Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/211

 TWENTY-5SEVENTH WEEX, 199

Thy truth, that we may live as it directs, we acknowledge that there haa been more of selfishness in our obedience hitherto than real affection. We feel and acknowledge that our states of mind are still low and grovelling; and we fear that our obedience is the result of a desire for, thé praise of men rather than from real love of Thy Word. 0 help us. Lord, we beseech Thee, so to receive Thy truth, and love it forite own sake, that Thy kingdom of truth may uot only be established in our understandings, but the leve of Thy goodness find an abiding place in our wills and affections. Amen. Oar Father, etc.

od

LMIGHTY Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ; Thou art the Lord of life, and Thou hast so created us that we may receive continual supplies of life from Thee. Thou hast endowed us with liberty and rationality, and hast set before us life and death, blessing and cursing: and though Thou art continually exhorting us to choose life, that we and our sead may live; yet hast Thou left us in perfect freedom, and we can turn either to the kingdom of light and glory, or to that of darkness and death.

Every day of our existence places before us the reality of our dependence on Thee for happiness; for when we turn to our own evil gratifications, misery and suffering result from them; but when we return unto Thee, our minds find rest and peace. Thus are we by experience taught that there is no peace to the wicked, but that he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. O blessed Lord our Saviour, we see and acknowledge, by the vicissitudes through which we pass, that if left to work out the gratifications of our own will, a state of suffering is constantly induced, but by submitting ourselves to Thy will, we are brought into order, and enabled to see that there is nothing really good but that has it's origin in Thee. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

FRIDAY EVENING.

F geomig ar? Lord, the Regenerator of the world; Thou hast instructed

us that "unless a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.' We feel more and more the truth of this divine declaration; but, ales! we also feel that our hearts are set in us to do, evil, and that continually; and thus are our understandings in a state of darkness, because our deeds are evil.

O send forth Thy ight and Thy truth, that onr sinful states may be made manifest before us, and thus that we may enter upon that new birth, that regeneration, without which all hope of happiness ia vain. We pray Thee. O Lord, make as acquainted with Thy truth, and continne to anfold it before us, that it may be tous what light is to the path of the natural man, becoming brighter and clearer unto the perfeet day.

Thou hast not created uz to be mere inhabitants of thie lower world. Thon hast not chained us to external materiality, but hast designed us