scope for those impromptu utterances which the heart or the occasion may suggest. 4. THE MANNER.--This is not less important than in preaching, and should be carefully considered, for the danger of false habits here is even greater than in the sermon, because in prayer the mind is less disposed to be self-critical. And here: (1.) As to the posture of the body. The Scriptures sanction both standing and kneeling. It should be an attitude of reverence. Ordinarily there should be no gesticulation. The eyes should be closed, the countenance natural and serious. The speaker should remember that all eyes before him are not closed, and any distortion or mal-expression of his countenance, however innocent on his part, is sure to be observed and provoke thought and comment. (2.) The language should be simple, devout, and scriptural. All rhetorical flourishes and attempts at eloquence; all terms of endearment and familiarity with God; all accumulation of the Divine names in one expression, or use of frequent interjections, as oh! ah! etc.; and all vulgarisms and oddities of expression, are to be carefully avoided; they destroy the spirit of worship. The vulgar and thoughtless may applaud, but the judicious and prayerful will be grieved; and all such characteristics in prayer weaken the moral power of a minister and lessen his usefulness. Reverence, naturalness, simplicity, are essential in public devotion. (3.) The tone of voice should be the natural expression of supplication. The faults especially to be avoided here are such as these: a boisterous tone, which, while it adds no force to the petition, wearies both minister and hearer; an arrogant, commanding tone, which is suggestive of irreverence; and a whining, complaining tone. These false tones often originate in an unnatural position of the head, which is thrown back, with face turned upward; or forward, with face down, and the organs of the voice thus injured. Throat disease among ministers is due very largely to the unnatural use of the vocal organs in prayer. Great care should be exercised that the position of the head and the tone of the voice be perfectly natural.