Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/14

2 fections and accept our humble offerings as the incense of the evening sacrifice.

O what a glorious inheritance hast Thou laid up in store for all who become regenerate! May Thy truth become to our souls what the purifying water is to our bodies. May we be faithful and just in confessing our sins; and O grant us Thy help to repent, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We thank Thee, O merciful Saviour, for the gift of Thy Holy Word, as the stream that can alone make glad the city of our God. Thy Holy Word in its going forth is the source of all joy and blessedness. O may we so apply its sacred truths, that our wills and affections may be purified and filled with Thy love, and our understandings and thoughts be enlightened and governed by Thy wisdom. We ask these blessings in Thy name, O Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD God our Saviour, direct us in our various offices of usefulness this day, that we may preserve the temper and spirit proper for communicating what Thou hast in mercy bestowed upon us. May the natural love of rule be transformed into the spiritual love of usefulness. Thou wilt not destroy in us the desire of good when it is desired for its own pure sake, and to show forth the purity of Thy love.

Lord we beseech Thee to lead us by Thy good Spirit, and let Thy gracious providence be so operative upon us, that we may be humble instruments in Thy hand to promote the happiness of all around us, while we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

In all our duties this day, may we feel the blessedness of Thy presence. Whether we are engaged in the instruction of children, or in some other useful office in Thy Church, or whether we, in simple obedience listen to the admonition of others, still, O Lord, may Thy presence be with us, and Thy fear before our eyes, that we sin not. Help us to consecrate our whole souls to Thy service. May the inmost of our affections be as the mount of Thy holiness, the inmost of our understandings as the throne of Thy government. Yea, Lord, reign Thou within us by Thy love and truth; impart unto us the influences of Thy Spirit; give unto us watchfulness and circumspection; and strengthen us by this day's exercises, that we may be endowed with new vigour to contend against our corruptions, until all within us be created anew. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD God, who art the King invisible, immutable, eternal, establish Thou within our souls Thy divine government, and let purity, piety, peace, and holiness take up their abode within us.

As visible members of Thy Church on earth, may the seal set in our foreheads be the mark that shall ultimately admit us into Thy Church in heaven. In all our future associations with the world, may Thy truth be unto us as our constant guide and counsellor. May it check us,