Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/122

 envy others, but "learn of Thee," for never did envy show itself in any of the actions of Thy life while tabernacling in the flesh. O may we be instructed from Thy Word, that envy has its origin in self-love, and that love of self is the bane of every virtue. It is self-love that renders us unreasonable. It is self-love that teaches us to despise others. It is self-love that diminishes our own faults, and magnifies those of our neighbours. O God, we confess in Thy presence, and we abhor ourselves while we confess, how often we have erred from Thy ways,—how often we have stood in the path of our neighbour, how often we have exaggerated his failings. Pardon our iniquities, we beseech Thee, and teach us to be humble, penitent, and patient, and to acquire a quiet and contented spirit. How beautiful is the truth, how worthy of imitation, "I seek not mine own glory." How instructive the command, and how great a preventive of envy, "See thou tell no man." O may we put forth all the powers and talents we possess to seek the glory of Him that endowed us with them; and when we have brought that to a successful issue with which we were entrusted, may we not blazon the deed as though our own power and skill had accomplished it, but "see that no man know it;" so shall we avoid that deadly passion, envy, and wherever we behold high endowments in others, shall glorify Thee, O Lord, for bestowing so many excellencies upon a fellow-creature.

Now Lord, be with us, go forth to the duties of this day; be nigh unto us, and sanctify all our efforts to the good of our fellow-creatures and to the glory of Thy holy name. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, in the warfare from bondage to freedom, from Egvpt to the land of Canaan, we greatly distrust our own power. The power of our spiritual enemies is indeed very great. O Lord, we earnestly invoke Thine omnipotent aid. Weakness is our strength; but, O Lord, is a strong tower! Therefore we trust in Thee; Thou wilt subdue our enemies before us, and in Thy name alone, and under Thy banners, will we go forth. As evil besets us on every side, and as evil can only be subdued by resolutely contending against it, arm us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, with Christian fortitude; teach us not to regard the number or the power of our spiritual opponents, but the righteous cause in which we are engaged. Impart unto us the valour of the true believer, and bestow upon us a portion of that perfect love which casteth out all fear.

We confess, O Lord, our feeble-mindedness, that we have frequently turned back when difficulty has crossed our path; that we have forsaken the narrow, and sighed for the pleasures of the broad, path. Give unto us the faith which worketh by love. May a remembrance of thy wonder-working power in behalf of Israel teach us that Thine arm is still mighty to save, that Thy hand is not shortened, but is stretched out still. Though the dire persuasions of error strive to overwhelm us, let the rock of Thy truth be the foundation upon which we rest. Though when we look to ourselves we are ready to faint, yet in looking unto Thee we find a very present help in time of trouble. Leave us not, therefore, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, but go before us.