Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/247

 THIRTY-SECOND WEEK. 235

especially to adore Thee for the gift of Thy holy Word; for the freedom with which it is dispensed; for the languages in which it is diffused, all being preparatory towards the establishment of that glorious period, when it shall no longor be said, "Know ye the Lord;" for 'all shall know Thee, from tho least even tmto the greatest," and Thy "knowledge shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea."

And now. Lord, we humbly implore Thee to guide us through tho dangers of this day; prosper the labour of our hands, and grant that all wo do may he done with single eye, to the praise of Thy glory, and to the benefit of our fellow-creatures. Amen.

Our Father, ote.

FRIDAY EVENING. HORD our heavenly Father, as we miso our eyes upward "the heavens dcelaro Thy glory, and the firmament showeth Thy hendiwork." As we seat ourselves on the verdant turf, and gaze around on the herbage, as the flowers expand their delicate blossoms, and send forth their infinenca in delicious fragrance, may the sphere which surrounds us tend to stimulate our gratitude and adoration, aud may the spiritual beings which invisibly draw our souls upwards, rejoice with us, that sin hath no longer the dominion over us.

'As the evening shades surround us, and we return, weary in body, from our laboar, yet shall the recollections of Thy love render onr spirits buoyant, and, with the feathered inhabitants of the grove, who swell their little throats in praise to Theo, wo will strive tacitly to join tho sacred chorus, individually exclaiming, '* Bless the Lord. O my soal, and all that is within me blesa His holy nume. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits." We desire also humbly to adore Thee for the manifestation of Thy truth; for that divine union of 'Thy love and wisdom which our charity and faith is but the faint shadow of.

O God of love, accept this our humble tribute of thanksgiving and praise, and help us to love Thee and serve Theo with increased spirituality " every day that we are spared to enjoy Thy mercies here." Amen.

Our Father, ete.

LORD Almighty, Thou hast graciously permitted us to address Thee as our Father. We are Thy children, O Lord; Thy hands have made and fashioned us, and Thou hast created us that we may be eternally happy in Thy kingdom. In infancy, the twilight of our existence, Thou hast blessed us with knowledge and instruction, as our opening minds were prepared to receive it. In youth, Thou hast still farther expanded our faculties; Thy divine sun has penetrated to our inward parts, and Thy goodness and mercy have followed and protected us, and kept us under the wings of Thy providential love! In manhood, Thou hast presented before as abundant symbols of Thy glorious presence, and taught us to read the book of creation, wherein Thou hast shown us that "man is one world and has another to attend upon him." And even to old age Thou