e against the trouble is
faith, exercised in prayer and watching, with a full recollection of the
urgent importance of the matter. For indeed it _is_ all-important that
the servant of God should be "given wholly to" his work, at the reading
desk, at the lectern, at the Table, at the Font.

PRAY THE PRAYERS.

It is easy to say, as it is often said, that we "must not preach the
prayers," must not obtrude our personality in leading the devotions of
the congregation; that our part is to be regular and audible, and
otherwise to "efface ourselves." Most certainly we ought not to _preach_
the prayers, in public any more than in private. But then, we ought to
_pray_ them. Most certainly we ought not to obtrude our personality upon
the thought of the worshippers. But then, we ought to serve them with
our personality, and we can best do this, surely, by a spirit and a
manner which is unmistakably that of the fellow-worshipper, who feels
_himself_ to be in the presence of the King, and knows that the
petitions and the promises are for him at least a holy reality. I am
perfectly well aware that it is not _easy_ to steer between a more or
less mechanical manner and a demonstrative one, and that perhaps of two
evils the former is the less. But I am sure it is _possible_ to steer
the right line, by using sanctified common-sense, and asking for a
little candid counsel from those who hear us, and above all by being
what we seek to seem--true worshippers, spiritually awake and humbly
reverent.

As long as man is man, so long will the law of sympathy hold good. And
by that law it is certain that the way to promote, so far as we can, a
spirit and tone of true worship in our people is to possess--and to
show--that spirit ourselves, as we lead, and also join, their worship.
Never declaim the prayers, but always pray them, from the soul and with
the voice.

"GIVE ATTENDANCE TO THE READING" OF THE LESSONS.

ii. I spoke just now of what we should do at the lectern. Let me
earnestly press upon my Brethren the great duty of rightly reading the
Lessons. Do you want to carry out the will and purpose of the Church of
England? As we have seen, that purpose is above everything to glorify
the Word of God. See then that the Lesson, as read by you, is as
audible, as intelligible, as impressive as you can make it. Take care
beforehand that you understand its points, its arguments, its emphasis.
Take counsel with yourself, and perhaps with others, ab