Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/336

 shakes our souls with fear, our prayer is unto Thee for protection and help, and Thy answer is, "Fear thou not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, I am thy God." "They who descend to the sea in ships, and see Thy wonders in the deep," pray to Thee for help and confidence, and they are defended in the hour of danger. In all our states of trial, in all our seasons of rejoicing, in every calamity to which we are exposed, may we remember Thine own words of encouragement—men ought always to pray. Heavenly Father, may Thy will be done. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, we would offer our thanksgivings unto Thee for all the wonders that have issued and are daily issuing from Thy creative hands. Help us to ascend in spirit towards Thee by the objects before us and by the creatures Thou hast made, that we may behold in each some ray of Thy goodness, have a perception of some minute particle of truth, and read in the book of the world fresh confrmations of the Book of divine revelation and truth. From the dust on which we tread, and of which our material bodies are framed, we will raise ourselves in humble devotion to Thee, view Thy divine beneficence, and call to mind the period when, in the wondrous display of Thy love and mercy, Thy feet trod the path of suffering, and went onward in the glorification of Thy humanity, still doing good, and leaving the traces of Thy footsteps in blessings to all Thy creatures.

By a contemplation of Thy glorious perfections, as seen in the least of all Thy works, O Being of beings, Uncreated, Eternal, and Omnipotent, may our Souls be in a constant state of spiritual elevation. While doing our duty here, may Thine aid be always present; may we aspire to be soon admitted into the assembly of the first-born, and join the spirits of the just made perfect, to praise Thee in newness of spirit in Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


 * FRIDAY EVENING. LORD Jesus Christ. Thou has given to every man according to his several ability Thy heavenly talents, and to all hast Thou giver the command "Ocenpy till I come"; to one fivo, to another two, to another one. Are we iu the humble position of those who receive but one talent: 0 help us so to use it that it may double its value, and be returned to Thee as the Giver, with humble gratitnde. Every good that we behold in others may we love and cherish, remembering the source whence it originates; may we appropriate so much of it as belongs ta oar own state, and thus render our own sphere the more delightful; and may we love the median through which it flowa, ascribing to Thee all the honour, which is Thy due. Arsist ua. O Lord, a0 to watch over our own life and conversation, that there may at all times be in our centre an emanation from Thy love and light, to warm and animate and direct us. Hedge us round abowi with Thy truth, and let it be unto us as a wall of separation and defence. Keep our thoughts in a state of spiritnal elevation and watchfulnes,