thou bearest unto thy people, and let the greatness of thy mercy still be manifested toward us, so that the purposes contemplated by thy forbearance may be accomplished in our present and eternal salvation.

Thou hast, in great condescension, presented thy character to us for our imitation, and encouraged us to hope in thee as the God of patience and consolation, that we may be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. May we imitate thy forbearance, be slow to anger and forsake wrath. May our spirits be patient under reproaches and opposition, and may we establish our hearts, as knowing that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. We feel that we have need of patience, and pray that under its influence we may be calm and enduring, so that we may finally receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.

We adore thee as the God of the spirits of all flesh, and admire the displays of thy goodness in sparing the nations of the earth. Thy patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing. That forbearance endured with the ancient nations of Canaan, till the iniquity of the Amorite was full. Thy mercy rejoiced against judgment with thine ancient people the Jews, for thou forgavest their iniquity, while taking vengeance of their inventions. Still thou art sparing the world, amidst innumerable provocations, and showering benefits on those who know thee not, or knowing thee despise thy goodness, and thus treasure up wrath against the day of final judgment. Oh thou who didst allow Abraham to

plead with thee for the cities of the plain, be not angry that we, who are but dust and ashes, have taken upon ourselves to intercede with thee for a ruined world. Continue to spare the nations of the earth, and glorify thyself in their conversion to thee. Let thy long suffering be displayed to our land and people; turn from us every threatened calamity, by turning our hearts to the wisdom of the just, and may we become a people whom thou wilt delight to own and bless.

We supplicate thy grace and benediction to come down on each one of us, as we are now prostrate at thy feet. Give light to any one in darkness, comfort to any one in trouble, strength to those who are weak, and grace adapted to all the variety of circumstances in which we are now severally found. Continue to bless us while we live, and when we die leave us not, neither forsake us. At all times dependent on thee, may we always feel thee near, and be comforted with the assurance that thou wilt guide us with thy counsel, and afterward receive us to glory.

Be merciful to our Christian friends and companions in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. Give them strength equal to their day, and let thy grace be sufficient for them. Look down upon any of thy saints who are enduring a great fight of affliction, and who may be called to suffer imprisonment and martyrdom for the name of Jesus. May they overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and love not their lives unto the death. Let the wrath of man thus be made to praise thee, and the remainder of that wrath do thou restrain.

Hearken, O God, to these our evening supplications, and forgive the imperfections which mark our worship. Sprinkle clean water upon us, and cleanse us from all our filthiness and from all our idols. Cover us with the garment of a perfect righteousness, and prepare us to stand without fault in the presence of thy glory. And now may the God of peace, who brought 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 his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

SATURDAY MORNING.

O Thou, who art the God of the families of the whole earth, fixing the boundaries of their habitations, determining all the circumstances of their earthly lot, and imparting to them all the domestic blessings they enjoy, we worship thee as a family, and desire to call thee our God. Our fathers trusted in thee and were not confounded, and we, their children, come to put our trust beneath the shadow of thy wings. Thou lovest the dwellings of thy people, and upon all the families of thy saints thou hast promised to create the shining of a flame by night, and the pillar of a cloud by day, and on all the glory to place a defence. Be it unto us, O God, according to thy word.

Here let thy presence be

realised, and here let the peace that passeth understanding, be found. May this family be at all times the object of divine regard, be safe beneath the protection of heaven, and constitute a portion of the family which the Saviour bought with his blood, and invigorates with his Spirit.

We acknowledge our obligation to thee, O Lord, for the varied and multiplied personal and social blessings, which we are privileged to enjoy. We adore thee that we were not born in a heathen land, but in a country blessed with the disclosures of revealed truth. We praise thee that we are not bowing down to idols, presenting sacrifices of barbarism and blood, and causing our children to pass through the fire, but that we are now presenting spiritual sacrifices to the living Jehovah, through the merit of Jesus Christ. May our prayers and praises come up with acceptance, perfumed with the incense of his intercession. Let the flame of gratitude burn continually

altar of our hearts, and enable us by our conduct and conversation to prove, that we are the seed whom the Lord hath blessed.

May we individually feel the infinite importance of real religion. Give to us correct impressions of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and of the method of deliverance from its guilt and condemnation, by faith in the atoning blood. May we not be content with the possession of right views of divine truth, but be found aspiring after its experimental enjoyment. Indulging the humble hope that we are pardoned and delivered from wrath, through the Saviour, may we grow up into him in all things, being rooted and

grounded in love. Adorn our characters with the graces of personal righteousness, and enable us to walk so as to please thee, and to commend the gospel to those by whom we are surrounded day by day.

As members of one family, may we endeavour to promote each other's welfare, and to seek not our own, but another's good. May our conduct be marked by relative consistency. With fidelity and affection may we discharge the duties which devolve upon us. Let our conversation and temper and behaviour be such as becometh saints. We have professed to renounce the world, let us act as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. As we profess to be journeying to heaven, may we display the dispositions of those who set their affection on things above. And as we trust we love God, may we evince the reality of our love to thee, by love to each other. As brethren may we dwell together in unity, and as a family humbly resemble the harmony and happiness of thy family in heaven.

This day preserve us from evil. While diligent in business, may we be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Preserve us from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and enable us to overcome the world by the power of faith. Assist us to pass through things temporal, with a supreme regard to things that are eternal. May we be wise and guide our heart in the way of difficulty and duty, and walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time, so that others may be won to the obedience of Christ, by our chaste conversation coupled with fear.