Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/38

28 TUESDAY EVENING.

GOD, whose presence is with all who are humble in spirit and contrite in heart, we—who have tasted of Thy love, and have been by Thy truth instructed. O Thou whose wisdom is universal, whose ways are past finding out, but whose every act bears the stamp of Fatherly tenderness and compassion—wearied with the day's pursuits, and borne down by the labour of the flesh, we would seek Thee, and, in the way of Thy own appointment, desire to refresh our wearied frames by laving in the waters of the Spirit. Thy Word is indeed a fountain of living waters; the streams whereof gladden every human soul; for Thou art always in the midst of Thy Word, and therefore is if by Thy presence always pure, always ready for the healing of the nations, always spirit and life.

As we kneel in Thy presence, we feel our weariness subside; a quiet gladness pervades our frames; the influences of Thy goodness fall silently upon us as the dew of Hermon, as the dew that descended on the mountains of Zion; and a refreshed spirit gives repose to a wearied body.

Lord, we have fresh occasions to love and adore Thee, for every morning brings same new benefit, every evening some fresh token of Thy love. "Day unto day uttereth speech, night unto night showeth knowledge." All Thy works praise Thee. The sun as he sets in splendour, the moon, as she "trails her silver glories through the night," the stare as they emit their burning radiance, and man created in Thy image aud likeness, with all his innumerable affections and thoughts, are bodied in life in the various parts of creation:—all these when in order show forth all Thy greatness and speak of all Thy loving-kindness, and call us by faith, love, and knowledge daily and hourly to glorify Thy name. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

GOD, in whose presence all men are equal, but who yet, by the inscrutability of Thy wisdom, hast so created and disposed them, that they may fill varied stations in life, and by being suitably but differently gifted, each be enabled to minister to the good, the comfort, and the happiness of others; O Thou who thus wisely and by Thy providence so disposest us, that we may all be members of the same family, and be united by the spirit of adoption under one parent, whereby we can call upon Thee as our common Father,—we draw near to Thee this morning; and refreshed in our bodies, and made strong for labour, we offer our thanksgivings unto Thee; we sing praises to Thy name, O Thou most High.

Ar part of the great creation, we desire to make acknowledgment of the allegiance due to Thee. For the heaven, even the heaven of heavens, is Thine, but the earth hast Thou given to the children of men. Who shall not fear Thee, O Thou righteous God, and sing praises unto Thee, O Thou beneficent parent?

O Thou that hearest prayer, to Thee shall all flesh come. Deign to listen to our petitions, we beseech Thee. To whom can we make known our wants, O Lord, but unto Thee; Thou hast the words of eternal life, and from Thee the all-pervading power of life goes forth. O may we ever keep in view the end for which we were designed. May we watch over