same love; being of one accord and of one mind. Remove all schisms and divisions, jealousies and debates, strifes and contentions. Let us not judge our brother, let us not set him at naught, but let us rather judge this, that no man put a stumbling-block, or any occasion to fall, in his brother's way. Give us that most excellent gift of love which suffers long and is kind, envies not, is not puffed up, covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things; seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Give unto us a right judgment in all things; so increase our knowledge of divine truth, that we may be more and more joined together as one man, in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. Give us to be subject to one another in the fear of God, and to be clothed with humility. O may all the churches of Christ holding the Head, notwithstanding mere outward differences, so far as they have already attained, walk by the same rule, mind the same thing; be of one heart and of one soul; speak the truth in love, and grow up into him in all things which is the Head, even Christ. Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Do thou at length bring in the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and thus may there be one fold under one Shepherd, even Jesus our Redeemer,

CLXXXIV.

PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY.

We bless thee, O Lord, for the mercies shown. unto our favoured land. Make us, as we ought to be. grateful for the blessings which we enjoy as its citizens; and O grant that our past deliverances may be earnests of future mercies. Visit not upon us the open wickedness and blasphemy which has place in our borders; preserve us from all dangers without, and from the still greater dangers that threaten us within. Bless those in authority; pour upon them such a measure of thy grace that they may be made a blessing to the people committed to their charge. Give unto us as a nation, that faith which overcometh all things; so that, serving God and working righteousness, we may be a joy and praise in the whole earth. Make thy people more powerful intercessors both for our church and country, that even from this land thousands and tens of thousands may join the hosts of thy redeemed, and every corner of our land be an altar from whence the sweet incense of praise shall arise unto thee. For thine own name's sake. Amen.

CLXXXV.

FOR CONGRESS.

Bless the meeting of Congress to the great advantage and welfare of our country. Direct, control, and prosper all their deliberations for the best good

of this land. Assist the administration to bring forward healing and beneficial measures, and may they be perfected for the welfare of all. May our country be a light among the nations, holding forth the word of life. Turn from us all those judgments which our sins have most righteously deserved, and may all our wealth, power and commerce be used to promote thy glory. May we fear none but thee, seek to please none but thee; and pleasing thee alone, look to thee alone for protection, to thee alone for greatness; and always render to thee the honour and glory due to thy great name, through Jesus our Redeemer.

CLXXXVI.

FOR OUR GREAT CITIES.*

Almighty God, the King of nations, who hast raised up great cities until thou hast made their merchants princes and their traffickers the honourable of the earth, and hast brought them low again because they have sinned and not honoured thee with their substance; grant that we, being admonished by their example, may not likewise perish. Thou hast clothed our fields with plenty, and prospered our commerce; O let not our hearts be lifted up within us, nor pride obtain dominion over us; but so increase our faith in thy directing providence, that we may give all the

* Altered from a prayer used at the laying of the corner-stone of the new Royal Exchange by Prince Albert, Jan. 17, 1842.

glory of our prosperity to thee, who orderest all things according to the pleasure of thy will.

May we as a nation be deeply humbled before thee, on account of the wickedness of the people, the luxury and pride, and dissipation of the higher classes, the profligacy and open wickedness of the lower, the fearful neglect of thy worship and service among all classes, and the want of provision for the religious instruction of the poor. We mourn before thee for the abominations done in the midst of us, and entreat thee to spare us and to give us true repentance. In this our day of grace incline all our hearts to trust in the Lord Jesus alone, and to live to his glory.

May our merchants, regarding themselves as stewards of thy bounties, be ever guided in their acquisition of wealth by thy holy law, conducting their dealings with strict integrity, and never going beyond or defrauding one another. And in their expenditure of honourable gains, may they labour to farther the spread of thy kingdom upon earth and the well-being and salvation of their fellow-men. Hear and answer this our prayer, most gracious God, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLXXXVII.

FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN ARDUOUS DUTIES.

all

O Lord, we bless thee that thou hast united thy people as one body, so that if one member suffer, the members suffer with it; and if one member be

honoured, all the members rejoice with it. O thou who thus hast taught us ever to sympathize with each other and to seek the good of the whole body, we desire to commit unto thee our beloved brethren, whom thou art calling to great and arduous duties in thy church, in withstanding the adversaries of thy truth, and upholding works of righteousness and mercy. May they be bold in the strength of God. May they be steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in thy work. Uphold them with thy free Spirit. Teach them to be strong in faith; give them the wisdom that cometh from above, and enable them to discern things that differ, to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. Give them holy decision, patient and persevering zeal, and all the meekness and gentleness of Christ. May love to thee and to all men be the soul-quickening motive of their labours, and finally crown them with success beyond their largest hopes and expectations, that they and we and all thy people may triumph in thy loving-kindness to thy church, through Jesus our Redeemer.

CLXXXVIII.

PRAYER FOR BENEFACTORS.

We desire, O our God, our great benefactor and friend, to thank thee for the kindness and favours which we receive from our fellow-men, and we earnestly pray thee to return them abundantly into their own bosoms all their love shown to us. May they