Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/377

 tection extended towards us during the past night, and the permission granted in the enjoyment of another day, cause us to devote it to Thy service.

Help us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to enter upon the duties of this day under the guidance of Thy love and fear. While we are jealous of our own conduct, and keep an eye of watchfulness over our every thought and deed, may we manifest a spirit of forbearance and tenderness towards others. Above all things, O Lord, preserve us from envy and jealousy. Never may we be guilty of censuring our neighbour, or of insinuating anything to his disadvantage. Thou, O Lord, hast variously endowed us, both as respects talents and station, and Thy wisdom alone knowest what we are best adapted for; may we therefore fulfil the duties of our own station with fidelity, without reflecting upon those who have other duties to perform. O give us to perceive that taking pleasure in exposing the foibles or the vices of others, or such as so appear to us, has its origin in the kingdom of darkness. Rather let us be foremost in calling into notice their good qualities, and like the angels, explore them for good, and bring their good before our brethren, that Thou, O Lord, who art the only source of good, may be glorified in them. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

THOU who hast invited Thy creatures to come into Thy presence and make known their wants before Thee; O Thou who hast invited us to ask and we shall receive; to seek and we shall find," we now humbly draw near to Thee; we seek Thy face. O do Thou be found of us, and let the light of Thy countenance be lifted up upon us, that we may experience Thy salvation. We desire to offer our grateful adoratiousn for the blessings of the past day, remembering that all our enjoyments have been the reault of Thy free bounty, and that Thy goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life. We praise Thee; we magnify Thy name! Thou alone art holy.

Lord, we pray Thee, assist us to become spiritually minded. We confess that our conversation is not always free from reproach, and still less is it holy or spiritual. We do not sufficiently struggle against the indolence, the manners, the luxury, and pleasures of the world. So far from our conversation being in heaven, it tends too frequently to the earth, and partakes of its corruptions. We profess to be believers of thy Word, but pride and negligence prove that we are very imperfectly influeneed by it. While we believe that the poor in spirit are in the enjoyment of those blessings which constitute heavenly happiness, we still struggle for pre-eminence, and would wish to be exalted before our brethren. Lord, humble our pride! Give unto us lowly and contrite hearts, and help us to become of the number of those who are poor in spirit. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

MNIPOTENT, eternal, and glorified Lord, permit us, a few of Thine unworthy children, to approach and adore Thee. We cannot speak