Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/355

 come into Thy presence, Father of light and life, to offer our tribute of praise, and to implore Thy bleasing and guidance upon the duties of this day. In this world the duties of Thy children are manifold, conducive alike to their health and happiness, as to the proper performance of the laws of charity and usefulness. Lord, let Thy blessing be upon our labours. Prosper Thou the work of our hands, and let Thy people rejoice in the prosecution of all their honest labours, and let them each eat of the frait thereof, and be at peace. But not for the purpose of earthly enjoyment hast Thou placed us here; not that we may set our affections on the world, its riches, its honours, or its pleasures; but that we may, by the exercise of our talents, and ministering to our neighbours' good, prepare for that more glorious world where the riches of the spirit, the wealth of the soul, may be enjoyed in fulness; thorefore our humble petition shall be to Thee, O Lord, that Thou wouldest be pleased to grant to Thy servants "wise and understanding hearts"—hearts to feel Thy love in every blessing we enjoy; understandings to see and acknowledge Thy wisdom in whatsoever Thou permittest. We ask this for Thine own sake, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

GOD, Thou art the Friend as well as the Father of Thy people. Thy friendship varies not, but is unchangeable as Thy divine nature; and we are Thy friends if we do whatsoever Thou commandest us.

The evening has returned; our toil calls for repose; and as a man's countenance is gladdened by his friend, so we seek Thy face anew. Thou art the friend of all men, even to the unthankful and the evil. Though we have all sinned—not once, but again and again—Thy friendship for us still retains its fervency; yea, it would seem the more we wander from Thee, the greater is Thy love and friendship for us; "greater love hath no man than that he lay down his life for his friends." And in the great work of our redemption this love didst Thou manifest, and in Thy love and in Thy pity didst become our Saviour.

O how different is Thy love, blessed Saviour, how devoted Thy friendship, when compared with that of the world! Here, where the most sacred obligations are violated by infidelity; here, where true and diginterested affection is so rare; here, where we often want the means to render aid to those whom we truly love; here, where in the truest friendship time so rapidly snaps it asunder, and death severs the ties with which the tenderest friends have linked their hearts,—here no perfect, no enduring friendship need be expected; it belongs not, in its purity, to this world of change. Therefore, we look unto Thee, as our unchangeable Friend, the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother; and into Thy hands we commit our spirits. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, who hast graciously promised, that whatsoever we shall ask in Thy name, Thou wilt do it, Thou art the hearer of