Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/374

 grounded not so much in what Thou hast done for us (although we ardently pray to be kept in constant remembrance of all Thy divine benefits), as in a pure love for Thy excellency, perfection, and holiness. We would love Thee as children, not as slaves or hirelings; we would desire to be obedient to Thy divine commandments, not from dread of everlasting punishment, but from fear which springs from love. May our obedience be displayed to Thy all-wise injunctions, not from dread of punishment, which attends their infraction, but from a pure love of righteousness, and from an ardent affection to Thy person. May Thy divine words, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," be ever present before us.

Help us, O Lord, to acquire a spirit of true zeal: zeal which shall, induce an active superintendence of all our affections and thonghts, so that we may never fall into that state of coldness and apathy which is so pregnant with mischief to our souls. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

ORD of the Sabbath, who hast so mercifully blended instruction and happiness this day, we Thy children humbly but lovingly appreach Thee. Let what Thou hast seen amiss in us this day be pardoned, O Lord, for Thy mercy sake. We are emboldened thus to address Thee because like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." O may Thy fear be ever before our eyes, that we sin not. We have need, O Lord, as Thou knewest, of constant help; we can indeed do nothing without Thee; and we feel that Thy righteous dispensations must be constantly exercised, or we should fall into thet dangerous state of apathy against which we are so solemnly admonished in the words "Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." No duty can be faithfully performed but by the surrender of some selfish inclination; no precept can be faithfally obeyed without warring either with our passions or our corrupt inclinations; and Thy Word of truth assures us that unless we forsake all that we have, we cannot be Thy disciples. Such is our weakness that we every moment depend upon Thee for aid to resist our besetting sins. But Lord, we thank Thee for Thy gracious promises of assistance: Thou art ever ready to hear and to answer from Thy high and holy place, and "they who wait upon Thee shall renew their strength." In Thy strength, O Lord, we trust. O help us, for Thy name and mercy sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

THOU whose everlasting goodness has by the refreshing influences of sleep again prepared our bodies for the duties of usefulness in the world, accept our humble gratitude for Thy never failing mercy, and grant us still the watchfulness of Thy providential care, that we may be preserved against the snares of our spiritual enemies.

We feel, O Lord, that our own strength is totally insufficient to contend against evil; and all our prudence avails but little against the wiles