were in private my assistants. Some of them were so able in prayer that very few ministers did equal them in order, and fulness, and apt expression, and holy oratory. Abundance of them were able to pray very laudably with their families and others. Once a week, the younger sort, who were not suitable persons to pray in a public assembly, met among a few, more privately, where they spent three hours in prayer together. Every Saturday night, they met at some of their houses, to pray and prepare themselves for the following day." President Edwards, in his account of the great revival in New-England, about the year 1740, says, "The inhabitants of many of our towns are now divided into particular praying societies; most of the people, old and young, have voluntarily associated themselves in distinct companies, for mutual assistance in social worship, in private houses." Mr. Prince, in his account of the revival in Boston in 1741, says, "Private societies for religious exercises, both of younger and elder persons, both of males and females by themselves, in several parts of the town, now increased to a much greater number than ever." The late Dr. Payson, of Portland, whose preaching was signally blessed during his whole ministry, depended very much for success on the blessing of God in answer to his own and the united prayers of his church. The church was divided into seven districts, and the members of each district met for prayer and conversation once a month; besides a weekly conference and a weekly prayer meeting. At one time, in prospect of a revival, he said, "The church seem to feel in some measure as I could wish. Strong confidence in God, mingled with a deep sense of ill desert, and submission to his will, is displayed by them. They have a prayer meeting every evening." In the published account of the prosperous state of religion in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1826, it is said—“Prayer meetings have been numerous and frequent in most of the churches. In these little circles, Christians have enjoyed the presence of God, and have had great freedom and boldness in approaching the throne of Grace. Never have our churches generally appeared to entertain so delightful and exalted ideas of God as the hearer of prayer."

You have importunate In the most

But why should I multiply examples? It is within your own observation and experience that prayer has power with God. seen, and can testify, that when you have been united and in your supplications, the blessing has not been withheld. favored seasons of special divine influences, which we have enjoyed as a church, during six years past, there has been more prayer, secret and social, than at other times. When you have cried unto the Lord, he has hearkened and heard. When two, three, or more of you have been agreed together, touching the revival of God's work-the increase of sanctification in your own souls, and the conversion of sinners-when you have pleaded for these things at the throne of Grace--even while speaking, the Lord has heard, and an answer been granted.

In conclusion, let me propose two distinct objects for social prayer. The first is a revival of religion among ourselves. The suspension of divine influence indicates the displeasure. of God against his professing people; it is an alarming proof, that we have gone away backward from duty, and that our sins have caused him to hide his face from us! And now, if we would obtain his blessing, as in years which are past, we must, with deep repentance and humility, return and pour out our hearts in supplication before him. In this thing, then, be agreed. Consider, that without the special influence of the Spirit of God, the church can never increase in holiness; no sinners will be awakened and converted; angels will have no occasion to rejoice over scenes which they shall here witness; and heaven will receive no additions from among us, to the number of its blessed inhabitants. Behold the multitudes that seem crowding "the broad road to destruction," insensible of their guilt, and thoughtless of their danger! They draw near to death and hell! Soon they will be past hope--the day of mercy ended--their doom pronounced, and their eternal wail begun! Let the sight of your eye affect your hearts. Together lift up the voice of prayer. "O Lord, revive thy work; in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy!" Let praying companies be formed in every section of the town, to plead with God for an immediate revival of his work. "Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the midst of us!"

The other object of prayer which I would urge is, the conversion of the world. One of the most auspicious "signs of the times" is, that even now, Christians in every part of the world are generally agreed touching this vast and glorious object. The observance of the Monthly Concert of prayer, by Christians in Asia, Europe, and America, and in the Islands of the sea, is at once a confirmation of prophecy and a sure harbinger of the Millennium. How glorious the sight, as the sun in his diurnal march looks down upon our fallen world, and beholds, here and there, in every land, throughout his mighty circuit, companies of believers, lifting up their hearts to God in the prayer, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven!" These prayers mingle as they ascend, and come up before the throne of infinite mercy as one great cloud of incense; and in return the skies pour down righteousness; the earth opens and brings forth salvation." Brethren, let your prayers, at the monthly concert especially, go up to heaven, with the prayers of God's people in all parts of the world! Were all, that in every place call upon the name of the Lord, united in this one object--an object that embraces the salvation of a world, and the infinite glory of the Redeemer-soon the work which Christian benevolence is laboring to accomplish would be done! Such united, universal prayer would move, with a thousand fold rapidity, the moral machinery that is now in motion, and would ensure general and extensive revivals of religion in quick succession; until great voices should be heard in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever"