Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/216

 204 TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEX.

While we pray for our own spiritual advancement. O suffer us not to be unmindful of that of others. © that men could be brought to love and serve Thee from the highest even to the lowest. Turn Thon the hearts of the people unto righteousness. O Lord, we beseech These; from the sovereign of thia country to the humblest of Thy creatures, may Thy merciful loving-kindness be known, so that all the people may praise Thee. O Lord God of truth.

Lord, we desire to praise Thee, to magnify Thy name, for the protection of another day, for all the comforts Thou hast bestowed upon us, for all the privileges we have enjoyed. Thou hast crowned us with lovingKindness and tender merey; Thou hast preserved us in health, and hast suffered no evil to come near unto our dwellings. The day is now spent, and another night is before us; take us. O heavenly Father, under Thy care during its silent watches; preserve us against the infestations of our spiritual enemies, and grant nnto us calm and refreshing sleep, 0 that we may arise strong to labour, and able to perform our duties faithfully so long as we continue in this lower world. Amen.

Our Father, ete.

HE grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the name of the Lord endureth for ever." O Lord Jesus Christ, help us to wean ourselves from this world and all ite fleeting joys. Help us to subdue our passions, and to set our affections on things above. Help us to subdue pride and presumption, and to be armed with humility, that we may submit to all Thy dispensations with resignation. Help us to acquire a settled calm, and to be anxious only to do our duty, leaving everything to the wise direction of Thy providence.

Thou art our Father; why should we be anxious, why take thought for the morrow, why enquire, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed? O Father, teach us to submit our entire lives to Thy wise government and providence. Thine eye is ever open, Thy love never sleeps. Thy paternal goodness knows no ebb; and if Thou hast placed us here as probationers, Thou hast not left us in ignorance of our immortality.

Lord, as Thou delightest to shower blessings on Thy creatures—as Thy goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives—give unto us hearts that we may love that only which is good; hearts that may be as simple and confiding as those of children on the wisdom of their parents; hearts in which piety, and virtue shall serve as the throne on which Thou, O glorified Redeemer, mayest sit, and reign as King and Lord of all. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

ome unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Such is Thy beneficent invitation. O Lord, may we cast our care upon Thee, for Thou carest for us. Still may we remember that one object is ever kept in view by Thy wisdom—.