absence of which would go far to show, whether the master of that house, and those around him, were really serving God or not. If it were inquired throughout the land, or if, limiting the supposition to our own parish, it were asked in every house, Is family prayer maintained _under this roof_? {18a} Is the Sabbath observed by the master, by the servants, by the children, as “_a delight_, _the holy of the Lord_, _honourable_?” {18b} all work suspended which may be left undone, and every pursuit given up which is inconsistent with the real spirit of the day, as one of holy rest? Would the general answers to these questions be such as we could really ponder over with any comfort? Or again, if it were asked, How many Bibles _in this house_ are diligently searched? How many of its inmates are not only permitted, but encouraged and invited, and if need be, urged to attend upon the public worship of God? Is there a servants’ library _in this house_, to which every one of them may have recourse for some edifying or self-improving reading during the leisure intervals of their service? {19a} How many communicants are there _in this family_ among those who have reached the proper age of full communion with the Church, and with her living Head? How many of the children are really reared in the spirit of their baptismal vows, “_virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life_?” {19b} Are not these subjects of inquiry on which there would be too great cause for self-reproach to many among us; the reproach resting upon those who had all the means afforded them for their spiritual sustenance and growth, but have carelessly neglected to improve them? My brethren, I commend these remarks in all faithfulness and affection to your private meditations and your prayers. And may your own consciences, enlightened by the Spirit of God, guide you to some profitable application of them! May it be given to each of us to feel this day, that we are supplying a return of so many beings, not merely connected with us by the ties and duties of an earthly relation, or a short-lived existence here; but of those who are travelling on quickly with ourselves to an eternity of bliss or woe; precious, never-dying souls; the objects equally with us of the Saviour’s love, the Spirit’s teaching, and the Father’s care; called equally with us to be members of Christ, children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. What “_I say unto you I would say unto all_, _Watch_! _for ye know not when the Master of the house will come_” to reckon with us, whether at the close, or the middle, or the opening of this new decade on which we are now entering.