Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/235

Rh may be trained in Thy nurture and admonition. To those who minister in holy things, who stand as Thy representatives before a sinful and corrupt people. O endow them with a winning and persuasive power of speech, they may turn sinners from the evil of their way; show them faithfully the awful consequences of indulging in evil, and enforce the great duties of repentance, reformation, and regeneration; and in all their addresses may they teach the truth in love. Finally. O Lord, let Thy gracious influence descend upon and be felt by all devout worshippers, and grant them a spiritual perception of Thy glorious presence. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father, as the law of heaven is the law of goodness, may goodness be our constant end and aim. Thou hast made of one blood all the families of the earth, and as Thou hast scattered in abundance over the earth all that can conduce to render man happy, and hast thus shown, by the variety of Thy gifts in various regions, that man should hold constant intercourse with his fellows, so may we actively engage in our various occupations, that we may render to the necessities of others, as they render to ours, that what we receive from their abundance may bo returned in kind from ours, and thus that we may fulfil Thy divine injunction, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." O Lord God our Saviour, assist us to cultivate this spirit of use, which is the spirit of charity. Assist us to diffuse throughout the world the principle which shall make meu wiser and better. Prosper every calling that has this tendency, bless every effort that is made in this direction. May the labourer, the artisan, the merchant, the teacher, and the man of science, individually and collectively, exercise their various callings, that "the blessings of order and civilization may de extended throughout the world," and to Thee. O Lord, alone shall be the glory. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, we are instructed that "they who go down to the sea, in ships, and do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep." These words of truth open before us the wonders of our own progress, and show to us that nothing great and good can be achieved otherwise than by labour and patience in well doing. We behold the flux and reflux of the sea, and wonder at its continual motion, "There go the ships," bearing within their bosom the treasures of various nations and the work of many hands; while myriads of living creatures, over whom is the dominion of man, exist for his use, and to show forth Thy glory. And how great is the labour of the mariner, how many the storms he encounters, how anxious the thoughts that arise in his mind, how many the expedients he adopts, ere he reaches the destined haven!