CHAPTER III.

THE RELATIVE PROMINENCE AND CONNECTION OF PUBLIC PRAYER AND PREACHING.

It would seem much more consistent with truth and reason, to examine the direct, rather than the relative, prominence of Public Prayer and Preaching; and the connection they bear to each other, rather than to institute a comparison between two subjects, which though so essentially distinct in their nature and design, are yet so mutually dependant on each other for their profitable performance and due improve

ment.

For the more we profit by the ordinance of Prayer, the more benefit we shall derive from the ordinance of Preaching; and the more we profit by the latter, the better qualified we shall be to engage in and profit by the former. We cannot, therefore, slight the one without detracting from the benefit of the other; and the most exalted view we can possibly entertain of the importance of either, so far from diminishing the value of the other, will, scripturally understood, have directly the reverse effect.

Invidious comparisons, however, of late, have very frequently been instituted, as to the relative importance of Public Prayer and Preaching, with the evident design of depreciating the latter. In instituting this comparison, we frequently find it remarked, that many have attached little value to Prayer, while Preaching has been made the one grand object of attraction in going to the house of God.

Now, if this subject be attentively and impartially examined, it will almost invariably be found that where Prayer has been so slighted, it has not been from the high estimation in which Preaching was held, or the benefit sought to be derived from it; but that it has arisen from one or other of the following causes-Either that the Preacher, and not simply the ordinance of Preaching, was the object of attraction; and these subjects are most essentially distinct, and ought never to be confounded; for it is as a divinely appointed ordinance, that Preaching is invested with such supreme importance, or such indifference for Prayer may have arisen from want of spiritual concern; and is it not the object of Preaching to awaken that concern, and thus render such persons spiritual worshippers in God's temple?

Before we invite attention to the prominence that Prayer and Preaching occupy in the Word of God, we give the following clear and forcible description of their nature, design, and connection :

"As to the relative importance of the Preaching of the gospel, and the public worship of the house of God, taking into view the whole object, interest, and structure of the Church, it is impossible to make any comparison. You might as well compare the head and heart of man in reference to his life. The one is the great means for one set of objects; the other equally essential for another.

"The ministry of the word and the ministry of worship are parts of the same body, equally vital, but of different use. To represent the duty of Preaching and hearing God's message in his gospel, as if it were of subordinate importance, as regards the highest interests of the Church and of souls, is as erroneous as to assign the like place to the duty of maintaining and attending upon God's worship in the sanctuary. Carefully should both extremes be avoided. We are all as Christians, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ'-1 Pet. ii. 5—but the distinguishing and leading charge of the Head of that one and only Catholic priesthood, to the ministers of the same, is, 'Go preach the gospel;' go give light, that there may be love; go make disciples, that there may be worshippers; go and gather the living stones for the temple, and build them up together by the line and plummet of the word, upon one corner stone, 'elect and precious,' and erect

therein an altar of hearts renewed and sanctified 'through the truth,' then will follow the sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise unto God for the unsearchable riches of his grace as made known in his gospel. If the Church, in reference to her communion with God, is called a temple, because therein is the daily oblation of His people's praise and Prayer, so also in reference to her influence in enlightening the world, through the Preaching of the truth, is she represented as the golden candlestick, and her ministers as shining stars, held in the right hand, and made luminous from the face of the Lord, her sun and glory. Rev. i. 20."

It is evidently, therefore, much more desirable, and will appear on examination much more scriptural, to consider the direct importance and advantages of Prayer and Preaching, and the connection they bear to each other, rather than institute any invidious comparison as to their value and advantages. Scripture clearly points out this as the wiser and better way-Is the sanctuary called the house of Prayer, and thither are we invited to worship God? Isa. lvi. 7; Ps. xcv. 6. So we find it equally designed for the proclamation of Divine Truth, and thither we are invited to repair:-" And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us his ways,

and we will walk in His paths: for out of Sion shall

go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isa. ii. 3. And the commission to the Apostles was, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." Acts v. 20. Did Peter and John go up together to the temple at the hour of Prayer? Acts iii. 1. So "daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts v. 42. Do we find the Jews of old invited to confess their sins and worship God one-fourth part of the day? So we find one-fourth part also devoted to reading the book of law, and having the sense given. Neh. viii. 5, 8; ix. 3. How forcibly is this importance of Prayer and Preaching, and their connection, shewn in the following passages:-"We will give ourselves continually to Prayer, and the ministry of the word." Acts vi. 4. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake the word with boldness." Acts iv. 31. See also xiv. 23, 25. And when the angel in the Apocalypse is sent forth "to preach the everlasting gospel" to every creature, was it not that they might "worship God?" Rev. xiv. 6, 7.

So far we have seen the direct prominence given to Prayer and Preaching, viewed in their connection