Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/274

 in thy purposes of love, but art to all the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Gracious Lord! may we ever see Thee as Thou art, merciful and gracious, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Thou hast taught us in thy Word, "that with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man Thou wilt show thyself upright; with the pure Thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show thyself froward." These changes, O Thou perfect and Immutable Being! are but descriptive of those states of mind in ourselves. Because Thou art merciful. Thou art the life of the merciful man! Because Thou art upright, the upright man is filled with Thee! The pure see Thee as Thou art—pure and free from spot or stain; while the froward, view Thee from their own froward spirit. O Righteous Father! we beseech Thee to purify our hearts; so shall we behold thy face in righteousness, and be satisfied when we awake in thy likeness.

Our Father, &c.

LMIGHTY LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ we desire to approach Thee with thankful and humble hearts, that we may present unto Thee, in the morning of this new and opening day, the first-fruits of our love and praise. O guide us through life by thine unerring wisdom, that thy love may warm our hearts, and unloose our tongues to sing thy praise. O God! if thou shouldest mark iniquities in thy creatures, who amongst the children of men could stand