Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/213

 TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK. 201

to labour. We have gone throngh this day's duties in peace, for Thou, 'Lord, hast sustained us; and now we are about to close the last day's duties of another week, still be with us. O Lord, we beseech Thee. To the aged be Thou their stay and support, upon which they may rest.

"To the young be Thou an ever-present light, by which the snares spread in their path may be avoided. To all be Thou an ever-present help, and may Thy name be unto us asa horn of salvation, a strong tower, into which we may enter and be safe. We resign our spirits into Thy hands. O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. Amen. Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, help us, we beseech Thee, to serve Thee in newness of spirit on the return of this Sabbath-day; help us to contend against our passions, and against those seducing influences which would withdraw our souls from Thee. May this day be unto us as the beginning of a new period of our existence; and, O Lord, we beseech Thee, from this moment help us to keep down pride, anger, jealousy, and bitterness of spirit. From being servants to the world, and from suffering it to tyrannize over us, may we render it tributary to ourselves. O help us to keep our hearts with all diligence. Whatever may be the opposing influences which obstruct our progress, may we be able, through Thy grace, to overcome them. O give us an inward feeling of the truth, that the troubles and vexations which are permitted to assail us, are only so many evidences of the malignity of evil, which do but prove the necessity of putting our trust in the Lord rather than having any confidence in man. Bless the services of the sanctuary to our eternal happiness. This day may Thy word find an abiding place in our souls, and may its solemn engagements prepare us for the more glorious duties of eternity. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

N the eve of this day, O Lord, we join in thanksgiving to Thee, for the blessings we have participated in. May all who love Thy Word, and teach Thy truth, according to the light that is in them, and live in accordance with Thy divine precepts, behold the reward of their labours in the improvement of the souls entrusted to their care. May all who are led to worship Thee be also led to set Thee continually before their eyes. May they walk in Thy light, may they live by Thy love, and show its purity and extensiveness by assisting in its universal diffusion. May the mind which was in Thee, while tabernacling in the flesh, be in them. May Thy charity be the distinguishing mark of their profession; may they strive to be as universally engaged in the diffusion of good, and may they look constantly to Thee to enable them to adorn the doctrine of Thee our God and Saviour in all things.

While we pray for the success of all ministers of the gospel, and for the advancement in spiritual goodness of all those who constitute the professed members of Thy Church on earth; we would not be unmindful