Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/323

 é FORTY-THIRD WEEK. 311

'Woe confess with shame that we havo preferred a temporary to an everlasting good. The waming voice of conscience has often in vain pleaded with us; the proofs of Thy love we have too frequently resisted. The entreaties and the threatenings of Thy Word have made but emall impression upon ns; but still Thy love has borne with ua; still art Thou, in the language of expostulation, uttering, " O that there were such a heart within them, that they would fear Me always, that it might bo well with them." Our iniquities, indeed, testify against us; our sins are pressing us down to the grave. Lord, we cast ourselves upon Thy mercy. Lf Thou help us not, we must perish. © pardon our iniquities, for Thine own name's sake. Amen.

Onur Father, sto.

FRIDAY EVENING.

0 LORD Almighty, whose infinite goodness is constantly manifested

uute Thy creatures, enable us to draw nigh to Thee this evening, that our sense of Thy mercy may be expressed in humble and grateful thanksgiving. How great are the blessings we enjey under the gospel dispensation: " God in Christ reconciling the world mio Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." On Thee. O glorified Redeemer, rests our only hope. Thon art the tried corner-stone, the only sure foundation; and other foundation can no man lay than is laid. To Theo we look, as unto our King. Priest, and Prophet. May Thy dominion be in ua an everlasting dominion. May the teachings of the truth be unto us the only infallible guide; and may we by following Thy wise counsel be led onward in the strait and narrow way, until we attain to the measure of heavenly fulness and the enjoyments of everlaating life.

Lord, thou hast exhorted ua to be perfect even as Thou art perfect; end in the glorification of Thy humanity. Thou wast made perfect through suffering. May we therefore count it our greatest privilege to follow in Thy steps. As trials come upon us. O aid ua to look unto Thee forhelp. Assist us in all things. May we learn of Thee as we daily bear the cross, until wo find reat to our souls in Thy heavenly kingdom.

Amen. Ong Father, ete.

LORD Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, as Thou for us didst sanctify Thyself, so may we show our love and gratitude, and consecrate our lives to Thy service. Should indignity be heaped upon us, should we be rendered the derision of the wicked, O may Thy meekness under indignity, Thy patient endurance under the most grievous sufferings, Thy return of good for evil, be brought before our spiritual perception, and lead to a remembrance that as they of old called the Master of the house "Beelzebub," so will they now those of His household.

As Thou didst enter into Thy glory through suffering, great Saviour, so may suffering purify and perfect us. Assist us to become like-minded with Thee. Give us to feel a humble asssurance that every one that is perfect shall be as his Master. But, Lord, in our endeavours to attain