sustained us to this hour; and we devoutly rejoice, that we are disposed to appear before thee this evening, as a worshipping family. Above all, everlasting thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that we enjoy the blessings and advantages of a Christian family; that we, belonging to the household of faith, are called to the inheritance of the children of God.

To thee, our Protector in heaven, who crownest our days with favour and mercy, we desire sincerely to renew the surrender of ourselves. May the love and fear of thee dwell in our hearts and rule in our house. As we mutually share thy bounties, may we mutually love each other.

For thy rich mercy's sake in Jesus Christ, forgive the sins with which we are chargeable; forgive us wherein we have trespassed against each other in the course of the day that is now closed; and let not our past transgressions provoke thee to visit our dwelling with thy displeasure.

And now, O God, our prayer to thee is, that we may hereafter be followers of thee, as dear children. May our tempers, as the children of the God of love, be more mild, compassionate,

and benevolent. May we be as Jesus was, holy, harmless, and undefiled. May our passions, subdued by a reverence of thy authority and presence, be more composed and better governed. O may our graces and virtues be strengthened and improved; our love to thee our Father increasing; our love to Jesus made effectual, and our love to each other abound more and more, in all that is amiable, and pure, and affectionate. O may our lives be filled with the fruits of righteousness, to the honour of our relation to thee our Parent, as thy sons and the heirs of eternal life. With these holy and devout sentiments and wishes, we would compose ourselves to sleep; and during the hours when no eye watches for our safety, when we are insensible of danger, and unable effectually to provide for our defence, O almighty and gracious Preserver, keep each of us and our dwelling from evil; and restore us in the morning, with renewed vigour of body and mind, to the duties and pursuits of a useful and virtuous life.

We commend to thee our friends and relatives, our native land, and the whole family of man; beseeching thee, to do abundantly for their good, above what we can ask or think, and when we have answered here the great purposes

of thy goodness in our creation, we humbly pray thee to accept us to the rewards of faithful children in thy kingdom above, through thine infinite mercy declared unto us in Jesus Christ, through whom we would ever ascribe to thee all honour and glory forever. Amen.

THURSDAY MORNING.

Thou

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father! seest our inmost purposes, and searchest our hearts. Enable us at this time, to withdraw our thoughts from the concerns of the world, and hold direct communion with thee, the Father of our spirits. Thine name is excellent in all the earth, and we would worship thee in the beauty of holiness. We come with our intercessions and prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Advocate and Redeemer; and in his name, we most devoutly pray thee, to remember not our offences, though we have sinned against thee. For the glory of thy name, turn from us all those evils we have most justly deserved. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people who are penitent; and according to the

multitude of thy mercies, have compassion on the work of thy hands. Spare us, we entreat thee, from all evil; from the dangerous assaults of temptations; from lusts which war against the soul; from all the deceitful allurements of this world; from thy just displeasure, and from future condemnation. O deliver us, we beseech thee, from all blindness of mind, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word and commandment; from pride, vain glory, and hypocrisy; from envy and hatred; from malice and cruelty, and all uncharitableness. In the time of our prosperity; in the time of our adversity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, gracious God, deliver us. And now, O Father, our hearts' desire and prayer to thee, are that it may please thee to have mercy upon all men, and to bring into the truth all such as have erred and are deceived. Guide and bless all thy sincere worshippers in the right way, that, embracing and holding fast the doctrine of eternal life, they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent. May it please thee, to rule and govern the Christian church, according to the simplicity of the Gospel; and to lead all professing Christians to the right knowledge and practice of their holy religion. Restrain, O God, every kind and

degree of persecution, spiritual tyranny and oppression; and may all shew themselves disciples of Christ, by loving one another. May unity, peace, and concord, reign through the world, and mankind enjoy the rich blessings of good government and order.

O God most merciful! give us to grow in grace, and grant us hearts truly to love and fear thee; to hear thy law with meekness; to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit. Preserve us, if it be thy will, from dangers; from hurtful lightnings and tempests; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from war and wasting calamities. Give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them.

Bless our rulers, and enable them to execute justice and maintain peace. Illuminate all ministers of the Gospel with clear knowledge and understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus; and may all seminaries of learning extend useful arts and virtuous principles. O God, with Christian sympathy we pray to thee, to succour, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, or tribulation. Defend all who travel by land or by water. Provide for the fatherless and the widow. Support the aged, and shew pity upon all prisoners and captives. Strengthen such as do