that the waves thereof are still, restrain for them the raging tempest; quiet for them the devouring ocean; and send them in safety and gladness over their trackless journeys. And while their feet are upon land, keep them from straying among thoso forbidden paths, which are more dangerous than stormy winds, and sunken rocks, and treacherous

seas.

Heavenly Father, I thank thee that this class of men, so long neglected, has at length arrested the sympathies of some in thy churches; and that successful measures have been undertaken, to make them the subjects of that gospel, which should be their anchor in port, and their chart at sea. Lord, spread widely through thy churches, a knowledge of the wants and claims of seamen. May thy people look with compassion on their toils and sufferings, their dangers and destitution; and be led, in the love of souls, to strive to bring them into the kingdom of heaven. Grant that these men, who have so long been the instruments of carrying the vices of civilization among the heathen, and all nations of the world, may soon become the heralds of the gospel, and carry to every coast of earth, the blessings of redeeming grace. O fulfil that vision of prophecy, in which the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto God!

SELF-CONSECRATION.

Gracious God, help me to consecrate myself to thee, with full purpose of soul, and with endeavours after new obedience. Make me feel that if I could offer thee a world, and yet hold back the gift of my heart, my oblation would be but a worthless and odious thing in thy sight. Lord, I am thine by

creation, and by constant benefaction. O has not Christ died for me, that I should be thine, in the purchase of his atoning blood? Let me, therefore, not live unto myself, but unto him. Enable me to say from my heart, Here, Lord, I give myself to thee; it is all that I can do." Accept, I pray thee, that offering, in the name of Jesus, the Ransom of sinners.

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I would take thee, O Lord, as my portion-thy law as my rule-thy service as my meat and drink -and thy purposes as the ground of my faith and hope. Bring all my expectations, wishes, and intentions into conformity with thy will; and let me live, and move, and have my being in a covenant of full-hearted and never-failing devotion to thee, and the interests of thy kingdom.

SELF-DENIAL.

O Most High, enable me to deny myself, to take up my cross daily, and to follow my blessed Saviour; who, though he had shared with the Father, the glory from the beginning, yet made himself of no reputation; and though he had all power in heaven and earth, took upon him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Lord, grant me the spirit of self-denial in what I eat and drink, and wherewithal I am clothed. Let me not be a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. Make me temperate in every lawful pursuit. Help me to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. May I forsake uncleanness of thought, word, and action. Turn me away from the love of money, which is the root of all evil. Give me grace to stifle my desires for the praise of

men, whose favour is indeed deceitful. Raise me above the fear of man, that bringeth a snare. Assist me, I beseech thee, to overcome my temptations to display and to self-righteousness; and let me count all things but loss, that I may be found in Christ, with that righteousness which is of God, by faith. Make me willing to give up every thing which will come in competition with the interests of my soul, or the welfare of thy kingdom. Yea, let me not count my life dear to myself, if I may avoid that which is evil, and cleave to that which is right: for whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but he that loseth his life for thy sake, shall find it.

SELF-DECEPTION.

Searcher of Hearts, suffer me not to dwell at ease in Zion, if I have only a name to live, and have not the lifegiving power of godliness. If my hope be false, O take it away before it becomes as that of the hypocrite-as a spider's web, or as the giving up of the ghost. Bestow on me, I beseech thee, thou Gracious One, a good hope through grace, which shall be as a house built on a rock, that shall not fall, though the rains come, and the winds blow, and beat upon it. May it be as an anchor to my soul, both sure and steadfast, entering into that within the vail. Lord, search me and try me, and see if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. If I have indeed been deceived, O do thou open my eyes, and turn me from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that I may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith.

Great God, let there be searchings of heart among

all that profess thy name. May they remember that those are not all Israel, who are of Israel. Not every one that saith, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven: for the King will say of many who would be guests at his heavenly table, 66 Bind them hand and foot, and take them away, and cast them into outer darkness-there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." O let all the victims of self-delusion cast off the robes of deceit, and put on the wedding garment; that they may be found among thy chosen ones, whom thou will feast with the fulness of joy, in thy presence, forevermore.

SELF-EXAMINATION.

Great Source of Wisdom, give me a habit of honest and searching self-examination, that I may prove myself, and know whether I am in the faith. Make me ever anxious to know the state of my heart, and the working of my motives. Guide and strengthen me, while I inquire of my soul and of thee, whether I acknowledge and mourn over my transgressions, and receive Christ as my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Have I indeed been born again-am I a new creature in Christ Jesus-and are the evidences of my new estate clear and increasing? Is the Lord my master to serve, and my portion to enjoy; and is the welfare of his kingdom the desire of my heart? Am I daily dying unto sin, and living unto righteousness? Am I thankful for mercies, and prayerful for blessings; pursuing the glory of God; doing to others as would have them do unto me; and diligently seeking that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God?

Teach me, O Lord, all my errors, weaknesses,

and sins. Cleanse me from them by the enlightening, strengthening, and sanctifying influences of thy Spirit. And O, may I remember that if I should be wilfully or heedlessly blind to my transgressions, thou, Lord, knowest them altogether. Let not selflove nor pride, hinder me from an impartial knowledge of myself. Preserve me from a false estimate of any part of my character. May I look at my principles as well as my conduct and at my motives as well as my actions. Let me never mistake the excitement of feeling for the renewing of the Holy Ghost; nor the outward activities of religion for its inward spirit. Let me not judge of my religion by occasional impressions and impulses, but by my habit of life. Lord, make it worthy of the vocation wherewith I am called, and such as becometh the gospel of Christ.

SELFISHNESS.

Great Sovereign, let not my motives nor conduct be governed by selfishness. Teach me that this principle is the original and deep-rooted sin of my nature. O how has it exalted self above all other creatures, and above God himself! How has it filled the world, in all the length of its history, with pride, self-indulgence, contention, cruelty, and death.-Lord, suffer me not to set up my judgment against thy wisdom, nor my desires against thy will. Show me that thy will is the supreme law of both duty and happiness. Keep me from seeking my own interests heedlessly, or at the expense of the welfare of others. Make me realize that I am but a unit among the multitudes of thy rational creatures, each of whom has the same deep stake with myself, in the pursuit of comfort and well-being.