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 364 Deaner for Srturday Morning.

religion; when Thou comest to explore us, may there be fruit found within us! Whatever be the state or degree in the Christian life te which we have advanced, or which we profess, may the fruit be according te the profession, for every tree is truly known by its own fruit; and may we find peace and rest under our own tree, whether i¢ be fig or whcther it be vine, whether natural good or spiritual good—in either case, acknowledging that Thou art the fountain of all goodness, and while our trust and confidence rest on Thee, none shall make us afraid. Reposing in Thy mercy. O Lord, we retire to rest, resigning our spirits into Thy gracious keeping. Our Father, &c.

THOU, whose mercy is everlasting, whose truth endureth from generation to generation, how great is Thy goodness towards Thy sinful children, how deep is Thy tenderness and pity! What consolation to us under our trials do the words we have now read afford us! Trials that are so necessary for our purification—trials which our own evils have been the causes of subjecting us to. Yet dost Thou, in the infinity of Thy mercy, exclaim, "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and say unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned!" Gracious, indeed, art Thou, O Lord; for Thou dealest with us not according to our sins; yea, Thou forgivest our iniquities, and blottest out our transgressions for Thine own name's sake. By the light of Thy truth