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 neces-
sary 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.

PHILADELPHIA.

URIAH HUNT, 19 NORTH THIRD STREET.

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 functions 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 vastress 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 property, the talents, the influence, the example, the exertions, and 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.

As the stream of a river is most lovely and beneficial, when it patiently steals along its own channel, though it makes not so much noise, and excites not so much notice, as when it breaks over its banks, and roars and rolls as a flood; so good men are most acceptable, and useful in their appointed course. Wisdom will estimate every man, by what he is, not out of his place and calling, but in them. There we naturally look after him; there we unavoidably compare him with his obligations; there we see him habitually-and there he gains a character, or goes without one. It is to be feared, that some, even of the stricter professors of religion, have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. It blazes at a distance; but it burns dim at home.