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LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, with lowly reverence enable us to prostrate ourselves before Thy divine majesty, and to implore Thy blessing on the duties of another day. With humble, contrite, and penitent hearts, we now approach Thee.

Assist us, O Lord, to keep our affections set upon things above; and as every natural affection, as it ascends towards that which is interior, becomes softened, and milder, until, at length, it becomes changed into heavenly affection, so may our affections ascend unto Thee, our king and our God, until we are conjoined to Thee by the life of love and truth. Thou, Lord, art the perfect pattern which we should imitate; and Thou, in the accents of Divine love and tenderness, hast called us to come unto Thee, that we may find rest unto our souls. Thou hast set before us, in Thy own mild and gentle nature, the temper and spirit in which Thou wouldst have us live: help us to acquire this spirit, for all our efforts, unaided by Thee, must end in disapointment. May Thy life and ministry on earth be the model by which we may form ours!

Grant us, merciful Saviour, a measure of Thy own never-ceasing love. May the example of the beloved disciple, who lay on Thy breast at supper, be our model; and while, with a fervent spirit, we strive to bring men to the knowledge of Thy truth, may we remember that that truth is the most persuasive, and calculated the most effectually to win souls to Thee, which is filled with the gentleness of Thine own spirit,