Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/52



LMIGHTY and most merciful Saviour! unto Thee we present our praises and thanksgivings, for every past instance of Thy love and mercy. Another day's duties have been brought to a close, and the temporal affairs of the world have occupied our attention. How have we performed these duties? Has the love of our neighbour been ever before us? and has the love of usefulness, from a principle of goodness animated us? Have we set Thee continually before our eyes? Have we dealt justly with our fellow-men, and served faithfully, and with a single eye, those who have employed us? Important questions! May we place ourselves at the bar of our own consciences and try ourselves by the standard of Thy truth. For "Who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?—He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."

O Lord, as these truths of Thy Word press themselves upon our recollections we are constrained to acknowledge that we have very imperfectly performed our duties. Our best efforts have been tinged with insincerity, and too often with intense selfishness. We have imagined we might do the best we could for ourselves, and thus we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves; and while we have assumed the name of Christ, how utterly unworthy are we to bear Thy name. O heavenly Father, instruct us in the use of Thy Word, as may best show our desire for reformation; pardon our sins, we beseech Thee, for Thine own name and mercy sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

O LORD Jesus Christ, accept our tribute of praise, this morning, our grateful adoration for the protection of the past night, and permit us to approach Thee with humility and lowly-mindedness, and to acknowledge that Thy watchful eye never intermits its guardian care over us.

We have rested in peace and safety, we have risen again, for Thou sustainest us, we are surrounded by Thy mercy; the day has opened, and brought with it its accustomed benefits and blessings; our health is continued unto us, our table is spread before us, and Thou hast invigorated our frames, and made us strong to labour.

O Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily—Jesus, our Saviour, our merciful one, may we ever evince a becoming sense of Thy goodness, and show our gratitude by a holy and religious life. Thou art our great Parent, our indulgent Father, although the great God of heaven and earth. We are Thy children, the sheep of Thy pasture, the recipients of perpetual life from Thee. Thee we adore! Thee only do we worship! and without Thee we can do nothing.

Thou hast instructed us in the great duties and business of life, and