OR, Reverence for the Saurtuary, SHOWN BY ATTENDANCE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF DIVINE WORSHIP. BY THE REV. HENRY GILL, HAVERHILL. "Praise WAITETH for thee, O God, in Sion; and unto thee shall the vow LONDON: JUDD & GLASS, NEW BRIDGE STREET, AND GRAY'S INN ROAD. 1858. 141. c.148. PREFACE. THE noblest shrine reared for the eternal Jehovah is unworthy of him, unless frequented by devout worshippers. Living stones alone compose the true spiritual temple, and the united prayers of fervent hearts are the "golden vials full of odours" (Rev. v. 8) whose fragrance reaches the skies. Any attempt, therefore, to enforce the sanctity of the house of God, or to render its solemnities more worthy and becoming, must enlist the sympathies of the entire church of Christ. To promote this end the following pages are written; and, with deepest reverence of soul, are dedicated to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the one God of our salvation, to whom be glory in the church for ever and ever. Amen. Early at the Cemple. CHAPTER I. THE HOLY PLACE. "O! dear to me the winged hour, Spent in thy hallowed court; O Lord, And catch the manna of thy word." THE sanctuary! What tender, and solemn associations cluster around it! Of all spots, on this side heaven, it is, to the Christian, the most sacred. Whether viewing it in the light of its duties, or its privileges, adopting the language of the patriarch, he exclaims, "How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." (Gen. xxviii. 17.) Amazing is the condescension of Jehovah that he will in very deed dwell with men upon the earth. When we think of his infinitely glorious nature— B |