Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/172

 160 TWENTY-SECOND WEEK.

upon the duties of another week. Our chief duty is to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. But Thou. Lord, hast instructed us how we may best perform this duty. It is not in neglecting our appointed duties in the world, but in performing them with fidelity, and in sanctifying them by a principle of conscience. While our religion instrnets us that our primary affections and thoughts must be settled on Thee, it shows us how best we can perform this acceptable service: by engaging with a principle of conscience in those duties which show our love to our neighbour; for if we love not our neighbour whom we have seen. Thy Word enquires—how shall we love Thee whom we have not seen? In the stations in life in which Thou hast placed us, still. Lord, we depend on Thee for aid to perform our duties; help us to do so witha single eye to Thy glory. Whatever may be our state; if we enjoy prosperity, and if riches increase, set not our hearts upon them; and if trial and suffering come upon us, and the world's perplexities increase, may we still look to Thee the author and finisher of our faith, and know that Thou art a very present help in trouble. Amen. Our Father, etc.

MONDAY EVENING,

LMIGHTY and most merciful Lord God our Saviour, who hast invited all men to approach Thee, and make known their wants before Thee, promising that whatsoever they should ask in Thy name. Thou wouldst bestow it upon them, we humbly approach Thee this evening; we pray that we may be so instructed as to ask for nothing but that which shall enable us to secure the benefits and blessings of everlasting life.

Thou. O Lord, hast exhorted us to be prudent as serpents. While we pray for this prudence, may we so receive and exercise it that it may be rendered available for securing the blessings of eternity. May we by this prudence be led to seek first the means of acquiring all the benefits of Thy salvation. May we learn from the prudence of the children of the world, who are anxious only to amass treasure and enjoy its fruits, to be equally diligent in the pursuit of our salvation, and in so important a duty, leave nothing to opinion or example, but keeping Thee ever before us, work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Hitherto. O Lord, we confess, with shame and confusion of face, our prudence has been of a merely worldly kind, and when we look back upon our past doings we are struck with wonder at our folly. We have been too much and too long in pursuit of the subjects of the world of maiter, to the neglect of those of the world of spirit. O help us for the future to labour for that inheritance which shall endure to everlasting life. Amen,

Our Father, etc.

LORD God Almighty, Thy service is a service of freedom, and well demands an obedience to all that Thou hast ordained; for Thou hast ordered nothing but what is essential to our well being, and if we