Thou hast said that he who would follow Jesus, must deny himself. Keep me from the character and wo of those that covet an evil covetousness, and who would grow rich in pleasure and worldly good, at the cost of the humble and needy. O let me not exclude myself from thy love, nor dishonour humanity, by shutting up my feelings of compassion at the cry of want or misery. Give me that charity that seeketh not her own, that goeth about doing good, even as did our Lord and Master.

Lord, preserve me from selfishness in the pursuits of religion. Though thou hast enjoined on me the most diligent efforts for growth in grace and personal salvation, thou hast laid necessity upon me, to spread the gospel among the destitute, and to warn souls from the broad way of death, and win them to the narrow path of life. O help me so to blend my duties to myself and my neighbour, that we together may be partners of thy fellowship on earth, and joint-heirs of thy communion in heaven.

SEMINARIES.

Great Teacher, bestow thy choicest favours on those who are now in training for the active duties of life, in our various institutions of learning. I thank thee that thou art multiplying the facilities of securing a liberal education, and that an increasing number of minds are receiving those acquisitions of knowledge, which impart dignity and usefulness to man. Yet, O Lord, I desire to remember that many youth, who were the hope of parents, and the pride of friends, have made shipwreck in our seminaries, of all that is valuable for time and eternity; and that unsanctified genius has often exerted, and may still exert, a fearful power to do evil.

Lord, shelter these precious youth from the dangers to which they are exposed, by ambition, infidelity, and corruption. Thou seest that the large majority of them are unconverted; and that beside the peril that may accrue to their own souls, they are the germs of those influences which will spread weal or wo among mankind. Thou knowest that it is to these the church looks for the chief supply of that ministry, which thou hast appointed to preach the gospel to every creature.

Gracious God, make these institutions favourable, in the highest degree, for the promotion of useful learning and sound morals. May those who teach in them, be fitted in intellect and heart for their responsible duties. Grant that while their pupils are drinking from the fountains of human knowledge, they may also draw water out of the wells of salvation; and be prepared to go forth, into the walks of life, laden with the mingled treasures of wisdom and piety.

Lord, remember pious students. Suffer them not to forsake nor dishonour their profession of godliness. Let their example be moulded in righteousness. Give them willing hearts and abundant opportunities to do good in their station. O do thou make our seminaries subjects of deep interest and earnest supplication in thy church. Let that day of annual prayer which has been appointed for them, be a consecrated season among thy people. And grant, that often, very often, in the sacred desk, in the social meeting, and in the lonely closet, earnest entreaty may go up to thy throne, that thou wouldst take the precious jewels of educated mind, in these cabinets of knowledge, and purify and polish them, that they may reflect thy glory before earth and heaven.

SERVANTS.

Heavenly Master, bless those that occupy the relation of servants. Teach them the duties of their station, and dispose them to do them in the fear of the Lord. May they count their masters worthy of honour, and obey them in singleness of heart, as unto Christ; with good-will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatsoever good things any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Make them faithful in protecting and diligent in promoting the interests, reputation, and comfort of their employers.-O that they might always be treated with kindness and liberality; and thus be induced to a grateful attachment to those whom they serve. Lord, protect them from oppression, unkindness, and fraud. Make them contented and happy in the discharge of their lawful duties. May they remember that even the Son of Man took upon him the form of a servant, and came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Show them that their station is of the ordinance of God; and that by a faithful use of their opportunities, they may so labour in the service of heaven, that at the last day, their great Master may say unto them, “Well done, good and faithful servants; enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

SICKNESS.

Blessed and Only Potentate, in thy power are the springs of disease and the secrets of health. Thou makest sore, and bindest up: thou woundest, and thy hands make whole. If thou speak the word, the season of my sickness shall melt away into the refreshing glow of health: but if thou command it

otherwise, it will change to the cold and gloomy darkness of death and the grave. Lord, make me content to leave its issues with thee. If it be thy will, then raise me up, to praise thee in the land of the living. But if not, prepare me for the valley of the shadow of death. May thy rod and staff comfort me, and thy hand minister unto me an entrance abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Parent, visit in great mercy, all that lie on beds of languishing. Induce them to reflect that disease is a mournful proof of human transgression. May they regard their sickness as the light recompense of their iniquities; and as the discipline of thy hand, which will either prepare them for better service on earth, and nobler enjoyment in heaven— or leave them to greater hardness of heart in this world, and deeper condeinnation in the world to come. O Lord of Mercy, relieve their pains, or give them grace to bear them with enduring patience. Let them neither despise thy chastenings, nor faint at thy rebukes. Grant them confidence in thy wisdom, mercy, and power: for thou canst not err in thy judgment-thy chastenings work out the peaceable fruits of righteousness and thy strength is made perfect in human weakness. May the light of thy countenance be more desirable to them, than even the gladness of returning health. O teach them in these hours of suffering, how brief and uncertain are earthly comforts-how weak and brittle is their hold on human life. Incline them, I pray thee, to renounce every human hope, and to look unto Jesus, as the great and only Physician of the soul. May they, by the exercise of faith in his atoning

blood, consecrate themselves to him, that whether living or dying, they may be the Lord's.

Merciful Father, shed thy most tender compassions over those whose sickness is unto death. May thy saints be stayed in their hour of trial, upon thine everlasting arm, and go through the swelling tide with hope in their hearts, and rejoicing on their lips. O let not the sinner venture to encounter the king of terrors with sullen indifference, nor deceptive hope. Although a death-bed repentance be an uncertain ground of trust, yet thy grace, which is sufficient for every emergency of life, can still redeem him, even in the gates of dissolution. O Jesus, speak to him, as thou didst to the thief on the cross, 66 To-day shalt thou be with me in Para

dise."

SIN.

Holy One of Israel, teach me the evil nature and fearful consequences of iniquity. It is the transgression of thy law, in doing what thou hast forbidden, and failing to do what thou hast commanded. Lord, every sin deserves thy wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come.

Assist me, I beseech thee, to feel that it is an evil and bitter thing to sin against the Lord. Thy law, which I and all mankind break, is holy, just, and good. Thy goodness against which we have transgressed, has been over us every hour of our lives. Thou hast nourished and brought us up as children; but we have rebelled against thee. Every sin which we commit, includes as many acts of ingratitude as the whole number of thy past mercies to us. Our iniquity has blinded our minds towards truth, and has made us the prey of error. It has