Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/25



THOU that searchest the heart and knowest what is therein, most O glorious, just, and holy God, over all, blessed for ever; with reverence and solemnity we approach Thine august person; with humility we lift up our eyes to Thy glorious countenance; O let it shine upon us; be merciful unto us, be merciful unto us, O Lord, and assist our attempts to worship Thee in spirit and in truth.

With a deeply humbled but grateful sense of Thy continued regard for Thee, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, we would adore Thee for Thy unfailing love. Thou hast extended Thy divine assurance unto us, and unto the most guilty of Thy creatures, that there is an ever present help, if it be but humbly sought.

Thou, in Thy abundant love and tender mercy and compassion, sustainest the poor and needy, and with the gracious manifestations of Thy goodness, Thou art the support of the sick, the consolation of the sorrowful. Though surrounded with glorified spirits, whose theme is the constant adoration of Thee, the holy Lord God Almighty, though adoring myriads send up the joyful shout of praise, Hallelujah, for the Lord God the Omnipotent reigneth, yet art Thou present with the poor in spirit, and with the humble in heart, and with all who engage in love to their neighbour, in acts of charity and usefulness. Thou wilt ever be near to bless them. We praise Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for Thine infinite love and mercy. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

FRIDAY EVENING.

Lord, our Saviour, in whom alone we have redemption, 0 HEAVENLY even the forgiveness of sins, through Thy unfailing loving -kindness we are brought to the close of another day, and we would humbly express our thanksgivings and praises for Thy protecting care. Every day of our past lives we have had reason to adore Thee; for no day has passed with

out the communication of many blessings and tender mercies, accompanied by the constant watchfulness of Thy paternal care. We desire to thank Thee for all that we possess; for our comfortable habitation, for our food and raiment, and all the blessings of bodily existence. We owe all to Thy mercy.

But we cannot but confess, that though Thy mercies are ever new towards us, we too frequently use them improperly, and sometimes absolutely abuse them.-Lord, we mourn over our past sins, and would earnestly supplicate Thy divine aid, that we may avoid them for the future. O how much valuable time have we misspent! how often have we sought after and indulged in trivial vanities! Lord, help us to turn

unto Thee with full purpose of heart and life; give unto us the grace of repentance, and preserve us from everything false and evil. Amen. Our Father, etc.

MOST merciful God and Saviour, we draw near to Thee this morning; Thou hast created us for immortal joys, and hast so constituted us