truth from their earliest years.

We thank thee, that while many of our fellow-creatures are sitting in darkness, we have been called to behold a great light; and that while many around us are suffering from the neglect of those who ought to have led their feet into the way of peace, we have enjoyed the benefit of early instruction, and from the time we began to think, have been surrounded by inducements to flee from the wrath to come, and yield ourselves unto God as redeemed by the blood of his Son.

May a sense of thy goodness, O Lord, prompt us to a due improvement of our mercies and privileges. As thou hast distinguished us by outward advantages above many of our fellow-men, grant us also the heart to feel thy goodness, and the disposition thankfully and suitably to improve thy benefits. Having been exalted to heaven by external privileges, let us not be cast down to hell by our neglect or abuse of them. Forbid that we should misapprehend the design for which thy mercies have been bestowed let us not rest in them as if the enjoyment of them were sufficient for our salvation: let us not deceive and destroy our own souls, by regarding them as pledges of thy favour independently of the use and improvement we make of them. O help us to remember, that to whom much is given, of them the more shall be required; may we feel that our responsibility is increased by every fresh token of thy kindness; and under a growing sense of obligation to divine liberality, may we walk as the children of so many mercies.

And for this purpose, we beseech thee, gracious God, to grant us that inward grace which alone can render outward advantages availing and effectual. Sensible of the corruption and infirmity of our own hearts, we look up to thee for thy Holy Spirit as the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Under the guidance and influence of thy Spirit, may we apply all the means of grace with which we are favoured to their proper ends. May we derive benefit from the dispensations of thy providence, and the ordinances of thine appointment. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and be neither barren nor unfruitful in any of those habits, dispositions, and tempers, which are suitable to our profession and character as Christians.

We unite, gracious God, in giving thee thanks for all thy temporal goodness.. We thank thee for the rest of the past night, the light of this day, and all the comforts of our lot. Be with us, we beseech thee, during this day. Help us to sanctify thee, the Lord God, in our hearts, and to make thee our continual fear and dread. And grant, O Lord, that while as creatures we fear to offend thee, as thy redeemed and adopted children, we may learn supremely to love, and cheerfully to serve thee.

Be very gracious, we beseech thee, to all our friends, and to all whom we should remember in our prayers before thee. May the Lord bless them and keep them, and cause his face to shine upon them,

and give them peace.

Lord, and accept of us.

Hear us, we beseech thee, O
And all that we ask is for

Christ's sake.

Amen.

SATURDAY EVENING.

O LORD, our salvation and our glory, the rock of our strength and our refuge, we desire at this time to place our trust in thee, and to pour out our hearts before thee with unreserved and filial confidence. What are we, O Lord, that we should be admitted to communion with the Lord, the Lord of hosts! What are we, or what our father's house, that in addition to the liberality of thy providence, we should be partakers of the riches of thy grace! Our hearts would acknowledge thy goodness; and with sentiments that tell us that our best praises and services bear no proportion to the magnitude of our obligations, we would ask, "what shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward us?"

We thank thee, gracious God, that thou hast taught us in thy word how we may serve and honour thee. May all the effects which thy goodness ought to produce be manifest in our experience and in our conduct. May thy goodness lead us to repentance. May thy mercies determine us to present to thee our bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable, which is our reasonable service. Constrained by the love of Christ, and by thy love in him, may we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all

dead, and that if he died, he died that they which live should live henceforth not unto themselves, but unto him that died for them and rose again.

Accomplish, we beseech thee, these effects in us by the power of thy Holy Spirit. May warmth be imparted to our gratitude, and strength to our resolution, by him who giveth power to the faint, and who to them who have no might increaseth strength. May he quicken us when we are slothful, animate us when desponding, and confirm us when wavering. When we are in straits may he guide us, and in the midst of temptation may he protect us. May he go before us to show us our way, be our Guardian as we follow in his steps, and finally conduct us to the place of which the Lord hath said that he will give it us.

For this purpose, bless, we entreat thee, all the means of grace with which we are favoured. May thy Spirit accompany these means and make them effectual. May the events of thy providence daily furnish us with impressive and useful lessons. May the truths of thy word sink down into our hearts; and as we read them or meditate on them, may they take a stronger hold of our affections, and acquire a more decided ascendency over our principles of action. May the return of thy holy day bring round to us new pleasures and new sources of sanctifying influence. May we grow wiser and holier every day and every week that passes over us; and as we approach nearer an eternal world, may we progressively become better qualified for its enjoyments, its services, and its society.

With a thankful sense of all thy past goodness, we now commit ourselves to thee during the silence and darkness of this night. With the week that is about to close, we would dismiss all our worldly cares and thoughts. Protect us, we entreat thee, through this night. If it please thee, let the light of another day dawn upon us; and when we awake to the light of another day, let us also awake to the purposes for which that day hath been consecrated and set apart. With thee may we rest from all our labours, and with our risen Saviour, may we rise to the things that are above. Assist us in all our attempts to serve thee, and let thy word, thine ordinances, and thy day be sanctified to us, and to all who with us shall call upon the Father through Jesus Christ.

Be very gracious, we beseech thee, to thy Church and people. Look favourably upon them, and accommodate thy grace to their various cases and wants. Let the time, even the set time, to favour Zion speedily arrive; and in the mean time, grant, we pray thee, times of refreshing from thy pre

sence.

In an especial manner be pleased to extend thy blessing to our friends, and to all in whom we are naturally and particularly interested. May the Lord himself be their God, and may he cause his face continually to shine upon them.

We leave ourselves, O Lord, in thy hands. All our wants are known to thee. Correct what is amiss in our prayers: supply what is lacking: bestow in answer to them what thou knowest to be best for us.