Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/184

 frequently alienate the soul from Thee. The employments of this world are mere slavery if they originate not in the love of Thee and of our neighbour. The titles and dignities of this world are but glittering appendages which rarely have the solidity of virtue to rest upon; and great talents, if unacknowledged as derived from Thee, are but a going down into Egypt for help; and all employments, all titles, all talents, are but as the concealed subtlety of the serpent, unless made conducive to the good of our neighbour as well as to our own salvation. Virtue alone is estimable! Heaven alone is the prize worth striving after! Love to Thee, as the great author of our existence, is the chief of all virtues, and love to our neighbour springs forth from it. To Thee alone, then, O God of love, would we devote this day and every day of our existence. Thee alone, O sovereign Master, would we serve, and Thy imperishable riches would we covet. Help, O help us to acquire them. Without Thee we can do nothing. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD our heavenly Father, another week has run its course: again we kneel in Thy presence.

Lord, help us to forgive the injuries which may have been unmeritedly bestowed upon us; remembering that if we suffer wrong without resenting it, we open our affections and thoughts for the reception of that blessed influence which overcometh evil with good. Teach us and assist us to lead a pure, upright, and virtuous life. Impart unto us the virtues of pity, clemency, and justice: and while we hate the thing that is evil, help us to turn to the man who commits evil, that we may withdraw him from it, and induce him to live the life of righteousness.

Shouldest Thou see fit to raise us to situations of trust and power, may we seek for a model whereby to perform our duties in Thy holy Word. May this be the counsellor we resort to on all occasions, and O grant that an elevated worldly station may never deaden within us the feeling of our duty to Thee. As Joseph was charged with the management of a great kingdom, as he was brought from the dungeon where he was unjustly confined, and because he preferred his integrity to the enjoyments of sin for a season was by Thee elevated to be a prince, and in that condition still feared Thee, so, O Lord, in whatever station we may be placed, may we in patience possess our souls, and serve Thee in singleness of eye and in purity of heart. And now, Lord, we return to our rest; bless all the members of this family, and fill them with Thy love and fear. And hasten the period when all the families of the earth shall in Thy name be blessed. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK.—SABBATH MORNING. LMIGHTY and eternal Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, we present ourselves before Thee this morning, and humbly beseech Thee that we may be filled with Thy Spirit, and that our hearts and understandings may be prepared for the privileges Thou art this day