Q. Will you state the considerations which seem to you so peculiarly adapted to produce this effect?

A. These considerations are, to my apprehension, the two following:

First, That the performance of this service has been expressly enjoined by our Redeemer, as a proof of our affectionate remembrance of his love for us, and of his dying sorrows. Now there are many men who would shudder at the thought, not only of denying their Lord, or doubting his claims, but of being considered insensible to the value of the benefits he has procured for us, who yet live in a constant neglect of this his dying injunction,—which, too, he imposed as a test of our affection for his character.

In the second place, it seems very unaccountable that a service consecrated to the remembrance of such unspeakably great benefits, which all men feel themselves to need, and which the Gospel has so graciously promised, should be treated by many men, who yet profess no disregard of those benefits, with such profane neglect.

Q. What are the benefits to which you allude? A. Peace with God,-forgiveness of sin,-adop

tion into his regenerated family,-the sanctification of our nature,-and eternal life with the Redeemer in heaven. Who should not be glad when it is proposed to him to celebrate a feast in honour of divine mercy, and of the promise of eternal life? Who should not feel his heart burn within him, when he is invited to profess his gratitude to that Saviour by whose instrumentality these blessings have been procured for the human race? Yet these are the considerations which those who neglect this service set at nought.

PREPARATION FOR THE SERVICE.

Q. What is the kind of preparation that seems to you most suitable for the due performance of this service?

A. The season preceding the partaking of this ordinance ought, it seems to me, to be a season of solemn retreat from the business of life, in so far as such retreat can be obtained without the neglect of any social or relative duty.

Q. Why do you think such occasional retreat useful?

A. Because the service to be performed is a very solemn one,-and ought, therefore, to be performed with that collectedness of all our thoughts which, in all other cases, men consider to be becoming and useful, when any duty of preeminent importance is about to be performed by them.

Q. What other preparation seems to you useful and necessary for the due performance of this service ?

A. Careful reading of the sacred scriptures, especially of those passages, either in the Prophets or the Evangelists, which relate to "the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow them.”

Q. Is there any other kind of preparation which seems to you of great moment for the due performance of this ceremony?

A. Yes; earnest and continued prayer for divine assistance and direction.

Q. What other kind of preparation seems to you necessary ?

A. Impartial self-examination,—a duty which is enjoined both by the nature of the service to be performed, and by the express recommendation of an Apostle,-" for," says St Paul, "let a man

examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread

and drink of that cup.' 1 Cor. xi. 28.

Q. What are the subjects respecting which this self-examination should especially be made?

A. Whether I have a just and satisfactory conception of the meaning of the service;—whether I am satisfied respecting the divine mission, and important work of him who appointed it ;-whether I have a becoming sense of my own sins, and consequent need of that mercy which this service commemorates;-whether I am in charity with all men ;—and whether I am determined to do more correctly the will of God during my future life.

Q. How are these subjects of self-examination enumerated in our Church Catechism, and other elementary works?

A. Under the terms-knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and new obedience.

BENEFITS TO BE EXPECTED FROM THE SERVICE.

Q. What good consequences do you consider yourself entitled to expect from the conscientious performance of this service?

A. Not certainly any extravagant state of my devotional feelings, but blessings of a far more substantial and satisfying kind.

Q. Will you enumerate these?

A. The satisfaction of having done a duty of great importance, and the serenity of mind which this consciousness always inspires;—more affecting views of the character and work of my Redeemer ; -a more gratifying sense of my personal interest in his love; more enlarged conceptions of the grand order of the divine economy ;—greater love to the whole human race;-a juster sense of the evil of sin ;-a more abiding purpose of entire devotion to the service of my Creator and Redeemer ; -and a hope more settled of being with Christ in his heavenly kingdom.

Q. Will the mere conscientious performance of this service secure these benefits?

A. No; I must, in order to secure them, be careful to follow out, in my whole subsequent conduct, the solemn vows which this service imposes; -by making the example of Christ, in action and in suffering, the model of my whole style of conduct. Thus, being crucified with him in my sinful affections, I may entertain an assured hope of "also