Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/331

 again to exclaim, "Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." The waning year reminds us of the rapid progress of our own natural existence. The fall of the leaf is an emblem of human life, and of the frailty of all terrestrial things. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, the vigour of manhood gives place to the feebleness of age. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fail. How soon may all be stripped of their beauty and vigour, even as the first blasts of winter nip and destroy the autumnal herbage and foliage. The blighting winds of winter may destroy our health, and lay prostrate in the dust our mortal frames; but if we have been obedient to Thee, if we have wrought out our salvation with fear and trembling. Thy Word encourages us under the assurance that we shall renew our strength; we shall mount up with wings as eagles; we shall run and not be weary, we shall walk and not faint. O gracious promise, divine assurance, which thus in the season of desolation confirms the gracious promise, "Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee." May this be our happy state, O Lord; and that we may experience it. O assist us to fix our minds exclusively on Thee, and to observe Thy precepts and do Thy commandments. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, we come before Thee this Sabbath morning to worship at Thy footstool. O let Thy servants experience the fulfilment of ancient prophecy in their individual states. We are poor and needy; we seek after Thy truth; O send forth Thy light and Thy truth; assuage our spiritual thirst, O Lord; forsake us not in the hour of our need. In this our low and wilderness state, O let Thy springs of truth gush forth and fill our souls with the truth of heaven. May our affections blossom into goodness, and ripen into active love and usefulness: and as Thine eye is upon them that fear Thee, upon them that hope in Thy mercy, so Thy hand delivers our souls from death, and keeps us alive by the bread of life.

Guide us, O Lord, in the faithfal performance of the duties of this day. Order all our steps, that none of them may slide. In all our goings be Thou near to direct us, and let all our steps be ordered of Thee. Lord, we commit ourselves entirely to Thy gracious guidance, trusting that whatsoever is right Thou wilt bring to pass. Bless the labours of Thy ministering servants, and crown them with success. Shed Thy benign influence on our teachers of youth, and surround them with the spheres of Thy light and love, and may all who delight in Thee, receive the desires of their hearts, and experience the bleasedness of spiritual peace and rest. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Almighty, our heavenly Father, as our path in the regeneration becomes more beset with difficulties and trials, may its brightness increase, its flame burn with greater steadiness, shining brighter