Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/108

 over our corrupt nature: the angry thought, and the revengeful feeling have found place within us, and if Thou shouldest mark iniquity who among us could be saved. Help us. O Lord, to repent, and may we hear Thee whisper peace and pardon to our souls. O Lord, hear us. O blot out our iniquities we beseech Thee, and remember our sins no more. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LMIGHTY and most merciful Lord, our heavenly Father, whose goodness is ever new towards us, we desire to approach Thy mercy-seat this morning, and to offer the early sacrifice of praise, for the blessings of sound repose, and for the refreshment and invigoration of our bodies.

O God Thou art our God, early will we seek Thee! Be pleased, O Lord, to be with us through this day, and let Thy fear be before our eyes that we sin not. O help us to cultivate every Christian grace and virtue, that so, while pursuing our earthly pilgrimage, we may have a foretaste of heaven within our souls, and by the perception of heavenly blessedness, as a state, be preparing for the enjoyment of true blessedness in that exalted kingdom of love and use which shall be our place of residence to all eternity.

Hearken unto the voice of our cry, our King and our God, for unto Thee do we pray. Thou art our God, we will praise Thee; Thou art our God, we will exalt Thee; we will magnify Thy name for ever and ever. When we look back upon the years through which we have passed, when we call to remembrance how many dangers we have escaped, and that notwithstanding trials and sufferings and sicknesses we are yet continued in the land of the living, we are constrained to adore that goodness and mercy which has followed us all the days of our life. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

MNIPOTENT, immutable, and eternal Jehovah, as "day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night showeth knowledge," so does Thy loving-kindness and tender mercy visit Thy creatures; so is Thy love as unfailing as Thy wisdom is infinite; so does Thy providence exercise itself in devising that which is good, and ordering and arranging all things for the present benefit and future happiness of Thy creature man.

This day has again evidenced Thy parental care and watchfulness, for though there has been no apparent danger unto our view, we know not the dangers which Thy watchful providence may have averted. We draw near to Thee, therefore, this evening, with humble gratitude, and unite in thanksgiving to Thy name. We join the inspired man of old by exclaiming, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgiveth all thy iniquities, who healeth all thy infirmities, who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercy, so that thy youth is renewed as the eagle. Bless the Lord, O my soul."