Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/347

 of the families participating in Thy bounties now kneeling before Thee. We desire to thank Thee for the blessings of the past night, and for the renewal of our strength, by which we are enabled to enter upon the duties of this day; and we pray that, as Thy goodness is new every morning to us, so may we strive, ever looking to Thee for aid, to engage in every good work, and to become imitators of Thee; for they who would truly become Thy disciples must in this as in every other duty "learn of Thee." Help us, then, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to keep in subjection the principle of self, that we may never be elevated above doing our neighbour's good. Help us to keep in remembrance the second great commandment, to love our neighbour as ourself; to rejoice with those who rejoice, to love even those that hate us, and bless those that curse us. Pour forth the influences of Thy Spirit upon us, and as the lives of angels are exercised in constant works of heavenly goodness, so may their sphere pervade us, and incite us to do good to all, and to rejoice and offer thanks for the success of all. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LMIGHTY God, Thou art the Father of all the families of the earth, Thou art our Father, and day unto day and night unto night renews Thy care unto us. On Thee we are dependent not only for existence but for every blessing we enjoy. With gratitude unfeigned, O Lord, we acknowledge all the mercies we have enjoyed, from our birth to the present moment. We adore Thy bountiful providence for the endearing ties of family connections, and for having granted us to be participators in the joys of domestic life. We thank Thee for the health and temporal prospects which we enjoy, for the abundance with which Thou furnishest our tables, for the clothing which covers us, for the habitation which Thou hast assigned us, and for all the comforts and conveniences which surround us. We thank Thee for the success which has hitherto crowned our exertions, and for the instruction which has been communicated unto us, through the medium of the wisdom and intelligence of others, the source of which we most gratefully acknowledge to be in Thee, O Lord. We thank Thee, O Lord, for the afflictions which Thou hast permitted to visit our habitation, even the sorest that can happen to frail nature, the removal from our circle of one [or more] of our dearest friends, for Thou hast not left us without support and consolation. Glory be to Thy holy name, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

THOU that hearest prayer, and hast left the injunction "that men ought always to pray-and not to faint," we come before Thee this morning renewed in health and strength. Thou hast kept us in safety during the past night, we have slept in peace, and have awaked in circumstances of comfort; our food is provided for us, and the day opens upon us with the promise of all that we need. In gratitude we offer the earliest thoughts and desires of our souls unte Thee; may they be as the