of righteousness. Create and make in me a new and contrite heart; keep me both outwardly in my body, and inwardly in my soul; fill my heart with a deep sense of my own unworthiness, and inspire me with holy and religious thoughts. "Let

me walk before thee in the land of the living." Let me not be weary in welldoing; and let this divine and active principle have the best efficacy on my faith and practice; spiritualizing my thoughts, elevating my views, invigorating my efforts, and influencing my actions. Thou alone

hast upheld and sustained me ever since I

was born;" it is thou who givest daily nourishment for my body, and spiritual refreshment to my soul. Be thou the treasure of my heart, and the delight of my life. O let thy everlasting arms of protection be spread

around me; let thy mercy embrace me on every side; let the angel of thy presence be with me to prevent me from being dashed against the rock of offence, or any stone of stumbling, and deliver "mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." Give me grace to awake from the sleep of death, to shake off the slumbers of indolence, and, above all," to press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

O that I may never be led away by the "enticing words of man's wisdom;" but always governed by what the" Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spirtual things with spiritual." Let " my faith," O God, not stand in the wisdom of men; but in thy power and might." Teach me a different line of conduct, and seal my salvation, unto

66

the day of my redemption! Let me continue in the practice of piety and holiness, and be a sincere and humble Christian unto my life's end.

Strengthen my resolutions, O blessed Lord, to embrace every opportunity of doing good; and make me diligent, honest, and persevering in all the duties of my station. Fix my thoughts, my hopes, and desires upon that eternal world to which I am daily and hourly hastening; and let not the dazzling pleasures and gay amusements of this short and eventful life, tempt me to the commission of any known sin, or in any way to err wilfully from thy commandments. "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips." Let me be guided and governed on all occasions by the meek and amiable example of Him, whose life was

G

what thou hast done for me.

Thou art

my God, and I will praise thy name continually. My soul shall be satisfied with "the truth as it is in Jesus," and

my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips." Hear my voice, O blessed Lord, in my prayer, and hide me from the secret "counsels of the wicked;" destroy their malignant intentions; and let me be glad in thee, and trust in thee, and glorify thy name for evermore. O that

no

temptations here below may ever

tempt me to depart from thee, the living God! Enrich my soul with the spirit of genuine piety, and multiply my words in praises to thy holy name.

Teach me to fly to thee as my joy in prosperity, as my consolation in adversity, Spread before me the fruits and advan

In

tages of a holy and religious life. spire me with wisdom to direct my steps, with fortitude to sustain the evils of life, with meekness to inherit thy blessings, and with cheerfulness and gratitude, to enjoy the gifts of thy beneficence. When I do wrong, in mercy pardon me, and accept my repentance; when I do well, let peace and tranquillity dwell in my bosom. O let me not think more highly of myself than I ought, that so humility may be my guide, and thy sacred word my joy and consolation.

Be thou, O Lord, the supreme felicity of my life. Pity my numberless frailties, and give me power and resolution " to keep myself unspotted from the world." Thou art "acquainted with all my ways,” and “knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are