CONTAINING REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS FOR DOMESTIC DEVOTION. BY OTIS A. SKINNER. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY A. TOMPKINS & B. B. MUSSEY. 1843. 245 •$5 CCP./ Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1843, BY ABEL TOMPKINS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE A. CURTIS, N. ENGLAND TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, BOSTON. PREFACE. THE value of a Prayer Book, as an aid in the devotional exercises of a family, has long been acknowledged by Christians of all sects. But few persons are capable of leading daily in religious exercises, without falling into a sameness which is tiresome, and calculated to destroy that interest necessary to make such exercises useful. Many neglect family prayer, on this account. Others are wanting in the gift of prayer, and are actually incompetent to perform the service in a manner calculated to benefit the heart, or give efficacy to religion. And others are wanting in confidence, and dare not attempt the performance of a duty which they feel binding upon them, and the neglect of which is a cause of painful reflections. A Prayer Book obviates all these difficulties. It also aids those who feel competent to lead daily in extemporaneous family prayer. It gives a variety of topics, forms and expressions, which will greatly enrich their prayers, and be an effectual guard against sameness. Prompted by a consideration of these advantages, and feeling deeply anxious that an altar to the Lord should be erected in every family belonging to our Israel, I have been induced to prepare this work, which I trust will be found, in all respects, suited to the wants of Christian families. I know there are many excellent books designed for domestic worship; but it has appeared to the subscriber, that the prayers in all he has seen, except Rev. A. Fletcher's "Guide to Devotion," are much too long. Were not that excellent work so expensive as to pre |