Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/361



OST merciful, gracious, and ever blessed Lord, the giver of every good and perfect gift, in whom alone we have redemption, even the forgivencss of sins, assist us to look up unto Thee this morning with reverence, that we may present our supplications in a becoming manner, and hear Thee speaking unto us in spirit, and granting our requests.

Our desires are toward Thee, O Lord, and our hopes altogether rest on Thy sustaining hand. There is nothing in this lower state that yields tranquility to an immortal spirit. We seek for rest, but find none: our existence has been spent hitherto in a vain search after happiness. Amidst the corruptions which prevail around us, amidst all the allurements of the senses, in the pleasures and allurements of the world, even among the society of our friends and relatives, there is yet an unsatisfied mind, a craving for rest and peace, a sighing that "we had wings like a dove, to fly away and be at rest." But all attempts to secure happiness in the pleasures of the world, or in the society of friends, end in disappointment: nothing true, or lasting, or practicable, is to be found, save in Thy kingdom, O Lord. Therefore in Thee do we trust; Thou hast appointed this lower state as one of vicissitude and trial, and we pray Thee help us to prepare for higher in Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

OST merciful Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, another day in mercy hast Thou granted us, and Thy protecting and guiding providence has safely brought us to its conclusion. O teach us to bo humbly grateful, and assist us, while we make mention of all Thy mercies, to praise Thee for all Thy loving-kindness to the children of men.

Thine eyes, O Lord, beheld us, ere we were yet formed. All our days, which should yet be, and of which not one then existed, were written in Thy book; and before we had entered on probation, or knew what trial was, Thy fatherly tenderness had ordered Thy gentle dispensations to exercise themselves on our behalf. And now that many of us have advanced far on our course, we are enabled to call to remembrance how many are the dangers that have been averted, how many wants satisfied, how constantly and uninterruptedly we have been preserved and protected. During the years we have passed in this lower state, we can call to mind the perils to which in our infancy we were exposed, when Thou, O Lord, wast our sole supporter. Our lives have been nourished, our bodily powers daily renewed, our faculties and talents have been unfolded and expanded, and proofs innumerable have passed before us of the superintendence of Thy providence, and of Thy fatherly love and care, from our infancy even to the present moment.

O Lord Jesus! Thou creating Father! Thou redeeming Saviour! we glorify Thy high and holy Name. Amen

Our Father, etc.