thou defend them as with a shield. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God; Be honour and glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever, and ever. Amen. If a portion of Scripture is to be read, let it be preceded by the following Sentences, said alternately as before. THE heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech; night unto night showeth knowledge. The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes. The word of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever; the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine LET us pray to God. Let us pray that we may live in his fear, and in love and charity with our neighbours; that his holy Spirit may direct and rule our hearts, teaching us what to do and what to avoid; that his grace may ever be with us, to support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; that the Lord may bless all our honest endeavours, and make us content with what his providence shall order for us; and that we may continue his faithful servants this day, and all the days of our life. Answer. Let our prayers and meditations be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. Reader. Let us pray. Then shall the Person who conducts the Service, read either of the following Prayers, or make a Prayer extempore. O MOST gracious and merciful God, by whom the world is governed and preserved, we give thee humble thanks for thy fatherly care over us, in bringing us to the light of another day. We gratefully acknowledge our dependence upon thee for all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of our life; for all the means of our well-being here, and of our everlasting happiness hereafter. We give thee thanks for the light of thy Gospel, and the help of thy grace, and the support of thy promises, and all the blessings which thou hast vouchsafed unto us in thy Son Jesus Christ. May we ever walk as in thy sight; and, fearing to offend thee, may we keep ourselves from all sin. Enable us to resist and overcome temptation; to follow the motions of thy good Spirit; to be true and just in our dealings; watchful over our thoughts, words and actions; diligent in our business, and temperate in all things. May thy blessing be upon our persons, our labours, our substance; upon all that belongs to us, and all who are dear to us. Give us, gracious God, what is needful for us, and give us grace not to abuse thy favours. Give us, we beseech thee, contentment for ourselves, and benevolence for others. Give us, in this world, the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen. Or this. ALMIGHTY and eternal God, we the work of thy hands, and the subjects of thy government, sensible of thy goodness to us hitherto, prostrate ourselves before thee to implore thy mercy and protection for the time to come. We confess, O God, our ingratitude to thee, to whom we owe all that we have in this world, and all that we hope in the next. We ask thy pardon for our sins, and thy grace and powerful assistance, that we may not for the time to come hazard thy favour by our transgressions. May the same good all schools and seminaries of learning, and all instructers of youth. Preserve all who travel by sea and by land. Protect all orphans and widows, and all who suffer wrong. Give health and strength to the sick and weak, and joy and comfort to the sorrowful and afflicted. We commend ourselves, and all belonging to us, to thee, our merciful Creator. Hear us also in behalf of our friends, our relations, our benefactors, and all who desire our prayers. We humbly ask for them the mercies which suit their several conditions and needs. We implore for them thy favour, thy peace, and life eternal. Providence that has watched over us for our good the past night, by preserving us from dangers, by refreshing us with sleep, by awaking us this morning with souls sensible of these blessings, may the same gracious God guard us this day from all evil and mischief, from all assaults of our spiritual enemies, from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word and commandment. And seeing all men's labours are in vain without thy blessing, we beseech thee to bless every one of us in our several places and callings. Prosper thou the works of our hands upon us, and give us grace thankfully to accept, and soberly to use, whatever we shall this day receive from thee; that we, owning thee for our benefactor, and using thy benefits according to thy pleasure, may continue to be the partakers of thy blessings. Bless us at home and abroad. Bless the country in which we live, and its rulers and governors. Bless the church universal of thy Son, and all the ministers of the holy Gospel. Bless preceded by the following Sentences, said alternately as before. THY word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. When thy word goeth forth, it giveth light and understanding unto the simple. Our eyes anticipate the night watches, that we might be occupied in thy words. Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servants, and teach us thy statutes. Here the portion of Scripture is to be read. Then shall the Person who conducts the Service say; The Lord be with you; Answer. And with thy spirit. Reader. Let us pray. Then shall he read either of the following Prayers, or make a Prayer extempore. thy bounty; for all the known, and all the unobserved favours, deliverances, visitations, and graces of thy holy Spirit, we bless thy good providence; beseeching thee still to continue thy fatherly care over us, for we are weak and ignorant, and need thy constant protection and guidance. God be merciful unto us, who have broken his laws, abused his patience, wasted his time, sinned against his light, and resisted his good Spirit. Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be able to see the evil and danger of sin, and shun the snares of temptation, and walk with safety in the paths of pleasantness and peace. Forgive whatever we have done or thought amiss during the past day; and give us grace that we may render ourselves more worthy of thy favour for the time to come. Let us be excited to serve thee, our heavenly Master, with fidelity, and finish our work with diligence, before that night overtakes us, wherein no man can work. O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, for all the blessings which we every day receive from |