Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/103

 TWELFTH WEEK. 91

from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it; that we may prepare our souls for those greater benefits, which, being spiritual, bring us to the enjoyment of holy communion with Thee. For what are temporal blessings compared with those which are eternal? what is the bread which perisheth compared with that which endureth unto everlasting life? We pray, therefore. O Lord, that Thou wilt so deal with us, that our spiritual states may be advanced, and that each day of our natural existence may be instrumental in introducing us into more interior degrees of the regeneration. We pray that our steps may be ordered by Thee, and that we may daily grow in Thy knowledge, love, and fear.

Lord, hear us, we beseech Thee, and grant our petitions for Thine own name and mercy's sake. Amen.

Our Father, ete.

LMIGHTY and most merciful Lord Jesus Christ, we desire to wait upon Thee this morning; Thou art our help and our shield; our soul would trust in Thee, for there is no want to them that fear Thee. Thou hast renewed our existence. The morning hast dawned upon us, and still are we among the living to praise and bless Thy holy name. Lord accept our humble gratitude for Thy care of us during the past night, and bless us by Thy divine protection during the present day, that while the world employs our hands, we may keep eternal ends in view, and may still continue to advance in the regeneration.

Lord, help us to shun every evil as sin against Thee. While we too often abstain from evil because it is likely to injure our worldly reputation, our hearts meantime retaining their deception. O may we be brought to see that, though in the eye of the world our conduct may be blameless, in Thine eye, it is still sinful; for the righteous Lord searcheth the reins and trieth the heart, and will reward us, not according to the fair seeming of our outward profession, but according to the real quality of our inward affections.

We pray Thee, O Lord, to impart unto us a clear perception of those minute shades of distinction between good and evil which may place our duty in the clearest possible light, so that the new will and the new understanding may be formed, the clean heart and the right spirit be renewed, which may lead us in the way everlasting. Lord, aid us in all things to commit our way unto Thee, sensible that Thou canst not mislead us, and whatsoever is for our good Thou wilt bring it to pass. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

SATURDAY EVENING. ORD God, the Creator and Preserver of our souls. Thou hast conducted us safely to the close of another week, and Thy benefits and blessings have been renewed every day of our existence. We desire to adore Thee, and to offer our united thanksgivings in Thy presence, for all the varied enjoyments of this our natural condition. We have been trained to know Thy Word. Make us grateful to the parents who have instructed