Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/381

 humble confidence; for if we be obedient to it, we know that Thy Word is true and righteous, and Thou art ever ready to give Thine aid as we in sincerity implore it. Lord we beseech Thee, let the last day, the day of judgment, which follows the day of our departure from this world be, continually before our eyes, that while we live in certain expectation of it, our hearts may be undergoing regeneration while our lives are engaged in works of charity, piety, and usefulness. It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death, the judgment. What if this day prove to us or any one of us the last, are we prepared to meet it? Alas, no! O spare us, Father of mercies; yet give unto us time to recover our strength, and from this moment till the moment we are ealled away, help us to serve Thee with greater spirituality, and walk before Thee in newness of life. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, Thy Sabbath to us has in our wilderness state blessed us with Thy gracious presence. Thou hast been in the midst of us. In the season of suffering our prayers shall be offered unto Thee, O Thou who art the hearer and the answerer of prayer; and when our way seems dark and perplexed, and intricate, and we know not where to tread, to Thee, most blessed Saviour, will we lift up our hearts with our hands, who art the way, the truth, and the life.

When we behold Thee in Thy works, how majestic, how great, how glorious art Thou! When we consider the boundless compass of Thy dominion, and the amazing power and providence which guides and governs the whole, we view our insignificance with wonder, as wa exclaim. Who are we that God should regard us, or take an interest in our affairs? "What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" While we wonder at, and adore the glorious majesty of Thy divine person, and while Thy Word instructs us that Thou art high, inhabiting eternity; we are comforted by the reflection, that Thou dwellest also with the poor in spirit, and Thou art so condescending as to take up Thine abode in the hearts of the contrite ones. None of Thy creatures are below Thy notice; the worm that creeps, the bird that flies, the beast that roams the forest, the man that worships, and whom Thou hast made in Thy image, all depend upon Thee, all wait upon Thee, and Thou satisfiest the wants of every living thing. We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. Heaven and earth is fall of Thy goadness. Glory be to Thy name, O Lord most high! Amen.

Oar Father, etc,

NEFFABLY wise, good, and glorified Lord, Thon alone canst guide us through the devious paths of the world; Thou only canst make us dwell in safety; and the affairs upon which we are about to enter. Thou alone canst prosper.

In entering upon the engagements and duties of thie week, we pray