On READING and PRAYER. 
159 
Our public prayers, I apprehend, are a little too long : if the 
prieft is apt to be lazy or inattentive, or has unhappily fo bad an 
ear, that one cannot tell if he reads, or lings, let him have fome 
other honorable employment, but not attempt to be the leader 
of prayers. Let us enjoy all the advantages which can be de- 
ftred, we fhall often be cold and liftlefs ; this, among many 
others, is one inftance of human frailty. 
The polite world is certainly more negligent than thofe who 
have fewer advantages. Was the evening fervice of the fab- 
bath, for inftance, appointed only for domeftics and mecha- 
nics ? Among the lower clafies of the people, we hear of fome 
going to the gallows for breaking the fabbath ; that is, not go- 
ing to church, and performing the duty of prayer. And among 
the higher, thofe who attend the worfhip of god, only in the 
morning, feem to perform only half their duty ; and according 
to the common courfe of things, muft be the worfe chriftians 
for fuch omiftion, and will be accountable for it hereafter. It 
is obvious to common fenfe, that this neglecft took its rife from 
a want of piety, and is fupported by indolence and luxurious 
indulgences. 
Inftead of contenting ourfelves with a mere indolent ina&ive 
belief of a god, and of our dependance on his providence, we 
ought to make ufe of all opportunities to demonftrate the im- 
preftlon this belief makes upon us by every proper adt of devo- 
tion. There are certain times that call for our acknowledg- 
ments in fo high a degree, that when we withhold them, we 
deny, 
