Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/156

 upright in all our employments, so that neither deceit, injustice, nor fraud, may exercise dominion over us. All this we ask in Thy name, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

RACIOUS Lord and merciful Saviour, another week has run its course, and brought us nearer to the confines of eternity; but how has it prepared us for the important change which must speedily come upon us?

We come into Thy presence this evening deeply impressed with Thy goodness, and of our own unworthiness, and of the impending judgment hanging over our heads if we repent not.

Repentance! Time to repent! O how important the work, how short the time to perform it! O teach us to note the quality of our lives, so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Looking back upon the past week, and noting the actions by which it has been distinguished, how frivolous have been the pursuits in which we have been engaged. As though we were to dwell in this world for ever, with what avidity have we engaged in its pursuits, and with what diligence have we laboured after the bread that perisheth; and we are constrained to acknowledge that, but for the intervention of the Sabbath, we should rise early, sit up late, and eat the bread of carefulness, as though eternity and its momentous duties was never to have a beginning. O what is man that Thou art mindful of him! Seeking after the pleasures of sense, exercising his reason and intellect to secure the things of the world, eager in his pursuit of wealth and fame and worldly distinction and worldly honour, but casting the things of eternity behind him, as though they were of no value. O Lord, we beseech Thee, help us to repent, that we may at last find peace to our souls. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

OST merciful Lord, our heavenly Father, we desire humbly to approach Thy divine majesty. Thou art our Creator. Redeemer, and Sanctifier. We worship no God else beside Thee, a just God and a Saviour: O may we continue to look unto Thee, the author and finisher of our faith, and in Thee find our redemption, even the remission of sins.

We desire to thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast enabled us to assemble this morning to enjoy the privileges of family worship, to communicate each with the other through the medium of Thy Word, and to receive such instruction from it as shall facilitate our progress in the regenerate life, and advance us on our way to heaven. In coming into Thy presence we desire to humble ourselves before Thee. Our numerous transgressions rise up in array against us, and if Thou shouldst enter into judgment with us, who among us could be justified? But Thou, 0 Lord, knowest our nature. Thou art acquainted with our frailty and imperfection, and ever are the dispensations of Thy providence exercised