Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/173

 are obedient to Thy high behests, such obedience breaks the chains of sin, and plucks asunder the fetters of the powers of darkness.

To Thee, therefore, O Lord, we humbly look for direction, and in the power of Thy truth would we pursue our way, without the fear or the favour of men. O keep us from adopting those prejudices which long usage has presumed even to invest in the garments of Thy truth itself, so that the holy garments of righteousness have been polluted by the unholy purposes to which they have been applied.

Lord, Thou hast declared that if we confess our sins, Thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But who can enumerate all his transgressions? when we reflect, they crowd so thickly upon us that we are overwhelmed with their number, and should absolutely despair but that we know that Thy love is greater than our evil, and if we turn unto Thee, Thou wilt have mercy upon us, and abundantly pardon us.

O Lord, we are sensible of our sins, and know that unless we repent we shall all likewise perish. Help us, therefore, to bring ourselves into that salutary frame of mind which seeks the means to resist evil for the future; and unto Thee will we render all the honour and all the praise for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

TUESDAY EVENING.

0) ALMIGHTY God, upon whom all creatures depend, to whom all

hearts are open, and from whom no secrets can possibly be hid, with the return of evening we approach Thee in the spirit of humble thanksgiving. We would not be unmindful of the daily and hourly blessings showered down upon us by Thy beneficent providence. Thou feedest us with food convenient for us; Thou deliverest us from the arrow which flieth by day, and from the pestilence which walketh in darkness; thou renewest the health and strength of our bodies, and when wearied by our labour. Thou providest seasons of repose, whereby we are again rendered active and fit to pursue our varied avoacations. "Thou hast preserved our souls from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from falling."

Lord, give unto us, we beseech Thee, singleness of eye and purity of heart, so that we may be able to perform our duty in simplicity and to walk before Thee in uprightness and integrity. Teach us to hold a daily conference with ourselves. On every passage of Thy Word may we exercise our thinking powers. While we set Thee before our eyes, while Thy example is at all times consulted, and while, in everything we do, we strive to learn of Thee, and do as Thou wouldst do, we must be ever safe. No good thing wilt Thou withhold from us, and Thy goodness and mercy will continue to follow us for ever. Amen.

Our Father, ete.

WEDNESDAY MORNING. OST merciful and glorified Lord God, our Saviour and Redeemer, we approach Thee this morning under a devout sense of Thine immacu