Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/287

 Our hearts sink within us as we view the depths to which we have descended in evil; trouble rises up in our souls, and pangs take hold of us; our enemies strive to infuse despondency and despair. Can such as we are hope for mercy? We become indeed melted because of trouble. Then we cry unto Thee in our distress and still find that Thou art near! Even the depths of sorrow cannot separate us from Thy love. Surely it is Thy love revealed in Thy Word which enables us to hope, and say, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy, when I fail, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." O Lord, in Thee do we trust. Thou canst bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, life out of death. In Thy strength will we renew the fight for regeneration. Help us, O Lord, we beseech Thee. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

THURSDAY EVENING.

LORD Jesus Christ, we implore Thy divine blessing on the labour of our hands this day; and we pray that Thow wilt prosper all who have been engaged in labour for the good of their fellow-creatures. Bless the artisan in his sphere of mechanical ingenuity; may he acknowledge the ability he possesses to be derived from Thee, and render unto 'Thee all the praise.

Blegs the agricultural labourer; and as the wide extended plains riso up in fertility before him, may he prepare his own min@ and, render it asa field which the Lord has blessed—a garden in which the plante of virtue may take root, spring upward, and bring forth fruit to perfection.

Biess the hewers of stone and wood, the builders of our temporat habitationa, ané assist_ them to render their own souls goodly edifices— temples garnished with all manner of precious stones and pearls—of spiritual and natural truths, cemented by the adhesive power of love, 80 that God may enter in and the soul become a living temple,

Bless all who labour in Thy word and doctrine; may they become living ministers of Thy trath, so that the souls of their hearers may, from the ugliness and deformity of sin, be re-impressed with Thy divine image and likeness. E

Bless all parents; all teachera and trainers of youth; all merchants and such as go down to the sea in ships and do business in great waters. Bless all kings and princes, and ail who are entrusted in governments among men. Bless all mankind; and may all unite in the song of blessing: "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me blesa His holy Name." Amen.

Our Father, ete,

E thank Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the noble works of Thy hands. For the beautiful world on which we dwell, and which Thou watchest over perpetually. Thy providence visiteth all the works of Thy hands. We praise Thee for Thy creative power. "Thou preparest corn when Thou hast so provided it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly; Thou settlest the furrows thereof, Thou makes it