Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/143

 EIGHTEENTH WEEK. 131

of life, and join with us and with the great congregation in acknowledging how great things Thou hast done for them. Amen. Our Father, etc..

SABBATH EVENING.

0 GOD of the spirits of all flesh, deeply impress us with the trathe we have this day heard, read, and explained. As the knowledge of Thy truth has been unfolded to us, may we realize the blessedness which results from doing our duty, according to those words of Thy truth: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye po them." Thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and Thou searchest the heart and triest the

, reins to see if there be any wickedness within us.

Lord, may the fear of Thee be ever before our eyes, that we sin not. May a willing obedience distinguish us, so that we may strive at all times to be beloved of Thee, remembering 'that he that doeth Thy commandments, he it is that loveth Thee, and Thon wilt love him, and he shall be Thine in the day Thou makest up Thy jewels."

Nor for ourselves alone do we implore the blessing of constant watchfulness; but may the arrows of Thy truth be sent to the hearts of those who uow sit in darkness. May these arrows destroy the life of selfishness, so that men may die unto gin, but live unto righteousness in Thee. Christ Jesus our Lord.

With humble, penitent, and grateful hearts. Lord, we now retire to rest, and into Thy hands we resign our spirits. Amen.

Our Father, ete.

LORD Jesus Christ, who has declared that unless we repent we shall all likewise perish, visit us, we beseech Thee, with the righteous dispensations of Thy Providence. "Grant us patience to suffer, but preserve us from sin: we do not ask Thee to spare Thy rod of correction, but only to guard us against offending Thee any longer. We are content to feel torture both in body and mind, if so be it may only work for our purification." It is only as we become purified from our natural defilements, that we can hope to rise into the higher plane of spiritual existence. With this knowledge before us, O Lord, we now appeal to Thee for help and guidance. Be near unto us, we entreat Thee, and as we are entering upon the duties of another week, may we also enter upon newness of life. While the world employs our hands, and claims the performance of those common duties, which bind together the community of which we are members, may we never lose sight of the one thing needful, but may a principle of religion sanctify all in which we engage; and as we would that men should do unto us so may we also do unto them, for this is the law and the prophets. Suffer not the cares of this world nor the deceitfulness of riches, to alienate our souls from Thee, but may we do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with Thee, until, being perfected by the regeneration, we may be raised to higher spheres of use and duty in Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Our Father, etc.