Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/89



LORD Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, confirm within us, we beseech Thee, a full conviction of Thy creating and redeeming love; of thine Omnipotent power to save; of Thy ever-present watchfulness; of Thine infinity and immensity; and of all Thy divine perfections and attributes. We desire to adore Thee as our Creator, Redeemer, and Regenerator, in whom alone all fulness dwells, as God over all, blessed for evermore.

Lord, be Thou with every member of this family during the day. In our approaches unto Thee may there be no divided hearts, no distracted minds; but in fervency of spirit, and in reverent fear, may we worship toward Thy holy temple. If we can perform any use in Thy Charch, Lord help us to do so; and may we do our duty with singleness of purpose, as the servants of Thee, our God and Saviour, doing Thy will from the heart.

As we enter the house of worship may we remember to whose service it is consecrated, and humbly falling on our knees, pray for the sanctifving influences of that spirit which cometh from above, that we may be enabled with meekness to receive Thy message of salvation to our souls.

Bless him whom Thou hast given to us to minister in sacred things, and prosper the labour of his hands. May we treat his office with respect, and remember that he stands between the living and the dead to stay the plague. May we listen to his exhortations with meekness, and repent and turn unto Thee, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, so shall this Sabbath be a foretaste of the rest which remaineth for the people of God. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, while we remember Thee as the Son of Mary suspended from the ignominious cross, suffering that death which in those days was [considered as] most infamous, most painful, most accursed, we remember too, that this last and most direful temptation, though not redemption itself, was the crowning act which sealed that great and important work; "and when the Son of Mary died, the Son of God arose." Then was the great, the glorious work finished. Then was the host of man's enemies brought into subjection. Then did the divine Redeemer, even Thou, O gloritied Lord, rise in all the majesty of a mighty conqueror, and asserting all power in heaven and on earth didst ascend high above all heavens, and didst receive all homage, every knee bowing, every tongue confessing that Thou art Christ the Lord. Thus was man enabled triumphantly to exult in the mighty deliverance wrought out, and in holy triumph to exclaim, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, even to our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath given us the victory." Thou art God over all! blessed for ever.

Lord, we adore Thee for the instruction we have received, we will praise Thy holy name for ever and ever, we will give Thee thanks con-