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may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. And grant that the love of Christ may constrain us to live no longer unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again.

Gracious Lord, without whom we can do nothing, but through whom we can do all things, restrain us from selfconfidence and presumption, and teach us humbly and faithfully to trust in Thee. Hold Thou up our goings in Thy paths, that our footsteps slip not. Enable us to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; that when our course in this life is ended, we may be admitted to the supper of the Lamb, and may sit down with Him in the kingdom of His Father.

We commend to Thy favour our friends and fellowworshippers, and more especially those who, on this occasion, have joined with us in commemorating the Saviour's death. May their hearts be comforted, being knit together in love. And as they have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so may they walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, stablished in the faith, and abounding therein with thanksgiving. Be gracious to the young; confirm them in their principles, and keep them from the evil that is in the world. Support the aged under the burden of their infirmities, and cheer them with the persuasion that Thou wilt never leave them nor forsake them.

Abundantly bless Thy ministering servants who have dispensed to us the word and bread of life. Make them the instruments of much good to the souls of others; and grant that in all things their own souls may prosper.

Bestow Thy blessing on Thy whole Church throughout the world. Enlarge, and purify, and stablish it more

and more. And hasten the time when the fulness of the Gentiles and the dispersed of Israel shall be gathered into Thy fold.

To Thy fatherly care, O God, we commit ourselves, and all who are near and dear to us, this night; beseeching Thee to defend us from all evil, and to bring us in safety to the light of another day.

And now, O God of peace, who broughtest again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; make us perfect in every good work to do Thy will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in Thy sight through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.-Amen.

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First Morning of the Year.

TERNAL and unchangeable Jehovah, with whom there is no beginning of days or end of years, we humble ourselves, as becometh perishing creatures, in the presence of Him who liveth for ever and ever.

What is man, O God, that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou visitest him? Behold, Thou hast made our days as an handbreadth; and our age is as nothing before Thee. As for man, his days are as grass; as the flower of the field, so he flourisheth; for the wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. But Thou, the Ancient of Days, art ever the same, and Thy years shall not fail.

Heavenly Father, we look back with gratitude on all the way whereby Thou hast led us, and on all the benefits, temporal and spiritual, which we have continually received at Thy most bountiful hand. From day to day, and from year to year, hast Thou preserved our lives, and supplied our wants, and given us richly all things to enjoy. From manifold evils and dangers Thou hast delivered us; with countless and unceasing benefits Thou hast crowned us; with multiplied advantages and means of grace, though sadly abused and undervalued, Thou hast favoured us; in the midst of much ingratitude and unfaithfulness, and of numberless sins and provocations, Thou hast spared us; and we are all here alive this day, to acknowledge with thankful hearts, that hitherto Thou hast helped us, and that goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives.

Holy Father, we confess before Thee that we are not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies. In many things

have we offended; in all things have we come short of Thy glory. The laws which Thou hast prescribed to us we have broken; the benefits Thou hast conferred on us we have forgotten; the warnings and judgments Thou hast sent to us we have neglected; the time and talents Thou hast allotted to us we have wasted; the privileges and advantages Thou hast given us we have misimproved. It is of Thy mercies, O Lord, that we are not consumed, because Thy compassions fail not.

Lord God, merciful and gracious, who hast given Thine only-begotten Son to be the propitiation for our sins, bestow upon us, for His sake, Thy forgiveness, and make the light of Thy countenance to shine upon us. Remember not against us former transgressions; remember Thy tender mercies and loving-kindnesses, for they have been ever of old. And according to Thy mercy remember Thou us, for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

Give unto us also the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, whereby we may be enabled to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and by a sober, righteous, and godly life, to glorify Thy blessed name. Renew us in the spirit of our minds; and grant that with godly sorrow for the past. and with earnest purposes of new obedience for the future, we may think upon our ways, and turn our feet unto Thy testimonies, and make haste to keep Thy commandments.

Impress us, O God, with an abiding sense of the shortness and uncertainty of our lives, and so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Give us grace to redeem the time we have spent in sloth, vanity, and wickedness, by greater earnestness and diligence in the work of preparation for eternity. Grant that, as our days are multiplied, our holy resolutions may be strengthened; and that, as we

draw ever nearer to the grave, we may constantly grow in our conformity to Thine image, and in our meetness to inherit Thy heavenly kingdom.

Into Thy hands, O God, we commit ourselves, beseeching Thee, who hast blessed us hitherto, to bless us still. Prosper us in our lawful undertakings. Keep us from all the evil that is in the world. Prepare us for every event that may befall us. Grant that, whether in prosperity or in adversity, in health or in sickness, in life or in death, we may be upheld and comforted with the assurance that all things work together for good to them that love Thee. And make us to be so rooted and grounded in the faith, and so abundantly fruitful in good works, that in what hour soever our Lord shall come, we may be found of Him in peace, and may receive that crown of righteousness, which is laid up for them that love His appearing.

Graciously hear us, O God, while we plead with Thee, not for ourselves only, but for our fellow-men.

We pray for the diffusion of the Gospel among all nations; for the conversion of the Jews; the enlightenment of the heathens; the downfall of all error, idolatry, and superstition; and the speedy and universal prevalence of the Saviour's kingdom.

We implore Thy blessing on all the Reformed Churches, especially on those which are established in our own land; that truth and godliness may flourish in them more and more; and that their members, united by the bond of charity, may dwell together as brethren in peace.

Bestow Thy favour on the British Empire and all its colonies. Preserve to us our liberties and privileges. Bless our Sovereign and all in authority over us; enable them to rule in Thy fear; and grant that under them all

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