upon him, look to him for direction, for assistance, and for acceptance in all our sufferings. If we compare Christ's sufferings with our own, we shall find that they far exceed ours both in nature, and in These considerations will be a means to prevent our weariness and fainting; and therefore, it is added, "consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds."

measure.

There is a proneness in the best to grow weary, and to faint under their trials and afflictions; especially when they prove heavy, and of long continuance; and, the best way to prevent this, is to look unto Jesus and consider him. By faith and meditation we shall obtain fresh supplies of strength, comfort, and courage; for he has assured us, "if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him."

Now to him who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, be everlasting praises. Amen.

HYMN

For Friday Morning.

Awake our souls, away our fears,
Let every trembling thought be gone!
Awake, and run the heavenly race,

And put a cheerful courage on.

True, 'tis a strait and thorny road,
And mortal spirits tire and faint;
But they forget the mighty God

That feeds the strength of every saint:

The mighty God whose matchless pow'r
Is ever new, and ever young;

And firm endures, while endless years,
Their everlasting circles run.

From thee, the everflowing spring,

Our souls shall drink a fresh supply;
While such as trust their native strength,
Shall melt away, and droop, and die.

Swift as an eagle cuts the air,

We'll mount aloft to thine abode;
On wings of love our souls shall fly,
Nor tire amidst the heavenly road.

PRAYER

For Friday Morning.

Almighty God, the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift; we bless thee that through thy tender mercy the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace. We thank thee for the gracious assurance of thy beloved Son, our only

Lord and Saviour, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness; but shall have the light of life." Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may not love darkness rather than light, lest it should turn to our condemnation that light is come into the world. may we work the work of God, by believing in him whom he hath sent. Teach us to glorify thy name, and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Deeply impress on our hearts the solemn consideration, that upon this moment of time depends an unchanging eternity; and that our everlasting happiness, all that concerns us for ever, hangs upon a life so quickly gone, and that will never return. Let us gird up the loins of our minds, and in thy strength, prepare in earnest to run the christian race. Are we slothful? Do thou awaken us! Are we burdened with easily besetting sins? O enable us to cast them off, and to watch unto prayer!

Turn away our eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou us in thy ways: make us as zealous for our God, as we have been eager for the world: and enable us to shew the sincerity of our profession by that zeal and fervour, which are the very life and soul of religion!

O our Father, if we have ever wanted comfort, it is not because thou wantest mercy! if we have ever wanted strength, it is not because thine arm is shortened or thine ear heavy! It has been our own frailty and sin that has hindered and drawn us aside from the christian course! We turned not off our eyes from the vanities that surrounded us. We have given place to the world, the flesh, and the devil; and thus have been burdened and hindered by them. Thy grace it is, O heavenly Father, that has called us to the christian race: O make us so firmly thine, that nothing that befals us in the world may separate us from thee: let us not be of them that draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hold thou us up, and we shall be safe, and shall have respect unto thy statutes continually. And as we too often renew our sins, gracious Lord, renew us again to repentance though we fall, let us not be utterly cast down but uphold us with thine Almighty hand. O make us faithful unto death, that thou mayest give us the crown of life. Make us to endure unto the end, that we may be saved; and receive the glorious prize of our high calling, even the salvation of our souls. Amen.

:

HYMN

For Friday Evening.

Ye servants of the Lord,
Each in his office wait
Observant of his heavenly word,
And watchful at his gate.

Let all your lamps be bright,
And trim the golden flame :
Gird up your loins, as in his sight;
For awful is his name.

O happy servant he,

In such a posture found;

He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honour crown'd.

Christ shall the banquet spread,
With his own royal hand;

And raise that faithful servant's head,
Amidst the angelic band.

PRAYER

For Friday Evening.

FOR QUICKENING GRACE,

O God of all grace, who hast of thine abounding mercy provided a Saviour for sinners, we come before thee, according to thy command, to supplicate thy grace to