Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/204

 "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth;" and our religious exercises are contaminated by the belief that we are righteous, and from this self-righteousness we despise others. Lord, there is none good, none righteous, but Thee. Help us, we beseech Thee, that we may become holy as Thou art holy. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD our heavenly Father, Thou knowest what is best for us, and though we in our blindness murmur too frequently against Thee, Thou changest not, and the purposes of Thy love remain stedfast; for Thou desirest only that we may secure the blessings of eternity, and Thou disposest all things consistently, that man, by reflection, may be taught how advantageous to his eternal interests it is that he should be purified by trial aud suffering. Grant, then, O most merciful Father, that in every condition we may conform ourselves to Thy will. May the pains which sharply afflict our bodies be instrumental in healing those of our souls. Without Thee it is impossible to enter into life; without Thee we can do nothing; and as Thy humanity was glorified and made perfect by suffering, so do we feel assured that it will be by great tribulation that we shall be saved. Thou didst indeed forewarn us of these sufferings, but Thon didst not leave us without consolation, "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome tho world." May we, when trouble or distress comes upon us, struggle against it, knowing that Thou art at all times near to help us. O give us of Thy fortitude, that we may be firm in the work of the regeneration. Enter into our souls, and possess them by the power of Thy love and wisdom. Where Thy love is, there is power omnipotent. Where Thy truth is, darkness and error must flee away. In Thy love and truth, O Lord, be near us. And in our trials and vicissitudes, help us to overcome. Amen.\

Our Father, etc.

LMIGHTY and eternal Lord God our Saviour, we approach Thee this morning with feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving, and pray Thee that Thou wilt accept our humble offering of praise for Thy divine protection of us during the past night. O how great is the love wherewith Thou hast loved us! When "there was none to help," when "there was none to uphold. Thine own arm brought salvation unto Thee," and "in Thy love and in Thy pity Thou didst redeem us and hast become our Saviour."

Thou didst glorify Thy humanity, and by that inscrutable and divine process, Thou didst set before us the labour necessary to accomplieh the new birth of the regeneration. And as the great work of Thy glorification was purely divine, neither angelic wisdom, and much less the wisdom of man, being capable of fully comprehending it, so are we instructed that regeneration is of Thee, O Lord, alone. We know that of ourselves we can do nothing, but Thou hast not left us entirely incapable