Page:The pastor in his closet.djvu/52



the morning watch do I come unto Thee, God, yea, in the morning watch; I remember Thee when I awake, and I remember the great charge which Thou hast given me, even all these souls, these living souls, this multitude of souls, all this people, “fearfully and wonderfully made,” painfully redeemed, bought with blood, even with Thy blood, Thou “Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world.”

On my knees, Lord Jesus, Thou great Shepherd of the sheep, Thou good Shepherd, that laidest down Thy life for the sheep and gavest it to the wolves, out of Thine unspeakable love, love past finding out, for the height and depth and breadth thereof, I do pray Thee remember these souls, this portion of Thy universal flock, this parish, my own dear flock, my care and my joy. Remember them and have mercy on them now, and always, in this life and in the day of judgment.

All these souls in this parish are mine; mine to present unto Thee at the last day; as the steward of them, they are mine, good and bad