Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/297

 enjoy the full blessedness of Thy presence. Thy Word declares we must cease to do evil; for the wicked cannot dwell in Thy presence, and there is no act of Thy divine power on record which teaches that man's heart can be suddenly and instantaneously converted to God. Help us, then, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to remove evil from our wills. Give us to see the force and truth of the words, "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you."

O Lord, Thou art perfect and just in all Thy ways; Thou canst not act contrary to the perfect laws of Thy divine love and wisdom; "Thou art not a man that Thou shouldest lie, nor the son of man that Thou shouldest repent." All Thy acts of providence are consistent with Thy laws of order, and an immutable law has gone forth from Thee, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Amen.

Onr Father, etc.

BENEFICENT Father, tender and considerate Parent of all the families of mankind, who for love can be compared unto Thee? What knowledge in man can be compared with the wisdom which cometh from above? and who among the sons of men has strength sufficient to contend against his spiritual enemies, if Thou, O Lord, shouldest separate Thyself from him. Thou only art universal goodness; Thou only art the essential truth. In Thee alone are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and Thou alone art possessed of omnipotent power. We come, therefore, to Thee for help. We feel the certainty of that help being vouchsafed unto us, if we do but humbly seek it. Thy words are our assurance: "Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy." It is Thou, O Lord, that endowest us with strength; Thou it is that givest power unto us, but vain is the gift unless we use it. O help us to see and to feel the importance of the truth, that Thou dost not work for us,. When accomplishing our redemption, and glorifying Thy humanity, Thou didst impress this truth upon our minds, in the important words, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," May this truth be ever before us; whosoever trusteth in Thoe, mercy shall compass him about. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

REAT and merciful Redeemer, by whom we are permitted to live, and whose mercy has protected us during the past night, and brought us to another period of natural existence, that we may spend it usefully and profitably, we desire humbly to adore Thee. We thank Thee for the blessings of the past Sabbath, and for the refreshment by sleep of the past night; and we now invoke Thine aid, that we may be upheld during the present week, and be preserved from falling into temptation.

The promise that no good thing wilt Thou withhold from them that fear Thee and walk uprightly, emboldens us to draw near to the throne of Thy grace. Multitudes of our fellow-creatures, who, by Thine