i

mands. So form our hearts, by thy grace, that, from day to day, we may set the Lord before us, and be in thy fear all the day long.

Our

To thee may our awaking thoughts be directed, and with the first ray of light that visits our opening eyes, lift up, O Lord, the light of thy countenance. voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in our retirement; and in our family, in the morning, will we direct our prayer unto thee, and will look up. O enable us to pour out our hearts before thee with filial reverence, freedom, and endearment. With hearts filled with gratitude would we praise thee for past mercies, and in the exercise of a lively faith would we implore the fresh blessings, which every returning day requires. We desire with cheerfulness daily to renew the dedication of ourselves to thee through Jesus thy beloved Son, and with attention and pleasure read and hearken to the instruction of thine Holy Word, that we may know what thou wouldest have us to do. Enable us to hide thy word in our hearts that we may not sin against thee, and earnestly to seek fresh supplies of thy blessed Spirit (whose influences are the life of our souls,) that we

may be quickened in all the duties which it enjoins.

Being thus prepared, do thou, O Lord, lead us forth to all the duties and events of the day. In the callings to which thou hast directed us, may we abide with thee; not being slothful in business but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Teach us the value of time, and enable us always to improve it to the best advantage, in such duties as thou hast assigned us, (how low or painful soever they may be.) To thy glory, O Lord, may the labours of life be pursued, and to thy glory may the refreshments of it be sought and enjoyed. Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, may that end still be kept in view, and may it be attained. May every refreshment and release from business prepare us to serve thee with greater vigour and resolution.

May our eyes be ever watchful to observe the descent of mercies from thee; and may a grateful sense of thy hand, and thy love in them, add a savour and relish to all. While in this world of trial, may we accustom ourselves to expect afflictions, and when they come, may we be reconciled to them, by remembering that they come from thee, and by firmly believing

that the same love which gives us our daily bread, appoints our daily crosses. May we learn to take them up, and follow our dear Lord, with a temper like that which he manifested when ascending Calvary for our sakes. Like him may we say in the circumstances of trial, "the cup "which iny Father hath given me, shall I "not drink it?"

Keep us, O Lord, we pray thee, from the temptations to which we are daily exposed: or if thou sufferest us to enter into temptation, do thou deliver us from evil. Make us sensible of our own weakness, that our hearts may be raised to thee for needful supplies of strength.

When we are engaged in the society of others, may it be our desire and our care that we may do, and receive, as much good as possible. May all companies and all persons be the better for us. May we be solicitous daily to be answering the great purposes of life, by honouring thee, and diffusing knowledge and happiness in the world: like our blessed Master may we go about doing good.

When we are alone may we remember that our heavenly Father is with us: may we enjoy the pleasure of thy presence, and feel the animating power of it, awakening

our souls to an earnest desire to think and act as in thy sight.

Thus may this day, and all our days, be spent, and let them always be closed in thy fear, and under a sense of thy gracious presence. Help us so to conduct ourselves through the hours of every day, whether at home or abroad, whether in company or alone, whether busy or at rest, that we may be able, at the close, to review it with satisfaction. And, Lord, dispose us seriously and impartially to review the actions of every day, and to judge ourselves for them as those who expect to be judged of the Lord, and are solicitous to be approved by thee, who searchest all hearts, and canst not forget any of our works, that when our Lord shall come, we may hear that joyful sentence, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. Enter ye into the joy of your Lord!" Amen.

HYMN.

THE LIVING SACRIFICE.

Saviour of men, and Lord of love,
How sweet thy gracious name!
With joy that errand we review,
On which thy mercy came.

While all thine own angelic bands
Stood waiting on the wing,
Charm'd with the honour to obey
Their great, almighty King.

For us mean, wretched, sinful men,
Thou laidst thy glory by,
First in our mortal flesh to serve,
Then in that flesh to die.

Bought with thy service and thy blood,
We doubly, Lord, are thine;
To thee our lives we would devote,
To thee our deaths resign.

PRAYER

For Monday Evening.

Infinite and everlasting God! thou art the great Creator of the heavens and of the earth, and of all things visible and invisible ! Thou art the Father Almighty, and thou art the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thine only Son, our Lord; and in and through him the God of all mercy, and grace, and consolation. In this happy way of thine own appointment, do we sinners now, O Lord, approach thee; may our prayer come before thee as incense, and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice; blessed, for ever blessed, be thy name, O thou never failing source of goodnegs and mercy, for the preservation and