And by all the discipline of thy providence, and the ordinances of religion, may we be increasingly prepared for the remaining duties of life, the solemnities of a dying hour, and the services and joys that are beyond the grave.

We implore it through the intercession of Him who has encouraged us to address Thee-as Our Father, &c.

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SUNDAY EVENING.

IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most High: to show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

We have this evening to acknowledge the blessings, not only of another day, but of another sabbath. We bless Thee that the sabbath was made for man, and that Thou hast hallowed such a portion of our time, for purposes the most important, but which, alas, we are prone to neglect. Thus Thou art affording us opportunities to retire and compare the objects which court our attention to learn, among all the cares of life, that one thing is needful; and to hear the inquiry, What is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Thus we have moments of abstraction and leisure, in which we can more fully investigate our character; examine our condition; and ask, for what purpose we entered this mortal stage, and what will become of us when its scenes close.

:

We thank Thee that the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, and that we have a goodly heritage; so that we can add to private meditation and devotion, the public ordinances of religion: and can sit under our own

vine and fig tree, none daring to make us afraid. We bless Thee, that we have not only the scriptures, but the ministry of the gospel; and have this day not only read, but heard the words of eternal life. We hope we have seen thy power and thy glory in the sanctuary, and have found the house of God, to be the gate of heaven.

But, O God, the effects we experience while waiting upon Thee, though delightful, are as often transitory, and prove like the morning cloud, and early dew. Before the lapse of a single day, we are compelled to complain, My soul cleaveth unto the dust; and to pray, quicken Thou me according to thy word. Render therefore the impressions made upon us, deep and durable : keep these things for ever in the imagination of the hearts of thy people; and let thy word dwell in us richly, in all wisdom.

May the instructions we receive, attend us in every part of our ordinary life, and regulate, and excite us in the discharge of all our relative duties, so that whether we are husbands or wives, parents or children, masters or servants, we may adorn the doctrine of God our Sav- . iour in all things. May we be satisfied with no knowledge, no belief, no professions, no feelings in religionwhile our hearts are void of thy love, and we are strangers to that grace which bringeth salvation, and teacheth us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.

We take shame to ourselves, not only for our open violations of thy law; but for our secret faults, our omissions of duty, our unprofitable attendance on the means of grace, our carnality in worshipping Thee, and all the sins of our holy things. Our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is gone up into the very heavens-and there He is gone also, who is our Advocate. with the Father, and the Propitiation for our sins. Be

hold his hands and his feet and hear, O hear the voice of the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Pity those who have this day been deprived of the public means of grace by sickness or infirmity. Let them know that Thou art not confined to temples made with hands be with them in trouble and give them their vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope.

And remember the millions who were never favoured with the advantages we enjoy, and would be grateful for the crumbs that fall from our table. But they never smiled when a sabbath appeared. They never heard of the name of Jesus. They feel guilt, but know nothing of the blood that cleanseth from all sin; they feel depravity, but know nothing of the renewing of the Holy Ghost. They are bleeding to death of their spiritual wounds, but no one proclaims among them, the balm of Gilead, and the physician there! O send out thy light and thy truth. Let thy way be known on earth; thy saving health among all nations.

We now commit ourselves, with all our connexions, into thy hands. Guard us through the defenceless hours of sleep, from every evil to which we are exposed. If, as life is always uncertain, it should please Thee to call us hence, this night—may we awake in glory, and be for ever with the Lord: or if Thou shouldst continue us in being-may we rise in health and comfort, to pay Thee the homage of a grateful heart, in a course of cheerful obedience.

In thy favor is life-Do Thou bless us and we shall be blessed-safe from every evil, and sure of every good.

And prepare us at length for the rest that remains for thy people; in which we shall join the general assembly and church of the first born, in ascribing-bless

ing and honour, and glory and power, to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and evAmen.

er.

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MONDAY MORNING.

O THOU, who hast characterized thyself as the hearer of prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come: and that we may come with acceptance and success, we come in the name of the great Intercessor, Jesus Christ, the righteous-And, Thou, Eternal Spirit of grace and supplication, do Thou make intercession for us, by making intercession in us, according to the will of God.

All they that are far from Thee shall perish; but it is good for us to draw near to Thee. We have found the duty our delight. Devotion has opened a resource, when all other comforts have failed: and in every perplexity, every alarm, every distress, a glorious high throne, from the beginning, has been the place of our sanctuary. We praise thy name, that ordinances have not been unprofitable observances to our souls; but channels, through which, the God of all grace has replenished us; and means by which we have enjoyed fellowship with the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ.

Bless the services in which we have been engaged the past day. Let a savour of divine things be left on our spirits; and be diffused in our conversation. And as the face of Moses, when he descended from communion with Thee, shone, so that the Israelites could not steadfastly behold him for the glory of his countenance; so may it be with us. Let those around us take knowledge of us, that we have been with Jesus; and may our profiting appear unto all men. May our light shine be

fore men. May we be manifestly the disciples of Christ. Instead of confounding our neighbours and friends to determine, whether we are settlers, or strangers, and pilgrims on the earth; may we declare plainly that we seek a country. May we put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. May we be followers of God, as dear children: may we be perfect, as our Father, who is in heaven, is perfect.

At present, it is a day of small things with us. We have only light enough-to see our darkness; sensibility enough to feel the hardness of our heart; spirituality enough—to mourn our want of heavenly mindedness. But we might have had more; we ought to have had more. We have never been straightened in Thee : Thou hast always placed before us an infinite fulness, accompanied with the command and the promise, Open thy mouth wide; I will fill it.

We confess and bewail, not only our deficiencies, but our backslidings also. It is not with us, as it was in months past: O, recall us to thyself; enable us to feel our first love, and to do our first works. Yea, may we forget the things that are behind, and reach forth unto those that are before. May we not only have life, but may we have it more abundantly; and not only be fruitful, but bear much fruit.

May our improvements correspond with our privileges and our practice with our knowledge. May our wills always bow to the decisions of our judgments; may we choose what we approve; and never condemn ourselves in the things that we allow.

May we never want the threatenings of thy law, and the terrors of hell, to keep us from every evil way.