THE acceptance which it has pleased God to give to the "Scripture Help," and the testimonies which the writer has received of benefit derived from that work, have induced him to endeavor to call the attention of Christians, and particularly the young, (for whom he wishes to be considered as especially writing) to another most important means of grace.

It seemed also peculiarly needful to press the duty of prayer now; for it appears to the writer to be one of the dangers of the present reviving state of the Church, that men gain knowledge without corresponding feelings; they are tempted to make a profession of religion, and talk about it, while, it is to be feared, the more retired and all-important duties of devout prayer, meditation, self-examination, and reading the Scriptures, are neglected. there

He has felt a personal advantage in his former Treatise, from its imposing on him an additional obligation to the study of the Word of God. He hopes for a similar benefit in the present publication.

His various public engagements have indeed left him little leisure for a work of such importance; but it appeared to him better to do good, even though it be done in an imperfect manner, than not to do it at all.

In a treatise on that which has so often engaged the attention of Christian writers, new sentiments can neither be desired nor expected. The direction-" ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls," is well applicable here. The writer willingly availed himself of the ideas suggested by any former author.

He would, however, observe, that it is not the knowledge of the duty, but the grace of prayer which is the great

thing that we should dosing to attain He has often had

casion, in the course of his writing this book, to feel that s much easier to know how to pray, than really to pray. e grace of prayer is a divine gift of far more importance in the mere knowledge of all parts of this duty, or the ility to perform it before man.

If some are disposed to think, that he has in any instance the standard of devotion too high, he would say, that he s endeavored to follow the Scriptures; and though he Is that this necessarily often condemns both himself and ristians in general, it appeared his duty not to lower the ndard on that account, but rather to explain it, and press the more, that the perfection of the rule might lead himf and his readers more simply to the Savior for pardon, ace, and strength. Some may, indeed, on the other hand, nk, that by not setting the standard high enough, he has en proved his own want of devotional feeling. He is ady here to submit to those of more experience in the ristian life.

It would have been easy to have enlarged many parts; t the object was to bring forward only the most obvious d useful observations that occurred.

Though prayer is that duty which especially declares e guilt and weakness of man, and the grace and power God; yet there is danger in pressing any positive duty, d particularly that of prayer, lest we should in any easure foster and encourage that self-righteousness which so natural to the human mind. The writer has endeaved to guard against this evil. Without prayer, indeed, man possesses spiritual life; yet we are not saved by our yers; the ability to pray is rather a part of that salvan which Jesus Christ has obtained for us.

It may be thought by some, that parts of this work are le more than a collection or bringing together of texts Scripture. This will not, it is presumed, be an objection the majority of his readers; and it may be said, if it need

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