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 TENTH WEEK. 71

perfectly performed the duties of this day, and we desire to acknowledge in Thy presence our continued inclination to indulge in our own selfish gratifications. Thy truth has frequently risen up in judgment against us, and condemned us: it has discovered to us the hideous deformity of evil, and O how often have we stifled its convictions, and still pursued the course which we have known to be opposed to our true interests. We have considered Thy truth as a tiresome monitor, always ready to condemn, and always imposing new restrictions upon our pleasures; and often have we desired to close our minds against: 'Thy silent pleadings, and, like the early disciples, to walk uo more with Thee. But Thou. Lord, art good, and plenteous in mercy; Thou hast not left us to perish in our perversity, but, still seeking for our eternal happiness. Thou hast permitted us to be visited by some severe visitation of 'hy Providence, that Thou mightest save us, even though it be by fire. Amen. Our Father, etc.

MERCIFUL Lord our Heavenly Father, our souls wait upon Thee, from Thee alone cometh our salvation. Thou only art our rock, our defence; whosoever trusteth in Thee cannot be moved. O God, Thou art our God, early will we seek Thee. Our souls thirst for Thee in a dry and barren land where no water is. Be near unto us, O Lord, we entreat Thee; let thy mercy hold us up. O cause Thy face to shine and we shall be saved.

Thou hast added yet another night to our existence; the morning has dawned upon us, and in renewed health and strength we are among the number who may go forth to their daily labour, and show a due sense of Thy loving-kindness by performing our duties faithfully. In our journey through the wilderness of this world, we feel and know that in the fountain of our hearts and understandings are to be found the bitter waters of our own manifold corruptions. How do we now need, as did the Israelites of old, that our bitter waters of Marah should be sweetened by the tree of genuine goodness! How are we, like them, drawn down to the earth, and chained to our worldly possessions, using even the truths of Thy word in a misapplied manner. O sweeten Thou by Thy love our bitter waters, enable us to see that truth was given us for the purification of our souls; teach us, O Lord, by experience, that all worldly possessions, and all worldly attainments, and all wordly honours, must end in disappointment, if temporal views be not made living by those which are spiritual. Cleanse us, O Lord, by Thy truth, and let not any evil have dominion over us. Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech Thee, for Thy name and mercy's sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

NFINITE, Omnipotent, and Beneficent Jehovah, we draw nigh to Thee this evening, deeply impressed with Thy fatherly love towards us. Thou art unspeakably happy in Thyself, and Thou alone art the source of happiness in Thy children. But Thou movest in a mysterious way to keep