b'\n\n\n\n\n\n^-^ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n:->i^\'\'^ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n^ ^\' \n\n\n\nI umm OF coxGREss. i \n\n\n\n\n\n\n^0. \n\n\n\n^^ITED STATES OF A^iERICA.i \n\n\n\nr \n\n\n\nTHE \n\n\n\nCLOSET COMPANION; \n\nOR, \n\nMANUAL OF PRAYER: \n\nCOIS^SISTING OF TOPICS AND BRIEF FORMS \nOF PRAYER, \n\nDESIGNED TO ASSIST CHRISTIANS IN THEIR DEVOTIONS. \n\n\n\nWITH AN INTRODUCTION, \n\nBY ALBERT BARNES \n\n\n\nFOURTH EDITION. I \n\n\n\nNEW YOKK: \nPUBLISHED BY M. AV. DODD, \n\nCorner of Spruce St. and City Hall Square. \n\n1854. \n\n\n\n\n\nEntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by \n\nJ. W. Weir, \n\nIn the Clerk\'s Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of \n\nPennsylvania. \n\n\n\nPRINTBD BY B. CRAIGHEAD, \n63 VESEY STREET. N. Y. \n\n\n\nINTRODUCTION. \n\n\n\nThe following work on Prayer was submitted to me \nin manuscript by the author for my perusal, before it \nwas committed to the press. It may be proper to state \nthat it has been prepared amidst the duties of an indus- \ntrious calling, demanding necessarily nearly the entire \nhours of the day. It has been written during the inter- \nvals which could be secured from active duties ; and by \npractising much self-denial. \n\nI have examined the work in manuscript, and as it has \npassed through the press, with deep and growing inte- \nrest, and with increasingly augmented convictions of its \nutility, and of the ability with which it is written. \nSome of the characteristics of the work, I think, will be \nfound to be the following. \n\n1. It is designed to be an outline of the subjects of \nprayer. It is not intended to be used as a form of devo- \ntion ; but to contain the leading sentiments on the various \ntopics of prayer, which it might be desirable to em- \nploy. It had its origin in the author\'s own sense of the \nneed of such a work when he became a professor of reli- \ngion. In his private devotions, as well as in his public \nprayers, he deeply felt then the desirableness of some such \nmanual, that would suggest the appropriate language, \nand the appropriate trains of thought, on the various \ntopics of prayei. This deeply-felt necessity in his own \n\n3 \n\n\n\ncase, suggested to him the idea that such a work might be \ndemanded also by the embarrassments of others. It was \nsupposed by him \xe2\x80\x94 as is undoubtedly the. case \xe2\x80\x94 that \nmany others may have similar difficulties when they at \nfirst make a profession of religion : and that they would \nbe materially benefited by some such aid as this volume \nIS designed to furnish. Probably in all our churches \nthere are many, particularly among the young, who ex \nperience much embarrassment when called to offer prayer \nin public, and who would be materially aided by some \nsuch work as this, suggesting the appropriate language, \nand appropriate Scripture passages, on the various topics \nof prayer. There is no work, it is believed, which \nmeets this deficiency ; or which will serve to relieve the \nembarrassment which is so often felt. Unless I am \ndeceived, this work will, therefore, occupy a place which \nis filled by no other, and will be found to be a very ma- \nterial aid, particularly to the younger members of the \nchurches. \n\n2. The style is uncommonly pure, simple, chaste, and \nremarkably adapted to the subjects. It abounds with \nScripture phrases and with passages happily introduced \nand pertinent to the subject. It is elegant and finished, \nwithout any improper attempt at ornament, and yet with \nas much ornament as is proper in public prayer. It is \nalwaj^s serious and solemn ; always breathes a spirit of \ntrue devotion ; and such as will express the feelings of \nelevated piety in an address to God. It is such as would \nbe prompted by a well-disciplined mind, a cultrvated \nintellect, and a pure heart; a spirit chaste, and refined, \nand impressed with a sense of the divine presence, and \nof the importance of the service of prayer, when deeply \n\n\n\nconscious of addressing the gyeat and eternal God. In \nsome of the prayers there is uncommon beauty of lan- \nguage ; and if such language should become common, \neven in the pulpit, it would materially conduce to the \ninterest which is felt in this part of public worship. \nIndeed, I know of no book, except the Bible, by fami- \nliarity with whose modes of expression, even the minis- \nters of the gospel would be more directly benefited, than \nthis little volume. The more it is examined, I think, the \nmore will the beaut}^ of the language be appreciated and \nfelt. \n\n3. The sentiments are Scriptural. The great truths \nof evangelical Christianity are presented, while at the \nsame time there is, probably, no sentiment advanced \nwhich could not be uttered, and which is not constantly \nuttered, in prayer, by the great body of Christians of all \ndenominations. The doctrines of the fall and ruin of \nman ; of the depravity of the heart ; of its deep pollu- \ntions and evil tendencies ; of the divinity and incarna- \ntion of the Redeemer : of his atoning sacrifice ; of justi- \nfication by his merits ; of the agency of the Holy Spirit \nin renewing and sanctifying the soul ; of the eternal \nrewards of the righteous, and the eternal condemnation \nof the wicked ; and the obligation to a holy life, will be \nfound to prevail everywhere in the Work. At the same \ntime, it is imbued with a large and catholic spirit. It \nbreathes benevolence towards all. It utters the language \nof supplication for all. And it would tend to promote a \nliberal and large spirit among all who should use it. \n\n4. It is a work adapted to the times in which we live. \nIt is fitted to direct the mind and the heart more and \nmore towards the plans of Christian benevolence, and to \n\n1# \n\n\n\nfoster a love for the institutions which contemplate the \nsalvation of the vi\'orld. Its constant use would make a \nChristian more and more the friend of Sabbath-schools; \nof the poor; of the afflicted ; and of the institutions for \nthe translation and spread of the Bible, and for spread- \ning the g-ospel around the world. Prayer, formed after \nthe models here presented, would breathe always the \nbenevolent spirit of the gospel, and would be fitted to \nfoster in the hearts of Christians, elevated views of \ndevotion, and Christian benevolence, and, at the same \ntime, tend to secure the divine co-operation and blessing \non the great enterprises for the conversion of this whole \nworld to Christ. \n\nWith these characteristics, this book will do good, in \nmy humble judgment, wherever it is used. It will be \nfound a material and very valuable aid in the devotions \nof the young; and will tend to promote a spirit of self- \ndenial and benevolence; and to diffuse among the fol- \nlowers of the Redeemer, more ardent wishes for the \nconversion of all mankind to God. \n\nAlbert Barnes. \n\nrhiladelphia, Nov, 29, 1837. \n\n\n\nPREFACE. \n\n\n\nL. \n\n\n\nIt might be reasonably presumed by any one who \ndid not know the* contrary, that every Christian is \nacquainted with all the items of the long catalogue of \nhis wants in the sight of God ; and that he is able to \nspread them before the Throne of Grace in appro- \npriate language. Yet every person, at all intimate \nwith church members, and especially with those \nwho are young in the Christian life, has had abun- \ndant opportunity to observe, that rnost of them know \nbut few of their religious necessities, as subjects of \nprayer ; and that they are in consequence without \ndefinite feelings respecting them, and adequate \nwords to express them. \n\nThe influence of prayer, in forming private piety, \nand in giving tone to the character and success to \nthe efforts of the church, is fully acknowledged by \nall. Indeed the theory of all God\'s people is, that \nwithout this instrumentality religion would die as \nsurely and as speedily as the panting animal in an \nexhausted receiver. And their views are equally \npositive, that with this means of grace, used in its \nfullest power, a mental and moral renovation would \ntake place through all the earth\'s inhabitants, that \nwould be almost as complete and blessed in its kind \n\n7 \n\n\n\n8 \n\nas that creation of a nev/ heaven and a new earth, \nwherein \'dwelleth righteousness. \n\nIt is, moreover, a conceded fact, that the devotional \ncharacter of Christians by no means keeps pace with \ntheir religious activities. Action, action^ is the \nwatchword of their present history : and it is surely \na requisite of obedience to God. But without prayer \nit becomes a mere lifeless apparatus. Nor will it \nbe regarded as uncharitable to say, that a large \namount of their efforts, in each of the various de- \npartments of benevolent enterprise, is deficient in \nthis vitality ; and that in this defectiveness we find \nthe explanation, why their success is so utterly \ndisproportioned to their exertions. \n\nYet notwithstanding these correct opinions, so \ngenerally entertained, it is still a melancholy truth, \nthat but few professing Christians carry them out \nmto practice. Individual piety, except in compara- \ntively few instances, still lingers in its infancy. The \nchurch of Christ is still feeble in her energies, and \nlimited in her triumphs ; and the latter-day glory \nwhich might even now, so far as human agency is \nconcerned, be pouring the full blaze of its meridian \nsplendours over a regenerated world, is only dimly \nseen in the distant sky, breaking the outline of \ndarkness with the faint promise of future light. \n\nThe inquiry naturally arises \xe2\x80\x94 " Why have not \nChristians used this power of prayer?" The an- \nswer submitted here is, that a principal reason is to \n\n\n\n9 \n\nbe found in the fact that, as a body, they have never \nmade its various topics matters of close and heart- \nfelt familiarity and suitable expression, in their \nprivate devotions. They have not furnished their \nunderstandings with a particular knowledge of the \nthings they need, nor exercised their affections by \nthe frequent presentation of them before God, in all \ntheir particularity, and in language that will at once \nexpress and excite the feelings suitable to such an \nimportant service. \n\nThe following work has been humbly undertaken \nwith the view of furnishing Christians, and especi- \nally young converts, with a manual of the subjects \nand modes of prayer ; and thus of pointing out (if \nnot of supplying to some extent) the means of re- \nmedying the deficiencies noticed above. The au- \nthor is fully aware that his effort is a feeble one. \nHis path was untrodden and difficult ; and it ought \nnot to be wondered at, if he has cast up a highway \nwhich the traveller will not find to be level and direct \nin all its length. Moreover, the peculiar character \nof the undertaking has forbidden the frequent use of \nsuch ornaments of style as are permitted in almost \nevery other composition ; vand it has thus been left \nnearly destitute of literary interest. \n\nThis volume should not be regarded merely as a \nbook of forms. It has not been the intention of the \nwriter to furnish a complete prayer under each topic ; \nbut to offer the leading ideas which would seem to \n\n\n\n10 \n\nbelong to each, to arrange them in some order, and \nto give them a scriptural and evangelical expression. \nThe proper use of the book, it is hoped, will store \nthe reader\'s memory with a vocabulary of his wants, \nsupply his understanding with a train of thought \nsuitable to them, and give his heart an intelligent and \nfervent habit of stated and ejaculatory devotion. \n\nIt may be considered a serious defect by many \ndevout persons, that these topics are not severally \nclosed by the invocation of a blessing through the \nMediator, or an ascription of praise to God. They \ndo not, however, appear justly liable to this charge, \ninasmuch as they are intended only as parts of pray- \ner, which, except in special cases, are to be employ- \ned in various combinations with other parts, at the \nuser\'s pleasure. The important and essential feature \nof a distinct reference to the merits of the Saviour, \nwill, it is expected, be found in sufficient frequency \nthroughout the body of the wort ; and it is pre- \nsumed, that every Christian is competent and mind- \nful, in closing his petitions, to supply that part of the \nexercise which is technically called the "blessing." \n\nAs some may be disappointed in not finding par- \nticular points more copiously expressed, it may be \nremarked that this apparent deficiency will, in most \ncases, be found supplied under other heads ; the \nlanguage of which could not be used at the points \nthat may be noticed as defective, without unpleasant \nand unnecessary repetition. \n\n\n\n11 \n\nOthers may think that there is too great a dispro- \nportion between the personal and intercessory sup- \nplications. The mode pursued has been intention- \nally adopted, so as to give a greater degree of unity \nto the work. Although intercessory prayer is intro- \nduced in lesser proportions than might seem conso- \nnant with the petitioner\'s strong yearnings of heart \nfor the best welfare of mankind ; yet it was known \nthat but little more than the mere substitution of \npronouns, would make nearly the whole language \nof the book available in supplicating blessings on \nothers. \n\nIt has been a sedulous desire throughout these \npages, to keep them free from sectarian peculiarities, \nand to furnish a volume which would (without of- \nfence to any) contribute to the devotion of every \nevangelical denomination. If any bias should be \ndiscovered in it, the reader may be assured that it \nwas wholly unintentional* \n\nThis work is principally designed to furnish an \nassistant to closet devotion. But the plan it sug- \ngests, is not intended to end with this advantage. \nIt is well known that the business of leading in \npublic prayer is limited to a few, who are gifted \nwith more courage, capacity, or zeal, than the large \nmajority of the church ; which is thus left without \nemployment in that particular sphere of Christian \nduty. The hope is entertained that the system of \ndevotional thought, presented in these pages, will \n\n\n\n12 \n\nassist in bringing out into this service, some who \nhaving been intimidated by its difficulties, are now \nrelying supinely on the gifts of their more favoured \nbrethren. It should be a prominent object with \nevery church to have a numerous band, who are able \nintelligently and fervently to lead its devotions : but \nthe great body of church-members will not be able \nto discharge this important duty without diligent \nattention to the gifts and graces of supplication. \n\nIt should not be understood that the author regards \nthe machinery of prayer as possessing more value \nthan its spirit. Far, very far otherwise. It would \nbe infinitely better to employ the broken and dis- \njointed Sentences of untutored but craving religious \nwant, than to use with heartless formality the most \nfinished liturgy. Still it is true, on the whole, that \nthe excellency and efficacy of prayer will depend \nvery much on our knowing, definitely and thorough- \nly, what we want, and how to express our desires \n\nThe Author. \nOctober, 1837 \n\n\n\nCONTENTS. \n\n\n\nAccountability \n\nAdoption \n\nAdoration \n\nAffliction \n\nAll-sufficiency of God. . \n\nAngels \n\nAnger \n\nApprentices \n\nAssurance \n\nAtheism \n\nAtonement \n\nAutumn \n\n\n\nBacksliding \n\nBenevolence \n\nBible. \xe2\x80\x94 Set Scriptures, \n\nBirth-day \n\nBigotry \n\nBlessing of God \n\nBlind \n\nBrotherly Love \n\nBusiness \n\n\n\nCensoriousness. \n\nCharity \n\nChastity \n\nCheerfulness . . . \n\nChildren \n\nChristmas \n\nChurch \n\nCities \n\n\n\nPa?e \n\n17 \n\nis! \n\n19 ! \n\n20! \n\n22 I \n\n23 ; \n\n25 \n\n26 i \n\n27 j \n\n28 j \n29, \n31 I \n\ni \n32 \n\n33 \n\nI \n\n34 \n36 \n\nib.\\ \n\n38 \n\n39 \n\n41 I \nib.\\ \n\n42 I \n\n44 1 \n\n45 I \n47! \n49 j \n51 I \n\n2 \n\n\n\nPa?e \n\nCommunion with God. . 53 \n\nCommunion of Saints. . . 54 \n\nCompany 55 \n\nCondescension of God. . 56 \n\nConfession ib. \n\nConfidence in God 58 \n\nConscience 60 \n\nConsistency 61 \n\nContentment ib. \n\nContrition 63 \n\nConversation. \xe2\x80\x94 - See \nTongue. \n\nConversion ib. \n\nCountry 66 \n\nCourage 68 \n\nCovenant ib, \n\nCovetousness 70 \n\nCreation 71 \n\nDaily Bread 73 \n\nDeaf and Dumb 74 \n\nDeath ib. \n\nDecision 76 \n\nDependence 77 \n\nDepravity. \xe2\x80\x94 See Human \nDepravity, \n\nDiligence 78 \n\nDoubts 79 \n\nDuelling 80 \n\nDuty 81 \n\n13 \n\n\n\n14 \n\n\n\nEarly Piety 83 \n\n"Education 84 \n\nEnvy 85 \n\nError 86 \n\nEternity ib. \n\nEternity of God 87 \n\nEvil 88 \n\nExample 89 \n\nExistence of God 90 \n\nFaith ih. \n\nFalsehood 92 \n\nFamilies ,.. 93 \n\nFasting 95 \n\nFathers 96 \n\nFear ,. 97 \n\nFellowship. \xe2\x80\x94 See Com- \nmunion, \n\nForbearance. . . : 98 \n\nForbearance of God. ... 99 \n\nForeknowledge 100 \n\nForgiveness ih. \n\nFrugality 102 \n\nGaming ib. \n\nGentleness 103 \n\nGlory of God 104 \n\nGod. \xe2\x80\x94 Sec Adoj^ation, \nExistence, Omnipre- \nsence, Sfc, \n\nGodliness 106 \n\nGood Works 107 \n\nGoodness of God 108 \n\nGospel 109 \n\nGovernment Ill \n\nGrace 112 \n\nGratitude 114 \n\nGrave 116 \n\nGrief. 118 \n\nHappiness , 119 \n\n\n\nPage \n\nHealth 120 \n\nHeart 121 \n\nHeathen.. 123 \n\nHeaven 125 \n\nHell. 127 \n\nHoliness 129 \n\nHoliness of God , 130 \n\nHoly Spirit 332 \n\nHome Missions 134 \n\nHonesty... 1.35 \n\nHope 136 \n\nHospitality..., 137 \n\nHuman Depravity ib. \n\nHumility 139 \n\nHypocrisy 141 \n\nIdolatry 142 \n\nImmortality. \xe2\x80\x94 See Eter- \nnity, Heaven, Hell, \nSoul. \n\nImmutability of God. . , . 143 \nIncomprehensibleness of \n\nGod 144 \n\nIndependency of God. . . ib. \n\nInfidelity 145 \n\nInquirers 146 \n\nIntemperance. . . , 147 \n\nIntercession 149 \n\nJews 150 \n\nJesus Christ 151 \n\nJoy 156 \n\nJudgment 158 \n\nJustice of God , 159 \n\nJustification 160 \n\nKnowledge 161 \n\nLaw of God ; 163 \n\nLevity 164 \n\n\n\n15 \n\n\n\nLiberty 165 \n\nLife ih, \n\nLong-suifering. \xe2\x80\x94 See \nForbearance. \n\nLord\'s Supper 166 \n\nLoveofGod \xe2\x80\xa2. . 169 \n\nLove to God 170 \n\nLove to Man 171 \n\nLukew^armness 1 72 \n\nLunatics 173 \n\nLuxury 174 \n\nMalice ] 75 \n\nMarriage ih. \n\nMasters J 77 \n\nMeans of Grace ih. \n\nMediator ;.. 178 \n\nMeditation 179 \n\nMeekness 181 \n\nMemory ib. \n\nMercy 182 \n\nMillennium 184 \n\nMinistry 185 \n\nMissions. \xe2\x80\x94 See Heathen, \nIdolatry, Home Mis- \nsions, \n\nMohammedans 188 \n\nMorning ib. \n\nMothers 189 \n\nMotives 191 \n\nNature 192 \n\nNeurYear 193 \n\nNight 195 \n\nObedience 196 \n\nOld Age 198 \n\nOmnipotence 199 \n\nOmnipresence 200 \n\nOmniscience 201 \n\n\n\nPage \n\nOrphanage 202 \n\nOstentation 203 \n\nPardon 204 \n\nParents. \xe2\x80\x94 See Fathers, \n\nMothers. \n\nPassions 205 \n\nPatience 206 \n\nPeace 207 \n\nPersecution 208 \n\nPerseverance 20?/ \n\nPiety 210 \n\nPity 211 \n\nPopery 212 \n\nPoverty 213 \n\nPraise 214 \n\nPrayer 215 \n\nPress 218 \n\nPride 220 \n\nPrisons .\xe2\x80\xa2 221 \n\nPrivileges. \xe2\x80\x94 See Means of \n\nGrace. \n\nProcrastination 222 \n\nProfanity 223 \n\nPromises 224 \n\nProsperity 225 \n\nProvidence 227 \n\nPrudence 228 \n\nRegeneration.\xe2\x80\x94 >See Con- \nversion. \n\nRepentance ib. \n\nReproof 230 \n\nResignation. \xe2\x80\x94 See Afflic- \ntion, Submission, \n\nResurrection 231 \n\nRetirement 232 \n\nRevenge ib. \n\nRevivals 233 \n\nRiches. \xe2\x80\x94 See Prosperity, \nRighteousness , . . . 236 \n\n\n\n16 \n\n\n\nSabbath 236 \n\nSabbath-schools 239 \n\nSacrament. \xe2\x80\x94 See Lord\'s \nSupper. \n\nSacred Music 242 \n\nSalvation 243 \n\nSanctuary 245 \n\nSanctification 247 \n\nSatan 248 \n\nSaviour. \xe2\x80\x94 See Jesus \nChrist and Christmas. \n\nScriptures 249 \n\nSeamen 25 1 \n\nSelf-consecration 252 \n\nSelf-denial 253 \n\nSelf-deception 254 \n\nSelf-examination 255 \n\nSelfishness 256 \n\nSeminaries 257 \n\nServants t 259 \n\nSickness ih. \n\nSin 261 \n\nSinners 263 \n\nSlander 265 \n\nSlavery ib. \n\nSorrov^. \xe2\x80\x94 See Grief. \n\nSoul 268 \n\nSovereignty of God 269 \n\nSpirit. \xe2\x80\x94 See Holy Ghost. \n\nSpirituality \\. 271 \n\nSpring ,. 272 \n\nSubmission 274 \n\nSummer 275 \n\nSwearing. \xe2\x80\x94 -See Profa- \nnity. \n\n\n\nTalents 277 Zeal \n\n\n\nPage \n\nTeachers 277 \n\nTemper 280 \n\nTemperance. \xe2\x80\x94 See In\xc2\xbb \ntemperance. \n\nTemptation 281 \n\nThanksgiving 282 \n\nTheatre 283 \n\nTheft 284 \n\nTime. \xe2\x80\x94 See Life. \n\nTongue 285 \n\nTracts 286 \n\nTravelling 287 \n\nTrinity 288 \n\nTrust. \xe2\x80\x94 See Confidence, \n\nTruth 289 \n\nUnbelief. 290 \n\nUnderstanding 291 \n\nUnion ih. \n\nUsefulness 292 \n\nWar 293 \n\nWatchfulness 294 \n\nWidowhood 295 \n\nWill 296 \n\nWill of God.\xe2\x80\x94 ^ee Obe- \ndience^ Submission. \n\nWinter 296 \n\nWisdom 298 \n\nWisdom of God 299 \n\nWorld 300 \n\nWorship 301 \n\nYoung Converts 302 \n\nYouth 303 \n\n\n\n305 \n\n\n\nMANUAL OF PRAYER. \n\n\n\nACCOUNTABILITY. \n\nO TPiou Judge of the quick and the dead, make \nme realize that I am responsible to thee for all my \nthoughts, words, and actions ; and in all my duties \nand privileges. Thou knowest all the thoughts of \nmy mind, with all the works of my life ; and thou \nmakest record of them : \xe2\x80\x94 and for all these thou wilt \nbring me into judgment, whether they be good or \nevil. Then there shall be nothing that now is co- \nvered, that shall not be revealed ; and hid, that shall \nnot be made known : and it shall be more tolerable \nfor Sodom and Gomorrah than for my soul, if I fail \nto serve thee now in reverence and godly fear. For \neven the earth that drinkeih in the rain, that cometh \noft upon it, and brihgeth forth herbs meet for them \nby whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God ; \nbut that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, \nand is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. \nO let not my stewardship of thy mercies be one of \nwilful sin, of abused privileges, and neglected du- \nties ; but grant that in all things I may strive, in the \ngrace of Christ, to work out my salvation with fear \nand trembling. \n\nLord, excite me to diligent labour on behalf of \n\nthy church and of sinners. May I feel that I am \n\nbound to do good as I have opportunity ; looking \n\ndiligently to the judgment of that day, when the \n\n2=*^ 17 \n\n\n\n18 \n\nunprofitable servant shall be cast into outer dark- \nness, while he that has been faithful shall enter, \nthrough the atonement of Christ, into the joy of his \nLord. And unto him that is able to keep me from \nfalling, and to present me faultless before the pre- \nsence of his glory with exceeding joy ; to the only \nwise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, do- \nminion and power, both now and forever. \n\nADOPTION. \n\nLord, wilt thou give me the spirit of adoption, by \nwhich I may cry "Abba, Father?" I am indeed \n^hine offspring by creation. May I be thine by \nadoption : and be thou my parent in that nobler \nrelation, of a reconciled God and Father in the \nLord Jesus. Make me one of the number, and give \nme, through the merits of Christ, a title to the pri- \nvileges, of thy dear children. Behold ! what manner \n^f love the Father hath bestowed on them, that they \nishould be called the sons of God ! \n\nO grant that in indulging this hope, I may purify \nmyself, even as thou art pure. MSke it a spirit of \ntenderness and reverence, of gratitude and love, of \nobedience and zeal. May it give me access to thy \nthrone with an humble confidence in the faith of \nChrist, of whom the whole family in heaven and \nearth is named ; and keep me from that spirit of \nbondage, that servile fear and slavish formality in \nduty, which will make me as a hired servant, in- \nstead of an heir, in my Father\'s house. May it \nenable me in all the vicissitudes of life to look up \nto thee as infinitely able and willing to bless me \nwith thy paternal gifts : for if earthly parents know \nhow to give good gifts to their children, much more \nwill our heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to \n\n\n\n19 \n\nthem that ask him. Grant that thy Spirit may bear \nwitness with mine that I am thy child ; and if a \nchild, then an heir, and a joint-heir with Christ, in \nthat inheritance which fadeth not away. \n\nLook in mercy, O God, on thy children by na- \nture, who are wandering as prodigals from their \nhome, and are living without God in the world. \nTouch their hearts with a feeling of their wants and \ntheir apostasy ; and do thou bring many back, who \nshall say they have sinned against heaven and in \nthy sight, and are not worthy to be called thy child- \nren. Establish them in the fellowship of thy \nsaints, and make them heirs of the grace of life, \nthrough the Lord Jesus Christ. \n\nADORATION. \n\nAdorable Jehovah, I would praise thee for thine \nexcellent greatness. Thou dwellest in light that is \ninaccessible and full of glory : thou coverest thyself \nwith it as with a garment ; and thou art clothed \nwith honour and majesty 1 Thou dwellest on high, \nand humblest thyself to behold the things that are \ndone in heaven and earth. Thou art infinite, eter- \nnal, and unchangeable in thy being, wisdom, power, \nholiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Thou art \nnot worshipped as though thou needest any thing ; \nfor thou givest unto all, life, and breath, and all \nthings. Yet thou art exalted above principalities \nand powers, that at thy name every knee should \nbow, and every tongue confess. \n\nO, thou art infinitely worthy of the everlasting \nadoration of all thy rational creatures. Thou art \nglorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing won- \nders. In thee I live, and move, and have my being. \nFrom thee I derive every good and perfect gift. It \n\n\n\n20 \n\nwas thy power which created me ; it is thy wisdom \nthat governs me ; thy goodness that provides for \nme ; and thy grace that saves me. O help me, ado- \nrable Jehovah, to feel and express the infinite ex- \ncellencies of thy character, and to bow before thee \nas over all, God, blessed forever ! \xe2\x80\x94 \\_See Praise, \nand the various Attributes, ~] \n\nAFFLICTION. \n\nIn the time of trouble, hide me in thy pavilion, \nO Lord ! Prepare me for meeting and bearing all \nthe adversities of life. Support or deliver me in \npoverty, in sickness, in pain, in bereavement, in \npersecution, in sorrow, in reproach. Let the trial \nof my faith in all these work patience and holiness. \nMay I endure as seeing him who is invisible ; and \nso repose on thy wisdom and goodness, that I may \nsay \xe2\x80\x94 " Thy will be done \xe2\x80\x94 do with me as seemeth \ngood in thy sight \xe2\x80\x94 thou givest and takest away ; \nblessed be the name of the Lord." Though thy \njudgments are unsearchable, and thy ways past find- \ning out, I know that thou art too wise to err; for \nthine understanding is infinite. Thou art too good \nto be unkind ; for thou dost not afflict willingly, nor \ngrieve the children of men ; yea, whom thou lovest \nthou chastenest, and scourgest every child whom \nthou receivest. Lord, cause my judgment, and \nheart, and will to approve of every measure of thy \ncorrecting and reclaiming love. \n\nO Shepherd of Israel, cause my every adversity \nto be sanctified to me. Lead me to see thy hand \nin it ; to feel that my sins have far more than de- \nserved it; and to be willing that thy justice may be \nexalted at my expense, and that I may be brought \n\n\n\n21 \n\nto acknowledge, " I know, O Lord, that thy judg- \nments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast \nafflicted me." Show me that my cup has been \nmingled with mercies ; for the days of my comforts \nhave far outnumbered the hours of my sorrows \xe2\x80\x94 \nthat my griefs are not peculiar to me ; for they are \nthe lot of humanity \xe2\x80\x94 that they are not the accidents \nof life ; for thou dost all things \xe2\x80\x94 and that I am not \ncalled to suffer them alone; for thou hast said, " I \nwill never leave nor forsake thee :" and thy rod and \nstaff they shall comfort and support me, even in the \nvalley and shadow of death. \n\nLord, grant that thy grace may be peculiarly dear \nto me in the hour of trial ; and bring me out from \nit as gold that is tried in a furnace. Assure me, \nthat every branch that beareth fruit, thou purgest, \nthat It may bring forth more fruit ! Enable me to \nsay with thy servant, "Before I was afflicted, I \nwent astray; but now I have kept thy word." May \nthat grace strengthen me, that I may glory in tribu- \nlation, knowing that tribulation w^orketh patience, \nand patience a hope that maketh not ashamed. Lead \nme closer to thy throne, as the only place where I \nmay find abiding help in every hour of need. Grant, \nmerciful Father, that my troubles may lead me to \nsympathise with all who suffer in mind, body, or \nestate ; remembering them that are in bonds, as be- \ning bound with them ; and them that suffer adver- \nsity, as being myself also in the body. Lord, cause \nmy sorrows, which indeed are but for a moment, to \nwean me from the vanities and wickedness of earth, \nto prepare me for eternity, and to work out for me \nan eternal weight of glory: and vouchsafe to me, in \nall of them, the consoling thought, that though the \nearthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, I have \n\n\n\n22 \n\na building of God, a house not made with hands, \neternal in the heavens. \n\nGrant, O Lord, that the impenitent, when they \nsuffer affliction, may be so influenced by it as after- \nwards to reap the peaceable fruits of righteousness. \nLet them not despise thy chastenings, nor faint when \nthey are rebuked of thee. Show them that unless \nthey repent, these are but the beginnings of sorrows, \nthat shall know no relief and no end. Convince \nthem of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. \nLead them to repent and forsake the error of their \nways, and to turn unto him who maketh all things \nwork together for good to them that love him. \n\nThese prayers I offer through the prevailing \nname of Jesus ; to whom, with the Father and \nSpirit, be all honour and rule forever. \n\nALL-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD \n\nSovereign of the Universe, the heaven of heavens \ncannot contain thy fulness. Thou art the infinite \nsource of blessedness. Giving doth not impoverish \nthee, neither doth withholding make thee rich. It \nis in thee that my weakness is made strength, and \nthe iniquities of my heart removed. O Lord, let a \nfull persuasion of thy boundless sufficiency fill my \nheart, that I may forsake the broken cisterns of hu- \nman happiness, and go to the fountain of living \nwaters. All that is in the heaven and in the earth \nis thine. Be thou more precious to me than music \nto the ear, or light to the eye, or fragrance to the \nsmell, or sweetness to the taste, or friendship to the \nheart. Make thy love my continual feast. May \nI commit all my wants and trials to thee ; may I be \nencouraged in the midst of danger and distress ; be \npersuaded that infinite wisdom and goodness govern \n\n\n\n23 \n\nall thy dealings ; and be led to persevere in faith \nand prayer, until the vision of hope be exchanged \nfor thine open presence, where there is fulness of \njoy and pleasures for evermore !" \n\nANGELS. \n\nBless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in \nstrength, that do his commandments ; hearkening \nunto the voice of his word ! Great God, do thou \nexalt my intellect and purify my heart by medita- \ntions on the nature, character, and employments of \nthe angels in heaven. Lo ! they are an innumera- \nble company of pure spirits ; to whom thou hast \ngiven an endless life; endowing them richly with \nknowledge, power, holiness, and love. They dwell \nforever in thy presence ; where their eyes are never \ndim with tears, nor their minds clouded by igno- \nrance ; where their affections are never wounded by \ngrief, nor their hopes broken by disappointment, \nnor their hearts stained with guilt. And there they \ndo thy holy pleasure with all the heart, and without \ndelay, and continually. \n\nI thank thee that thou hast revealed to us that \nthese exalted beings sympathize deeply in the wel- \nfare of the children of men. The incarnate Son of \nGod was proclaimed to the shepherds of Bethlehem \nby the angel of the Lord, with the message of glad \ntidings of great joy, which shall be to all people : \nand a multitude of the heavenly host, that sang to- \ngether over man\'s creation, and mourned over his \nfall, praised God in an anthem of good-will to man. \nAnd now, though it is their privilege to scan widely \nthe wonders of creation, and search deeply into the \nmysteries of providence ; though they find ample \nemployment and delight in the reciprocal joys of \n\n\n\n24 \n\ntheir own blessed fraternity of wisdom, holiness, \nand love \xe2\x80\x94 though they dwell in the absorbing and \nvivifying transports of the open vision of the Most \nHigh \xe2\x80\x94 yet there is joy in their presence over one \nsinner that repenteth ! \n\nLord, teach me the value of that scheme of re- \ndemption which the angels desire to look into. \nThere they learn the dignity of ihy law, the rigour \nof thy justice, the immutability of thy truth, the \ndepravity of man, the peril of his guilt, and the \nglory of thy mercy. O God, suffuse my heart with \nshame, that the plan of repentance and salvation, in \nwhich thou hast condensed the perfections of thy \ncharacter, for the adoring wonder and excited love \nof perfect spirits, should be so often to my soul only \nas a dream when one awaketh ! \n\nGracious Lord, I praise thy mercy which sends \nforth these messengers of thy power and grace, to \nminister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. \nGrant, I beseech thee, in the name of Jesus, that I \nmay belong to those children of adoption, whose \nbeds they watch,, whose hearts they comfort, and \nwhose ways they protect. \n\nHeavenly Father, prepare me for fellowship with \nthat blessed throng, when the season of my earthly \nprobation shall close. Enable me now, according \nto the feebleness of human nature, to do thy will as \nit is done in heaven. And when, at the end of the \nworld, the reapers shall come forth to gather the \ntares in bundles, to burn them, but the wheat into \nthe barn, grant that I may be garnered with thy \nsaints ; and that I may have my spirit made perfect \nin the everlasting communion of the sons of God ! \n\nGod of Justice, admonish my fear of the guilt and \npunishment of sin by the awful example of those \n\n\n\n25 \n\nrebel angels, who kept not their first estate, but left \ntheir own habitation, and are reserved in everlasting \nchains, under darkness, until the judgment of the \ngreat day. Preserve me, I pray thee, from the \npower of that spirit that now worketh in the hearts \nof the children of disobedience. Help me to wres- \ntle against the rulers of the darkness of this world, \nand to bruise Satan under my feet, in the strength \nof the God of peace. \n\nANGER. \n\nLord, strengthen me by thy grace, that I may \nrestrain and conquer my propensities to unholy \nanger. Let it not cloud my brow, nor envenom \nmy tongue, nor vex my heart. Let gentleness, \ncourtesy, and kindness spread themselves, like the \ngreen covering of earth, over my character and con- \nduct. Teach me that he who ruleth his own spirit \nis greater than he who taketh a city ; and that he \nwho is hasty of spirit exalteth folly, and shail suffer \npunishment. Show me that a soft answer turneth \naway wrath, but grievous words stir up strife. He \nthat soweth to the wind shall reap the whirlwind ; \nbut the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of \nthem that make peace. May I consider him who \nendured the contradiction of sinners, and seek not \nto avenge myself, but rather give place to wrath. \nLet me do nothing in rashness and strife. Enable \nme, in the exercise of candour, forbearance, meek- \nness, and forgiveness, to disarm every temptation \nto sinful passion, and to cause the wrath of my ad- \nversaries to praise thee. \n\nSource of Wisdom, instruct me how I may be \nangry and sin not. Let me not be indignant with- \nout cause and above cause. Give me a holy dis- \n3 \n\n\n\n26 \n\npleasure against transgression ; bnt let it be mingled \nwith a reclaiming pity towards the transgressor ; \nand be exercised for his good and thy glory. \n\nAPPRE NTICE S. \n\nO thou, who art Lord and Master over all, bless \nthou our youth who are held at service as appren- \ntices. Instead of the apathy that prevails respect- \ning them, do thou excite in the community, and \nespecially in the church, a strong solicitude for this \nclass of our population ; who, in the lapse of a few \nyears, will become the muscles and sinews of so- \nciety ; and who are now moulding their own cha- \nracters for time and eternity. Lord, bring such \ninfluences to bear on them, that they may be fitted, \nin mind and in morals, for usefulness to society ; \nand that they may be prepared for thy favour both \non earth and in heaven. \n\nHeavenly Father, teach them the duties of their \nstation. Make them contented with their circum- \nstances ; industrious in their callings ; faithful, in all \nthings, to the interests of their masters ; and obedi- \nent to every requisition of lawful service. And may \nthey be persuaded that the discharge of all these \nduties is demanded as much by their, own welfare, \nas by the interests of those whom they serve. \n\nLord, secure for them the kindness of their mas- \nters. Let their personal comforts, their instruction \nin business, their mental culture, their social habits, \ntheir moral character, and their religious opportuni- \nties, be objects of constant and conscientious atten- \ntion. \n\nSet before them, I pray thee, the dangers to \nwhich they are liable, by absence from the scrutiny \nand protection of the parental home ; by frequent \n\n\n\n27 \n\nexposure to the seductions of ungodly associates , \nand by the tendencies to corruption in their own \nhearts. O do thou throw wholesome restraints \naround them. If sinners entice them, let them not \nconsent to their persuasions. Make them flee \nyouthful lusts, that war against the soul. Preserve \nthem from every form and degree of temptation. \nDispose and qualify them to discharge their present \nduties : incline and prepare them to fill with honour \nto themselves, and advantage to the public, their fu- \nture positions in life : and, more than all else, give \nthem the indenture of thine own service, in which \nthou makest the servant an heir, and the bondman \na freeman of the Lord. \n\nASSURANCE. \n\nLord, grant me a well-grounded assurance of a \npersonal interest in thy favour. Comfort me by the \npersuasion, that my many offences have been re- \nmitted. Enable me to gather satisfactory evidence \nfrom my feelings and conduct, that I have passed \nfrom death unto life ; and may thy Spirit bear wit- \nness with mine, that I am numbered with thy child- \nren. Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation, \nin the knowledge of Christ, that I may know what \nis the hope of his calling, and what the riches of \nthe glory of his inheritance in the saints. Cause \nme to feel that it is my duty to aim at the attainment \nof this grace, and my privilege to enjoy it, in the \nexercise of faith, prayer, and zeal. Enable me to \nsay \xe2\x80\x94 " Though thou wast angry with me, thine an- \nger is turned away; and thou comfortest me." \n\nBlessed God, grant me the full assurance of hope \nunto the end : \xe2\x80\x94 a hope that I am accepted before \nthee, for the merits of Christ; that through his grace \n\n\n\n28 \n\nI shall be saved ; and that though worms may de \nvour this body^ yet in my flesh I shall see thee> \nand be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness. \n\nATHEISM. \n\nGreat God, regard with pity the fool, who hath \nsaid in his heart, "There is no God!" Although \nthou hast written thy name in language of fire, on \nthe canopy of heaven ; and revealed thy being in \nthe countless creations of air, earth, and sea \xe2\x80\x94 yet \nthere are some of tliy creatures, who profess to be- \nlieve that thou art not ! Though thou mayest be \nknown by the judgments thou executest ; and though \nhuman consciousness, in its universal consent, has \nbeen a memorial of thee, through all generations \xe2\x80\x94 \nthey would vainly persuade themselves that thou \nart but the empty dream of religious fancy ! O \nLord, let this outrage upon knowledge, and holi- \nness, and hope, make me cling, with a closer grasp, \nto the instructive, and purifying, and hopeful truth, \nthat thy kingdom ruleth over all. Gracious Parent, \nhow cheerless would this earthly probation be to \nmy spirit, if I did not know that thou art Alplia and \nOmega. Lord, let the fact that any could be so lost \nto reason and piety, as to deny thy being, be strong \ntestimony before the world of the depravity of the \ncarnal mind; which, in all its various degrees of \nsentiment, is still enmity against God ! O, if it be \nconsistent with thy justice, recover these children \nof disobedience to the wisdom of the just; and lead \nthem to adore and trust in thee, as the living God. \n\nLord, commiserate those who, while they ac- \nknowledge thee in their judgments, deny thee in \ntheir lives : and who, in the midst of thy presence, \nare without God in the world ! They will not re \n\n\n\n29 \n\ntain thee in their knowledge, nor follow thy ways, \nnor seek thy favour. Give them not over to a re- \nprobate mind, to be filled with all unrighteousness ; \nbut do thou bring them, in the living way of thy \nSon, to know, and love, and glorify thee as God. \n\nO Most High, does not practical atheism leaven \nmy own heart, and the hearts of many that call on \nthy name ? For when we do what we know to be \nwrong in thy sight, and leave undone what we know \nthou hast commanded us to do, we virtually say, \n*\' Who is the Lord, that we should obey him ?" I \npray thee, rebuke this unrighteousness ; and banish \nevery vestige of it from us ; until our hearts shall \nknow, and our works shall proclaim, in all things, \nthe power of thy life ! \n\nATONEMENT. \n\nGod of Salvation, I thank and adore theathat in \nthe*counsels of eternity thou didst devise a plan by \nwhich rebellious, guilty, and hell-deserving man \nmight receive thy forgiveness, be reconciled to thee, \nand enjoy thy favour ; and that in the fulness of time \nthou didst finish thy decree of mercy, by sending \nthine only-begotten Son, that whosoever belie veth \non him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. \nO it was matchless compassion that made the ruins \nof our apostasy the theatre on which to display the \nwonders of redeeming love ! When we lay in the \nopen field, and were polluted in our own blood, thou \ndidst bid us live : yea, thou didst bid us live ! \nScarcely for a righteous man would one die ; per- \nadventure for a good man some would even dare to \ndie : but thou hast commended thy love to us, in \nthat while we were sinners, Christ died for us. \nThou didst set him forth to be a propitiation, through \n3* \n\n\n\n30 \n\nfaith in his blood, for the remission of sins, in order \nthat thou mightest be just, and be the justifier of \nhim that believeth in Jesus. Make me under- \nstand that it was his divinity that made this offering" \na perfect work: for Lebanon was not sufficient to \nburn ; nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt \noffering ; nor coukl the fruit of the body atone for \nthe sin of the soul: but lo! the blood of Christ \ncleanseth from all sin ! \n\nLord, may I have an ever-present conviction that \nthere is no other name by which I can be saved. \nMay I seek redemption only through his blood, the \nremission of sins, according to the riches of his \ngrace. Purge thou my conscience from dead works \nto serve the living God; and may I thus judge, that \nif Christ has died for me, I should henceforth live not \nunto myself, but unto him. Let the blessings of this \natonement rest on me, in sins pardoned, in punish- \nment averted, in fear pacified, in the soul reconciled, \nin the heart sanctified, and in the spirit made joyful \nin an endless hope. O Lord, grant that at last I \nmay be found among those that have washed their \nrobes and made them white in the blood of the \nLamb. \n\nO may there be many, who shall go into all the \nworld, and preach this blessed gospel to every crea- \nture. May men every where learn their guilt and \ndanger, and see the fitness of the Saviour thou hast \nprovided for them. May multitudes thkst after \nrighteousness, and be led to that fountain which has \nbeen opened in the house of David, where whoso- \never will, may take of the waters of life freely. \nGrant, in thy mercy, that all the ends of .the earth \nmay look unto Christ, and be saved. \xe2\x80\x94 [^See Jesus \nChrist.] \n\n\n\n31 \n\n\n\nAUTUMN. \n\n\n\nO thou that makest the seasons, and crownest \nthem with thy goodness, give ear to the thanksgiv- \nings and entreaties which I now offer thee in the \nname of Jesus. I praise thee that thou hast pre- \nserved me amid the heat and diseases of the past \nsummer. I thank thee for the fruits of the earth \nwhich have ah\'eady been gathered, and for those \nwhich still burden the fields with the promise of \nplenty. The whole face of nature speaks thy praise, \nand bears witness to thy bounty. \n\nLord, what is man, that thou hast been thus mind- \nful of him ; or the son of man, that thou visitest \nhim ? Instead of continuing health and sparing life, \nthou mightest have brought over us the pestilence \nthat walketh in darkness, and the destruction that \nwasteth at noon-day. Instead of making the earth \nto bring forth and bud, that it might give seed to the \nsower and bread to the eater, thou couldst have \nmade it more desolate than the wilderness, until the \nland had fainted by reason of the famine. It is of \nthy mercies that we are not consumed: for thou art \nslow to anger and fnll of compassion ; and thy ten- \nder mercies are over all thy works. O God, incline \nme to be merciful to others, even as thou hast been \nmerciful to me. Dispose me, in my enjoyment of \nthe abundance of the earth, to pity and relieve the \nwants of the needy ; and deeply impress on my \nheart the lesson of gratitude which thou hast been \nstriving to teach me by thy goodness. \n\nWhilst thou art now changing the face of the de- \nclining year, and bringing over it the tokens of de- \ncay and death, O teach me that such are earthly \nhopes and hunjan life. The fashion of this world \n\n\n\n32 \n\npasseth away; and we all do fade as a leaf. The \ngrass withereth, and the flower fadeth ; and all flesh \nis as grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the \nflower of the field. May these waning scenes lead \nme to seek that inheritance in light, where no sor- \nrow shall wither, and no sin shall blast the fruit of \nthe tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise \nof God ! \n\nLord, instruct me that he who soweth sparingly \nshall reap also sparingly ; and that he who soweth \nbountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let my \nChristian experience be like the fruit of the earth, \nwhich bringeth forth first the blade, then the ear, \nand after that, the full corn in the ear : and then, O \nLord, when thy harvest is come, put in thy sickle, \nand gather me, as a shock of corn cometh in his \nseason, into thy heavenly garner. And the praise \nof my salvation shall be unto the Father, Son, and \nHoly Ghost forever. \n\nBACKSLIDING. \n\nO thou, who through Christ, art rich in mercy to \nall who call upon thee, preserve me, I pray thee,- \nagainst backsliding from the ways of grace. Let not \nmy infirmities and corruptions lead me back to the \nlove of the world. Sufl*er not the temptations by \nwhich I am surrounded to draw me away from my \nlove and allegiance to thee. Teach me to avoid the \nappearance of evil, and to watch against the earliest \nand least encroachments of sin, both in the heart \nand in the life. Let me not fall into the occasional \nnor habitual neglect of public or private duties. \nPermit me not to substitute formality for the spirit \nof devotion ; nor insincerity for truth of heart ; \nnor vain glory for good will to man; nor error for \n\n\n\n33 \n\nthe truth of God. Keep me, O Lord, from open \ntransgression, and from degrading thy cause in the \neyes of a gainsaying world, by an unholy walk and \nconversation. And show me that if any man draw \nback, thy soul has no pleasure in him. \n\nGrant, merciful Father, that when my feet fall \ninto snares, and slide in the way of evil, thy grace may \nbe sufficient for that hour of need. Bring me back \nfrom all my wanderings, and may the memory of \nthem make me humble and watchful. Forgive my \nbackslidings, restore me to thy favour, set my feet \nupon the rock, establish my goings in thy strength, \nand dispose me to press on towards the mark, for \nthe prize of my high calling. Lord, let me not be \nof those that draw back unto perdition, but of them \nthat believe, unto the saving of the soul. \n\nBENEVOLENCE. \n\nFather of Mercies, fill my heart with ever-living \nsympathies for the wants and woes of all my fellow- \ncreatures. Make me merciful even as thou. Hea- \nvenly Father, art merciful. May I desire more the \nblessing of them that are ready to perish, than the \nfavour of the wise, and rich, and mighty. Make \nme the steward of thy bounty ; for with such sacri- \nfices thou art well pleased. Incline me to practice \nthat economy which will enable me to give to him \nthat needeth. May I remember that whoso hath \nthis world\'s goods, and seeth his brother have need, \nand shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, \nthe love of God dwelleth not in him. \n\nGracious -God, sanctify my motives in all the \nexercises of charity. Let them not be done to be \nseen of men, nor as acts of self-righteousness. I \nwould do good, that I may enjoy the testimony of \n\n\n\n34 \n\nan approving conscience, and find it more blessed \nto give than to receive. May I regard benevolence \nas the means of improving the heart, and making \nthe character like that of Jesus. I would remem- \nber, too, that thou lovest a cheerful giver. Help \nme, O God, to make thy glory the end of all my \nbenevolence. \xe2\x80\x94 Dispose me to do good, as I have op- \nportunity, in all my spheres of life. May I be eyes \nto the blind, feet to the lame, health to the sick, \nstrength to the feeble, help to the needy, and com- \nfort to the mourner. But above all, may my desires \nand zeal go forth for the spiritual wants of mankind. \nLet not indolence, selfishness, nor unbelief steel \nmy heart against the claims of those who live re- \ngardless of thy will, and of those who are perishing \nfor lack of knowledge. Lord, make me an humble \nyet honoured instrument in thy hand, of spreading \nthe knowledge of thy truth, and of turning sinners \nfrom the error of their ways, unto the wisdom of \nthe just. \n\nB I B LE. \xe2\x80\x94 See Scriptures, \n\nBIRTH-DAY. \n\nO thou Giver and Preserver of Being, I would \nlift up my thanksgivings to thee for having continued \nand blessed my life through another year. Here 1 \nwould raise my Ebenezer, and say, " Hitherto hath \nthe Lord helped me." I would look back with \nmingled feelings of wonder and love on the way in \nwhich thou hast led me, ever since the dawn of my \nexistence. If thou hadst measured unto me accord- \ning to my deserts, my days of probation would long \nago have been ended, and I should now be reaping \nthe fruits of sin in the world of despair. But, thanks \n\n\n\n35 \n\nbe imto thee, thy mercy rejoiced against judg- \nment ; and I, who might have been a monument of \nthy justice, am a witness that thou art long-suffer- \ning and abundant in goodness. \n\nLord, accept my gratitude for the many tokens of \nthy favour which I have enjoyed since my last \nbirthday. I thank thee for my food and raiment, \nmy home and friends, my health and my countless \ncomforts. I praise thee that the means of grace\xe2\x80\x94 \nthe institution, of prayer, the worship of thy sanc- \ntuary, the oracles of truth, the fellowship of saints, \nhave all been continued unto me. And to all these \nthou hast added the teaching, and sanctifying, and \nrejoicing influences of thy Holy Spirit. Lord, thou \nhast crowned my year with thy goodness, and thy \npaths in it have dropped fatness. \n\nO God, help me to ponder and fulfil the duties of \nheart and action which lie before me in the untra- \nvelled and uncertain, but important period of time, \non which I am now entering. I may have num- \nbered the last year of my existence ; and ere the \npresent one shall have finished its brief circle, time \nmay be to me no more, and the state of my soul be \nunalterably fixed. Make me thoughtful of death and \neternity ; and yet suffer me not to forget, that while \nit is still day, and before the night cometh, in which \nno man can work, thou hast appointed unto me \nspheres of duty, which thou requirest me to occupy \nuntil thy coming. Give me, I beseech thee, in \nChrist .Tesus, an eye of wisdom to discern, and a \nheart of love to do, all the requirements of thy \nblessed will. And if it be thy pleasure to prolong \nmy years, may I look back on them as spent in thy \nservice, and say, " For me to live is Christ !" But \nif thou wilt bring my season of trial to an end, O \n\n\n\n36 \n\n^ant that I may be able to say, with exulting joy, \n" For me to die is gain !" \n\nBIGOTRY. \n\nGod of Truth, preserve my understanding and \nheart from the influence of bigotry. While I am \nnot permitted to tolerate dangerous error, nor con- \nnive at heresy, keep me from ignorant perversity \nand blind obstinacy in defending my ovt^n opinions ; \nand from unkindness and intolerance towards those \nfrom whom I differ in sentiment. Suffer me not to \nmistake prejudice for the love of truth, nor malice \nfor true zeal. Lord, if this root of bitterness be in \nmy spirit, (and who among the children of men is \nfree from it ?) O, do thou take it utterly away : and \nin its place implant a vine whose branches will cling \nin love, and whose fruits will hang in plenty, on \nevery object in its reach. May I sincerely desire \nthe success of all who labour for the glory of God \nand the welfare of souls. Restore, O Lord, the \nspirit of harmony in all the divisions of the house- \nhold of faith ; so that thy watchmen may see eye \nto eye, and thy saints, of every name, dwell in the \nunity of the Spirit. \n\nBLESSING OF GOD. \n\nGreat God, I desire to feel that without thy bless- \ning, which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with \nit, all that I now possess, and all I hope to enjoy, \nwill be barren and worthless. Thou only canst \nmake my possessions and pursuits answer the pur- \nposes of wisdom and goodness. Lord, bless thou \nmy waking and sleeping hours ; my seasons of re- \ntirement and intercourse ; my daily food and daily \nduties ;. my joys and sorrows ; my prosperity and \n\n\n\n37 \n\nadversity; my rest and labour; my praises and \nprayers ; my thoughts, words, and actions ; my \nhopes ; my all. Whatsoever thou mayest deny me, \ngrant me thy favour which is life, and thy loving- \nkindness which is better than life. Let me not un- \ndertake nor prosecute any thing on which I cannot \nask thee to set the seal of thine approbation. May \nI turn away from every thing which I may judge to \nbe repugnant to thy will. Especially may I feel, in \nmy religious duties, that neither is he that planteth \nany thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth \nthe increase. If thou vouchsafe not thy favour, the \nheaven that is over my head shall be as brass, and \nthe earth that is under my feet shall be as iron. \n"Without thee I can do nothing ; for in myself my \nstrength is weakness, my w^isdom is folly, and my \ngoodness is as the morning cloud and the early dew. \nBut I praise thee that my sufficiency is of God, and \nthat I can do all things through Christ strengthen- \ning me. Endue me, I beseech thee, with power \nfrom on high ; and make thy strength perfect in my \nweakness. \n\nO Lord, bestow thine abiding sanction and thy \nrichest blessing upon the various efforts of thy \nchurch. Give them abundant success. Make them \nall works of faith and labours of love. Let " Glory \nto God in the highest, on earth, peace and good-will \nto men," be inscribed on every motive and every \nexertion of Christian zeal. Cast down every ob- \nstacle, and subdue every enemy. O, do thou re- \nmove all the woes and vices that afflict humanity \nand in their stead, bring thou the peace and purity \nof the precious gospel, which are the sure and satis \nfying tokens of that holy blessedness w^hich fills the \ncourts of thine upper sanctuary. Lord, give thes \n4 \n\n\n\n38 \n\npetitions gracious audience through Christ the Sa- \nviour ; and dispose me to ascribe unto the King, \nimmortal, eternal, and invisible, all the praise and \ndominion, now, henceforth, and forever. \n\nBLIND. \n\nO thou, who hast formed the eye to be the light \nof the body, look mercifully on the blind ; in whom \nthou hast sealed up, in rayless darkness, one of \nman\'s chief avenues of knowledge and pleasure. \nLord, I would acknowledge my ingratitude to thee \nfor the blessing of eyesight ; and my indifference \ntowards those, from whom, in thine inscrutable \nwisdom, thou hast withheld it. I pray thee that \nwhen I look upon the cheerful scenes of nature, and \nshare in the pleasant fellowship of social life, and \ndrink in precious knowledge from the leaves of hu- \nman and holy writ, that then I may remember thee, \nthe giver of these perfect gifts, and those also, whom \nthou hast deprived of them. \n\nLord, I thank thee that whilst thou hast denied \nto them the light of the eye^ thou hast bestowed on \nthem an increased and wonderful sense of touch : \nand that the ingenuity and benevolence of men have \ntaken advantage of this provision of thy mercy, to \nrestore, in part, the priceless boons of intelligence \nand joy. I pray thee so to improve the healing art, \nthat many, very many, of these children of darkness \nmay be brought into the open light of day : but do \nthou put within the reach and use of those whose \nsight no skill can restore, the means that are now \nemployed for giving them, in the mysterious lan- \nguage of the fingers, the pages of intellectual and \nsaving wisdom. \n\nBut 0, let thy chief compassion to them be, to \n\n\n\n39 \' \n\nshine into" their hearts, to give them the light of the \nknowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus \nChrist: in whom, though now they see him not, \nneither the works of his hands, yet believing, may \nthey rejoice with a joy that is unspeakable and full \nof glory : receiving the end of faith, even the salva- \ntion of their souls. \n\nLord, regard with pity those blind, who have \neyes that will not see ; and who love darkness, be- \ncause their deeds are evil ; and who will not come \nto the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. \nUnscale, I beseech thee, their inward sight ; remove \nevery film of vice ;, and grant that in thy light they \nmay see light I \n\nBROTHE RLY LOVE. \n\nO thou, who art the fountain of love, fill my \nheart with strong affections for all that are of the \nhousehold of faith. May I keep that message that \nwe had from the beginning \xe2\x80\x94 that we should love \none another. He who doeth this abideth in light, \nand there is none occasion of stumbling in him ; but \nhe that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, \nhow can he love God, whom he hath not seen ? \nMay I regard thy people as lively stones of thy \nspiritual house ; as partners with me in the trials of \nlife, and in the grace of God ; as members of thy \nfamily on earth, and of thy heritage in heaven. \nLord, grant me that testimony of having passed from \ndeath unto life, which flows from love to the bre- \nthren. \n\nLord of Hosts, may all thy saints love each other, \nnot in word nor in tongue only, but in deed and in \ntruth. Show them how good and pleasant it is for \nbrethren to dwell together in unity. May they be \n\n\n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 40 \n\nkind one to another, forgiving one another, even as \nGod, for Christ\'s sake, hath forgiven them. May \nbrotherly love continue, through evil report, as well \nas good report. Dispose them to suffer long, to \nhope all things, to believe all things. May they \nbear one another\'s burdens, and so fulfil the law of \nChrist. Show them, O Lord, that the success of \nthy kingdom among the ungodly, the peace and joy \nof the fold of Christ, and the enduring favour of \nJehovah, depend on their loving one another, out \nof pure hearts, fervently. Let this grace be as the \ndew of heaven, and as the dew that descended upon \nthe mountains of Zion ; where the Lord commanded \nthe blessing, even life for evermore. \n\nBUSINESS. \n\nLord, dispose me to act according to thy will, \nand in reference to thy glory, in all my worldly bu- \nsiness. I thank thee for that law of my nature, by \nwhich thou hast connected my happiness and use- \nfulness, with the employment of my body and mind \nin the duties of life. Let all my avocations be law- \nful in thy sight. Give me a calm mind and mode- \nrate prosperity in the pursuit of them ; or grant me \npatience under disappointed efforts. O let not \nmere selfishness be the motive nor end of my labour. \nMay I desire to fulfil in myself the benevolent pur- \nposes of thy providence, in giving me an active na- \nture ; and to make my employments promote the \ntemporal and spiritual interests of mankind. Make \nme diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving \nthe Lord : so that whether I eat, or drink, or what- \never I do, I may do it for thy glory. \n\n\n\n41 \n\n\n\nCENSORIOUS NESS. \n\nLord, preserve me from the spirit of censorious- \nness. Guard me against an intermeddling, rash, or \nuncharitable judgment on the conduct of my fellow- \ncreatures. May I do unto others in this matter, as \nI would they should do unto me. May I remember \nthat with what measure I mete, it shall be measured \nto me again. Let me not judge according to appear- \nance, but judge righteous judgment. Whenever I \nam tempted to behold the mote that is in my bro- \nther\'s eye, may I consider the beam that is in mine \nown eye. Show me my own weakness and sinful- \nness. Dispose me to think no evil of any, and to \nmaintain a good opinion of all, until I have proved \nall things. Incline me always to pray for the for- \ngiveness of the offence, and for the welfare of the \noffender. And when it becomes my duty to cen- \nsure others, may I do it, not in anger nor pride of \nheart, but in sorrow, and with a desire to do good. \n\nCHARITY. \n\nGiver of all Good, grant me that fruit of the Spirit \nwhich is love. May this be the element where my \nsoul will live, and move, and have its being. O, \nmay I feel that if I could speak with the tongues of \nmen and angels, and have not charity, I am become \nas sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal : though I \nshould bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and \ngive my body to be burned, and have not charity, \nit profiteth me nothing. \n\nLord, grant that thy holy commandment, and the \n\ncountless examples of thy good-will, and the various \n\nwants of my fellovz-creatures, may be heart-stirring \n\nmotives to this law of kindness. And especially \n\n4* \n\n\n\n42 \n\nmay the love of Cbrist constrain me to love my \nneighbour as myself. Make it a bond of perfect- \nness, and the end of the commandment ; spring- \ning out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, \nand of faith unfeigned. May this grace pre- \nserve me from envy, censoriousness, and ill-will, \nand so mould my temper and character, that I shall \nbe meek and forbearing, disinterested and self-de- \nnying, and steadfast and kind in all my intercourse \nwith mankind. Blessed God, let it not be bounded \nby narrow limits, but be as expansive as the length \nand breadth of the world, and take into the bosom \nof its sympathies the whole family of man. \n\nO thou. Sovereign of Destinies, hasten that time \nwhen charity shall fill the hearts and control the \nconduct of all men ; when anger, and malice, and \nrevenge shall have fled away forever; when nations \nshall learn war no more, and Jesus, the Prince of \nPeace, shall reign over an undisturbed empire of \nlove. \n\nCHASTITY. \n\nPreserve me, O Holy One, from impurity in \nthought, in word, and in action. Grant that a sense \nof thy holiness and thine omniscience may so rest \nupon me, that I may walk in the Spirit, and not ful- \nfil the lusts of the flesh. May I set a watch upon \nmy lips, that no double meaning nor corrupt com- \nmunication may proceed out of my mouth ; and suf- \nfer me not to take pleasure in, but to abhor and turn \naway from, the language of indelicacy and lascivious- \nness on the tongues of others. Help me to make a \ncovenant with my eyes, that they may not dwell on \nunlawful objects, nor pamper forbidden wishes. \nThrow a guard round my heart, that it may not de- \n\n\n\n43 \n\nvise wicked imaginations. Teach me to loathe and \nflee from these beginnings of evil, which debase the \nspirit, enfeeble the mind, and drown the soul in \nperdition. Enable me to put away uncleanness, \nand to glorify thee in my body and spirit, which \nare thine. \n\nGod of Justice, enter not into judgment with our \nland for the foul impurity which covers it. If thou \nwert strict to mark its iniquity, thou wouldst bring \nover it the besom of desolation, and make it a monu- \nment of reproach. O lead us, in thy mercy, to the \nuse of such measures as shall subvert the dominion \nof licentiousness, and establish purity of heart, \nspeech, and conduct. Lord, thou knowest whether \nthe means which have been employed, by social and \nopen action, for the suppression of that destroying \nvice, are according to thy holy will. If they are, \nO give them abundant success. But if they are not, \ncause them to be laid aside, and teach thy people \nwhat they may do that will secure thy blessing. \nCorrect, elevate, and inform public opinion in rela- \ntion to the destroying evils of lewdness. Put under \nthe ban of universal condemnation the unchaste \nword, the licentious song, the impure page, the \nlascivious dance, and the dissolute play-house. \nMake the liberthie a scorn and reproach in every \nsociety. O preserve those who are still pure ; and \nlet them not go down the pathways of disgrace and \ndestruction. Convince and alarm those whose name \nis clean in the eyes of the world, but whose thoughts \ncherish unholy emotions, and whose hearts work \nuncleanness greedily. Recover those who have \nlistened to the song of the syren, and who go as a \nbird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is \nfo|d|is life : who think not that many strong men \n\n\n\n44 \n\nhave been slain by her, and that her house is the \nchambers of death, and that her guests are in the \ndepths of hell. Cleanse our land and the world from \nthis vile leprosy which destroys health, and happi- \nness, and virtue : and bring over it a reformation \nthat shall be total abstinence from impurity of every \nname. \n\nCHEERFULNESS. \n\nLord, make cheerfulness the habit of my temper. \nEnable me to pursue the happy mean between that \nmirth, the end of which is heaviness, and that sul- \nlenness, which is a canker upon personal comfort, a \nreproach upon social character, and a libel on divine \ngoodness. Let not my spirit be soured by disappoint- \nment ; nor be dejected by misfortune ; nor be made \nmorose by hostility. May I regard these as light af- \nflictions, compared with a peevish and gloomy tem- \nper : which will corrupt my own pleasures, shed \nmildew on all my associations in life, and disparage \nthy grace. Show me that a cheerful mind will dif- \nfuse gladness over my pathways, scatter pleasure \naround those who journey with me, and glorify the \nmercy of God. ^ \n\nGracious Parent, speak to me \xe2\x80\x94 \'* Son, be of good \ncheer: thy sins are forgiven thee." O how light \nwould the crosses, and aillictions, and disasters of \nearth weigh on me, if I were conscious of guilt for- \ngiven, and peace with heaven ! Lord, grant that \nwhilst I drink gladness from all the lawful sources of \ncomfort around me, I may draw from the wells of \nsalvation a living water, which the world can neither \ngive nor take away. \n\n\n\n45 \n\nCHILDREN. \n\nLord, I thank thee that thou dost suffer little child- \nren to come unto thee, and that thou dost ordain \npraise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. \nI would praise thee that thy saving truth, while it \nis fitted to fill the minds of angels with the most \nexalted knowledge, can be learned, and understood, \nand felt by children ; and that many such have \nknown its power, and have spoken in their feeble \naccents of its excellence, both in their life and death, \nand are now enjoying the fruits of its redemption \nin the courts above. Lord, for the sake of the com- \npassionate and prevailing Redeemer, increase that \ncloud of witnesses. May many remember their \nCreator in the days of their youth, and increase in \nwisdom and in favour with God. Be thou the guide \nof their youth, and satisfy them early with thy mer- \ncies; that they may rejoice and be glad all the days \nof their lives. \n\nGod of Grace, I would praise thee for what thou \nhast done and art doing, through the labours of thy \npeople, for the rising generation. Multiply the num- \nber and increase the efficacy of these efforts. Ena- \nble parents to make an unreserved dedication of \ntheir offspring to the Lord, and train them up in \nthe way they should go, that when they are old, \nthey shall not depart from it. May all who have \nany influence over youth, devote their most zealous \nlabours that they may be made wise unto salvation, \nthrough the faith which is in Christ Jesus. And \ngrant, I pray thee, that thy Church may regard \nthem as the hope of the world, and bend all her \nenergies of faith, and love, and zeal, that the rising \ngeneration may be brought up in the nurture and \nadmonition of the Lord. \n\n\n\n46 \n\nHeavenly Father, incline the hearts of children \nto fulril their duties to their parents. Teach them . \nthat they are bound by the laws of natural affection, \nand the ties of gratitude, to honour their father and \nmother \xe2\x80\x94 which is also the will of God, and the \nfirst commandment with promise. O, how often \nare the authority and peace of parents disregarded \nor violated by those for whom they have spent their \nproperty, and time, and anxieties ; and to whom \nthey have looked for comfort and support in declin- \ning age. Lord, do thou make every child feel its \nobligations to keep its father\'s commandment, and \nto forsake not the law of its mother ; but to bind \nthem continually upon the heart, and to obey them \nin reverence and love. \n\nGracious Parent, look in mercy, I pray thee, on \nthe ungodly children of the church. Lord, shall \nit be that many shall come from the north, and from \nthe south, and from the east, and from the west, and \nsit down in the kingdom of heaven, while the child- \nren of the kingdom shall be cast out ? Turn the \nhearts of the fathers to the children, and the diso- \nbedient to the wisdom of the just, until they shall \nall be households of faith. \xe2\x80\x94 But do thou regard, in \nspecial compassion, the impenitent offspring of the \npious dead. Startle in their memory the echoes of \nlong forgotten parental instructions ; bring to their \nremembrance the images of long neglected exam- \nples of parental godliness. And, O let the prayers \nof these saints, which are kept by thee as odours \nin golden vials, be poured out before thee, until \nspirits redeemed shall see of the travail of their souls, \nand rejoice over their offspring, born again to an end- \nless life. \xe2\x80\x94 \\^See Early Pjety, Sabbath Schools \nYouth.] \n\n\n\n47 \n\nCHRISTMAS. \n\nHeavenly Father, assist me to exercise those feel- \nings of grateful devotion which are suitable to this \nday, which has been set apart by so many of thy \nfollowers, in memory of the birth of thy well-be- \nloved Son. Grant me enlarged and soul-moving \nviews of all that relates to the glorious plan of sal- \nvation through a Redeemer. \n\nUnfold to my mind, I beseech thee, the deep de- \npravity and lost estate into which our guilty race \nhad fallen. The -whole head was sick, and the \nwhole heart faint : and from the sole of the foot \neven unto the head, there was no moral soundness \nin it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying \nsores 1 All flesh had corrupted its way upon the \nearth ; and the whole world was guilty before God. \nLord, thou wast angry with the wicked every day : \nthy curse was in their house ; and thy wrath trea- \nsured up for them perdition in the day of thy wrath. \nO, if thou hadst not laid help upon One, mighty to \nsave, all men would have had their part in the lake \nthat burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the \nsecond death. \n\nGracious God, make me sensible of that love \nwhereby thou didst give thine only-begotten Son, \nthat whosoever believeth on him should not perish, \nbut have everlasting life \xe2\x80\x94 and which thou hast com- \nmended to us, in that while we were sinners, Christ \ndied for us. Though thou hast shown thy loving- \nkindness in the works of creation, and in the deve- \nlopements of providence, in this thou hast gathered, \nas into a bright and burning centre, the matchless \nproof of thy good-will to man. O, the breadth, \nand length, and depth, and height of the love of \nChrist, which passeth knowledge ! \n\n\n\n48 \n\nLord, make me to know the excellencies of \nChrist\'s glory, and the depths of his humiliation. \nThough he dwelt in the bosom of the Father, and \ninhabited the praises of eternity, and exercised the \npowers of the Godhead, yet he took upon him our \nsinful nature, was born in a low condition, made \nunder the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, \nthe wrath of God, and the cursed death of the \ncross ; and was buried, and continued under the \npower of death for a time. Teach me that he was \nthus made sin for me, that I might be made the \nrighteousness of God in him. \n\nO God, show me that though he thus gave his \nlife a ransom for many, still there is none who can \nhave redemption through his blood, without the con- \nvincing, renewing, and sanctifying power of thy \ngrace. Lord, make me know my sin, and my need \nof a Saviour ; dispose me to turn away from all my \ntransgressions, and to lay hold of the hope set be- \nfore me in the gospel. \n\nLord, impress on my heart the features of Christ\'s \nlovely and perfect character. May I learn of him \nwho was meek and lowly, kind and patient, obe- \ndient and forgiving, wise and holy. Let the same \nmind which was in him be also in me. Show me \nthat he is glorified in the bodies and spirits of them \nwhom thou hast given to him ; and that if any man \nhave not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. \nMay the grace which has brought salvation, teach \nme to deny ungodliness and to work righteousness ; \nthat his image, destroyed by the fall, may be re- \nrenewed in me, and that the life also of Jesus may \nbe made manifest in my mortal flesh. \n\nGod of Grace, excite my faith in this blessed \nSaviour, by clear visions of that heavenly glory \n\n\n\n49 \n\nwhich he has prepared for those that love him. O, \nthanks be unto thy name, thou hast not only re- \ndeemed thy saints from the wretched dominion of \nsin and the fearful penalties of guilt, but thou hast \ngiven them thine unfailing promise, that they shall \ngo into life eternal, and dwell before thy throne, \nand serve thee day and night in thy temple. Lord, \ngrant that through his merits, an entrance may be \nministered unto me,, abundantly, into the everlast- \ning kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. \nMerciful Father, persuade the ungodly, who are \nrejecting the Saviour, that without his atoning right- \neousness their souls must endure the perdition of \neternal death ; while through his blood they may \nhave remission of sins, and an inheritance among \nthem that are sanctified. Reconcile them unto thy- \nself, through him ; not imputing their trespasses \nunto them. O dispose them to join with fulness \nof heart, that heavenly anthem, which heralded his \nbirth in our nature \xe2\x80\x94 *\' Glory to God in the highest ; \nand on earth peace, good-will towards men !" \n\nCHURCH. \n\nGreat Shepherd of Israel, I thank thee that thou \nhast established thy church on the earth, and hast \nput the seal of thy redeeming grace on it, and hast \npromised that the gates of hell shall not prevail \nagainst it. I would praise thee that he who is thy \nfulness, has bepn made head over all things to his \nchurch, which is his body, and which he has re- \ndeemed by his blood out of every kindred, and \ntongue, and people, and nation. \n\nLord, dispose me to sustain all the relations which \nI bear to thy heritage. Suffer me not to withdraw, \nin any degree, from the fellowship of the saints, in \n5 \n\n\n\n50 \n\ntheir profession of faith in the Lord Jesus. Thou \nhast commanded that fellowship ; thou hast adapted \nit to our social nature ; thou hast made it the stream \nof our consolation, the wall of our safety, and the \nfield of our usefulness. May I love to seek thy face \nin the tabernacles of the righteous, and to worship \nthee there in spirit and in truth. May I cherish the \nreputation, and welcome the instructions, and en- \ncourage the labours of those whom thou hast set to \nminister in holy things. Lead me, O Lord, to seek \nthe interest of thy church, in its purity, peace, know- \nledge, and universal dominion. \n\nLord, cause all thy people to strive for the wel- \nfare of Zion. May they mourn over her desolations, \nand rejoice when her righteousness goes forth as \nbrightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. \nBaptize them by one spirit, into one body ; and \nmake them all one in Christ Jesus. May they feel \ndeeply humbled at their want of personal holmess, \nand at their neglect in extending the blessings of \nsalvation to a perishing world. Let every one that \nnameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. \nMay the sons of God be blameless, and harmless, \nand without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and \nperverse generation ; among whom may they shine, \nas lights in the world, holding forth the word of \nlife. Make them a peculiar people, zealous of good \nworks. Let utterance be given to them, that they \nmay open their mouths boldly, to make known the \nmystery of the gospel. Let not the ingratitude nor \nhostility of sinners discourage their efforts to win \nthem to thy service. May they have the pleasure \nof seeing thy work prospering in their hands, and \nmultitudes added to their number, of such as shall \nbe saved.. \n\n\n\n51 \n\nArise, and have mercy on Zion : let the time to \nfavour her, yea, the set time come. Bring her up \nfrom the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved ; and \nmake her the perfection of beauty. When her \nenemy comes in like a flood, do thou lift up a \nstandard against him. Be thou as a wall of fire \nround about her, and a glory in the midst of her. \nHast thou not purchased her with thy blood ; and \nwilt thou not grave her on the palms of thy hands, \nand set her walls continually before thee ? O, King \nof Kings, do thou marshal, and discipline, and \nstrengthen, and multiply the sacramental host, and \nlead it on conquering and to conquer, until the king- \ndoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of \nour Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever \nand ever. \n\n\n\nCITIES. \n\nHeavenly Father, remember in special mercy, I \nbeseech thee, the cities of this land, and of the \nworld. It was in such that Christ sought con- \ntinually, in the days of his ministry on earth, to \nproclaim his words of life. And it was to such that \nhis apostles resorted, when commanded to go into \nall the world, and preach the gospel to every crea- \nture. O Lord, there thou hast poured out, from \ngeneration to generation, the most copious eflfusions \nof thy Holy Spirit; and hast built up many, very \nmany, churches in the beauty of holiness. \n\nGracious God, excite an earnest solicitude in the \nhearts of the pious, on behalf of our populous places. \nMay they realize that in these dwell the potent in- \nfluences of wealth, intelligence, commerce, and \nnumbers, which control the wide country for good \n\n\n\n52 \n\nor evil ; and that out of them go streams that poison \nor heal the veins of social life throughout the laud. \nTeach thy people that there are the strongholds of \nvice, where the adversary of souls stations his \nchoicest legions, and establishes his dominion in the \nnation. Show them that if his power could be sub- \nverted in the midst of these crowded marts, his \nsceptre would be broken, and his throne be shaken \nto its foundations. \n\nO God, make thy followers appreciate the facili- \nties that are there afforded for procuring the triumph \nof the gospel. In these thou hast gathered a large \nproportion of the human race, and hast put their \ndwellers within the reach of Christian exertion for \ntheir salvation. There thou hast planted the insti- \ntutions of religious benevolence, which, like trees \nof life, are shedding their leaves for the healing of \nthe nations. And Lord, the wealth of our cities \ncan furnish the means, and their numbers the men, \nthat shall carry to all the earth\'s inhabitants the \nmessages of mercy. \n\nLord, bless all the instrumentalities that are now \nemployed for the conversion of these. places. Bring \nall their youthful population into Sabbath-schools, \nand into the nurture of the Lord. May personal \nChristian effort be brought to bear, in prayerful re- \nliance on thy help, on every impenitent heart. Li- \ncrease and give universal application to the power \nof the Christian ministry : and roll on the chariot \nof thy gospel amidst these dense congregations of \nlife, until each place shall shadow forth the holiness \nand joy of that city, which hath foundations, whose \nbuilder and maker is God ! \n\n\n\n53 \n\n\n\nCOMMUNION WITH GOD. \n\nO thou that hearest prayer, grant that I may hold \ncommunion of spirit with thee, the Father of Spirits. \nAs the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so may \nmy soul pant after thee : and as the parched land \ndrinketh in the rain of heaven, so let my soul re- \nceive the gifts of thy presence. Dispose me to be \nfaithful and to delight in the observance of stated \nse\'asons of private devotion, and in the frequent ex- \nercises of occasional prayer. May I love to seek \nthee in the tabernacles of the righteous. Let my \nthoughts and desires hold intercourse with thee \nin thy v/ord, and in thy works, and in thy ways. \nLet my walk be close with thee ; and do thou fix \nmy affections on thee, as the highest and noblest \nobject of love. Teach me thy will, that I may ac- \nquaint myself with thee, and be at peace. \n\nLord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon \nme. Draw near to me in all my attempts to ap- \nproach thee ; and manifest thyself unto me as mou \ndost not unto the world. Sprinkle reconciling blood \non the altar where I meet thee. Kindle with heaven- \nly fire the incense I bring thee, and let it rise up as \na sweet-smelling savour before thee. Make thine \nabode with me ; and let my heart be a temple of the \nHoly Ghost. Give me that spirit of adoption by \nwhich I may cry, " Abba, Father." May I be per- \nsuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor \nprincipalities, nor powers, nor any other creature, \nshall be able to separate me from thy love, which is \nin Christ Jesus. Give me such a sense of pardoned \nsin, as shall fill me with holy joys, and strong pur- \nposes of new obedience to thy will. Grant me, in \nthese seasons of sweet converse with thee, those \n5-^ \n\n\n\n54 \n\nblessings which are spiritual in their nature, satis \nfying in their possession, and eternal in their con- \ntinuance. Cause me, in the enjoyment of them, to \ncommiserate the destitution of those who are with- \nout God in the world, and the wo of them who are \nshut out from thy presence forever. O let me cling \ncloser to this precious privilege, and be pervaded \nwith deeper pity, and animated with stronger zeal, \nfor those who know not the delights of thy com- \nmunion. \n\nLord, vouchsafe that my fellowship with thee \nmay be sought only through him who is the way, \nthe truth, and the life ; for no man cometh unto the \nFather but by him. Let the communion of thy \nHoly Spirit rest upon me, and abide within me, \nnow, henceforth and forever. \n\nCOMMUNION OF SAINTS. \n\nHeavenly Father, dispose me, in gladness and \nsingleness of heart, to keep the fellowship of the \nsamts. May I have more relish for their company, \nthough they may be poor and unhonoured, than for \nintercourse with those who are lovers of pleasure \nmore than lovers of God. Make my communion \nwith them pleasant and profitable to my soul ; and \ndo thou come and be in the midst of us, to bless us. \nLet our bonds of union have the strength and beauty \nof those that bind the happy throng above, in their \nperpetual fellowship of bliss. May I feel that we \nare all children of the same Parent ; brethren of the \nsame family; subjects of the -same discipline of \ntrials and duties; and heirs of the same inheritance \nbeyond the grave. Incline me to love their persons, \ntheir character, and their interests \xe2\x80\x94 rejoicing with \nthem that do rejoice, and weeping with them that \n\n\n\n55 \n\nweep \xe2\x80\x94 ministering to their necessities \xe2\x80\x94 holding \nconverse with them in the grace of God \xe2\x80\x94 seeking \nnot to please myself, but bearing their infirmities \nand burdens \xe2\x80\x94 and so fulfilling the law of Christ, \nwho hath given us a new commandment, that we \nlove one another. \n\nCOMPANY. \n\nLord, teach me that my habits of life, and my \nreputation, will be determined by the company I \nkeep. Make me ever mindful that evil communica- \ntions are full of corruption, and that the companion \nof fools shall be destroyed. Make me holy, harm- \nless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. O let me \nnot enter the path of the wicked, nor follow a mul- \ntitude to do evil ; and permit me not to conform, in \nany degree, to either the principles or practices of \nthe ungodly. But when I am called, in the exercise \nof social or religious duties, among the impenitent, \nenable me to seek by kindness, and persuasion, and \nexample, to win them to the obedience of faith. \nMake me, O Lord, a companion of them that fear \nthee and keep thy precepts. May I desire more \nthe fellowship of them that are lowly and poor in \nspirit, than of those who are rich in this world\'s \ngoods, while their hearts are strangers to the love \nof God. Preserve me, I pray thee, from every un- \nholy association ; and lead me to seek the commu- \nnion of thy saints, that we may be comforted to- \ngether, by our mutual faith. Suffer not my conduct, \nanywhere, to be a reproach on thy cause ; but do \nthou bestow on me grace to occupy my station in \nthe family, in society, and in the church, so as to \npromote thy glory in the sight of men. \n\n\n\n56 \n\n\n\nCONDESCENSION OF GOD. \n\nLord, what is man, that thou art mindfal of him ; \nor the son of man, that thou visitest him ? Thou \nart infinite in all thy perfections, and needest not \nour praises nor services to increase thy happiness \nand glory. If our guilty race had continued even \nas thou didst create it, (but a little lower than the \nangels,) we must have praised thee for thy conde- \nscension in nourishing and governing us ; but now, \nthat we have lifted the arm of rebellion against thee, \nand have steeped our souls in transgression, how \ngreatly is thy condescension magnified, in pursuing \nus with thy mercies, in providing for our wants, in \nprotecting and delivering us from evil ; and above \nall, in offering to redeem us from our lost estate by \nthe sacrifice of thy Son. He, who knew no sin, \nwas made sin for us, that we might be made the \nrighteousness of God in him. He, who was rich, \nyet for our sakes became poor, that we through his \npoverty might be made rich. He, who from eter- \nnity knew no pain, sweat great drops of blood, and \nsuffered unspeakable agony, that we might escape \nthe wrath to come^ \xe2\x80\x94 the worm that never dieth, and \nthe fire that is never quenched. O help me, God \nof Grace, to acknowledge thine undeserved and as- \ntonishing mercy. May it draw me closer to thee \nin the bonds of love and confidence, and seal me \nfor thy service, in a covenant never to be forsaken. \n\nCONFESSION. \n\nHoly One of Israel, help me, I beseech thee, to \nconfess before thee my un worthiness and ill-desert. \nTo whom but to thee should I go with the recital \nof my transgressions ; for it is against thee, thee \n\n\n\n57 \n\nonly, I have sinned. Thou hast said that he who \ncovereth his sins shall not prosper ; while he who \nconfess eth and forsaketh them shall find mercy. If \nI say, \'* I have no sin," I deceive myself, and the \ntruth is not in me ; but if I confess my sins, thou \nart faithful and just to forgive them, and to cleanse \nme from all unrighteousness. \n\nO Lord,*I have sinned against thee in doing what \nthou ha-st forbidden, and in leaving undone what \nthou hast commanded. I have transgressed thy \nlaw and gospel, in thought, word, and deed. Ihav^ \nsinned in childhood, in youth, and in riper years. \nI would acknowledge with shame and sorrow, my \nvanity and selfishness, my pride and hypocrisy, my \nimpatience and unbelief, my self-indulgence and \nself-righteousness, my neglect of thy service and \nglory, and my living to myself, and not unto thee. \nHow often has my heart rebelled against thy whole- \nsome discipline in affliction, or impiously forgotten \nthy dispensing hand in the enjoyment of mercies. \nO, I have in countless instances, backslidden from \nthy love, broken my covenants with thee, and \nbrought dishonour on thy name. I have rolled that \nas a sweet morsel under my tongue, which has filled \nheaven with solicitude, earth with desolation, and \nhell with anguish. And yet such has been the \nhardness of my heart, that 1 have mourned but \nlittle over such transgressions. \n\nO Lord, these my sins have been protracted \nthrough long years which thou hast crowned with \nforbearance and mercy. They are heavy and black \nwith enormous guilt, because they were committed \nin the midst of light and knowledge. My trans- \ngressions are more numerous than the hairs of my \nhead ; and if thou wert strict to mark one in a thou- \n\n\n\n58 \n\nsand of them, I could not stand before thee. M)^ \niniquities are increased over my head, and my tres- \npasses are grown up to the heavens. Thou might- \nest justly cause that dark cloud to shutout the light \nof thy countenance ; and gather there the thunders \nof thy w^rath, and break them on my guilty head, \nwith an overwhelming vengeance. Lord, I am vile ; \nwhat shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand \nupon my mouth, and put my mouth in the dust, if \nso be there may be hope. God be merciful to me \na sinner. \n\nCONFIDENCE IN GOD. \n\nO Lord, Jehovah, thou art the strength of all that \nput their trust in thee. Thou art boundless in wis- \ndom, omnipotent in power, and infinite in goodness. \nThou dost not withhold any good thing from him \nthat walketh uprightly. Thou wilt keep him in \nperfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because \nhe trusteth in thee. He shall be like a tree planted \nby the rivers of water ; that bringeth forth his fruit \nin his season ; his leaf also shall not wither. What- \nsoever he doth shall prosper ; and the end of that \nman is peace. \n\n\xe2\x80\xa2 Lord, if thou art my light and salvation, whom \nshall I fear ? If thou art my strength, of whom \nshall I be afraid ? Enable me, I pray thee, to trust \nin thee with all my heart ; and keep me from lean- \ning on my own understanding. May 1 cast all my \ncares upon thee, in perils, in wants, in losses, in \ngriefs, in sickness, and in death. Cause me to hear \nthy voice, in every variety of tribulation, saying \nunto me, " What I do thou kno\\yest not now, but \nthou shalt know hereafter." I would remember \nthat oft when I said, \'\'My foot slippeth," thy mercy, \n\n\n\n59 \n\nO Lord, held me up. In the day when I cried, \nthou didst answer and strengthen me. May the \nmemory of thy past goodness, the possession of \npresent joys, and the testimonies of thy promises \npersuade me, that though the mountains depart, and \nthe hills be removed, thy kindness doth not depart \nfrom thee ; neither is the covenant of thy peace re- \nmoved. \n\nHeavenly Father, give me confidence towards \nthee in the duty of prayer. May I come to thee \nas to a forgiving, a bountiful, a compassionate, a \nwise, and a powerful God \xe2\x80\x94 for thou only hast an \neye of pardon, a hand of plenty, a heart of pity, a \njudgment of knowledge, and an arm of might. \nAssure me that whosoever cometh unto thee, ihou \nwilt in no wise cast out. Help me to ask in faith, \nnothing wavering. \n\nGod of Israel, inspire thy people with unlimited \nand unwavering reliance on thy character, dealings, \nand purposes. May they learn that the word of \nthe Lord endureth for ever. Let them not cast away \ntheir confidence, which hath great recompense of \nreward. As thou didst not withhold thine own Son, \nbut didst deliver him up for them, O cause them to \nhope that, with him, thou wilt freely give them all \nthings. Lord, let them never forget that thou \nmakest all things work together for good to them \nthat love thee. Although the fig-tree may not blos- \nsom, neither fruit be in the vines; the labour of the \nolive fail, and the fields yield no meat ; the flock \nbe cut afF from the fold, and there be no herd in the \nstalls \xe2\x80\x94 yet may they rejoice in the Lord, and joy \nin the God of their salvation. Thou canst make \neven the bed of death a couch of down ; and the \ngloomy grave the cradle of immortality. \n\n\n\n60 \n\n\n\nCONSCIENCE. \n\nGod of Judgment, I thank thee that thou hast \ngiven me an inward monitor, to warn me against \niniquity, and to smite me when I transgress. May \nI regard its testimony as a proof of a future judg- \nment; when the righteous shall receive the recom- \npense of reward, and tlie wicked the retribution of \nwo. Enable me, I pray thee, to nourish and cul- \nture this plant of thy hand. Show me that my \nhappiness and welfare, and the enjoyment of thy \nlife-giving countenance, will depend on the activity, \nstrength, and purity of my conscience. If the light \nthat is in me be darkness, how great is that dark- \nness ! May thy will, as exhibited in thy word, be \nthe supreme rule of its actings. May thy Spirit \ncleanse it from error and sin, and animate it with \nright knowledge and holy power. Lord, give it \npeace through the justifying merits of Jesus Christ, \nand purge it from dead works to serve the living \nGod. Make it tender and watchful, and a faithful \nindex of thy sovereign will ; that it may be void \nof offence towards God and man. \n\nLord, stimulate and give a wholesome vigour to \nthe conscience of all men. May it exercise a con- \ntrolling and righteous influence over their inmost \nthoughts and their outward actions. Teach them \nthat though they may turn away from its testi- \nmonies, and stifle its chidings, yet there is a day \ncoming when, if they continue impenitent, it will \nrise up in judgment against them ; when he that \nsitteth upon the throne will co.nfirm its testimony, \nby pronouncing the verdict \'\' Depart, ye cursed, \ninto everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his \nangels." \n\n\n\n61 \n\n\n\nCONSISTENCY. \n\nEnable me, O Lord, through the grace of Jesus, \nto follow thee fully. May I act, in all tilings, worthy \nof the vocation wherewith I am called ; and strive \nto be of those, who, by patient continuance in well- \ndoing, seek eternal life. Thou art entitled to my \nfull-hearted and consistent obedience. O may that \nobedience be without reserve, and without hy- \npocrisy. Let me not call thee " Lord, Lord," and \nyet do not the things which thou sayest. Make \nmy walk the index of my heart ; and make my heart \nright in thy sight. Give me oil for my. lamp, that \nwhen the Bridegroom cometh, I may go forth in \njoy to meet him. May I remember that he who \ngathereth not with thee, scattereth abroad. Let me \nnever do evil that good may come. When I would \ndo good, let not evil be present with me : let not \nthe law in my members war against the law of my \nmind, and bring me into captivity to the law of sin. \nPermit me not to act so that the way of truth may \nbe evil spoken of; nor that the friends of the gospel \nmay be ashamed of me. Suffer not my vows to be \nas the fitful wind; nor my devotions as the chang- \ning cloud ; nor my hopes as the early dew, T be- \nseech thee to give me strength to cleave to thy \nservice, steadfastly, in penury and in plenty, in per- \nsecution and in peace. May my light shine in evil \nreport, and in good report. And, O Lord, let it be \nas the path of the just, which shineth more and \nmore, unto the perfect day. \n\nCONTENTMENT. \n\nGreat Sovereign of heaven and earth, thou art \ninfinitely wise and good, in all the allotments of \n6 \n\n\n\n62 \n\nthy providence. I pray thee, teach me in what- \never state I am, therewith to be content. Keep me, \nO Lord, from envy, from avarice, from ambition, \nfrom anxiety, and from murmuring. May I remem- \nber it was discontent that brought death into the \nworld, and all its woes. Make me content with \nsuch things as I have ; for thou hast said thou wilt \nnever leave nor forsake me, if I put my trust in \nthee. May mine be the prayer of Agur \xe2\x80\x94 \'\' Give \nme neither poverty nor riches ; lest I be full, and \ndeny thee ; or be poor, and steal, and take thy name \nin vain." Let me not forget that the love of money \nis the root of evil. They who will be rich fall into \nmany foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men \nin destruction and perdition. Make my soul satis- \nfied in the midst of losses and afflictions. May I \nbe ever ready to say \xe2\x80\x94 \'\' The Lord gave, and the \nLord taketh away: blessed be the name of the Lord." \nHeavenly Father, discipline me so by thy grace, \nthat I shall be careful for nothing, but in all things, \nby prayer and supplication, make known my re- \nquests unto thee. Let me not trust in uncertain \nriches ; but in the living God, who giveth me all \nthings richly to enjoy. Show me that human hap- \npiness consists not in the abundance of worldly trea- \nsure ; but in godliness, which with contentment is \ngreat gain. I am not worthy of the least of thy \nmercies ; wherefore then should I complain ? I \nbrought nothing into the world, and I can carry \nnothing out ; let me therefore look not at things \nwhich are seen and temporal ; but at things which \nare not seen, and that are eternal. May thy great \nand precious promises give me more comfort than \nthe wicked have, when their corn and wine do most \nabound. Induce me, O Lord, to seek my portion \n\n\n\n63 \n\nwhere the righteous obtain joy and gladness, and \nwhere murmuring and sorrow shall flee away for- \never. \n\nCONTRITION. \n\nthou that hearest and answerest prayer, grant \nme, for Christ\'s sake, that contrite heart, which in \nthy sight is of great price. Show me my guilt, as \ncommitted against thee, my Maker, Governor, and \nBenefactor. Lead me to abhor myself, and to re- \npent in dust and ashes. May I look on him whom \nI have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness. \nGive me a deep consciousness that I deserve the \ncurse of that law which I have violated. Lord, 1 \nwould acknowledge my transgressions : O may my \nsins be ever before me. \n\n1 thank thee for thy promise, that thou wilt dwell \nwith him that is of an humble and contrite heart. \nThou desirest not sacrifice ; else would I give it. \nThou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sa- \ncrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a \ncontrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Pre- \npare my heart for thine abode. According unto the \nmultitude of thy tender mercies, blot out all my \ntransgressions. Create within me a clean heart, \nand renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto \nme the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me by \nthy free Spirit ; then will I teach transgressors thy \nways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. \n\nConversation. \xe2\x80\x94 See Tongue. \n\nCONVERSION. \n\nLord, I would come to thee, in the name of Christ, \nthat I may learn the necessity, the nature, and the \nfruits of regeneration. O do thou fasten on my \n\n\n\n64 \n\nmind, abiding convictions that the carnal mind is \nenmity against thee, and that all mankind are by \nnature the children of wrath, and receive not the \nthings of the Spirit, for they are foolishness to \nthem; neither can they learn them, for they are \nspiritually discerned. Except a man be born again, \nhe cannot see the kingdom of God. \n\nShow me, O Lord, that if any man be in Christ \nJesus, he is a new creature ; old things are passed \naway ; all things are become new. He has put on \nthe new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after \nthe image of him who created him, in righteousness \nand true holiness. It is thou, God of Mercy, who \nworkest in such to will and to do^ of thine own \ngood pleasure ; not by works which they have \ndone ; but according to thy mercy ; by the washing \nof regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy \nGhost. They are born not of blood, nor of the \nwill of man, but of God, who only giveth repent- \nance unto life, and the earnest of that Spirit whereby \nthey are sealed until the day of redemption. \n\nTeach me, O Lord, that they who have been born \nfrom above bring forth fruits, meet for repentance ; \nthat they add to faith virtue, knowledge, temper- \nance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and \ncharity ; and that these, abounding in them, cause \nthem that they be neither barren nor unfruitful in \nthe knowledge of the Saviour. They are made \nfree from sin, and have become servants unto God ; \nhaving their fruit unto holiness, and the end ever- \nlasting life. \n\nBlessed Saviour, give me evidence in my heart \nand conduct, that I have passed from death unto \nlife ; that having been convinced of my sin and mi \nsery, I have had my mind enlightened in the know- \n\n\n\n65 \n\nledge of thee, my will renewed, and have been \npersuaded and enabled to embrace thee, as thou art \nfreely offered in the gospel. Let me not be satis- \nfied with the form of godliness, without its life-giv- \ning power. Search me, O Lord, and try me ; and \nsee if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in \nthe way everlasting. Make me watchful against \ntemptation ; quick to retrace my way when I fall \ninto evil ; ready to confess my trespasses ; and \nearnest in purposes of new obedience. Create in \nme a new heart, and renew a right spirit within me. \nGrant me forgiveness of sins, and enable me to look \nforward, with a rejoicing hope, to an inheritance \namong them that are sanctified. Vouchsafe unto \nme, I pray thee, the testimony of thy Spirit, that \nI have been redeemed by thy grace. O, if thou \nhast begun a good work in me, continue it unto the \nend ; and let thy grace be in me as a well of living \nwater, springing up into everlasting life. \n\nLord, convince the impenitent of sin, of righteous- \nness, and of judgm.ent. Thou hast no pleasure in \nthe death of him that dieth, and thou art not will- \ning that any should perish, but that all should come \nto repentance. O lead many to inquire what they \nmust do to be saved. Show them that they who \nare in the flesh cannot please God. Set before them \ndistinctly, life and good ; death and evil. May thy \nlaw be a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ, that \nthey may be justified by faith. Persuade them to \nbelieve in that only name by which sinners can be \nsaved. May they be born again, not of corruptible \nseed, but of incorruptible ; by the word of God, \nwhich liveth and abideth forever. \n6^ \n\n\n\n66 \n\n\n\nCOUNT RY. \n\n\n\nLord, the kingdom is thine, and thou art the Go- \nvernor among the nations. I thank thee, Great \nRuler, that the lines have fallen to me in pleasant \nplaces ; and that I have a goodly heritage. Imbue \nmy heart with a Christian patriotism, which will take \npleasure in every token of my country\'s real wel- \nfare. May I love it as the place of my home, my \nsustenance, my protection, and my civil and reli- \ngious privileges. I would rejoice in its length and \nbreadth, fitting it for the ample support of a teeming \npopulation \xe2\x80\x94 in its plenteous products, crowning the \nyear with goodne&s \xe2\x80\x94 in its works of art, binding it \nin unity, and facilitating its commerce, and increas- \ning its opulence. I would praise thee for its schools \nof knowledge, scattering instruction through every \nclass of its inhabitants \xe2\x80\x94 for its happy form of go- \nvernment which has made it (though deeply dis- \nhonoured by one form of tyranny) a beacon light to \nother countries, and the refuge of the oppressed and \nthe home of the free \xe2\x80\x94 and for its banner of peace, \nsheltering it from from foes without, and preserving \nit from enemies within. But, above all, I thank \nthee that it is a land of Bibles, of Sabbaths, of sanc- \ntuaries, and of gospel light. \n\nBut, O Lord, if guilt be measured by the number \nand value of abused mercies, then has this nation a \nmost fearful reckoning with thee. Reprove this \npeople, and set their sins in order before them. Lo ! \nthy Sabbaths, which thou hast given to be a sign \nbetween thee and us, are polluted. Because of \nswearing the land mourneth. This people have \nloved the gain of oppression and treachery ; and \nhave spoiled both the stranger and the native. When \n\n\n\n67 \n\nthou hast fed them to the full, then they committed \nadultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the \nharlots\' houses. Multitudes have loved the cup of \ndrunkenness ; until our name has been a reproach \namong the nations. Our transgressions, O Lord, \nare multiplied before thee ; and our sins testify \nagainst us : and thou hast a controversy with this \nnation. \n\nYet, Gracious One, take not the weapons of thine \nindignation, to destroy us. Make us not as Admah : \nset us not as Zeboim. For the sake of its righteous, \nlet thy repentings be kindled together ; for there is \na remnant who have not bowed the knee to Baal ; \nand who sigh and cry for the abominations that are \ndone in the midst of us. May thy Church be our \nsafety. Thou hast said, that if the wicked repent, \nand turn themselves from all their transgressions, \niniquity shall not be their ruin. O may we loose \nall our bands of wickedness ; and then shall our \nlight break forth as the morning ; and our health \nspring forth speedily : our righteousness shall go \nbefore us ; and the glory of the Lord shall be our \nrere-ward. \n\nLord, bless this country. Cover it with plenty. \nSecure to all its inhabitants just and equal laws. \nLet them that rule over us, rule in the fear of the \nLord ; justifying the righteous and condemning the \nwicked. Let peace dwell in all our borders. Put \nthe keys of knowledge into every hand. Sanctify \nall our prosperity. Let the blessings of religion \nreach every household and every heart. Honour \nthis people by employing them as chief instruments \nin giving to every nation the grace that bringeth \nsalvation. Be thou our God, and we will be thy \npeople ! \n\n\n\n68 \n\n\n\nCOURAGE. \n\nLord, enable me to add to faith, Christian forti- \ntude. May I endure hardness, as a good soldier \nof Jesus Christ. Give me grace to encounter and \nsubdue the corruptions of my own heart ; and ir \nthat conflict between the flesh and the spirit, may I \ncome oflf more than conqueror through him that \nhath loved me. \xe2\x80\x94 Strengthen me that I may resist \nthe allurements of a world lying in iniquity, and \nthat I may strive against the fear of man ; re- \nmembering that whosoever will deny Jesus before \nmen, shall be denied by him before the Father in \nheaven. May I always be ready to answer every \nman that asketh me, a reason of the hope that is in \nme. Make me strong in the power of thy might ; \nfor I am not called to wrestle against flesh and blood, \nmerely ; but against principalities and powers ; \nagainst spiritual wickedness in high places. Great \nCaptain of Salvation, give me the girdle of truth, \nthe breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, \nthe helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit ; \nand having thus the whole armour of God, may I \nbe able to withstand in the evil day, and having done \nall, to stand. Grant that when the time of my de- \nparture is at hand, I may have the consoling confi- \ndence, that I have fought a good fight, and that \ndeath shall be swallowed up in victory ! \n\nCOVENANT. \n\nAdorable Jehovah, I would praise thee that, in \nthy sovereign mercy, thou didst from eternity enter \nmto a covenant of grace, to deliver men out of their \nestate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an \nestate of salvation by a Redeemer. Lord, make \nwith me "this everlasting covenant, even the sure \n\n\n\n69 \n\nmercies of David. Gall me with a holy calling, \nnot according to works, but according to thy pur \xe2\x80\xa2 \npose, which was given in Christ Jesus before the \nworld began ; but has now been made manifest by \nhis appearing, who hath brought life and immortality \nto light through thy gospel : and in whom we have \nredemption, through his blood. O bind me to thee \nin the adoption of thy children, w4ierein thou makest \nthem accepted in the Beloved. \n\nLord, assist me to remember and keep all my en- \ngagements to thee. In the silence of retirement \nand communion with thee \xe2\x80\x94 in the acts of social \nand public prayer \xe2\x80\x94 in the hearing of thy word and \nthe singing of thy praise \xe2\x80\x94 and in the solemn sacra- \nment, where thy saints subscribe with the han\xc2\xbbd unto \nthe Lord \xe2\x80\x94 I have again and again pledged myself \nunto thee. My vows are written in my conscience, \nand in the book of thy remembrance. Help me, I \nbeseech thee, to shun all that I promised to forsake : \nhelp me, I pray thee, to perform all that I promised \nto do. Put thy law into my mind, and write it in \nmy heart; and be my God, that I may be of thy \npeople, chosen according to thy covenant of grace. \nMake my heart and life abundant in the fruits of \nthat holy relation. Let me not forsake thy love, \nnor turn from thy ways, but press on towards the \nmark for the prize of that high calling which is in \nGhrist Jesus. \n\nMerciful God, regard with compassion those who \nare aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and \nstrangers to the covenants of promise. Make them \nfeel the deep and radical depravity of their hearts. \nConvince them of sin, as committed against a holy \nGod. Show them the danger to which they are \nexposed while they refuse to forsake their trans- \n\n\n\n70 \n\ngressions. Exhibit to them Christ crucified, as him \nby whom alone they can escape from the dominion, \nthe guilt, and the retribution of their sins. O may \nthy Spirit give them grace to receive and rest upon \nhim for pardon and acceptance. And grant that \nthey may enjoy a union with him as close and \nfruitful as the branch which abideth in the vine. \n\nCOVE TOUSNE S S. \n\nPreserve me, Great Helper, from the vice of \ncovetousness, which is idolatry. O let me not \nworship filthy lucre, instead of the living God. May \nI remember the judgment of the valley of Achor, \non him who coveted forbidden spoil ; and the swift \ndestruction of them that kept back part of the price, \nand agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. \nLet me not dishonour my faith in thee, nor blight \nmy spiritual comfort, nor bring disgrace on thy \ncause, in the eyes of the world, by indulging in this \nwickedness. Give me full contentment with my \nown condition, and a right and charitable frame of \nspirit towards my neighbour :and all that is his. \nBanish from my mind all discontentment with my \nown estate ; all envying and grieving at the good \nof my neighbour, and all inordinate emotions and \naffections to any thing that is his. \n\nHelp me, O Lord, to overcome the love of the \nworld. May I seek thy favour as the chief good \nof life, and say in my heart \xe2\x80\x94 " there is none on \nearth I desire beside thee." Lead me to look with \nthe eye of benevolence on the wants of my fellow- \ncreatures ; and in supplying them, as thou hast \nprospered me, to find that it is more blessed to give \nthan to receive. Let me not seek to lay up trea- \nsures on earth, but in heaven ; where moth and rust \n\n\n\n71 \n\ndo not corrupt, and where thieves cannot break \nthrough and steal. \n\nLord, redeem thy church from this vice, which \nhas spotted her garments, and tainted her blood, and \ncrippled her energies. How long, Blessed Saviour, \nshall they, who have covenanted to be thine, bow \nthe knee at the golden shrine of mammon ? Show \nthem that covetousness degrades their immortal \nnature, breaks thy holy law, and is the fruitful source \nof manifold iniquity. Keep them from those grasp- \nings of avarice, those daring speculations and greedy \nmonopolies, which are the offspring of pride, and \nthe fountains of misery. May they thus judge, \nthat if Christ has bought them by his own precious \nblood, they should not live for themselves, but for \nhim. Excite thy people, O Lord, to active and un- \nwearying benevolence. As thou hast made them \nthe stewards of thy multiplied mercies, let none \nforget to do good, and to communicate ; for with \nsuch sacrifices thou art well pleased. May they \ncease to do \xe2\x82\xacvil and learn to do well ; and labour \nnot for the meat that perisheth, but for that which \nendure th unto everlasting life. \n\nCRE ATIO N. \n\nGreat Builder of the Universe, in the beginning \nthou didst make the heaven and the earth ; and by \nthee were all things created, that are in heaven and \nearth, whether they be thrones or dominions, or \nprincipalities, or powers. Thou didst speak, and it \nwas done : thou didst command, and it stood fast. \xe2\x80\x94 \nLord, thou didst make man in thine own image, in \nknowledge, righteousness and holiness, with do- \nminion over the creatures. But man being in honour \nabode not. He fell from that holy and happy estate, \n\n\n\n72 \n\nin which he was created, by sinning against God ; \nand now all that dwell upon the face of the earth are \nby nature the children of wrath : yea, the whole \ncreation groaneth and travaileth in pain, because of \ntransgression. O God, redeem the works of thy \npower from their degeneracy. May this earth be \nrenewed with the beauty of Eden. Breathe thou \ninto man the breath of life, and make him a new \ncreature in Christ Jesus. \n\nLord, assist me to acknowledge thy power, wis- \ndom, and goodness, as they are shown in the works \nof thy hands. The heavens declare thy glory, and \nthe firmament showeth thy handy-work. Day unto \nday uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth \nknowledge. There is no speech nor language where \ntheir voi6e is not heard. Their line is gone out \nthrough all the earth ; and their words to the end \nof the world! All thy works praise thee. O let \nmy tongue and my soul join the chorus of creation ; \nand praise thee in songs of rejoicing, and in new- \nness of life. \n\nGreat God, make me thoughtful of the truth, that \nthe heavens and earth, which are now, are kept in \nstore, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, \nand perdition of ungodly men. Seeing then that \nall these things shall be dissolved, what manner of \nperson ought I to be, in all holy convers\'ation and \ngodliness \xe2\x80\x94 looking for and hasting unto the coming \nof the day of God ; wherein the heavens, being on \nfire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt \nwith fervent heat ? \xe2\x80\x94 Nevertheless, may I, according \nto thy promise, look for new heavens and a new \nearth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. \n\n\n\n73 \n\n\n\nDAILYBREAD. \n\nGracious God, I would bless thee that thou carest \nfor the wants of this perishing body ; and that thou \npermittest me to ask thee for my daily^bread. Herein \nthou hast shown both thy condescension and thy \nlove ; and hast taught me my dependence on thee, \nand warned me against undue anxiety respecting \nthe future. I confess before thee, that I am prone \nto neglect the duty of desiring and seeking, as the \ngifts of thy hands, my food, and all my temporal \ncomforts. And in receiving them, how often do I \nfail to acknowledge thy providing and nourishing \ngoodness ! O lead me constantly to look to thee, as \nwilling to give to all their meat in due season ; and \ndispose me to receive always thy benefits with hu- \nmility and thanksgiving. \n\nLord, suffer not my appetite to crave luxury. \nMay I seek such provision as will recruit and \nstrengthen my body. Let my steadfast desire be, \nthat I may be fitted by thy sustaining mercies, for \nthy service : so that whether I eat or drink, I may \ndo all to the glory of God. \n\nTeach me, for Jesus\' sake, that man liveth not \nby bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth \nout of the mouth of God. Let me esteem thy \nwords more than my necessary food. Let me not \ntake thought what I shall eat or drink, or where- \nwithal I shall be clothed ; but cause me to seek first \nthy righteousness ; and all these things shall be \nadded unto me. Lord, feed me with heavenly manna \nGive me the Bread of Life ; that I may eat and live \nforever. \n\n7 \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n\n\n74 \n\n\n\nDEAFANDDUMB. \n\nLord, I thank thee that thou hast given me ears \nto hear, and a tongue to speak. Increase, I pray \nthee, my gratitude for these invaluable blessings ; \nand dispose me to use them for my best good and for \nthy glory. \n\nGracious Parent, look in mercy on thy children, \nto whom thou hast given ears that know no sound, \nand tongues that have no speech. I bless thee that \nthou hast so directed the benevolence of the humane, \nthat schemes have been devised, which have re- \nstored, in part, to these unfortunate and dependent \ncreatures, by the language of signs, the gift of \nspeech ; and that they have been led to the fountains \nof precious knowledge, and taught useful arts. \xe2\x80\x94 If \nit please thee, O let the science of man, in the mul- \ntitude of its discoveries, find a remedy that will \ncause the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Yet, \nif thy wisdom deny this prayer, give perfection and \nuniversal use to the plans invented for the benefit \nof deaf mutes. \n\nLord, though thou hast stopped their ears to the \nlanguage of man, do thou speak to them in the \nwhispers of thy Spirit. Though thou hast denied \nto them the utterance of words, do thou give their \nhearts a voice of praise. Grant, O God, that many^ \nof them may be prepared for that kingdom, where \nthe blemishes and defects of human nature, shall be \nexchanged for the beauty and perfection of the \nspiritual life. \n\nDEATH. \n\nBlesse4gLord, make me ever mindful of the truth, \nthat it is appointed unto all men once to die. Thou \ncanst wound and kill, and there is none to deliver \n\n\n\n75 \n\nout of thy hand. Thou hast determined our days, \nand appointed the bounds of our habitations. O \nlead me to consider my latter end, and teach me to \nnumber my days, that I may apply my heart unto \nwisdom. Make me to know my end, and the mea- \nsure of my days, that I may learn how frail I am. \nJjord, what is my life ? It is a vapour that appear- \neth for a little while, and then vanisheth away. \n\nTeach me, thou Source of Wisdom, that death \nis the great crisis of my being, which will determine \nmy destiny forever. He whom it finds unjust and \nfilthy, shall be unjust and filthy still ; and he whom \nit finds righteous and holy, shall be righteous and \nholy still. Lord, let me pass the time of my so- \njourning here in fear, seeking to be ready for its \nsolemn message ; for in such an hour as we think \nnot, the Son of Man cometh. Whatsoever, therefore, \nmy hand findeth to do, may I do it with my might; \nsince there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, \nnor wisdom, in the grave whither I go. Let me \nnot fear them that can kill the body, but are not \nable to kill the soul ; but rather fear him who is able \nto destroy both soul and body in hell, which is the \nsecond death. \n\nLord, train me to such habits of obedience to thy \nwill, and trust in thy dealings, and faith in thy \npromises, that while I look upon the earthly house \nof this tabernacle, as one that must be dissolved, I \nmay rejoice in the hope, that I shall have a building \nof God, a house not made with hands, eternal in \nthe heavens. When I am called to walk through \nthe valley of the shadow of death, be thou my rod \nand staff, to comfort me : and when my heart and \nflesh fail, be thou the strength of my heart, and my \n\n\n\n76 \n\nportion forever. Let me die the death of the righte* \nous, and let my last end he like his. \n\nLord, fix the thoughts of the impenitent on that \ngreat event in their history, when the last fibres of \nlife are breaking; and the soul, fluttering on the \nverge of eternity, looks back on the familiar scenes \nof earth with keen remorse, and forward on the un- \nknown future with acute despair. May they now \ninquire, " How shall my heart endure, or my \nhands be strong, in the day when thou wilt deal \nwith me ?" Persuade them to make their peace \nwith thee now ; and then amid the strife of dissolu- \ntion, thou wilt soothe their tender consciences with \nthe assurance of pardoned sin, and cheer their faint- \ning hearts with the hope of glory. \n\nLook in mercy, I pray thee, on those who are \nencompassed by the sorrows of death. Prepare \nthem for their solemn and awful change. If they \nhave made their peace with thee, through the blood \nof Christ, comfort them, and give them blessed fore- \ntastes of thy heavenly kingdom. But if they have \nnot, O bring them by thy saving power into thy \ncovenant of grace. \n\nO thou who didst weep at the tomb of Lazarus, \ncomfort those who mourn for the loss of cherished \nfriends. May they kiss thy rod ; and if it be con- \nsistent with the life or death of the departed, let \nthem not sorrow as those who have no hope ; but \nlook forward to that hour, when the hand that now \nhas riven, will restore their fellowship, and make it \npure as the light and lasting as the days of heaven ! \n\nDECISION. \n\nAlmighty God, help me to resolve to be thine, \nwholly thine, in the bonds of an everlasting cove- \n\n\n\n77 \n\nnant. Let me not halt between two opinions, bnt \nchoose now to serve the living and true God, with \nall my heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. O \nlet me not harden my heart, nor provoke thy wrath, \nby putting off to a more convenient season, the \nthings which belong to my everlasting peace. May \nI learn that now is thine accepted time for the dis- \ncharge of duty, and this the day of that salvation \nwhich makes thy saints willing subjects of thy \npower. Teach me that there are no neutrals in thy \ndominion : and that he who is not with thee is \nagainst thee. Lord, make me not only almost, but \naltogether a Christian. May thy word, and provi- \ndence, and Spirit inspire me with energy of purpose \nto do thy pleasure. Whatsoever 1 do, may I do it \nheartily, as to the Lord, and not to men. O make \nme steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the \nwork of the Lord ; for we know that our labour is \nnot in vain in the Lord. \n\nDEPENDENCE. \n\nMy soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my ex- \npectation is from him. Teach me. Giver of Mercies, \nmy absolute and continual dependence on thee for \nlife, and breath, and all things. Thou didst make \nme by the word of thy power, and I live every mo- \nment at the expense of thy bounty. I am full of \nwants, without any ability in myself to supply them. \nI am a creature of yesterday ; my breath is in my \nnostrils ; and I am crushed before the moth. I know \nnot what a day may bring forth : I cannot add one \ncubit to my stature ; nor make one hair of my head \nwhite or black. Grant me, I pray thee, such an \nabiding conviction of my subjection to thee as shall \nkeep me from resting on an arm of flesh, and lead \n\xe2\x80\xa27* \n\n\n\n78 \n\nme to trust in the living God. In the hour of pros- \nperity, let me not forget that thou art the giver of \nevery good and perfect gift : and in the season of \naffliction, show me that thou canst comfort me on \nevery side \xe2\x80\x94 canst make my wilderness as Eden, and \nmy desert as the garden of the Lord. Make me \nrealize that in all my efforts to do good, either to \nmyself or others, I must depend on thee. Thou \nonly givest the increase. But blessed be thy name, \nthy Spirit helpeth my infirmities ; and thy strength \nis made perfect in my weakness. \n\nAssist me by thy grace, in all the vicissitudes of \nlife, to feel that thou art a present help in every hour \nof need. When toil and care, fears and trials encom- \npass me, lead me to thee, with whom alone dwell- \neth that peace which passeth understanding : and do \nthou guide me into green pastures and beside still \nwaters ; and let thy banner over me be love. And \ngrant, O Lord, through the merits of Jesus Christ, \nthat when I am called to struggle with the king \nof terrors, thy grace may be sufficient for me, and \nthat I may be made glad in the hope of eternal \nlife. \n\nDepravity. \xe2\x80\x94 See Human Depravity. \n\nDILIGENCE. \n\nLord, quicken thou me in thy way. Make me \ndiligent in thy work, continuing instant in prayer, \nredeeming the time, because the days are evil. \nGrant, that in every duty I may be active, watchful \nand persevering ; for no man having put his hand \nto the plough, and looking back, is fit for the king- \ndom of God. Let not mine be the doom of that \nservant who hid his master\'s talent in the earth. \n\n\n\n79 \n\nLet me not be slothful in business, but fervent in \nspirit, serving the Lord. Suffer me not to rely on \nthe memory of past experience, nor on the hope of \nfuture obedience ; but whatsoever my hand findeth \nto do, give me zeal to do it with my might. O give \nme the spirit of diligence in every work of faith \nand labour of love ; remembering my accountability \nto thee, the importance of the trusts thou hast re- \nposed in me, the shortness of human life, and the \nabundant rewards thou hast promised to them who \nare faithful in thy service. Lord, enable me to lay \naside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily \nbeset me, and run with patience the race that is set \nbefore me ; looking unto Jesus, the author and \nfinisher of faith, and pressing toward the mark, for \nthe prize of the high calling of God, which is in \nChrist Jesus. \n\nLord, rebuke the sloth of thy covenant-people. \nGive them a spirit of active energy in all that re- \nlates to the sanctification of their own hearts, the \nsaving health of thy church, and the conversion of \nsinners. Yet do thou make them feel that while \nthey strive with all their vigour in the obedience of \nfaith, it is thou that workest all in all. \n\nDOUBTS. \n\nMerciful Father, preserve me from a doubtful \nmind. Let not disease of body, nor affliction of \nmind, disquiet my soul within me. Let not igno- \nrance nor error intrude on my comfort in the hope \nof the gospel. Let not Satan unsettle my trust in \nthy covenant of mercy. And O, sufTer not sin, in \nany form, to bring a cloud over the light of thy \ncountenance, and the joys of thy salvation. \xe2\x80\x94 O thou \nthat givest rest to the weary and heavy-laden, show \n\n\n\n80 \n\nme tliat thy mercy endure th forever. Teach me \nthat thou art merciful and gracious, long-suffering \nand abundant in goodness. Lead me, I pray thee, \nin every feeling of despondency, to that throne \nfrom which thou givest grace to help in every sea- \nson of trial. Say unto me, when accused by a \nguilty conscience \xe2\x80\x94 " Come, let us reason together; \nthough your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as \nwhite as snow : though they be red, like crimson, \nthey shall be as wool." Dissipate my fears, and \ngive me an assurance of an interest in thy favour, \nand of acceptance in thy sight, through the right- \neousness of Christ. Grant me thy blessed Com- \nforter, that I may have joy in the Holy Ghost. \nCheer me by thy gracious promises, which are Yea \nand Amen in Christ Jesus. Give me, O Lord, \nbeauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and \nthe garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. \nLet my light rise in my obscurity, and my darkness \nbe as the noonday. Cause thy righteousness to \ngo before me, and thy glory to be my rere-ward 1 \n\nDUELING. \n\nLord, I would mourn before thee that man still \nimbrues, in single combat, his hand in the blood \nof his fellow-man. O, thou seest that many hearts, \nwhich were cherished in the social and family circle ; \nmany lives, which were valuable in the public ser- \nvice ; and many souls, whose redemption was pre- \ncious \xe2\x80\x94 have been periled and cast away in these \nbarbarous rencounters. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, wilt thou not utterly \nsubvert that merciless code of honour, which com- \nbines folly and cowardice, madness and malice, sui- \ncide and murder ? Do thou bring against this \npresumptuous and heaven-daring sin, a flood-tide \n\n\n\n81 \n\nof public opinion. Let the pulpit, the press, the \nforum, and every circle of influence, speak out with \na condemning voice. Cause the blood tLat has \nbeen spilt in this unrighteousness, to cry from the \nground against it. May every principal and every \naccessory to it, be regarded in society, and treated \nin law, as murderers. Let the terrors of an aveng- \ning Jehovah startle the fears and quell the violence \nof every one that would lift up his hand against his \nbrother. \n\nLord, make the statutes of the land and the law \nof God the umpires in all the collisions between \nman and man. Let humility, forbearance, and love, \nsupplant pride, insult, and revenge. And grant, I \npray the^, that the balmy atmosphere of peace may \nencircle the whole earth. \n\nDUTY. \n\nEternal God, O may my daily and hourly inquiry \nbe, " What wilt thou have me to do?" Instruct me \nthat the duty which thou requirest of me, is obedi- \nence to thy revealed will. Help me, I pray thee, \nto discharge all my obligations to thee, to myself, \nand to my fellow-creatures. \n\nMay I love thee with all my soul, and mind, and \nstrength, and heart. Dispose me to submit to thy \nwill ; to love thy character ; to trust in thy name ; \nand to fear thine excellent greatness. May I regard \nthee as, through Christ, the object of prayer, and \nthe rewarder of them who diligently seek thee. \nHelp me, I pray thee, to worship thee, who art a \nSpirit, in spirit and in truth. \n\nLord, enable me, by thy Spirit, to do my duty to \nmyself. May I exercise faith in the Lord Jesus \nChrist, and repentance unto life ; and make a dili- \n\n\n\n82 \n\ngent use of all the outward and ordinary means \nwhereby Christ communicates unto us the benefits \nof redemption. May I work out my salvation with \nfear and trembling, knowing that it is God that \nworketh in me, to will and to do of his own good \npleasure. \n\nAssist me, O Lord, to perform all the duties, \nsocial, civil, and religious, which I owe to my fel- \nlow-creatures. May my conduct to them be governed \nby that spirit of charity which excludes anger, re- \nvenge, censoriousness, prejudice, injury, and op- \npression. Make me averse to injure the feelings, \npersons, property and character of any." May I \ndelight in the happiness of others. Make my heart \na well-spring of sympathy, compassion, ^nd libe- \nrality ; and lead me to spend cheerfully my pro- \nperty, my time, and, if needs be, my life, in works \nof mercy and justice. Enable me to fulfil all my \nrelations as a superior, an inferior, and an equal. \n\nLord, I thank thee for the encouragements thou \nart giving, in the course of thy providence, to reli- \ngious effort, by making rich with thy blessing those \nwho are diligent in thy cause. Yet, I would feel \nthat while these things are to be remembered with \nthankfulness, they increase my obligation to labour, \nthat I may return thine own to thee with abundant \nusury. \xe2\x80\x94 Strengthen me, I pray thee, to do thy will, \nwhile it is called to-day \xe2\x80\x94 to do it with my might, \nand with perseverance therein to the end \xe2\x80\x94 even as \nthine angels do it in heaven. \n\nLord, I would offer these and all other petitions \nthrough him who is the Prophet, Priest, and King \nof the whole Israel of God ; and without whose \nmerits and intercessions, all my services would be \nwithout hope or profit. \xe2\x80\x94 [^See Obedience.]] \n\n\n\n83 \n\n\n\nEARLY PIETY. \n\n\n\nHeavenly Father, I thank thee for the evidence \nwhich thy word and the history of thy church give \nus, that children and youth may be taught to love \nthy name, and do thy will. Whilst thou hast hid \nthese things from the wise and prudent, thou hast \nrevealed them unto babes. Thou hast told the young \nto remember thee ; and hast given thy promise that \nthose who seek thee early shall find thee. Our \nblessed Saviour said, " Suffer little children to come \nunto me :" and he took them in his arms and \nblessed them, saying, " Of such is the kingdom of \nheaven." Lord, thy church, in every age, but es- \npecially in our own, has raised up many witnesses, \nthat thou canst satisfy the children of men early \nwith thy mercy, that they may rejoice and be glad \nall their days. \n\nLord, increase and multiply greatly the instances \nof early piety. May multitudes of children feel \nand act from the motives which should lead them \nto do that which is well pleasing in the sight of the \nLord. Convince them that they are sinners, ex- \nposed to thy wrath, walking in rebellion against \ntheir heavenly Father, and yet receiving the most \ntender offers of mercy through Christ the Saviour. \nMake them feel that Christian friends and happy \nspirits, holy angels and Jesus Christ, desire their \nsalvation. Make them understand something of the \nworth of the soul ; of death and judgment ; of \nheaven and hell. O lead them, through repentance \nand faith in Jesus, to remember and serve thee in \nthe days of their youth. \n\nShepherd of Israel, rebuke the unbelief of thy \nchurch respecting the conversion of children, even \n\n\n\n84 \n\nas thou didst rebuke thy disciples when they would \nhave hindered such from coming to thee. Let none \ndespise these little ones ; for thou hast warned us \nthat their angels do always behold the face of their \nFather in heaven. O may thy saints on earth be \ninstruments of leading them to Christ, and training \nthem as plants of righteousness, whose leaf shall \nnot wither, and who will bring forth the fruits of \ngrace. Bless, I beseech thee, the various means \nwhich are now used to fill the minds of children \nwith religious truth. Let not this condemnation \ncome upon them, that they knew thy will, but did \nit not. O may their privileges be to them as the \nsmall rain upon the tender herb, and as showers that \nwater the earth ; and which cause it to bring forth \nbeauty, and verdure, and fruit. \xe2\x80\x94 [_See Sabbath \nSchools.] \n\neducation. \n\nGod of Wisdom, I thank thee that thou hast given \nme a rational mind and an immortal soul, capable \nof being trained to the highest and noblest exercises \nof thought and feeling. Teach me that thou hast \nput on me the responsibility of training these pow- \ners in wisdom and holiness, that I may glorify God, \ndo good unto others, and fill up the measure of my \neverlasting happiness and welfare. Let me not, I \nbeseech thee, by any neglect or perversion of my \nrational and immortal faculties, defeat thy benevo- \nlence in placing me so far above the brutes that \nperish. O lead my understanding into useful know- \nledge, and my heart into redeeming grace. \n\nLord, bless the useful discoveries and efforts that \nhave been made, and are now making, for the spread \nof education. O diffuse and increase them, every- \n\n\n\n85 \n\nwhere, until every human mind will know its pow- \ners, and exercise them in such spheres as will make \nthem a blessing to itself, to its country, and to the \nworld. Assist those who would scatter, by the light \nof truth, the mists of ignorance and error that hang \nover the minds of the great mass of mankind : but \nsuffer them not to forget that righteousness is the \nstability of truth, and holiness the safeguard of \nknowledge. Make all our schools and seminaries \nnurseries of piety as well as of learning. Cast the \nhealing salt of thy grace into all the fountains of \nknowledge, and cause them to send forth copious \nand unfailing streams that will make glad the city \nof our God. \n\nENVY. \n\nFather in Heaven, preserve my heart from the \nbaneful dominion of envy. Teach me its exceed- \ning sinfulness, and show me that if I indulge in it, \nit will be a fountain of unhappiness to myself, and \nof mischief to my fellows ; while it will bring down \non me thy heavy displeasure. Lord, let me not be \njealous of the gifts, or advantages, or success of \nothers. Let me not be envious of the prosperity \nof the wicked, whose eyes stand out with fatness, \nand who have more than heart could wish : surely \nthou hast set them in slippery places ! Though a \nsinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be pro- \nlonged ; yet may I be assured it will be well only \nwith them that fear the Lord. May 1 feel that I am \nnot worthy of the least of the mercies thou hast \nalready given me; and teach me that thou hast not, \nin caprice, withheld from me, and bestowed on \nothers, the things which seem good in my eyes. \n8 \n\n\n\n86 \n\nLord, make me content with thy will ; and so shall \nmy heart rejoice in thy ways for evermore. \n\nERROR. \n\nLord, I would come to thee, in the worthy name \nof Jesus, to implore thee to shield my judgment \nand heart from the influence of error. Give me \nsound knowledge and right feelings. Make me \nquick to discern that which is right, and to reject \nthat which is wrong. Keep me from the way of \nthe wicked, which is as darkness ; and who know \nnot at what they stumble. Lead me to do thy will, \nthat I may know of every doctrine whether it be \nof God. O let not ignorance cloud my understand- \ning ; nor prejudice warp my judgment ; nor interest \nstifle my conscience ; nor sin fetter my will : but \ndo thou enable me to detect, and hate, and shun what \nis false, and to know, and love, and follow the truth, \nthrough evil and good report. \n\nLord, subdue and scatter every form of error in \nthy church, and throughout the world. Remove \nfrom the household of faith, every thing that exalts \nitself against thy word, and perverts the right ways \nof the Lord. Bring thy people of every name, into \nthe unity of the Spirit. \xe2\x80\x94 Almighty God, cast down \nthe Man of Sin ; overthrow the False Prophet ; \nscatter the temples of Idolatry ; break the fetters of \nInfidelity ; and overturn, and overturn, and overturn, \nuntil the Prince of Truth shall have the uttermost \nparts of the earth for his possession. \n\nETERNITY. \n\nO God, help me to dwell, by faith and prayer, on \nthe solemn realities of the world to come. Thou \nhast made me in the image of thine own eternity, \n\n\n\n87 \n\nwith powers that are capable of eternal progress in \nholiness, knowledge, and happiness \xe2\x80\x94 or in sin, \nerror, and wo : and thou hast filled my soul with \nhopes and fears that travel far beyond the narrow \nlimits of this life, and find their home in the future \nstate of endless being. My condition will be fixed \neither in heaven or hell \xe2\x80\x94 enjoying the light of thy \ncountenance, or cast out from thy presence for ever \n\xe2\x80\x94-rejoicing in the company of the good, or enduring \nthe fellowship of the wicked \xe2\x80\x94 bathing in the foun- \ntain of eternal bliss, or plunging in the burning lake \nof undying wo. \n\nLord, I thank thee that thou hast revealed eternal \nthings to me, and hast shown me how I may escape \neverlasting death, and obtain eternal life. Give me \na firm belief of their reality, and a deep conviction \nof their importance. Teach me, God of Mercy, \nthat life, and time, and means are given me to \nprepare for eternity \xe2\x80\x94 that there is but a step between \nme and death \xe2\x80\x94 and that according to my character \nthen, will be my destiny forever. O seal me now \nby thy Spirit until the day of redemption ; and then \nlet an entrance be ministered unto me, abundantly, \ninto the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus \nChrist, where my tongue shall ,utter a ceaseless \nanthem of praise, my understanding enjoy an un- \nclouded knowledge of truth, and my soul delight in \na perpetual feast of love. \xe2\x80\x94 \\^See Heaven, Hell, \nSoul.] \n\neternity of god. \n\nFrom everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. \nThe number of thy years cannot be searched out ; \nfor thou hast no beginning of days, nor end of years. \nThou art Alpha and Omega ; the beginning and \n\n\n\n88 \n\nending ; whicli is, and which was, and which is to \ncome ; with whom the past, the present, and the \nfuture are one eternal now. Thou hast life in thy- \nself; and all thy creatures have their being in thee. \nHeaven and earth shall perish, but thou shalt en- \ndure : they shall wax old like a garment ; as a \nvesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be \nchanged ; but thou art the same, and thy years shall \nhave no end. \n\nLord, may the solemn truth that thou art eternal^ \nsuitably affect my heart and control my conduct. \nThou hast undying power, to make me happy or \nwretched forever. Throughout the ceaseless ages \nof eternity, thy hand will be on me for weal or wo. \nO do thou enable me to shun the wrath to come, \nand to lay hold on eternal life. Make with me now \ntliine everlasting covenant ; and be the strength of \nmy heart, and my portion forever. \n\nEVIL. \n\nGreat Sovereign, it has pleased thee, in the un- \nsearchable purposes of thy wisdom, to permit sick- \nness and pain, misfortune and misery, death and \nsin, to dwell on earth, and turn its gardens into de- \nserts, its joys intQ sorrows, and thy subjects into \nrebels against thy mercy and justice. It is even so, \nFather, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight. \nYet, I am persuaded that thou art controlling and \noverruling every evil thing for the accomplishment \nof thy great designs. I know thou hast taught the \nwhole intelligent universe, by the history of man\'s \nfall, the bitter fruits of transgression : ^^nd I rejoice \nthat in due time, thou didst commend thy love to \nus, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died \nfor us ; that where sin and its fruits have abounded \n\n\n\n89 \n\ngrace and its blessings may much more abound. \nFather in Heaven, restore, I pray thee, this earth to \nthe happiness and purity of its first creation. Re- \nmove every thing that would mar the peace and ho- \nliness of mankind : and grant that as sin has reigned \nunto death, even so may grace reign, through \nrighteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ, \nour Lord. \n\nEX AMPLE. \n\nLord, make me understand the good and evil in- \nfluences I may exert in the world by my example \nLet me not dishonour thy name, nor cast shame on \nthy church, nor throw a stumbling-block in the way \nof sinners, by a careless or unholy walk : but may \nmy light so shine before men, that they may see \nmy good works, and glorify thee. May I walk as \nthe children of light, and have no fellowship with \nthe unfruitful works of darkness ; but rather reprove \nthem. Enable me by well-doing, to put to silence \nthe ignorance of foolish men. Make me blameless \xe2\x80\xa2 \nand without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and \nperverse people ; holding forth the word of life, \nthat I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have \nnot laboured in vain. Blessed Lord, grant me, for \nChrist\'s sake, a name and a place among thy pecu- \nliar people, whom thou hast chosen to show forth \nthy praises. Make me a guide to the blind, alight \nto them that walk in darkness, and a living epistle \nof good works, known and read of all men. Enable \nme to hold fast the profession of my faith, without \nwavering, that men may take knowledge of me that \nI have been with Jesus. O God, restore thy salva- \ntion unto me, and uphold me by thy free Spirit ; so \n8* \n\n\n\n90 \n\nshall I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners \nshall be converted unto thee. \n\nLord remove every deformity and repair every \ndefect in my character; and mould my temper and \nconduct according to the image of the Saviour ; who \nhas left us an example, that we should follow in his \nsteps. Make me a partaker of his holiness, that I \nmay escape the corruption that is in the world ; and \nthat when he shall appear, I may be like him, and \nsee him as he is. \n\nEXISTENCE OF GOD. \n\nThou, Jehovah, art the only living and true God. \nMy reason tells me that thou art \xe2\x80\x94 my conscience \nwarns me of thy being \xe2\x80\x94 thou art known by thy \njudgments, and art proclaimed by thy mercies. \nWherever I go, I see the proofs of thine existence ; \nfor the whole universe is an index, referring to thee, \nas over all, God, blessed for ever. Lord, let not \nmy heart ever say with the fool, " There is no God;" \n*nor my conduct show that I have forgotten or de- \nnied thee. Grant that I may not only believe that \nthou art, but that thou art the rewarder of them that \ndiligently seek thee. teach me out of the book \nof nature and the volume of thy word, thy being, \nand character, and will ; and may all I learn of thee, \nlead me to worship and serve thee in spirit and in \ntruth. \xe2\x80\x94 [_See Atheism.] \n\nFAITH. \n\nLord, increase my faith. I would believe : help \nthou mine unbelief. Give me unwavering trust in \nthee as infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in all \nthine attributes. Cause me to repose with implicit \nconfidence in thy purposes and dispensations to- \n\n\n\n91 \n\nwards thy creatures. Enable me to confide all my \ninterests, for time and eternity, to thy keeping. Be \nthou, O God, the strength of my heart, and my \nportion forever ! \n\nLet me not stagger at thy word through unbelief; \nfor without faith it is impossible to please thee. \nMay I trust thee in all thou hast spoken, as well as \nin all thou hast done. Let me not hold thy truth \nin unrighteousness ; but do thou make it profitable \nto me for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and \nfor instruction in righteousness ; that thereby I may \nbe thoroughly furnished unto every good work. \nTeach me to confide in its precious promises, to \nheed its solemn warnings, to follow its sacred ex- \namples, and to obey its holy precepts. \n\nLead me, blessed God, to look unto Jesus, the \nauthor and finisher of faith. To him give all the \nprophets witness, that through him, whosoever be- \nlieveth on his name, shall have remission of sins : \nwhile he that believeth not shall be damned. O \nmay he be my Teacher, my Saviour, and my Ruler ; " \nand may I receive and rest upon him alone for sal- \nvation, as he is offered in the gospel. \n\nHeavenly Father, excite my trust in thee by the \nexamples of the saints, who by faith wrought \nrighteousness, obtained promises, and out of weak- \nness were made strong. Wherefore seeing that I \nam compassed about with so great a cloud of wit- \nnesses, may I also, for the joy set before me, en- \ndure the cross, and run my race with patience, \nstriving against sin. \n\nLord, enable me to exercise faith in prayer. Give \nme an abiding conviction, that thou art the rewarder \nof all that diligently seek thee. May 1 ask of thee \nthe things that are according to thy will, trusting \n\n\n\n92 \n\nthat I shall receive them. May I knock at the door \nof thy mercy, believing that thou wilt open unto me. \nO grant me access with confidence to the throne of \nthy grace, in the strength of Christ\'s merits, and \nof that intercession which he ever liveth to make \nfor those that come unto thee by him. \n\nLord, give me grace to show my faith by my \nworks ; for as the body without the spirit is dead, \nso faith without works is dead also. May I add to \nit virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godli- \nness, brotherly-kindness, and charity. May it so \nwork by love, that I may realize the iniquity and \ndanger of those who are strangers to thy covenants \nof promise, and have the energies of my soul and \nbody stirred up, to pluck them as brands from the \nburning. \n\nHeavenly Father, give me the evidence of things \nnot seen, and the substance of things hoped for. \nMay I walk by faith, and not by sight ; looking not \nat the things which are seen and temporal, but at \nthose that are not seen, and are eternal, O may it \nplease thee to give me that victory which over- \ncometh the world ; and to grant that in all the trials \nof life, and amid the struggles of death, I may come \noff more than conqueror, through him who is the \nend of the law for righteousness, to all that believe \non him ! \n\n\n\nFALSEHOOD. \n\nLord, preserve me from falsehood. Teach me \nthat it degrades character, injures peace of con- \nscience, subverts the welfare of society, and incurs \nthy hot displeasure. O make my conscience tender \nwith regard to every violation of truth. Let me not \nutter falsehood in jest ; for thou hast said that for \n\n\n\nr \n\n\n\n93 \n\nevery idle word that men shall speak, they shall \ngive account in the day of judgment. Let me not \ndepart from truth, for the love of gain; for the \nwages of sin is death. Let me not practice deceit, \nthrough the fear or favour of man ; for his breath is \nin his nostrils. And, O Lord, let me not be false, \nwith the plea of doing good ; for we may not do \nevil that good may come. Keep me, I pray thee, \nfrom every thing which is prejudicial to truth, or \ninjurious to my own or my neighbour\'s good name. \nSuffer me not to think, nor act, nor speak deceitfully \nin any thing. \n\nO Lord, make me, above all, sincere towards \nthee. Let me not attempt to draw nigh to thee with \na lip-service, while my heart is far from thee. Thou \nsearchest the heart, and triest the reins : thou art \nnot deceived, and thou canst not be mocked. May \nall my homage before thee, spring from a controlling \ndesire to do thy will, which requires truth in the \ninward parts. O renew my spirit in the likeness of \nthy Son ; who did no sin, neither was guile found \nin his mouth. \n\nFAMILIES. \n\nLord, bless all the households of the earth. Thou \nart worthy to be praised for the institution of the \nfamily relation, in which thou hast blended the \nsweet influences of support and dependence, pro- \ntection and control, love and obedience ; which are \nessential to the comfort and virtue of individual be- \ning, and the safety and purity of social life. Fulfil, \nI pray thee, all the purposes of mercy thou hadst \nin view, in the establishment of the domestic con- \nstitution ; and do thou make all the homes of earth \nhouseholds of piety. \n\n\n\nL.. \n\n\n\n94 \n\n\n\nLord, let mutual attachment, counsel, and assist- \nance, and love to God, be the bonds of union be- \ntween every husband and wife. Give to parents an \nadequate sense of the responsibility thou hast laid \non them, to train up their offspring in knowledge, \nindustry, and virtue. Cause them to teach thy words \ndiligently to their children ; and to talk of thy sta- \ntutes when they sit in their house, when they walk \nby the way, when they lie down, and when they \nrise up. Show them that the rod and reproof ffive \nwisdom ; but a child, left to himself, bringeth shame \nMake them wise to discern, and faithful to execute, \nthose measures, which will secure, with thy bless- \ning, domestic happiness and piety. O let an altar, \ntor daily sacrifice, be raised in every dwelling to \nconsecrate its pleasures, and to obtain thyfavou\'r. \n\nHeavenly Father, dispose children everywhere to \nobey their parents, in the Lord. Let them not, by \nunkindness and disobedience, brin^ shame or sor- \nrow to the hearts of fathers and mothers ; nor draw \ndown disgrace or misery on their own heads, \ni hough they can never requite the care and labour \nthat have been bestowed on them ; yet may they by \nreverent affection and dutiful service, minister to the \ncomfort and well-being of their parents. And O \ndo thou gladden the hearts of such, by bringinff \ntheir offspring into the adoption of the sons of God \nLord, cause the relations of brothers and sisters \nto be distinguished by forbearance, conciliation, as- \nsistance, and love : and let all their reciprocal ties \nbe purified and cemented by the friendship of him \nthat sticketh closer than a brother. \n^ Odo thou secure for those that are servants, \njustice and kindness from their superiors. - Teach \nthem the duties of their station ; and incline them to \n\n\n\n95 \n\ndischarge every lawful labour with cheerful fidelity. \nMake them realize thine own claims on their obe- \ndience ; and incline them to fulfil, with all their \nstrength, the service of their heavenly Master. \n\nGracious God, make the domestic circle the dwell- \ningplace of every thing that is pure, and lovely, \nand of good report. Make it the cradle of the \nhousehold of faith, and the nursery of the brother- \nhood of glory. \n\nFASTING. \n\nAssist me, O Lord, to set my face unto thee, to \nseek by prayer and supplication, with fasting. Lead \nme at suitable times, to deny my appetites, out of \nreligious principle, and with a view to spiritual bene- \nfits on myself and others. Teach me that thou hast \ncommanded this duty ; that thy saints in all ages \nhave fulfilled it ; and that in doing so, they have \nenjoyed thy favour. Lord, make it the intelligent \nservice of my heart. May I resort to it as a means \nof crucifying the fiesh, of mortifying the deeds of \nthe body, and of bringing my worldly desires into \nsubjection to the immortal interests of the soul. \nEnable me to offer it in penitence before thee, as \nthe expression of a sense of my sinfulness. Do \nthou make its every exercise conducive to the health \nof my body, and the clearness and vigour of my \nmind. Grant that it may assist me to forsake sel- \nfishness and iniquity, and to serve thee with a pure- \nhearted and an increasing devotion. \n\nLord bless the appointed fasts of thy churches. \nMay these solemn seasons be accompanied by peni- \ntence for transgression, abandonment of sin, conse- \ncration to thy service, and revivals of pure and \nundefiled religion, which shall pervade all the courts \n\n\n\n96 \n\nof Zion, and be the means of adding to her many \nof such as shall be saved. \n\nFATHERS. \n\nHeavenly Parent, let the hearts of the fathers be \nturned to the children, lest thou come and smite the \nearth with a curse. Lord, instruct those to whom \nthou hast intrusted the paternal relation, in all the \nduties which are incumbent upon them. Teach \nthem that their primary and essential qualification \nis personal piety, of an elevated and controlling \ncharacter. Make them deeply conscious of the ne- \ncessity of prayer, in enabling them to realize their \nresponsibilities, in preparing them to meet their \nduties, and in securing thy favour on their efforts. \nConvince them of the unspeakable importance of \ncontinual uprightness, that their example may be \npure in the eyes, and influential on the hearts, of \xe2\x80\xa2 \ntheir offspring. Make them understand the value \nof that power of control, which having wisely as- \ncertained, and fixed the rules of obedience, requires \nstrict compliance with them. Let them seek to \ngain not only an outward submission to their com- \nmands, but to bring the will into a cheerful and ha- \nbitual obedience to their authority. Persuade them \nthat though folly is bound up in the heart of a child, \nthe rod of correction will drive it far from him. \nMay the spirit of prudent love be the governing \nimpulse in all their paternal dealings, whether of \nrewards or punishments ; and let neither sinful in- \ndulgence, nor cruel revenge, dictate the measures \nof their government. Cause them to observe a \nsteady uniformity of discipline, which shall be \nknown to all the household as the law of the family. \nGive them that constant watchfulness, which will \n\n\n\n97 \n\nseek to avert every danger, and obtain every good. \nMake them anxiously careful respecting the asso- \nciates of their children ; for he that walketh with \nthe wise shall be wise ; but the companion of fools \nshall be destroyed. May they train them up in such \nemployments as shall suit their characters, and make \nthem useful to themselves and society. Let them \nlabour in honesty, to make competent provision for \ntheir households. Dispose them to give their cordial \nco-operation to every judicious scheme which mo- \nthers, in the discharge of their duties, may endeavour \nto execute. Let the intellectual education of their \nyouth be an object of constant solicitude and atten- \ntion. And, Lord, let every measure of their con- \nduct be auxiliary to the desire and effort, that the \nsouls of their offspring may be saved. \n\nO God, convince fathers that character is formed \nin the earliest stages of life \xe2\x80\x94 that they are responsi- \nble to their children, to their country, and to God, for \nthe impress that is given to the juvenile mind \xe2\x80\x94 and \nthat the influences they set in motion, will go down \nfrom generation to generation, and have no limits, \neven in the results of eternity ! Lord, who is suf- \nficient for these things ? Thou givest power to the \nfaint ; and to them that have no might, thou in- \ncreasest strength. Lo, their sufficiency is of God ! \n\nFEAR. \n\nLord, grant that my heart may always be influ- \nenced by that fear of thee, which is the beginning \nof wisdom ; and which is a fountain of life that is \nclean, enduring forever. Let not my fear of thee \nbe the dread of a slave, nor the terror of a criminal ; \nbut the awe of a servant, mingled with the confi- \ndence of a child. May it lead me to avoid thy dis- \n9 \n\n\n\n98 \n\npleasure \xe2\x80\x94 to desire thy favour \xe2\x80\x94 to hate evil \xe2\x80\x94 and \nto do thy pleasure, in all the walks of life. \n\nLord, cause the dread of thy judgments to rest \non the wicked. Make them feel that thy presence \nis continually about them, and that thy knowledge \nmakes record of all their transgressions. May \nthey learn thy power and justice, and be convinced \nthat these attributes are pledged to destroy the finally \nimpenitent. Cause them to kiss the Son, lest he be \nangry, and they perish from the way, when his \nwrath is kindled but a little. Show them that thy \nmercy is upon all that fear thee, from generation to \ngeneration. \n\nKeep me, O Lord, from the fear of man that \nbringeth a snare. If thou art for me, who can be \nagainst me ? Who is he that will harm me, if I am \na follower of that which is good ? Grant me cou- \nrage to speak of thy testimonies and not be ashamed. \nThough the proud have me in derision, let me not \ndecline from thy law. Help me to despise the \nshame of a gainsaying world, lest the Son of Man \nbe ashamed of me, when he cometh in the glory \nof the Father, with his holy angels. \n\nFellowship. \xe2\x80\x94 See Communion, \n\nFORBEARANCE. \n\nVouchsafe unto me, O Lord, that spirit which is \nnot easily provoked ; but that beareth all things, and \nendureth all things ; that sufFereth long, and is still \nkind. Fix permanently in my mind, the example \nof Christ, who also suilered for us, that we should \nfollow in his steps. And thou hast said that when \nwe do well, and suffer for it, yet take it patiently, \nthis is acceptable with God. Show me that the dis- \n\n\n\n99 \n\ncretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his \nglory to pass over a transgression. May I consider \nmy own proneness to trespass upon the rights of \nothers, lest I also be tempted, and need the forbear- \nance of my fellows. Let me recompense to no man \nevil for evil ; nor avenge myself ; but rather give \nplace to wrath : for vengeance is thine, and thou wilt \nrepay. Dispose me, O Lord, to love my enemies ; \nand O let me not be overcome of evil, but overcome \nevil with good. \n\nFORBEARANCE OF GOD. \n\nHeavenly Father, assist me to contemplate the \nriches of thy forbearance and long-suffering. I am \nnot deserving of the least of thy mercies. Hadst \nthou been strict to mark mine iniquities, I had long \nere this been receiving the endless retributions of \nsin. My whole life has been a witness for thee, \nthat thou wilt have mercy, and not sacrifice : and I \nenjoy now the privilege of approaching thy mercy- \nseat, because thy mercy rejoiceth against thy judg- \nment. O I am not worthy to come into thy pre- \nsence, nor to lift up mine eyes to the place where \nthine honour dwelleth. Lord, let me not vex thine \nenduring goodness by continued sin, lest thou say \nin thy wrath, " Ephraim is joined to his idols, let \nhim alone." Let me not weai^jphy patience with \nunfruitfulness ; lest thou pronounce thy judgment, \n"Cut him down : why cumbereth he the ground ?" \nMerciful Father, grant that thy forbearance may \nlead me to the humility of penitence, and the obe- \ndience of faith. \n\nLord, let not sinners despise nor presume on the \nriches of thy long-suffering. Suffer not their hearts \nto be set in them to do evil, because sentence \n\n\n\n100 \n\nagainst an evil work is not executed speedily \nShow them that thou givest thy mercy, that they \nmay have space for repentance ; or, that if they \nturn not from their evil ways, thou mayest display \nthy holy justice in their condemnation. O grant, \nLord, that thy patience with them may lead them \nto repent, and to learn, in the day of their merciful \nvisitation, the things which belong to their peace. \n\nFOREKNOWLEDGE. \' \n\nGod of Wisdom, how infinite is the contrast be- \ntween thine omniscience and our imperfect know- \nledge. We know not what a day may bring forth : \nbut thou knowest the v?nd from the beginning. \nThere is none that has b\'^:;en thy counsellor : thine \neye alone searches the secrets of futurity. A thou- \nsand years are with thee as but one day ; and among \nthe infinite series of events that lie throughout the \neternity to come, there is not one, of which thou \ndost not know the time and the manner of its \ncoming. \n\nLord, I would praise thee for those fruits of thy \nforeknowledge, which thou hast given us in thy \nprophecies and promises. I thank thee that thou \nhast granted us these testimonials of thy wisdom \nand love to confirm our faith in thy word, and to \nstrengthen our hupe in thy mercy. O grant that \nthe fore tellings (^^hy knowledge, which are regis- \ntered in thy word, may convince the infidel, that \nthe Bible is everlasting truth. And may all that \nlove thee, thank God, and take courage from these \nseals of thy testimonies. \n\nFORGIVENESS. \n\nAlmighty God, do thou so control and discipline \nmy heart, that I shall be ever ready to exercise the \n\n\n\n101 \n\nvirtue of forgiveness. Though my motives and \ncharacter be slandered, and my property and person \nbe injured, let me not return railing for railing, nor \ninjury for injury. May I remember thine example \nof long-suffering and great mercy, in which thou \ndost not avenge thyself of thine adversaries ; and \nart not willing that any should perish, but that all \nshould come to repentance. May I consider how \nlong thou didst bear with my own disregard of thy \nrights, and disobedience to thy law ; until thou didst \nat last move me to repentance and faith, and didst \ncrown me, as I trust, with undeserved forgiveness \nof my sins. \n\nLord, make me realize the condition of that \nprayer, " Forgive us our debts as we forgive our \ndebtors." O let me not, by a vindictive spirit, \nseal up the fountains of thy pardon ; for thou hast \nsaid that if we do not forgive men their trespasses, \nneither will our Father in heaven forgive us our \ntrespasses. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, incline me, moreover, to a mer- \nciful spirit, by the reflection that I often commit \noffences against the rights of others. May I there- \nfore do unto them as I would have them do unto \nme. \xe2\x80\x94 Make me willing to seek forgiveness of any \nwhom I may offend or injure. Permit not false \nshame nor pride to keep me from acknowledging \nmy errors and transgressions. May I feel that \nthere is more honour in confessing and repairing a \nsin against my neighbour, than in covering it up, \nand refusing to render him justice. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, dispose \nme to love my enemies, to bless them that curse \nme, and to do good to them that hate me. Make \nme willing, under every injury, to pray \xe2\x80\x94 "Lord, \nlay not this sin to their charge." \xe2\x80\x94 \\^See Pardon.] \n9* \n\n\n\n102 \n\n\n\nFRUGALITY. \n\nMake me frugal, O Lord, in my habits of life. \nLet me not be anxious as to what I shall eat, or \ndrink, or wherewithal I shall be clothed ; nor seek \nto make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts \nthereof. Persuade me that I have no right to de- \ncorate my person, my family, my house, or my \ntable, with unbecoming, or dishonest, or luxurious \nexpenditure. O let not this reproach, so common \nin the church, rest on me, that I spend more on my \nselfishness, than the amount of the tithes I bring into \nthy storehouse. Convince me that an immoderate \nuse of thy bounties is inconsistent with peace of \nmind, health of body, and enjoyment of thy fa- \nvour. May I gather up my fragments of time and \nproperty, and employ them in thy service. Lord, \ndispose me to use economy and prudence in my \nexpenses, that I may thus be furnished with addi- \ntional means of supplying the wants of the desti- \ntute, and contributing to those objects of benevolence, \nwhich promote the welfare of man and display thy \nglory. \n\nGAMING. \n\nLord, root out of every society the insidious and \ndestructive vice of gaming. Make men understand \nits seductions, iniquities, and dangers. Teach them \nthat a sinful love of money is the spring that throws \nopen the heart to its lures ; and that while it pro- \nmises plenty and joy, it is gently drawing its \nthoughtless victims into the magic circles of its \ndestroying whirlpool. Show therii that it is the \ndestroyer of every virtue, and the patron of every \ntransgression. Reverence, truth, honesty, peace, \nand purity sicken and perish before it : while pro- \n\n\n\n103 \n\nfanity, falsehood, fraud, contention, and lust, spring \nup and flourish in its pathway. O how has hope \nbeen blasted, abundance impoverished, character \nruined, and souls destroyed by this legate of Satan. \nNor, alas, have the victims suffered alone : for \nthey have dragged down with them into penury \nand sorrow, those that were bound to them with \nties, which their fall could not break. \n\nMerciful God, preserve the young from this vice. \nLet those who control this class consider whether \nwhat seem to be innocent games of chance, are not \nlaying the foundation, in their pliant minds, for that \nlove of play which has filled with countless wrecks \nthis vortex of ruin. Have mercy on those who are \nfloating on its deceptive currents. Turn them back \nfrom the error of their ways. Let him that stole, \nsteal no more ; but rather let him labour, working \nwith his hands the thing which is good. Make the \ngamester a reproach in every circle of decency : \nand let the moral and good shrink from his fellow- \nship as from the contagion of death. Do thou make \nhonest industry honourable everywhere : and per- \nsuade him who is tempted to forsake it, that better \nis the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he \nthat is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. \n\nGENTLENESS. \n\nHeavenly Father, bestow on me that fruit of thy \nSpirit which is gentleness. Impress on my mind, \nthat the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be \ngentle unto all men. May I remember him who \nwas led as a lamb to the slaughter, and like a sheep \ndumb before his shearer, opened not his mouth : \nwho did no sin, neither was guile found in his \nmouth : who when he suffered threatened not, but \n\n\n\n104 \n\ncommitted himself to him that judgeth righteously \xe2\x80\x94 \nleaving us an example, that we should follow in his \nsteps. Blessed Jesus, thou pattern of meekness, \npreserve my temper and conduct from unkindness \nand violence. May a holy calm pervade my heart \nin all the changes and trials I may encounter \xe2\x80\x94 and \nmanifest itself in kindness and good-will, in all the \nrelations of life. O fill my heart with that wisdom \nfrom above, which is gentle, easy to be entreated, \nand full of mercy and good fruits. \n\nGLORY OF GOD. \n\nLord God Almighty, thou art glorious in the infi- \nnite excellencies of thy character. Thou art ever- \nlasting in being, almighty in power, infinite in wis- \ndom, inflexible in justice, eternal in truth, spotless \nin holiness, and boundless in mercy. Great and \nmarvellous are thy works, just and true are thy \nways, thou King of Saints. Who will not fear \nand glorify thy name ? The heavens declare thy \nglory,* and the firmament exhibiteth thy handi- \nwork : day unto day uttereth speech concerning \nthee, and night unto night showeth knowledge of \nthee. All thy works praise thee. But it is in the \nperson and work of our blessed Saviour, that thou \nhast chiefly shown the perfection of thy character, \nfor the adoration and homage of thine intelligent \ncreation. There thou didst make thy richest dis- \nplay of might and knowledge, righteousness and \ngoodness. O, thou art worthy to be held in ever- \nlasting honour, that he who was the brightness of \nthe Father\'s glory, and the express image of his \nperson, was made flesh, and dwelt with us, being \nin all points tempted as we are; and when he had \nfilled up the measure of his reproach and perse- \n\n\n\n105 \n\ncution, gave himself up to an ignominious death, \nthat we might have redemption through his blood, \neven the remission of sins ! \n\nFather in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. O \nhelp me to honour thee whenever I contemplate \nthy works, or thy word, or thy providence. Make \nme willing to spend my substance, my reputation, \nmy time, and my life itself, to* promote the honour \nof thy name. May I praise thee in my thoughts, \nand with my lips, and by my life : and whether I \neat or drink, or whatsoever I do, may I do all to \nthe glory of God. And do thou shine into my \nheart to give me the knowledge of thy glory, in \nthe face of Jesus Christ. \n\nLord, let all thy saints bless thee. Instruct them \nthat their chief end is to glorify thee. Dispose \nthem to show forth %e praises of him who hath \ncalled them out of darkness into his marvellous \nlight. May they meditate on thy greatness, and \ntalk of thy wondrous works, and honour thy will \nby acts of holy obedience. Be thou admired in all \nthat believe on thee. Make them the blessed in- \nstruments of leading multitudes, who now cast \ndishonour on thy mercy, to witness and magnify \nthe riches of thy grace. \n\nFather, glorify thy name in turning the wicked \nfrom the error of their ways unto the wisdom of \nthe just. O fulfil in all their power and efficacy \nthe messages of the gospel, which are glory to \nGod in the highest ; peace on earth, and good-will \nto men. \n\nGod. \xe2\x80\x94 See Moration, Existence^ Omnipre\' \nsence, <^c. \n\n\n\n106 \n\n\n\nGODLINESS. \n\nO Lord, vouchsafe to me, through the merit and \nintercession of Jesus, that godliness which is pro- \nfitable unto all things, having the promise of the \nlife that now is, and of that which is to come. \nLead me to reverence thy name ; for thou art God, \nand beside thee there is none other. Incline me \nto love thy character, which is the perfection of \nexcellency. Learn me thy testimonies, which are \nsure, making wise the simple. Lead me to sub- \nmit willingly to all thy dispensations ; for thev are \nof the Lord ; let him do what seemeth good* in his \nsight. May I depend on thee with a confiding \nheart, for every blessing ; for thou hast said that as \nmy day is, so shall my strength,be. Teach me to \nsupplicate thee for thy merftes ; and let not my \nprayer be as a lamp that has neither oil nor light. \nExcite me, O Lord, to praise thy goodness ; for \nthou art merciful and gracious, long-suffering and \nabundant in goodness. Build thou my hopes of \nthy favour on the precious merits of Jesus, besides \nwhose name there is no other given by which I \nmay be saved. And, Lord, assist me by thy \ngrace to obey all thy law ; for not every one that \nsaith, \'* Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of \nheaven, but he that doeth the will of our Father in \nheaven. \n\nShepherd of Israel, bless the fold of Christ. \nLet none who have the form of godliness deny \nthe power thereof. Give thy people wisdom, love, \nzeal, and influence. Grant them that piety which \nIS wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost, and \nnurtured by communion with thee; which is fed \ndaily by thy precious word, and made healthy and \n\n\n\n107 \n\nvigorous by active obedience to thy command- \nments. \n\nMay their lives be hid with Christ in God, so \nthat when Christ, who is their life, shall appear, \nthey also shall appear with him in glory. \xe2\x80\x94 And \ngrant, most merciful God, that all men may learn \nthat mystery of godliness ; God manifest in the \nflesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preach- \ned unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, re- \nceived up into glory ! \n\nGOOD WORKS. \n\nBlessed God, make me understand the imperfec- \ntion of human obedience. There is not a just man \non earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Even \nwhen 1 most fulfil thy will, I am an unprofitable \nservant. Lord, keep me from thoughts and boast- \nings of merit : for it is not by works of righteous- \nness, I have done, that I shall be justified, but by \nthy grace, through Jesus Christ, the Saviour. And \nyet, O Lord, do thou make me careful to maintain \ngood works : for thou requirest me to work that \nwhich is well pleasing in thy sight ; and thou hast \nan infinite right to my service, as my Creator, \nRuler, and Redeemer. Create me, therefore, in \nChrist Jesus, unto good works, and make me as \nthe branch which abide th in the vine, bearing fruit. \nMay thy word be in my heart ; as good seed, \nwhich springeth up, and beareth an hundred fold. \nMay I do thy will with a heart of love, with faith \nunfeigned, and with desire that all I do may be for \nthy glory. Grant me the renewing of the Holy \nSpirit, and that faith which works by love, and is \naccepted by thee, in Christ\'s name, for righteous- \nness. Teach me, O Lord, that whatsoever a man \n\n\n\n108 \n\nsoweth that shall he also reap. If he sow to the \nflesh, he shall of the flesh reap corruption : but if \nhe sow to the Spirit, he shall of the Spirit reap life \neverlasting. I pray thee, therefore, let me not be \nweary in well-doing ; for in due season I shall \nreap, if I faint not. \xe2\x80\x94 \\^See Duty and Usefulness.^ \n\nGOODNESS OF GOD. \n\nBless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his \nbenefits ; for God is love. Thou art good, O Lord, \nin giving, preserving, and blessing the lives of thy \ncreatures. They are thine oflspring, and have \ntheir being in thy mercy. The eyes of all are \nunto thee, and thou givest them their meat in due \nseason : thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest the \ndesires of every living thing. Tho-u crownest the \nyear with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fat- \nness. \xe2\x80\x94 Thou hast shown thy mercy in thy for- \nbearance ; for if thou didst mark iniquity, who \ncould stand? Yea, thou art long-suffering, and art \nnot willing that any should perish, but that all \nshould come to repentance. \xe2\x80\x94 But thou hast ex- \nhibited thy goodness, above all, in the gift of thy \nSon. Thou didst so love the world, as to give \nhim, that whosoever believeth in him should not \nperish, but have everlasting life : and thou didst \ncommend thy love to us, in that while we were \nsinners, Christ died for us. Though we had turned \nevery one to his own way, the Lord laid on him \nthe iniquity of us all. \xe2\x80\x94 Blessed God, thou art \nmerciful in the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which \nare able to make us wise unto salvation \xe2\x80\x94 and in the \nbestowment of that Comforter, whose ministrations \nara^life, because of righteousness. \xe2\x80\x94 Even our afflic- \ntions have been blessings in disguise ; for thou hast \n\n\n\n109 \n\nchastened us for our profit, that we might be par- \ntakers of thy holiness : and though thy chastenings \nseemed not to be joyous, but grievous, yet after- \nwards they worked the peaceable fruits of right- \neousness. \xe2\x80\x94 Lo ! thou hast made even the sins of \nthy creatures to work together for good : thou hast \nmade the wrath of man to praise thee : and where \nsin hath abounded, grace doth much more abound. \n\xe2\x80\x94 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, \neven he shall understand the loving-kindness of the \nLord ! \n\nHeavenly Father, make me feel that I am not \nworthy of the least of thy mercies, and that I have \ndeserved thy wrath instead of thy kindness. Bind \nme, I beseech thee, to thee and thy cause, by a \nstrong and an abiding gratitude. Permit me not to \nforget nor abuse thy mercies. Let them not rise up \nin judgment against me, either in this world, or in \nthat which is to come. Do thou lead me, O Lord, to \nimitate thy goodness, by labours of love, and by seek- \ning occasions to do good, in all the relations of life. \n\nLord, draw all men unto thee by the cords of thy \nlove. May thy kindness lead them to repentance, \nand to devotion to thy cause. O that men would \npraise the Lord for his goodness, and for his won- \nderful works to the children of men. His goodness \nendureth continually, and his mercy is everlasting. \nLord let thine abundant grace, through the thanks- \ngiving of many, redound to thy glory. Amen. \n\nGOSPEL. \n\nGracious Jehovah, assist me to understand, and \n\nlove, and obey the gospel of our Lord and Saviour \n\nJesus Christ. I would magnify the riches of thy \n\nmercy, which devised these glad tidings of ^at \n\n10 \n\n\n\n110 \n\njoy for all people. I would praise thee that thou \ndidst send it in due time, in all its fulness of grace \nand truth, life and immortality. It was not because \nwe deserved thy favour, or sought thy mercy ; but \nbecause thou didst pity our lost condition, and didst \nenter into a covenant of grace, to bring us out of an \nestate of sin and misery, into an estate of salvation, \nby a Redeemer. Lord, I would praise thee that \nthis word is offered without money and without \nprice ; and that whosoever will, may take of the \nwaters of life freely. Thou hast made the plan of \nredemption commensurate with the wants and sins \nof our ruined race, and with the claims of thy holy \nand inflexible justice. I bless thy name that it has \nbrought light for the benighted ; joy for the mourner; \nliberty for the captive ; rest for the heavy-laden ; \nplenty for the destitute : pardon for the condemned ; \npurity for the unholy ; life for the dead ; and the hope \nof salvation for the heirs of perdition ! \n\nLord, help me to lay hold upon the hope set be- \nfore me in the gospel. May I receive it as the only \nsavour of life unto life. Let me not be ashamed of \nthe gospel of Jesus Christ; but may I glory in it, \nas the power of God, unto salvation, to every one \nthat believeth. May it teach me to deny ungodli- \nness, and to live righteously in thy sight. Make it \nthe instrument of building me up in saving know- \nledge, holy love, and willing obedience, to the praise \nof Jesus Christ. \n\nO God, make the impenitent feel that they can- \nnot escape thy wrath, if they neglect this great sal- \nvation. May it bring them, from being strangers \nand foreigners, to be fellow-citizens of the house- \nhold of faith. May it turn their carnal minds from \ntheir enmity unto peace with God, and release them, \n\n\n\nIll \n\nbeing justified by faith, from that wrath of God \nwhich now abideth on them. Blessed Saviour, call \nthem from darkness into marvellous light : free them \nfrom the bondage of sin, and cause them to stand \nfast in the liberty wherewith thou makesi thy ser- \nvants free. \n\nLord, may the kingdom of thy gospel come, and \nthy will be done on earth as in heaven. Multiply \nthe number of those who shall run to and fro, in \ncreasing knowledge. Make the reading, but espe- \ncially the preaching of thy word, an effectual means \nof convincing and converting sinners. \xe2\x80\x94 Strengthen \nthe minds, and sanctify the wills, and increase the \nzeal of thy people. Send the rod of thy strength \nout of Zion, and make thy people willing in the day \nof thy power : and may converts be multiplied to \nthem as drops of dew in the morning. O God, re- \ndeem thy promise, that at the name of Jesus every \nknee shall bow, and every tongue confess that he is \nLord, to the praise of God, the Father. \n\nGOVE RN ME NT. \n\nKing of Kings and Lord of Lords, dispose me to \npray for all that are in authority, that we may lead \na quiet and peaceable life, in all honesty and godli- \nness. Ma}^ I remember that the powers that be are \nordained of God, and that by thee kings reign and \nprinces decree justice. Make me grateful to thee \nthat thou hast put the restraints of law upon man- \nkind. O do thou make every rule of administra- \ntion throughout the world, conform to thy benevo- \nlent will. Make those that bear the sword a terror \nto evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well. \nMake our officers peace, and our exactors righteous- \nness. Let our lawgivers be men that fear God and \n\n\n\n112 \n\nnate covetousness. Though thou canst make the \nwrath of tyrants to praise thee ; yet do thou so order \nthe means and objects of human government, that \nthy glory may be advanced by the holiness and hap- \npiness of rulers and people. \n\nLord, I thank thee for that form of government \nwhich has been, under thy hand, a protection and \nblessing to this nation. Reform its evils, and spread \nits blessings, until every country shall rejoice in the \nsovereignty of useful and just laws. But, O Lord, \nmay we not forget that it is righteousness which \nexalteth a nation ; while sin is a reproach to any \npeople. Deal not with us according to our trans- \ngressions. Say not in thy wrath, that thy kingdom \nshall be taken from us, and given to a nation bring- \ning forth the fruits thereof. Make this land Imma- \nnuel\'s land, where peace will have her dwelling, \nliberty her home, and piety her abode ; until this \nworld, and all the works therein, shall be burned up, \nand there be new heavens and a new earth, wherein \ndwelleth righteousness ! \xe2\x80\x94 [^See Country.] \n\nGRACE. \n\nLord, enable me, through the adorable Redeemer, \nto know, and value, and possess the exceeding riches \nof thy grace. It is rich in its source ; for it is the \nfulness of him that filleth all in all. It is rich in \nits abundance ; since it is given to us for help in \nevery time of need. And, O, it is rich in its un- \nspeakable blessings ; for it brings the forgiveness \nof sins \xe2\x80\x94 gives us the washing of regeneration \xe2\x80\x94 \nunites us to Christ by a living faith \xe2\x80\x94 justifies us by \nhis merits \xe2\x80\x94 ^bestows on us the witness of the Spirit \n\xe2\x80\x94gives us the victory over the world and the grave \n\xe2\x80\x94makes us heirs of God, and joint heirs with \n\n\n\n113 \n\nChrist, in the enjoyments of heaven forever. Show \nme, O Lord, that Jesus is the mediator of this bless- \ning : it is he that maketh peace through the blood \nof his cross : he giveth repentance and remission \nof sins : and he seals the redeemed soul, by the \nSpirit, through sanctification, unto eternal life. \xe2\x80\x94 \nLord, thou couldst have glorified thyself in the de- \nstruction of thy rebel creatures ; but thou hast \nchosen, in thy mercy, to win them back to thee \nby love, that thou mightest glorify thyself in their \nnewness of Kfe on earth, and their eternal bliss in \nheaven. \n\nMerciful God, enable me, by thy blessing, to grow \nin grace. May I hunger and thirst after righteous- \nness, and desire the sincere milk of the word, that \nI may grow thereby. May I seek to give strength \nto every godly principle within me, by habitual in- \ndustry in thy service ; by exercising myself unto \ngodliness, and always abounding in the work of the \nLord. Be pleased to order thy dispensations, \nwhether of prosperity or adversity, so that they may \npromote my spiritual good. Build me on the founda- \ntion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ be- \ning the chief corner-stone. May I in all things by \nprayer and supplication, make known my requests \n#unto thee. And, O, grant me thy Holy Spirit, to \nsanctify my affections, and to assist me in giving \nall diligence to make my calling and election sure. \n\nHeavenly Father, transform me by the renewing \nof my mind, that I may know what is thy good, \nand perfect, and acceptable will. Animate my heart \nwith supreme love to God, and impartial love to \nman. Give me an increasing purity of motive, \nstrength of principle, abasement of self, and loath- \ning of sin. Turn me from every wrong pursuit, \n10* \n\n\n\n114 \n\nand lead me into every right way. Let me not love \nthe world, nor the things that are in the world. May \nI cherish the fellowship of thy saints ; and seek \nthe welfare of thy kingdom, by gifts, by labour, \nand by supplication. Blessed Lord, make me holy, \nharmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. \nEnable me to go from strength to strength ; and do \nthou change me from glory to glory. \n\nShepherd of Israel, cause thy grace to dwell \nrichly in the hearts of all thy people. May they \nwatch unto prayer against anger, pride, and covet- \nousness ; against ambition, censoriousness, and \nimpurity. May they look diligently, lest any fail \nof the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness \nspringing up, trouble them, and thereby many be \ndefiled. Make their Christian character as the light \nof heaven, which shineth more and more, unto the \nperfect day. \n\nLord, exert the power of thy grace on the hearts \nof the impenitent. Convince them of their guilt \nand danger ; persuade them to accept of thy mercy \nin Jesus ; renew their wills and sanctify their feel- \nings ; lead them to pant after thee, as the hart pant- \neth after the water-brooks, and to run willingly in all \nthe ways of thy commandments. O grant that \nwhere sin hath abounded, grace may much more \nabound. And to God, only wise, be glory, through \nJesus Christ, forever. \n\nGRATITUDE. \n\nLord Jehovah, thou art good, and lovest to do \ngood. Thou art the giver of every good and perfect \ngift. My whole life has been a record of thy mercy. \nThou hast given me the blessings of health and \npeace, food and olothing, home and friends, protec- \n\n\n\n115 \n\ntion and happiness. Yet all these are but as the \nsmall dust of the balance, compared with thy mercy \nin Christ Jesus. Though the creatures thou hadst \nmade, to be the subjects of thy bounty, had all re- \nbelled against thy law, thou didst so love them, as \nto give thy Son for them, to bring them back, with \nan everlasting redemption. And because they still, \nnotwithstanding this matchless offer of compassion, \nwould not come unto thee, that they might have life, \nthou hast given them the influences of thy Holy \nSpirit, to persuade them to accept of mercy. And \nto as many as thou hast given power to become the \nsons of God, thou hast vouchsafed such measures \nof thy grace, that they shall be able to persevere in \nobedience, through faith, unto complete salvation. \nO Lord, cause my gratitude to bear some propor- \ntion to thy goodness. Let me not forget thy bene- \nfits, nor think that my own hand has wrought any \nof them. Incline me to look back often, with min- \ngled feelings of wonder and love, on the way in \nwhich thou hast led me by thy providence and grace. \nShow me the enormity of my sinfulness, which has \nmade me blind to thy love, forgetful of thy favour, \nand thankless for thy mercy : and grant me deeper \nimpressions of that benevolence, which though thus \nabused, has still waited to be gracious. Give me \nsuch views of thy loving-kindness, and of my own \nutter unworthiness, as shall lead me to magnify con- \ntinually the richness of thy goodness. Induce me \nto love thee because thou hast first loved me. Make \nmy enjoyment of thy mercies a motive to obedience. \nEspecially may the love of Christ constrain me to \ndo thy will. O may I desire to show my sense of \nobligation to thee, by always seeking to do what is \nwell-pleasing in thy sight. \n\n\n\n116 \n\nGreat God, cause thine unnumbered mercies to- \nwards guilty men, to melt the hardness of their \nhearts, to subdue their rebellious wills, and to lead \nthem, by the allurements of thy love, to a godly \nsorrow for sin, a cordial faith in the atonement, and \na grateful devotion to thy cause. Make the multi- \ntudes who are children of disobedience, the sons \nof adoption, to the praise of the fulness of thy \ngrace. \n\nO Lord, permit me not to be ungrateful to my \nfellow-creatures. Thou hast been pleased so to \nconstitute our social relations, that each is depend- \nent on others for kindness and favour. Thou hast \nmade many of them the almoners of thy bounty to \nme. Make my heart sensible to every benefit I re- \nceive from them : and while my affections abound \ntowards those who do me good, lead me, O Lord, \nto do good to all men. \xe2\x80\x94 Promote, I beseech thee, \nthe prevalence of acts of good-will among all thy \ncreatures ; until envy, ingratitude, and hatred shall \nbe banished from the world, and all men abound in \nlove to God, and to each other. \n\n\n\nGreat God, teach me that I am dust, and must \nreturn to dust. May I often and habitually look \nforward to the grave, that narrow house appointed \nfor all the living. Lead me to regard it as the monu- \nment of human guilt ; for if there had been no sin, \nthere had been no grave ; the wages of sin is death. \nO may every mound that marks the last dwelling- \nplace of a human being, be a witness that sin has \nentered into the world, and death by sin. May I \nlearn from it, the vanity of earthly good \xe2\x80\x94 we bring \nnothing into the world, and we can carry nothing \n\n\n\n117 \n\nout \xe2\x80\x94 we must say to corruption, " Thou art my \nfather ;" and to the worm, " Thou art my mother \nand my sister." Lord, this wide world is one vast \nburial-place ; and we plant our feet daily on some \nspot that has been the charnel-house of mortality. \nAlas, death dwells everywhere, but in the giddy \nthoughts of men ! \n\nBut I thank thee, O Lord, that amid all its gloom, \nthe grave has its consolations. Jesus, our Saviour, \nhas been there, and has sanctified the tomb as the \nrestingplace of his people\'s dust. There the weary \nare at rest. Though the body shall turn to dust, \nthe spirit will return to God who gave it : and while \nthy saints are absent from the body, they are pre- \nsent with the Lord. Nor shall our sleep be eternal : \nthe earth shall cast out her dead \xe2\x80\x94 this mortal shall \nput on immortality, and that which was sown in dis- \nhonour, shall be raised in glory. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, grant that \nwhen the dead shall come forth at thy voice, mine \nmay be the resurrection of life ; that so I may be \nopenly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of \njudgment, and be made perfectly blessed in the full \nenjoyment of God to all eternity. \n\nHeavenly Father, grant, for Christ\'s sake, that \nevery tomb may be a convincing and persuading \npreacher to the impenitent. May they learn and \nact upon the truth, that it is appointed unto all men \nonce to die. Behold thou hast made their days as \na hand-breadth, and their age is as nothing before \nthee. Show them that after death cometh the judg- \nment, when they who have done evil, shall come \nforth to the resurrection of damnation. O may \nmany now lay to heart the things that belong to their \neternal peace : and then, when Christ shall appear, \n\n\n\n118 \n\nthey also shall appear with him, who is the resur- \nrection and the life, blessed forever. \n\nGRIEF. \n\nCompassionate Jehovah, thou knowest all the \nsources of my griefs \xe2\x80\x94 the afflictions of my body \xe2\x80\x94 \nthe weakness and ignorance of my mind \xe2\x80\x94 the loss \nof cherished objects \xe2\x80\x94 and the miseries of my sin- \nfulness. When I look back upon my past life, how \ndo slighted mercy, neglected grace, and sinful re- \nbellion rise up to confound me with sorrow. When \nI look within me, and examine my present state, I \nfind that when I would delight in the law of the \nLord, after the inward man, there is a law in my \nmembers warring against the law of my mind, and \nbringing me into captivity to the law of sin ; so that \nI am constrained to say, " O wretched man that I \nam ; who shall deliver me from the body of this \ndeath?" \xe2\x80\x94 When my thoughts go forth into the un- \nknown future, I have reason to pass the time of my \nsojourning here in fear, lest, being led away by the \ncorruption of my heart, the error of the wicked, \nand the deceit of Satan, I may fall from my stead- \nfastness. \xe2\x80\x94 When I look around me, I find sources \nof grief everywhere ; for the ways of Zion mourn, \nand my heart is faint within me : I behold the trans- \ngressors, and am grieved : rivers of waters should \nrun down mine eyes, because men keep not thy \nlaw. \xe2\x80\x94 O God, it behooves me also to mourn when \nthou dost, for any reason, hide thy face from me \xe2\x80\x94 \nwhen the heavens above me are as brass, and my \ntrembling heart would surmise that even God had \nforgotten to be gracious, r \n\nBut, O Lord, thou knowest all my griefs ; and \nthou canst sanctify them to me. I pray thee, soothe \n\n\n\n119 \n\nand bless my sorrows. Recompense me in all of \nthem, by the light of thy countenance. Give me \nthe blessedness of them that mourn with a godly \nsorrow ; for they shall be comforted. Restore unto \nme the joys of thy salvation, and uphold me by thy \nfree Spirit. Let not my soul be cast down, nor grow \nweary of life, nor rebel against thy will. Make me \nto hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou \nhast broken may rejoice. When thou hast wrought \nthe purposes of thy sovereignty, O give me beauty \nfor ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the gar- \nments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. \n\nHAPPINESS. \n\nBlessed God, I thank thee for that impulse of my \nnature, by which I am led to pursue happiness. \nWithout its refreshing influence, life would be but \na barren desert. Yet, O how has my evil heart cor- \nrupted this law of thy benevolence. Whilst thou \nhast given me faculties and aspirings for communion \nwith God, and heaven, and holiness, I have sought \nmy joys in sense, and earth, and sin. Lord, help \nme to overcome this corruption of my nature. May \nI make my happiness subordinate to thy glory, and \nin unison with my duty. Dispose me, I pray thee, \nto use the lawful pleasures of life temperately, and \nwith submission to thy will. Let not my soul find \nits portion in this world\'s pleasures, honours, or \nriches. Lead me to seek first the kingdom of right- \neousness, and all that I need for my comfort shall \nbe added to it. Give me the blessedness of the poor \nin spirit and the mourners for sin ; of the meek and \nthose that hunger and thirst after righteousness ; of \nthe merciful and the pure in heart ; of the peace- \nmakers, and those who are reviled and persecuted \n\n\n\n120 \n\nfor Christ\'s sake. May I seek thy favour, as the \nsource and life of every joy. Comfort me, I pray \nthee, with a sense of thy forgiving mercy in Jesus ; \nand, O be thou in him my reconciled God and Fa- \nther. Vouchsafe unto me the joys of holy commu- \nnion with the triune God, and of faith in thy charac- \nter, word, and providence. Grant me the delights \nof thy rich, distinguishing, and unmerited grace ; \nand of an humble but blessed instrumentality in \ndoing good. \n\nTeach me, O Lord, that it is not the lot of even \nthe best of the righteous, to enjoy undisturbed bliss \nin this vale of tears. The deceptions of sin within \nand without, the malice of the wicked, and the as- \nsaults of Satan, often bring anguish on the hearts of \nthy people. Incline me, therefore, to look at those \nthings which are unseen and eternal, and to lay up \ntreasures where there is no sin nor sorrow, but ful- \nness of joy and pleasures for evermore. \n\nLord, lead those who are seeking their happiness \nin the perishing and corrupting pleasures of the \nworld, to feel their folly and guilt. Show them \nthe excellency and stability of the joys of thy service \nand salvation ; and enable them by thy grace in \nChrist, to make thee the strength of their hearts, and \ntheir portion forever. Happy are the people whose \nGod is the Lord ! \n\nHEALTH. \n\nI thank thee, O Lord, for the comfortable degree \nof health I have been permitted to enjoy. I bless \nthee that thou hast healed my sicknesses, and that \nthou hast made their seasons short and few, com- \npared with those in which I have been free from \ndisease and pain. Lord, grant me the healthful \n\n\n\n121 \n\nexercise of all the powers of my mind and body. \nLead me to know and follow those physical and \nmoral laws within and around me, disobedience to \nwhich, will disorder this structure which thou hast \nso fearfully and wonderfully made ; but which, if \nobeyed, will tend to promote my personal comfort \nand soundness. May I make the pursuit of health, \nthe means of enabling me to grow in grace, to do \ngood, and to advance the glory of God. \n\nBlessed Lord, be thou the Physician of my soul. \n\xe2\x80\x94Heal my heart when it is broken with sorrow ; \nbind up my conscience when it is wounded by trans- \ngression. Cleanse my mind from error, and my \nspirit from sin ; and do thou bring over my soul \nthe renovating and strengthening joys of thy saving \nhealth. \n\nHEART. \n\nO God, assist me to keep my heart with all dili- \ngence ; for out of it are the issues of life. May I \nremember that it is by nature deceitful above all \nthings, and desperately wicked ; and that none but \nGod can bring a clean thing out of this unclean. \nO how would I blush to let my most familiar friend \nlook into its hidden chambers. Dispose me, I pray \nthee, to watch over it, lest I fall into temptation; \nto be humble and mournful for its hardness and \nsinfulness ; and to seek earnestly for grace to cleanse \nme from its secret faults and presumptuous sins. \nMay I ever feel, O Lord, that thou searchest the \nheart, and knowest it altogether. Help me, I be- \nseech thee, to make thee the object of its sincere, \nunchanging, and unreserved love. \n\nGreat and Merciful God, guide and govern my \naffections, so that they shall promote thy glory, \n11 \n\n\n\n122 \n\nshow forth the beauty of holiness, and impart to \nme peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, \nfulness of grace, and steadfastness, through faith, \nunto complete redemption. O do thou give strength \nto my heart in all the exigencies of life \xe2\x80\x94 in the days \nof prosperity and the hours of affliction \xe2\x80\x94 in Zion\'s \ntroubles andjoys \xe2\x80\x94 in rejoicing and sorrow \xe2\x80\x94 in duty \nand temptation \xe2\x80\x94 in doubts and fears \xe2\x80\x94 in sickness \nand death. Give me an inward propensity to holi- \nness. Help me to keep the avenues of my soul \xe2\x80\x94 \nmy eye, that it may not lust after evil \xe2\x80\x94 my ear, \nthat it may be open to God, and shut to sin \xe2\x80\x94 ^and \nmy thoughts, that they may not be vain and unholy. \nLord, dispose me to watch unto prayer ; to ponder \nthe path of my feet ; to search the Scriptures*; and \nto rely on thy Spirit to. cleanse me from all that is \nevil, and to strengthen me in all that is good. \n\nMerciful Father, persuade impenitent sinners to \ngive their hearts to thee. Make them feel that \nthou hast created them for thine own ; that thou \nhast purchased them day by day, by thy common \nmercies ; and that Christ died that they might love \nthee. Make them realize, in some degree, what it \nis to be cast off from thy love forever. O lead \nthem by the terrors of the Lord, and by the cords \n. of love, to give thee their affections without reserve, \nwhilst thou art waiting to be gracious. Whilst thou \nart calling, \'\' To-day," O may they hear thy voice, \nand harden not their hearts ; but open their con- \nsciences to conviction of sin, and their souls to the \nrenewing of the Holy Ghost; ; so that they may the \nable to say, \'\' Whom have we in heaven but thee, \nand there is none on earth that we desire beside \nthee." \n\n\n\n123 \n\n\n\nHEATHEN. \n\n\n\nBlessed God, I thank thee for the rich and va^ \nrious blessings of thy gospel which I am permit- \nted to enjoy. O may the possesion of them remind \nme that there are millions of my fellow-creatures, \nas good by nature as I am, to whom they are de- \nnied. Give me, I pray thee, for the merits of Je- \nsus Christ, such a sense of these mercies, that my \ngratitude to thee shall constantly urge me to strive \nto extend them to the benighted nations of the earth. \nMake my heart a fountain of compassion for the \nwants and woes of the heathen ; and lead my feel- \nings into such actions as shall make me an instru- \nment of giving them the blessings of salvation. \nShow me that where there is no vision the people \nperish, and that they only who call on the name of \nthe Lord shall be saved. But how shall they call \non him in whom they have not believed ; and how \nshall they believe in him of whom they have not \nheard ? And how shall they hear without a preach- \ner ; and how shall any preach except they be sent? \nMake my conscience and heart feel the command \nthou hast given thy people, to preach the gospel to \nevery creature. O Lord, lead me to obey it accord- \ning to the dictates of thy Spirit, and the openings \nof thy providence. Grant that I may regard it as \nan incumbent duty and a blessed privilege, to con- \ntribute of my substance, my labours, and my pray- \ners, for the conversion of the world. \n\nLord, I would praise thee for what thou hast in- \nclined thy chosen generation to do, in these days, \nfor the heathen world. O strengthen and bless all \ntheir efforts which are founded on obedience and \nlove ; and do thou lead them to plan and execute \n\n\n\n124 \n\nevery measure which will secure thy favour. Im- \npart to all thy churches a holy and fervent mission- \nary spirit ; and cheer them by frequent tidings, \nthat thou art granting to the Gentiles, repentance \nunto life. Grant that every attempt which is made \nto spread thy gospel abroad, may result in the re- \nvival of pure religion at home. \xe2\x80\x94 O do thou give \nwisdom and energy to those societies and organi- \nzations which devise and direct missionary efforts. \nMay they be composed of men of wisdom, faith- \nfulness, and prayer ; who shall have the confidence \nof thy people, and the favour of God, in their un- \ndertakings. \xe2\x80\x94 Be pleased, O Jehovah, to raise up \nand qualify many, who shall go forth to the be- \nnighted, to preach the everlasting gospel. Make \nthem men of clean hands, holy hearts, and self-de- \nnying labour. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, dispense thy choicest and \nfullest mercies on those who are now labouring \namong the heathen. Animate them with zeal, \ncourage, prayer, and hope. Be thou a glory in \nthe midst of them, and a defence around about \nthem. Give efficacy to their plans of education, \nespecially among the rising generation. Grant them \naccess to the affections, judgments and consciences \nof those whom they instruct in temporal and spi- \nritual knowledge ; and give them the pleasure of \nseeing thy work prospering in their hands. \n\nI bless thee for the success which has already \ncrowned the work of thy servants. O let this \nwave-offering be the pledge of the future harvest. \nThough it be but as a handful of corn in the earth, \nupon the top of the mountains ; do thou cause the \nfruit thereof to shake like Lebanon ! Bless, I pray \nthee, those nations who have recently received the \ngospel. Be not as a stranger in their land, and as \n\n\n\n125 \n\na wayfaring man, that turneth aside to tarry only for \na night. Bear rule over them : call them by thy \nname ; and let not thy cause suffer reproach among \nthe heathen. \n\nLord, look in mercy on all who are the objects \nof the missionary enterprise. Stay their hands \nfrom cruelty to those who are sent to them wiih \nthe gospel message. Break down every barrier of \nlaw, of prejudice, and of enmity; and cause the \nheathen to receive the missionary with kindness \nand gladness of heart. Incline their ears and open \ntheir hearts to receive that truth which is able to \nmake them wise unto salvation : and grant that \nChrist may speedily have the heathen for his in- \nneritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for \nnis possession. \n\nHEAVEN. \n\nO God, Most High, assist my feeble powers to \n^contemplate the bliss of heaven. In that blest land \nthe righteous shall hunger no more ; neither thirst \nany more ; and God shall wipe away all tears from \ntheir eyes. There they shall understand all mys- \nteries and all knowledge. Now they see through \na glass darkly ; but then they shall see face to face \n\xe2\x80\x94 now they know but in part ; but then they shall \nknow even as they are known. There they shall \ndwell in the city of the living God, the New Jeru- \nsalem, with an innumerable company of angels, \nand spirits of just men made perfect; and shall \nsing, with unwearied tongues, the new song of \npraise to the Lamb, who has redeemed them to \nGod by his blood, out of every kindred, and \ntongue, and people, and nation. There they shall \nserve God with fulness of joy, holiness of heart, \n11^ \n\n\n\n126 \n\nand obedience of will : and he that sitteth on the \nthrone shall dwell among them, the Lamb shall feed \nthem, and lead them to living fountains of waters : \nand thus they shall be forever with the Lord ! \n\nI thank thee, O God, that thou hast made known \nto us the glories of the heavenly state, and that \nthou hast taught us how we may obtain them. Life \nand immortality have been brought to light by the \ngospel ; and though the carnal eye hath not seen, \nnor the ear heard, nor have entered into such heart, \nthe things which thou hast prepared for them that \nlove thee ; yet thou hast revealed them to thy \nchildren, by thy Spirit, as a foretaste of that glory \nwhich shall be made Ivuown in the eternal life. \xe2\x80\x94 \nO Lord, shall I be a partaker of that blessedness ? \nGrant that the contemplation of it may make me \nfeel the vanity of earthly things, and lead me to \nset my affections on things that are heavenly and \ndivine. May I follow after holiness, without which \nno man shall see the Lord ; and seek a building of \nGod, a house not made with hands, eternal in the \nheavens. \n\nLord, grant that visions of heavenly glory may \nquicken the hopes, and purify the hearts, and ani- \nmate the zeal of thy chosen people. May they \nhave thy grace in them, as a rich prelude to the \njoys of everlasting life. May they show by their \nlives, that here they have no abiding place, no \ncontinuing city ; but that they seek a better, even \na heavenly.\' \xe2\x80\x94 Lead them, O Lord, while they strive \nto work out their own salvation, to seek to bring \nothers into the path of eternal life. Make them \nfeel that their own happiness and glory in the \nfuture state, will be greatly increased by their \nturning souls unto righteousness here : for then \n\n\n\n127 \n\nthey shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, \nand as the stars forever and ever. \n\nBlessed Lord, convince the worldly-minded and \nsinful, of the depraving and perishing nature of \ntemporal things ; and of the exalted and eternal \ntreasures thou hast laid up in the home of the \nrighteous. Induce them, by thy Spirit, to renounce \nthe world, the flesh, and the devil ; and to seek \nthat faith in Christ, that purity of heart, and that \ncompliance with thy will, by which they shall be \nmade meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. \nAnd to thy name, Fathet, Son, and Spirit, shall be \nthe glory of their salvation forever. \n\n\n\nHELL. \n\nO Lord, give me a deep conviction of the awful \ntruth, that thou hast ordained and fixed a place of \ntorment for all the finally impenitent \xe2\x80\x94 a bottomless \npit, where there is the blackness of darkness \xe2\x80\x94 a \nprison, where there is weeping and gnashing of \nteeth \xe2\x80\x94 a lake of fire, where the smoke of their \ntorment ascendeth forever. There they will re- \nmember their ungodly deeds ; their multiplied \nmercies ; the riches of thy long-suffering which \nthey despised ; the instruction they hated ; and \ntheir hardness and impenitence of heart,* whereby \nthey treasured unto themselves wrath against the \nday of wrath. There they shall have cruel fel- \nlowship with the devil and his angels : hatred and \nmalice, and every evil passion, shall vex their \nsouls ; while around, and aBove, and beneath them, \nwill be indignation and wrath, tribulation and an- \nguish ! \n\nLord, let not my heart ever rebel against the \nwisdom and righteousness of thy punitive justice. \n\n\n\n128 \n\nJust and true are all thy ways, thou King of \nSamts. Teach me, O God, by the deep damna- \ntion of the wicked, that thou hatest sin and lovest \nholiness ; and that thou art thus promoting the \nobedience and welfare of the universe, and sus- \ntaining thy character as the moral Governor of \ncreation. \n\nAssist me, God of Grace, to flee from the wrath \nto come, and to lay hold of eternal life, through \nthe Saviour. But O, let me not be satisfied with \nmy own safety. May I seek the salvation of those \nthat are in the broad way- of ruin. Impel me by \nkeen sympathy for their danger, and love for their \nhappiness, to put forth such efforts of prayer and \nlabour, as shall be the means of saving some that \nare ready to perish. \n\nO do thou arouse the church to a conviction of \nher duty to a perishing world. Let none of thy \npeople dishonour their calling, by carelessness \nabout the eternal welfare of the impenitent. May \neach one feel the powers of the world to come ; \nand by earnest supplication, and by fervent action, \nstrive for the blessedness of converting sinners \nfrom their dangerous ways, and of saving souls \nfrom the second death. \n\nLord, I beseech thee, give the wicked such \nviews of the everlasting destruction awaiting the \nunrepenting sinner, as shall lead them to consider \nthe mercy that has provided a way of escape from \nperdition. Persuade them, by thy terrors, to be \nreconciled to thee by the blood of the everlasting \ncovenant. O make many, who now seem to be \nvessels of wrath, fitting for destruction, to be ves- \nsels of mercy, preparing for glory ; who shall be \nkept by thy power, through faith, unto final salva- \n\n\n\nn \n\n\n\n129 \n\ntion : where the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, \nand the love of God, and the communion of the \nHoly Ghost, which are begun on earth, shall be \nperfected forever. \n\nHOLINESS, \n\nHeavenly Father, grant me the spirit of holi \nness. O restore me to thy blessed image, an(> \ntransform me by the renewing of my mind, that I \nmay know thy will, and present myself a living sa- \norifice, holy and acceptable, which is my reasonable \nservice. Mould my character by thy word, and \nlead me to obey that form of doctrine which thou \nhast delivered to me. Make me spiritually-minded, \nwhich is life and peace. O enable me to say, \n" Behold, old things are passed away; all things \nare become new." \n\nLord, make me a partaker of thy holiness, and \nlead me in the paths of righteousness, for thy \nname\'s sake. But let me not forget that this great \nwork is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, \nnor of the will of man, but of God. My heart is \nby nature desperately wicked ; and unless thou \ngive me the sanctifying power of thy Spirit, I shall \nremain dead in trespasses and sins. Renew me, \nI beseech thee, in the spirit of my mind, turn me \nfrom darkness unto light, and put on me the new \nman, which after God is created in righteousness \nand true holiness. \n\nBlessed Lord, let me not regard iniquity in my \nheart, nor roll sin as a sweet morsel under my \ntongue. Make me feel all the motives that should \ndeter me from transgression. \xe2\x80\x94 Teach me to be \nholy, because thou art holy. \xe2\x80\x94 Grant me such views \nof the cross of Christ, as shall lead me to hate and \n\n\n\n130 \n\nforsake sin. Thou didst choose thy saints in \nChrist, before the foundation of the world, that \nthey should be holy and without blame before thee \nin love: and he gave himself for them that he \nmight redeem them from all iniquity, and purify \nunto himself a peculiar people. \xe2\x80\x94 O may the hope \nof his salvation, prompt me to purify myself, even \nas he is pure. Make me feel the guilt, misery, and \ndanger of sin. ^\xe2\x80\x94Assist me to mortify the flesh with \nthe affections and lusts thereof, that I may live in \nthy favour. \xe2\x80\x94 May I remember that the eyes of men \nare upon me : let me not cause thy name to be blas- \nphemed through my transgression. \xe2\x80\x94 Instruct me \nthat thy glory requires me to hate evil; for thou \nhast made thy people a holy nation, to show forth \nthe praises of him who has called them from dark- \nness into light. \xe2\x80\x94 O God, make me pure in heart ; \nfor without holiness no man shall see the Lord ; \nand there shall in no wise enter into heaven, any \nthing that defile th. \n\nLord, assist me, I beseech thee, in this great \nduty of personal sanctification. Let thy grace be \nin me as a perpetual fountain of godliness. May I \ngo from strengtli to strength, and may my path be \nas the shining light, which shineth more and m^re, \nunto the perfect day. O fill me with the fruits of \nrighteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the \nglory and praise of God. \n\nHOLINESS OF GOD. \n\nLord, thou art glorious in holiness. There is no \nStain on thy will, and no spot on thy character : \nthe righteous Lord loveth righteousness. Just, and \ntrue, and pure are all thy thoughts, purposes, and \ndoings. Thou art of purer eyes than to counte- \n\n\n\n131 \n\nnance evil in others ; and thou canst not look oa \nsin without abhorrence. Thou art angry with the \nwicked every day, and thou wilt cast them, unless \nthey repent, into everlasting destruction. Even the \nheavens are not clean in thy sight ; and thou \nchargest thine angels with folly. \n\nBlessed God, teach me the beauty of thy holiness. \nO, it is the life and perfection of thy character. \nThou hast shown it in all thy ways \xe2\x80\x94 in the works \nof creation, which were all very good \xe2\x80\x94 in thy provi- \ndence, by- which thou hast sought to make us par- \ntakers of thy holiness \xe2\x80\x94 in thy grace, which teaches \nus to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts \xe2\x80\x94 in the \ngift of Jesus, who came to save us from the guilt \nand dominion of sin \xe2\x80\x94 in thy truth, by which we \nare sanctified \xe2\x80\x94 in the work of thy Spirit, whereby \nwe are baptized unto righteousness : \xe2\x80\x94 and thou \nwilt show it in the awful decisions of the last day, \nwhen the wicked shall go away into everlasting \npunishment, but the righteous into life eternal. \n\nO Lord, may a sense of thy holiness awe and \ncontrol my spirit. May it dispose me to walk \nhumbly in thy sight : for if the holy ones of heaven \nveil their faces before thee, it becomes me to lie in \nthe dust, and to cry, *\' Guilty; unclean: God be \nmerciful to me a sinner." Teach me that there is \nno communion between God and unholy spirits ; \nand that none but the pure in heart can enjoy thy \nfavour, or see thy face in righteousness. May I \nlearn more and more the excellence of the, Saviour \nwhom thou hast provided for sinners : for if we \nwere not accepted in the Beloved, none could be \njustified in thy sight. Cause a conviction of thy \nsinless perfection to fill me with reverence in all \nmy approaches to thee ; and suffer me not to forget \n\n\n\n132 \n\nthat if I regard iniquity in my heart, thou wilt not \nhear my supplications. Ogive me such contem- \nplations of thy holiness as shall cause me to die \nunto sin and live unto righteousness. And may I, \nbeholding as in a glass its glory, be changed into \nthe same image, from glory to glory. \n\nHOLY SPIRIT. \n\nBlessed and Triune God, enable me to understand \nthe character and offices of the Holy Ghost. Thou \nhast revealed him to us as a partner of the Deity, \nwho exercises the attributes of the Most High, and \ndoes the works of the Almighty. O may my \nthoughts of him be such as become me when I me- \nditate on the name of God. I thank thee that thou \nhast sent that Spirit to convince the world of sin, \nof righteousness, and of judgment. Grant, O Lord, \nthat I may share in all his blessed influences, and \nthat they may be in me as a well of water, spring- \ning up into everlasting life. May they be as show- \ners that water the earth, imparting to my soul \ngrowth, beauty, and fruitfalness, and giving me fa- \nvour in the sight of God and man. \n\nBlessed Spirit, show me my sinfulness, apply to \nme the redemption purchased by Christ, mortify the \ndeeds of the body, and renew me day by day in thy \nholy image. O do thou lead me into the knowledge \nof truth, make intercession within me in prayer, \nbear witness with my spirit that I am a child of \nGod, and seal me with that promise, which is an \nearnest until the redemption of the purchased pos- \nsession. Be thou my comforter in sorrow, my \nstrength in weakness, my shield in temptation, my \nteacher in ignorance, my security in joy, my leader \n\n\n\n133 \n\nin the labyrinths of life, and my consolation in the \nhour of death. \n\nLord, pour out thy Spirit on all thy servants. \nMay they enjoy, in the fullest measure, those fruits \nwhich are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, \nmeekness, gentleness, temperance, faith. Persuade \nthem to set a high value on these things, and to \nseek them by fervent and believing prayer. Cause \nthem to live in continual dependence on divine in- \nfluence, and to walk worthy of the character of that \nHoly Agent. Make them his living temples, where \nthere shall be the incense of prayer, praise, and holy \nobedience. May he sanctify their hearts, bind them \ncloser by faith to Christ, make them wise unto sal- \nvation, and prepare them for their eternal weight of \nglory. \n\nLord, I would praise thy name for the power \nwhich the Holy Ghost has exerted over the con- \nsciences and wills of sinners, in leading them to \nfeel their guilt and danger, and in persuading and \nenabling them to accept the plan of salvation. O \ncontinue and. increase these manifestations of thy \nmercy. Let not the ungodly grieve thy Spirit, and \nbe left to ripen for perdition. Let none wrest to \ntheir own destruction the truth, that they must be \nborn again by the Holy Ghost : but may they make \nit the anchor of their hope, and receive with glad- \nness those ministrations which are life, because of \nrighteousness. O do thou convince, convert, and \nsanctify multitudes who now live after the flesh ; \nand do thou lead them, in the exercises of a spirit- \nual life, to glorify thy grace on earth, and enjoy \nthe fellowship of the Father, Son, and Spirit, in \nheaven. \n\n12 \n\n\n\n134 \n\nHOME MISSIONS. \n\nGreat God, cause my heart to give a ready and \nfervent response to the appeals that are made to it, \nto send the gospel to every kindred and nation under \nheaven : but O let it not forget, in the excitement of \nforeign enterprises, the equally urgent, but less sti- \nmulating, claims of the destitute in our own borders. \nI thank thee that institutions have been organized \nto send the heralds df the cross over the length and \nbreadth of our land, to seek out and build its waste \nplaces, and to gather and feed those that are scattered \nas sheep without a shepherd. But, Lord, show us \nthat this work is but just begun ; and that our in- \ncreasing population greatly outruns the supply of \nthe means of grace : that in many places thy precious \nword, thy holy day, and thy sanctifying worship, \nare not known, or are but little regarded ; while in- \nfidelity and lewdness, profanity and intemperance, \nSabbath-breaking and fraud, are spreading, like in- \nfection, throughout communities. \n\nO let the work of domestic missions commend \nitself to the patronage and prayers of the wise and \ngood of all classes. May the patriot regard it as \nthe prosperity of the country ; the philanthropist \nfurther it as the welfare of humanity ; and the Chris- \ntian prosecute it as the temporal and eternal well- \nbeing of the people. Let those who are supplied \nwith the institutions of the gospel, gladly send them \nto the destitute ; and let those who are without them, \nbe excited to seek, and welcome, and help to sus- \ntain them in their rriidst. \n\nGod of Missions, give increased success to the \nefforts already made in this glorious cause. Bring \nmany other labourers up to the help of the Lord, in \n\n\n\n135 \n\nthe contest with ignorance, error, and vice. Esta- \nblish a pastor in every destitute neighbourhood. Let \nthe Bible, the Sabbath, the Sunday-school, and the \nsanctuary, dispense their riches wherever there is a \npeople in want of them. \' And let thine enduring \nfavour rest upon every such labour of love. \n\nLord, grant, for Jesus\' sake, that the voice of in- \nstruction, of praise, and of prayer, may abide in \nevery city, and village, and hamlet, and household, \nin our wide and flourishing country. \n\nHONESTY. \n\nLord, dispose me to render to all their dues. Im- \nplant such a sense of justice 4n my bosom, that I \nshall willingly give to my fellow-creatures, of every \nrank, all their lawful and moral rights. Let not sel- \nfishness exalt itself against the dictates of integrity ; \nnor covetousness violate the duties of uprightness. \nRebuke in me that love of lucre, whether it be in \nsmall things or in great, which would lead me to \nforego the demands of rectitude for the desires of \ndishonesty. Grant me, if it seem good to thee, \nthat moderate competence, and contentment with it, \nwhich will raise me above the temptations of poverty. \nBut do thou assure me, that the wealth, which \nI sometimes covet, neither satisfies the soul, nor \nelevates its sense of justice, but begets raging de- \nsire and clamorous injustice. \n\nHeavenly Father, make me prompt in the dis- \ncharge of my obligations ; especially to the poor. \nLet me owe no man any thing, without his cheerful \nconsent. Or if misfortune or disappointment deny \nme the present ability to discharge the claims of \ncreditors, let no evasive plea nor legal subterfuge \nrelease me from the conviction of indebtedness, and \n\n\n\n136 \n\nthe purpose of recompense. Great God, may I \nremember the wo of him that buildeth his house \nby unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong ; \nand the reward of him that walketh righteously, \nand despiseth the gain of oppressions, and shaketh \nhis hand from holding bribes \xe2\x80\x94 he shall dwell on \nhigh ; his defence shall be the munitions of rocks ; \nbread shall be given him ; his water shall be sure ; \nhis name shall be as ointment poured fctrth, and his \nmemory shall be blessed. \n\nHOPE. \n\nLord, grant me a good hope through grace. May \nit be the fruit of thy Spirit, and be rooted and \ngrounded in that faith by w^hich we receive the \natonement of the Messiah : for other foundation can \nno man lay than that which is laid in Jesus Christ. \nMay it be a hope that maketh not ashamed ; that \npurifieth the heart ; that is a helmet of salvation ; \nand an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, \nwhich enters into that within the veil, and rejoices \nin the expectation of the glory of God. O may it \nprompt me to seek to bring others into the same \nfellowship of joy, that we together may share the \npromise of life. \n\nTeach the wicked, O God, that a door of hope \nhas been opened for the chief of sinners : \xe2\x80\x94 a way \nof access to pardon, in which thou canst be just, \nand still be the justifier of them that believe in \nJesus. Let not their hearts be deceived by those \nhopes of earthly good, which are either blasted in \ntheir bud, or ripen into bitter fruit. Show them \nthat the expectation of the wicked shall perish, and \nthat the trust of the hypocrite shall be as the spi- \nder\'s web : while the hope of the righteous shall \n\n\n\n137 \n\nbe gladness and assurance forever. I pray thee \nbring many sinners to the footstool of thy throne, \nto learn the blessedness of putting their confidence \nin the blood of the everlasting covenant ; from which \nonly can they receive the promise of the life that \nnow is, and of that which is to come. \n\nHOSPITALITY. \n\nLord, give me the spirit of hospitality. Grant \nme a heart of generosity, that will take pleasure in \nreciprocating the kindness of domestic life, and in \nsupplying the wants of the stranger and the desti- \ntute. May I remember that some, in so doing, \nhave entertained angels unawares ; and that thou \nhast said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. \nThou hast commanded us to use hospitality, with- \nout grudging ; and hast promised that those who do \nso, shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the \njust. , \n\nLord, thou art good to all : thy tender mercies \nare over all thy works. Even thine enemies share \nrichly in thy bounty. Incline me, therefore, to be \nmerciful, even as thou art merciful. Lead me to do \ngood, and to communicate ; for with such sacrifices \nthou art well-pleased. Dispose me to be an almoner \nof thy bounty. As I have freely received, so may \nI freely give. \n\nHUMAN DEPRAVITY. \n\nLord, thou didst create man, after thine own \nimage, in knowledge and holiness ; but he fell from \nthe estate wherein he was created, by sinning against \nGod ; and now, by his fall, all mankind have lost \ncommunion with God, are under thy wrath and \ncurse, and are made liable to all the miseries of this \n12* \n\n\n\n138 \n\nlife, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. \nThou didst indeed make man upright ; but he has \nsought out many inventions. His gold has become \ndim, and his most fine gold is changed. And now \nthe heart of the sons of men is full of evil : the \ncarnal mind is enmity against God : they are all \ngone out of the way : there is none righteous ; no, \nnot one. O Lord, everywhere 1 behold the records \nof human depravity. The pages of history, the \nexperience of my own heart, the witness of my \neyes, and the news brought on every breeze, tell \nme that man is a sinner. And yet for every spark \nof sin in the outward life of every man, there has \nbeen a raging flame of transgression in his hidden \nnature. O let not my mind be swayed from this \ntruth, because there are some, who in their natural \nand unredeemed state, seem to be not far from the \nkingdom of God : for if thou hadst not controlled \ntheir characters, and shaped their destinies, they also \nhad been the vilest of the vile. Suffer me not, in \nmy intercourse with children, to suppose, from their \ncomparative innocence and docility, that they are \nnot depraved : for O, thy testimony against them is, \nthat they go astray from the womb ; and that folly \nis bound up in their hearts. \n\nLord, give me an ever-present conviction of this \nsolemn doctrine, that I may watch and pray against \nthe evil tendencies of my own heart, and also look \nwith earnest anxiety on the condition of those, who \nhave not been brought to know and forsake their \niniquities. Enable me to realize its nature and ex- \ntent \xe2\x80\x94 to understand that the most unsanctified sel- \nfishness has usurped the sceptre which God should \nsway in the heart ; and that all men are, in their \nnatural character, utterly destitute of holiness, and \n\n\n\n139 \n\nentirely sinful. Lord, permit not my thoughts to \nimpeach thy wisdom, or justice, or holiness, when \nI meditate on this truth ; for thou hast laid no stern \nnecessity on us that we should sin : and we, we \nonly, are guilty before thee in our transgressions. \nO God, take away this stony heart out of my flesh, \nand give me a heart of flesh. Subdue the corrup- \ntion of my nature, and make me a new creature in \nChrist Jesus. \n\nBlessed Lord, convince the wicked of their deep- \nrooted depravity ; and that unless they are born \nagain, they must be shut out of the kingdom of \nGod. Show them that they have destroyed them- \nselves ; while in thee only is their help. Teach \nthem that thou hast sought their repentance by the \nevery-day mercies of life, by the offers of pardon, \nand by the threats of vengeance : and yet they have \nabused thy gifts, and turned a deaf ear to thine en- \ntreaties and warnings. Show them that the way \nof the wicked is darkness, and the end thereof \neternal death : while the path of the just is as the \nshining light, and his reward a blissful eternity. \nWhilst thou art revealing to them the enormity of \ntheir guilt, show them the surpassing extent of the \nredemption thou hast provided for it. O may thy \nSpirit transform their corrupt wills, and renew their \ndepraved aflfections. Save them by the Avashing of \nregeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost ; \nthat being sanctified by grace, they shall be made \npartakers of thy holiness, and heirs of eternal life. \n\nHUMILITY. \n\nHeavenly Father, give me such views of thine \ninfinite excellence, and of my unworthiness, as shall \nhumble me in the dust before thee. Thou art the \n\n\n\n140 \n\ninfinite, eternal, and unchangeable Jehovah ; and all \nthine attributes and works are excellent and glo- \nrious. But as for us, we dwell on the footstool of \nthy dominion, and live every moment at the expense \nof thy goodness. We are ignorant ; not knowing \nwhat a day may bring forth. We are helpless ; not \nbeing able to make one hair white or black. We \nare by nature the jchildren of wrath ; and even in \nour best estate, when thy Spirit has wrought upon \nour hearts, it becomes us to say, " God be merciful \nto us, sinners." Lord, what is man, that thou art \nmindful of him ; or the son of man, that thou visit- \nest him ? \n\nLord, I would remember that he who was the \nbrightness of his Father\'s glory, abased himself, \nand led a life of trial and reproach, and suffered a \ndeath of cruelty and shame. O God, make me a \nfollower of him who was thus meek and lowly. \nLo, the angels of heaven veil their faces before thee, \nin expressive token of inferiority and unworthiness. \nHow much more should I humble myself in thy \nholy presence. Thanks be to thy name, this which \nis my duty, is also my privilege. Thou hast given \nthy promise to humility ; saying, that he who \nhumbleth himself shall be exalted. Thou hast been \npleased to put matchless and unspeakable honour \non it, by making the contrite heart thy dwelling- \nplace. O may this grace control my life. May it \ndwell in my heart, teaching me my proper charac- \nter. May it pervade my walk, leading me to meek- \nness of speech and action, and controlling my spirit, \nboth in prosperity and in adversity. May it fit me \nfor doing thy holy will in all things. \n\nLord, clothe all thy followers with humility. \nMake them feel their infinite disparity with thee. \n\n\n\n141 \n\nMay they, in lowliness of mind, esteem others better \nthan themselves. Let them not be high-minded, but \nfear : and while they think they stand, may they \ntake heed lest they fall. May they look back to the \nhole of the pit whence they were digged. Teach \nthem that thou hatest the pride of man ; and that \nthou wilt give the kingdom of heaven to those only \nwho are poor in spirit. " \n\nHYPOCRISY. \n\nGod of Truth, let a sense of thy presence, and a \nregard for thy will, preserve me from the odious sin \nof hypocrisy. Let me not insult thee wdth a lip- \nservice, while my heart is far from thee : nor with \na form of compliance with thy law, while my soul \npursues the carnal pleasures of earth. Thou art \nnot deceived, and thou canst not be mocked ; be- \ncause thou searchest all hearts, and understandest \nall the imaginations of the thoughts. O make me \nfeel both the folly and vileness of this transgression. \nThou hast said that the hope of the hypocrite shall \nperish, and that his trust shall be as the spider\'s \nweb. Thou hatest them that cover up their wick- \nedness ; who are like whited sepulchres, which in- \ndeed appear beautiful outward, but within are full \nof dead men\'s bones, and all manner of unclean- \nness. God forbid that I should have only the name, \nwithout the character, of godliness. Make thou \nmy life the symbol of my heart, and my heart the \nliving record of thy commandments. \n\nKeep me, O God, from hypocrisy towards my \nfellow-creatures. Restrain me from desiring or at- \ntempting to make any deceptive impression on them. \nLet no guile be found in my tongue, nor affectation \nof righteousniess in my walk. Let me not outwardly \n\n\n\n142 \n\nappear righteous to men, while within I am full of \nhypocrisy and iniquity. Keep me from a deceitful \nmind and flattering lips, and from all disposition to \nmake or love a lie. Let not my heart be set on the \napplause or patronage of men ; but on the favour \nof God, and on that final plaudit: " Well done, \ngood and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of \nthy Lord.\'* \n\nIDOLATRY. \n\nGreat God, look in mercy on those who are bow- \ning down to gods which their own hands have made, \nor worshipping the things thou hast created, and \nwhich are dependent on thee for their being. O \nLord, further every effort that is made to spread \nlight among the dark places of the earth. May \nbrightness spring up to them that sit in the region \nand shadow of death. Cause the isles to wait for \nthy law, and the Gentiles to come to thy light. Bring \nmany from the east and the west, who shall sit \ndown with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the \nkingdom of heaven. Say to the north, " Give up ;" \nand to the south, " Hold not back." Bring thy sons \nfrom afar, and thy daughters from the ends of the \nearth. Make the wilderness and solitary place to \nbe glad ; and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the \nrose. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, teach the heathen that the Godhead \nis not like unto gold, or silver, or stone ; graven by \nart or man\'s device. May they learn the folly and \nwickedness of their worship, and casting their idols \nto the moles and the bats, honour and serve the \nliving God. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, thou seest that this harvest is \nplenteous, but the labourers are few. Send forth \nlabourers into it, who shall be the means of dis- \npelling every form of superstition, and spreading \n\n\n\n143 \n\nthe day-spring of thy gospel : until every heart shall \nbe an altar, and every tongue a voice of praise, unto \nhim that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, \nforever. \n\nBlessed Lord, keep my own heart from idolatry. \nThou art God ; and beside thee there is none other. \nSuffer me not to idolize the world, nor any thing \nthat is in the world. Let no created good supplant \nthy dominion over my heart. Let no object of af- \nfection divert from thee that supreme love which I \nowe thee, as my Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer. \nWhat concord hath Christ with Belial ? what agree- \nment should the temple of God have with idols? \nBe thou to me my all, and in all. Persuade and \ncontrol my soul to acknowledge thee as the only \ntrue God, and my God ; and to worship and glorify \nthee accordingly. \n\nImmortality. \xe2\x80\x94 See Eternity, Heaven, Hdl, Soul. \n\nIMMUTABILITY OF GOD. \n\nThou, Lord, in the beginning, hast laid the foun- \ndation of the earth, and the heavens are the worlvs \nof thy hands : they shall perish ; but thou remainest; \nand they all shall wax old, as doth a garment ; and \nas a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall \nbe changed : but thou art the same, and thy years \nshall not fail. Li all the perfections of thy nature \nthere is no variableness, nor shadow of turning. \nThy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. \nThou hast been the hope of the fathers ; and thou art \nthe God of their seed after them \xe2\x80\x94 thou hast been \nthe dwelling-place of thy people in all generations ; \nand thou wilt be their surety for good continually. \nTiiy promises are Yea and Amen, in Christ Jesus. \n\n\n\n144 \n\nAnd thy decrees of salvation, or of condemnation, \nstand fast forever. O Lord, make me feel my own \nfickleness of heart and mind, and my uncertainty \nof being, that I may be better prepared to adore \nand trust thee as the unchangeable God. \n\nINCOMPREHENSIBLENESS OF GOD. \n\nWho can, by searching, find out God 1 Thou \ndwellest in light that no man can approach unto. \nThe knowledge of thee is hi^h as heaven ; deeper \nthan hell \xe2\x80\x94 and the measure thereof is longer than \nthe earth, and broader than the sea. The thunder \nof thy power who can understand ? The number \nof thy years cannot be searched out. Thine under- \nstanding is infinite. Thou doest great things, past \nfinding out, and wonders without number. Thy \nway is in the sea, thy path in the great waters, and \nthy footsteps are not known. But greater than all \nthings else is the mystery of godliness ; God mani- \nfest in the flesh, to reconcile the world unto himself, \nand make reconciliation for the sins of the people. \nO the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and \nknowledge of God ! How unsearchable are thy \njudgments, and thy ways past finding out. Great \nJehovah, help me to bow before thee with mingled \nsensations of adoration, fear, humility, and love. \n\nINDEPENDENCY OF GOD. \n\nThou art the uncreated, self-existent, independent \nJehovah. Who hath been thy counsellor; who \nhath taught thee the path of judgment; or showed \nthee the way of understanding ? \xe2\x80\x94 Thou hast stretch- \ned forth the heavens alone, and spread the earth by \nthyself: thou faintest not, neither art weary with \nlabour : thou art everlasting strength. \xe2\x80\x94 Thou need- \n\n\n\n145 \n\nest not the wisdom nor power of any, to help thee \nin the measures of thy government ; for they are \nall thy creatures, and thy counsel standeth forever. \nThou art not worshipped as though thou needest \nany thing ; every beast of the forest being thine, \nwith the cattle upon a thousand hills ; and thou giv- \nest unto all, life, and breath, and all things : yea, \nthou art exalted above blessing and praise. \n\nLord, make me understand that I am dependent \non thee for life, for hope, for blessing, for every \nthing. O dispose me to seek thee, as the source of \nevery right feeling, and the fountain of every pure \njoy. Of thee, and through thee, and unto thee, are \nall things ; to whom be glory forever. \n\nINFIDELITY. \n\nGod of Light, destroy those various forms of in- \nfidelity which exalt themselves against God and \ntruth ; and which are gathering snares and destruc- \ntion upon multitudes of immortal souls. Teach all \nmen that these delusions are the offspring of human \ndepravity and ignorance, and the fruitful sources of \nmisery, vice, and ruin. They who cherish them \nlove darkness rather than light, because their deeds \nare evil ; and they choose the fruits of death, rather \nthan come to thee, and obtain life. They walk in \nthe vanity of their minds, having their understand- \nings darkened, being alienated from the life of God, \nthrough the ignorance that is in them ; because of \nthe blindness of their hearts. Religion would not \nsuffer their enmity, if it were not the foe of sin : \nnor would the world hate thee, if thou didst not \ntestify of it, that the works thereof are evil. \n\nYet, O Lord, have not the dissensions and sins \nof those who profess thy name, greatly contributed \n13 \n\n\n\n146 \n\nto increase the scepticism of the unbelieving heart? \n\nhow has the cause of Christ been wounded in \nthe house of his friends ! Take away, I beseech \nthee, every root of bitterness from thy church ; and \ncause thy people so to live, that even the iniidel \nshall be led to glorify our Father in heaven. \n\nBlessed God, I thank thee that thy word has \nbeen made stronger by every effort to undermine it; \nand brighter by every endeavour to tarnish it. Scatter, \n\n1 pray thee, every mist of error and sin, by the light \nof truth ; and bring all mankind to submit their judg- \nments, and bow their wills, to the teachings of thy \nwritten word. Give it victory over all that polkites, \nand degrades, and ruins man \xe2\x80\x94 in behalf of all that \npurifies, exalts, and saves him. May it subdue his \nunderstanding to truth, his habits to righteousness, \nand his heart to a peace, which tTie world can neither \ngive nor take away. \n\nINQUIRERS. \n\nMerciful God, dispose many to ask the fearfully \nsolemn and important question, " What must I do \nto be saved ?" Fasten in the minds of such a tho- \nrough conviction of the exceeding guilt of sin. May \nthy Spirit show them its enormity, as committed \nagainst the Author of their being, and the Giver of \ntheir mercies. Make them feel their wretched con- \ndition, in being without hope and without God in \nthe world, with thy wrath abiding on them. Show \nthem their own inability to save themselves, and \nthat their every effort, that is not seconded and sanc- \ntified by the Spirit, sinks them deeper in their con- \ndemnation. Set clearly before their minds the \nnecessity and value of salvation through the blood \nof Jesus : for they that reject it, shall perish with \n\n\n\n147 \n\nan everlasting destruction, while they who accept it, \nshall be redeemed from the dominion and penalty \nof sin, and be blessed with the favour of a recon- \nciled God forever. O give them earnest desires for \nthat redemption ; desires that spring from convic- \ntions of the worth of the soul \xe2\x80\x94 the wrath of an \noffended Judge \xe2\x80\x94 the tender love of a dying and \ninterceding Saviour \xe2\x80\x94 the bliss that shall be revealed \nto the saints above \xe2\x80\x94 and the glory of the Most High, \nwho will cause their salvation to praise him. Lord, \nmake them fearful of grieving away the strivings of \nthy Spirit. Let them not be deluded by the vain \nhope of a more convenient season. Liipress, with \na living freshness, upon their hearts, that now is \nthe accepted time, and this the day of salvation. \nSay to them that thirst, \'^ Come ye to the waters : \nyea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and \nwithout price : eat ye that which is good, and let \nyour souls delight themselves in fatness." Let none \nof them draw back to perdition. Enable them at \nonce, and forever, to renounce their transgressions, \nand to receive and rest upon Jesus alone for salva- \ntion. Let the Holy Ghost lead them into the know- \nledge of truth \xe2\x80\x94 preserve them from the power of \nerror \xe2\x80\x94 give them peace in believing \xe2\x80\x94 and fill them \nwith a holy zeal to advance thy cause and fulfil \nthy will, in all the duties of religion. \n\nIN TE MPE RAN C E. \n\nLord, I beseech thee, in the name of Jesus, to \nbanish from our land, and from the world, the causes \nand evils of intemperance. Reclaim those that are \nnow wandering in the paths of drunkenness ; re- \ncover them whose feet are running in the w^ay of \ntemptation ; and throw thy merciful restraint and \n\n\n\n148 \n\nprotection over those who are yet untainted by this \ndestroying vice. O do thon enlighten mankind as \nto its nature and remedy ; enlist against it the full- \nhearted and persevering opposition of children and \nyouth ; and bring up to the help of the Lord against \nthe mighty, the good of every name and nation. \n\nMay all men learn that alcohol, the intoxicating \ningredient of spirituous liquors, is not the gift of \nGod, but the product of man\'s selfishness ; that as \na drink it is not necessary nor useful, but hurtful \nand poisonous. Teach them that it diseases the \nbody, weakens and paralyzes the understanding, \nstupifies the conscience, and hardens the heart. O, \nhow has it destroyed property, time, happiness, and \nlife \xe2\x80\x94 and filled the world with poverty, misery, and \ncrime \xe2\x80\x94 and dragged down to everlasting perdition \nsouls that otherwise might have been brought within \nthe reach of the gospel, and have been made heirs \nof eternal life ! \n\nLord, 1 thank thee for the efforts which have been \nmade to stay these desolations, and for the success \nwhich has thus far crowned the temperance reforma- \ntion. But I would feel that there remaineth yet \nvery much land to be possessed. Alas, there is \nstill a fearful residue of this evil to be removed. O \nmay the zeal of the efforts already put forth in this \nbenevolent scheme, be continued and greatly in- \ncreased. Establish the principle that total absti- \nnence from every thing that can intoxicate, is that \nalone which, with th^ blessing of God, will redeem \nand preserve our race from the fearful evils of in- \ntemperance. O do thou remove the causes of this \nvice ; and let there be none to make, nor sell, nor \nbuy the hurtful poison. Dispose our lawgivers to \ntake away the protection and sanction of law from \n\n\n\n~] \n\n\n\n149 \n\nthis traffic in the bodies and souls of men ; and to \nenact such statutes as will dry up these fountains \nof poverty and wretchedness, crime and death. Do \nthou inform and purify public sentiment everywhere \nin relation to the great and vital interests of temper- \nance. Then, O Lord, our hearts will rejoice that \nthe merciless destroyer has been banished, to give \nplace to health, industry, individual and public wel- \nfare, and the triumphs of the gospel. \n\nINTERCESSION. \n\nHeavenly Father, I thank thee that we have an \nadvocate at the right hand of the Majesty on high, \neven Jesus Christ, the righteous. He hath not en- \ntered into the holy place made with hands ; but into \nheaven itself, to appear in the presence of God for \nus ; where he ever liveth to make intercession for \nhis chosen generation. Blessed Jesus, I rejoice \nthat thou wilt not break the bruised reed, nor quench \nthe smoking flax ; that though Satan hath desired \nto have thy people, that he might sift them as wheat, \nyet thou prayest for them, that their faith fail not : \nand that thou art their Mediator, to present their be- \nlieving prayers, and secure their acceptance, at the \nthrone of the heavenly mercy. \n\nLord, lead me, in the faith of that intercession, \nto the sceptre of thy grace, persuaded that thou art \nable by thy power, and willing in thy mercy, to \nsupply me with all that I need. Assist me to draw \nnigh, with a true heart, in the full assurance of \nfaith : for we have not an high-priest who cannot \nbe touched with a feeling of our infirmities ; but \none who was in all points tempted as we are, yet \nwithout sin ; and who is able to save, unto the ut- \ntermost, all who come unto thee by him. O Jesu3, \n13* \n\n\n\n150 \n\nBlessed Mediator, take my cause into thine own \nhands. Plead" my interests for me, by thy spotless \nlife, thy bleeding wounds, thy cruel death, and thy \npurchased glory; and enable me to rejoice in thy \nsuccess, and to bless thy holy name forever. \n\nLord, grant me, for Christ\'s sake, a strong and \nan abiding spirit of intercessory prayer. Dispose \nme to make supplication for all men. Make it my \nprivilege to commend to thee all that are near and \ndear to me ; that thou wouldst guide them by thy \ncounsel, protect them by thy power, and save them \nby thy grace. Lead me to pray for my enemies, \nfor the needy, the afflicted, the sick, and the dying. \nIncline me to lift up earnest suppHcation on behalf \nof thy church. Especially, O Lord, may the yearn \nings of my heart go forth for the impenitent. Make \nme feel that the triumphs of thy church will depend \non the importunity of thy people for mercy on the \nungodly. O may I understand their awful condi- \ntion, and be induced to plead with thee, in the name \nof Christ, and through the intercessions of thy \nSpirit, that they may be saved. Give me that de- \ngree of confidence in thee, and regard for thy glory, \nand such earnest longings after their conversion, as \nthou wilt own and bless, by the redemption of souls. \n\nJEWS. \n\nMerciful God, seek and save the lost sheep of the \nhouse of Israel, whose history thou hast made the \nmonument of thy justice, and the seal of thy truth. \nLook in mercy on thine ancient covenant people, \nwho are scattered and peeled, and who have become \na by-word, and a term of reproach, among the na- \ntions of the earth. How long, O Lord, shall thy \ngoodness delay towards those to whom were once \n\n\n\n151 \n\ncommitted the lively oracles ; and of whom, as con- \ncerning the flesh, Christ came? Do thou use such \ninstrumentalities as shall bring them to feel their \nblindness of mind and hardness of heart, in reject- \ning Jesus ; and may they look to him from the ends \nof the earth, and be saved. Lord, confirm the evi- \ndences of the truth of the gospel, and glorify thy \nSon, by bringing them into the blessings of the new \ncovenant. For if the fall of them was the riches \nof the world, and the diminishing of them the riches \nof the Gentiles, how much more their fulness ! \nThou hast not indeed cast away thy people, whom \nthou didst foreknow. They shall turn to thee, \nwhen the vail shall be taken away. Assemble, I \npray thee, the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dis- \npersed of Judah, from the four corners of the earth. \nBid these dry bones hear the word of the Lord ; \nand breathe on these slain, that they may live. O \nLord, hasten that time, when, through the mercy \nbestowed on us, they also shall obtain mercy ; and \nwhen, with the fulness of the Gentiles, all Israel \nshall be saved ! \n\nJESUS C HRIST. \n\nBlessed Father, teach me thy truth as it is in Je- \nsus. Grant that I may love it, and feed upon it ; \nand that I may teach it by my lips, and manifest it \nby my conduct to others. \xe2\x80\x94 Alas, our race, which \nthou didst make but a little lower than the angels, \nfell from the noble and happy condition in which it \nwas created, by sinning against thee: and when \nthou didst look from heaven, upon the children of \nmen, to see if there were any that did understand, \nor seek after God ; behold ! they were altogether \nbecome filthy : there was none that did good ; no \n\n\n\n152 \n\nnot one. Yet thon didst not cast them off; but in \nthe counsels of thy mercy, didst enter into a cove- \nnant of grace, to bring them into an estate of \nsalvation by a Redeemer ; even the Lord Jesus \nChrist, who, being the eternal Son of God, became \nman, that he might redeem us from the curse of the \nlaw, in being made a curse for us ; and that we \nmight have salvation through his blood. \xe2\x80\x94 O Lord, \nwe exercised no penitence of heart that could have \nprompted thee to this display of compassion ; and \nthere was nothing in our character which could give \nthee any delight. It was sovereign, unsearchable, \nunmerited grace that formed and perfected the plan \nof redemption. Thou didst indeed commend thy \ntove to us, in that while we were sinners, Christ \ndied for us ! \n\n[Deity,) \xe2\x80\x94 Great God, enable me to make Christ, \nand him crucified, the primary object of study and \nfaith. Give me heartfelt and precious views of his \ncharacter and offices. May I regard him as that \nWord, which was in the beginning with God, and \nwas GOD ; and which was made flesh, and dwelt \non earth, full of grace and truth. O suffer me never \nto doubt that in him dwells all the fuhiess of the \nGodhead bodily. To him belongs eternity ; for he \nwas before all things. He is the creator ; for with- \nout him was not any thing made that was made. \nTo him pertains dominion ; he upholds all things \nby the word of his power. He is everywhere pre- \nsent ; since where two or three are gathered to- \ngether in his name, he is in the midst of them. His \nunderstanding is infinite ; for he knows the hearts \nof all men. \xe2\x80\x94 He that honoureth not the Son, ho- \nnoureth not the Father, which hath sent him.\xe2\x80\x94 \nBlessed Jesus, if thy disciples worshipped thee, as \n\n\n\n153 \n\nthe Searcher of hearts and the Saviour of souls \xe2\x80\x94 \nif all the angels of heaven cry unto thee, "Bless- \ning and honour, glory and power" \xe2\x80\x94 well may I ac- \nknowledge and proclaim thee, as the living and true \nGod! \n\n{Prophet.) \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, assist me to receive Christ as \nmy Teacher. May he reveal to me, by his word \nand Spirit, the will of God for my salvation. May \nI learn of him, who spake as never man spake, and \nwho taught as one having authority. Let me re- \nmember that if I hearken not to his words, thou \nwilt require it of me : for if they escaped not, who \nrefused him that spake on earth, much more shall \nnot I escape, if I turn from him that speaketh from \nheaven. O put his law into my mind, and write it \nin my heart. Let its entrance give light and love, \nzeal and purity to my soul. Lord, let it not be a \nsavour of death unto death, but of life unto life. \n\n{Priest,) \xe2\x80\x94 Help me, I pray thee, to receive Jesus \nas the High-Priest of my profession. May I look \non him as offering up himself a sacrifice, to satisfy \ndivine justice, and reconcile us to God ; and as ever \nliving to make intercession for his chosen people. \nHe who was the brightness of the Father\'s glory, \nand who thought it not robbery to be equal with \nGod, took upon himself the form of a servant, that \nhe might put away sin, by the sacrifice of himself, \nin his own body, on the tree. Yea, it pleased thee \nto bruise him, to put him to grief, to make his soul \nan offering for sin, that he might justify many, and \nthat the pleasure of the Lord might prosper in his \nhand. In due time, when w^e were without strength, \nChrist died for the ungodly ; taking away the hand- \nwriting of ordinances that was against us ; suffering \nthe just for the unjust; that he might bring us to \n\n\n\n154 \n\nGod. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, I would praise thee that by him we \nhave received the atonement. Thou hast set him \nforth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, \nfor the remission of sins. He has given his life a \nransom for many. He who knew no sin, was made \nsin for us, that we might be made the righteousness \nof God in him. \n\nO Lord, convince me that forgiveness is granted \nonly for his sake : there being no other name given \namong men whereby they can be saved. Teach me \nthat his costly sacrifice was not needed to make thee \nwilling to be reconciled to us ; for it was the fruit \nof thy love : but because thou wouldst maintain thy \njustice, and still be the justifier of him that believeth \nin Jesus, and his deliverer from the wrath to come. \nHeavenly Father, show me by this office of Christ\'s \nmission, the lost condition of human nature, and \nthe wonders of thy justice and love. May it be \nthe most cherished object of my contemplation, and \nfill my spirit with adoration and thanksgiving, love \nand obedience. May I thus judge, that if Christ \nhas died for me, I should henceforth live, not unto \nmyself, but unto him ; and that both living and \ndying I should be the Lord\'s.\xe2\x80\x94 [6\'ee Intercession.] \n\n[King.) \xe2\x80\x94 Great God, I pray thee, make me will- \ning to receive Christ not only as my Saviour, but \nas my Sovereign, to subdue me to himself, to rule \nand defend me, and to restrain and conquer all his \nand my enemies. O may I regard his service great- \ner riches than the treasures of Egypt. Thou hast \nset him at thy right hand, that at his name every \nknee should bow, and every tongue confess ; and hast \ngiven unto him the keys of death and hell, with all \npower in heaven and earth. His throne is forever \nand ever. Thou wilt break them with a rod of iron, \n\n\n\n155 \n\nwho will not have thy Son to reign over them,, \nand wilt dash them in pieces, as a potter\'s vessel. \nThou wilt make him Governor among the nations, \nand give him the heathen for his inheritance, and \nthe uttermost parts of the earth for a possession. \n\nhasten that day. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, lead my thoughts often \nto that consummation of Christ\'s sovereignty, when \nhe shall come in his glory, to judge the quick and \nthe dead. O may he then be my Saviour King, \nand I be a redeemed vassal of his everlasting king- \ndom. \n\n[Example,) \xe2\x80\x94 Jehovah God, incline me to make \nJesus my example in all the duties of life. May \nthe same mind that was in him, be also in me. \nLead me to walk even as he walked ; for he that \nfolloweth not after him is not worthy of him. May \n\n1 look unto him as my pattern of patience and hu- \nmility, prayer and faith, long-suffering and benevo- \nlence. May I strive to purify myself even as Christ \nis pure ; and beholding, as in a glass, his glory, be \nchanged into the same image, from glory to glory, \nas by the Spirit of the Lord. \n\n(iJnion,) \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, unite me to Christ by a living \nfaith, even as the branch is united to the vine. \nMake me a new creature in him. May I receive \nof his fulness, and grace for grace. May he be to \nme that bread from heaven that giveth eternal life ; \nand be formed in my heart the hope of glory. Make \nme a member of that body, of which Christ is the \nhead. Build me upon the foundation of the Apos- \ntles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cor- \nner-stone ; in whom the whole building, fitly framed \ntogether, groweth unto a holy temple of the Lord. \nO may my life be hid with Christ in God ; that he \n\n\n\n156 \n\nmay be made unto me, wisdom and righteousness, \nsanctification and redemption. \n\nLord, suffer me not to be ashamed of the gospel \nof Jesus. Teach me to regard it as my highest \nhonour, to have communion with the Spirit, and \nfellowship in the service, of my blessed Saviour. \nMake him my all in all : my song in the season of \nrejoicing, and my hope in the hour of trial. God \nforbid that I should glory, save in the cross of \nChrist. \n\nGod of Mercy, do thou present the character and \noffices of Jesus to the minds of the unconverted, so \nthat they may be convinced that they are transgres- \nsors, and be persuaded to trust in him for salvation. \nO may thy Spirit apply to them the redemption \npurchased in him, by convincing them of their sin \nand misery, enlightening their minds in the know- \nledge of Christ, renewing their wills, and persuad- \ning and enabling them to embrace Jesus, freely offered \nto them in the gospel. \xe2\x80\x94 \\^See Christmas.] \n\nJOY. \n\nLord of Blessedness, grant me that joy of faith, \nthat rejoicing of hope, which is a fruit of thy Spirit. \nGive me a full and rich experience of the sources of \nthis bliss \xe2\x80\x94 which indeed are not broken cisterns, \nthat can hold no water, but fountains full to over- \nflowing, with the healing stream of life. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, re- \nveal thyself unto me, as thou dost not unto the world, \nand fill my heart with pleasure in learning thy cha- \nracter, and in communing with thy love. \xe2\x80\x94 Enable \nme to rejoice in Christ, and in the forgiveness of \nsin through him, with a joy that is unspeakable and \nfull of glory. \xe2\x80\x94 Give me that blessed spirit of adop- \ntion, by which I may cry *\' Abba, Father." \xe2\x80\x94 May \n\n\n\n157 \n\nthe Holy Ghost give life to my hope, and strength \nto my rejoicing. \xe2\x80\x94 Cause me to rejoice in thy word, \nas one that findeth great spoil.\xe2\x80\x94 May I love the ha- \nbitation of thy house, and find more comfort in thy \ntabernacles than in the tents of wickedness.\xe2\x80\x94 Let all \nthe means of grace be to my spirit as rain upon the \nnew-mown grass, and as showers that water the \nearth. \xe2\x80\x94 Make it my privilege to verify thy word, \nthat it is more blessed to give than to receive ; for \nthe Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and he that soweth \nbountifully shall also reap bountifully. \xe2\x80\x94 Grant me \nthe peace of a conscience that is void of offence to- \nwards God and man. \xe2\x80\x94 Make the communion of \nsaints an abundant source of refreshment and \nstrength to my Christian graces. \xe2\x80\x94 May the triumphs \nof thy gospel give me more pleasure than the wick- \ned have when their carnal luxuries do most abound. \n^-O Lord, comfort and bless my soul by the con- \ntemplation of that exceeding and eternal weight \nof glory, that remains for the people of God, in \nheaven. \n\nLord, grant that my spiritual enjoyments may \nexcite me to gratitude, and lead me to open my \nlips, that my mouth may show forth thy praise. \nMay others be led by my cheerful happiness, to \ntaste and see that the Lord is good. When thou \nenlargest my heart, teach me to run in the way of \nthy commandments. Enable me to say in the hour \nof trial and suffering \xe2\x80\x94 " None of these things move \nme ; neither count I my life dear, so that I may \nfinish my course with joy." And, O w^hen heart \nand flesh shall faint and fail, in the struggle of death, \nmay thy rod and staff comfort me : and be thou the \nstrength of my heart, and my portion forever. \n14 \n\n\n\n158 \n\n\n\nJUDGMENT. \n\nGreat God, thou hast appointed unto men once \nto die, and after this the judgment, when every one \nof us shall give account of himself to God ; and \nwhen thou wilt display to an assembled universe, \nthe righteousness of thy justice, and the glory of \nthy holiness. Of that day and that hour knoweth \nno man ; but it shall be the end of the world, when \nall the works therein shall be burnt up, the heavens \npass away with a great noise, and the elements melt \nwith fervent heat. Lord, make me mindful of that \nawful day, and of the solemn truths thou hast re- \nvealed concerning it. Then the Lord Jesus will \ncome with his holy angels, and sit on his great \nwhite throne, and open the books of remembrance \n\xe2\x80\x94 the testimonies of creation, of providence, of \nscripture, and of conscience. The quick and dead \nshall stand before him, to be judged out of those \nthings that are written in the books, according to \ntheir works, with every secret thing, whether it be \ngood or evil ; and also for every thing which thou \ndidst command to be done, but which they left un- \ndone. Lord, make me realize that men will then \nbe judged also for the privileges they have enjoyed ; \nfor of them unto whom much has been given, much \nwill be required. O, even the best of thy saints \nwill then need the atonement of Christ : they could \nnot stand before thee, if thou shouldst mark their ini- \nquities. But, blessed be thy name, there will be \nno condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus : \nthey shall receive the promise of a new heaven \nand a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. \nBut then the judge will say to them on his left hand \n\xe2\x80\x94 \'* Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, \n\n\n\n159 \n\nprepared for the devil and his angels :" and the \nwicked shall be turned into hell, with all ihe nations \nthat forget God. O God of infinite compassion, \ngrant that in that fearful day of trial, my name may \nbe found written in the Lamb\'s book of life, and \nthat my unworthy, hell-deserving spirit may be re- \nceived, through the merits of Christ, into the habi- \ntations of eternal life. \n\nJUSTICE OF GOD. \n\nO Most High, a sceptre of righteousness is the \nsceptre of thy kingdom. Justice and judgment \nare the habitation of thy throne: just and true are \nall thy ways, thou King of Saints. Of a truth thou \nart no respecter of persons : thy law is holy, and \nthy government upright. The righteousness of the \nrighteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness \nof the wicked shall be upon him. \xe2\x80\x94 I would adore \nand praise thee, O Lord, that thou didst maintain \nand magnify the excellency of thy justice, in giving \nthy Son, to repair by his own blood, the violated \nlaw ; and thus to make it more honourable in the \nredemption of the transgressor, than in his hopeless \ncondemnation. \n\nO Lord, show me, in the light of this attribute, \nthe glory of thy dispensation of the gospel, in which \nthou canst be just, and the justifier of even the worst \nof sinners, who believe in Jesus. But, may I learn \nfrom it also, that thou wilt be to the finally impeni- \ntent, a consuming fire. May the knowledge of it \nprevent me from neglecting or violating the rights \nof my fellow-creatures, and lead me to render that \nwhich is just and equal, to all men. Let the threat- \nened retributions of thy judgment warn me against \ntransgression, and dispose me to seek conformity \nto thy will. \n\n\n\nJ \n\n\n\n160 \n\nLord, cause a sense of thy justice to alarm the \nfears of the ungodly. Make them know that they \nare treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, \nand righteous revelation of the judgment of God. \nLead them now to bow to thy sceptre, which is still \nthe symbol of mercy ; but which ere long may be- \ncome the instrument of destruction. I pray thee, \nredeem them from the curse of the law, and give \nthem the adoption of sons, through the righteous- \nness of Christ. \n\nJUSTIFICATION. \n\nBlessed Lord, give me clear, and scriptural, and \nsaving views of that justification, which is a cardi- \nnal doctrine of the gospel, and an essential and life- \ngiving principle of personal piety. Teach me that \nit is an act of thy free grace, wherein thou pardon- \nest all our sins, and acceptest us as righteous, in thy \nsight, only for the righteousness of Christ, im- \nputed to us, and received by faith alone. Show me \nthat in it thou hast displayed thy holiness, satisfied \nthy justice, and magnified thy law \xe2\x80\x94 Christ being \nmade the end of the law, to every one that believeth. \nInstruct me that by the deeds of the law, no flesh \nliving shall be justified ; but only by the faith of \nJesus ; in whom thou art reconciling the world \nunto thyself, not imputing unto them their tres- \npasses and sins. \n\nLord, justify me freely by thy grace, through the \nredemption that is in Christ Jesus. In his merits, \nacquit me from the punishment I deserve for my \ntransgressions, and give me a title to those bless- \nings which I would have received through thy law, \nif I had fulfilled it in sinless obedience. O may I \never be found in him, not having on mine own \n\n\n\n161 \n\nrigliteousness, which is of the law ; but that which \nis by the faith of him, unto all and upon all that \nbelieve. Grant that I may have peace with thee, \nand access to thy throne, with confidence of ac- \nceptance, in the Beloved. Give me faith in him as \na living, as well as a dying Saviour \xe2\x80\x94 he being risen \nagain for our justification. May I know him in \nwhom I have believed, as my atoning sacrifice ; \nand be persuaded that he is able to keep that which \nI have committed unto him. And grant, O Lord, \nthat my hope of forgiveness and favour, in the blood \nof the Redeemer, may result in that open acknow- \nledgment and acquittal, in the day of judgment, \nwhich will be followed by everlasting glory. \n\nLord, let the question, " How shall men be just \nwith God?" agitate the minds of those that have \nnot made their peace with thee. May thy spirit \nanswer it, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and \nthou shalt be saved." And do thou give this truth \nsuch convincing and persuading power, that many \nshall accept and rest on Christ, as the only and all- \nsuflicient hope of salvation. \n\nKNOWLEDGE. \n\nGreat God, I thank thee for those powers of \nmind thou hast bestowed on the human race, which \nraise us so far above the brutes that perish, and \nwhich fit us to acquire and use rational knowledge. \nLord, make me understand and practice the duties \nwhich belong to the possession of these powers. I \npray thee, cultivate suitably in me, each of the \nfaculties of my mind. Enlighten my judgment, \nstrengthen my memory, and inform my understand- \ning. Keep me from error, and guide me into truth. \nEspecially do thou show me, O Lord, the path of \n14 ^ \n\n\n\n162 \n\nlife, and grant me that wisdom which leads to sal- \nvation. Instruct me in all the duties I owe to men, \nto myself, and to thee. While I am careful to edu- \ncate my faculties, make me mindful of the weak- \nness and failings of human judgment. Let me not \nlean on my own understanding, but trust in the \nliving God. O do thou so discipline my thoughts, \nthat I may be fitted to enjoy the pleasures of know- \nledge, in that holy region, where there is no cloud \nof ignorance nor of error, and where the light \nof truth fills and surrounds all its blessed inhabi- \ntants. \n\nLAW OF GOD. \n\nI thank thee, Great God, for that law of nature, \nimpressed on my conscience, by which I am left \nwithout excuse, in the transgression of thy will. \nBut I would praise thee still more, that thou hast \ngiven me the law of thy word, to convince me of \nsin, to warn and restrain me, and to lead me in the \nways that are well-pleasing in thy sight. Thy \ncommandment, O Lord, is holy, just, and good. \nThou art holy ; and thy law is perfect, converting \nthe soul \xe2\x80\x94 thou art just ; wherefore thy judgments \nare true and righteous altogether \xe2\x80\x94 thou art good ; \nand thy statutes rejoice the heart; for in keeping \nthem there is great reward. Till heaven and earth \npass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from \nthe law, until all be fijfilled. \n\nIncline me, O Lord, to take heed to my ways, \naccording to thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that \nI may behold wondrous things out of thy law. \nMake thou thy testimonies my delight and counsel- \nlors ; my songs in the house of my pilgrimage, and \nthe daily monitors of my conduct. May I make \n\n\n\n163 \n\nthy will my meditation by day, and my remem- \nbrance in the night. Make it a lamp to my feet, \nand a light to my path ; and do thou incline my \nheart to perforin thy statutes always, even to the end. \nImpress deeply on my mind that solemn truth \xe2\x80\x94 \nwhosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend \nin one point, is guilty of all. \n\nLord, teach me that thy commandment is exceed- \ning broad and deep : that it has relation not only to \nthe actions of life, but to the hidden workings of \nthought and feeling. For though the sound of my \nlips, and the work of my hands, may be right \nbefore men ; yet thy statutes may condemn the \nthoughts of my heart ; and I may stand more guilty \nin thy sight, for secret sin, than for open violations \nof thy will. \n\nHeavenly Father, let not my regard for thy com- \nmandment create within me a spirit of self-right- \neousness : for in the trial of thy justice, every \nmouth shall be stopped, and all the world become \nguilty before God. Make it a schoolmaster to \nbring me to Christ, as my only hope of justification. \nMay I remember, that while it is the rule of my \nobedience, it is not the plan of salvation. He who \ncame to fulfil it, is himself the end of the law for \nrighteousness, to every one that believeth. \n\nO Lord, make thy law the sword of the Spirit in \nthy dealings with the impenitent. May it awaken \nand alarm their consciences, enlighten and convince \ntheir minds, and persuade and sanctify their wills ; \nso that they may be born, not of corruptible seed, \nbut of incorruptible ; by the word of God, which \nliveth and abideth forever. \n\n\n\n164 \n\nLEVITY. \n\nLord, keep me from levity of spirit and behaviour. \nThou knowest my proneness to this sin ; and how \nready I am to yield to that frivolity v/hich charac- \nterizes the careless and unconverted; and which \nis so inconsistent with the solemn realities of \nthe Christian life. Help me, I beseech thee, \nthrough the Saviour, to repent of it, and so turn \naway from it in future, as to avoid the appearance \nof evil. \n\nLord, let not my thoughts cherish those subjects \nwhich excite levity of speech or action. I pray \nthee especially, to lay a restraint on my tongue, that \nunruly member ; and dispose me to avoid studiously \nsaying any thing which may dissipate serious im- \npressions, or make me a stumbling-block in the path \nof others, or cause the ways of religion to be de- \nspised or reviled. Enable me to attain and cultivate \nthat happy medium between moroseness and fri- \nvolity, that calm seriousness of mind and holy \ncheerfulness of life, which will diffuse a savour of \npiety in all I say and do. \n\nGreat God, do thou show me that the rational \nfaculties with which thou hast endowed me, were \ngiven for higher and hoher purposes, than for indul- \ngence in a light and frivolous demeanour. \xe2\x80\x94 Seriously \nimpress on my mind, that a disposition to trifle is a \nfruitful cause of disquietude in the soul, and of de- \nlinquency in the life. May I reflect that the eyes \nof the church, and of the world, are upon me ; and \nthat according as I demean myself, so will the cause \nof religion be advanced or hindered. \xe2\x80\x94 Let a sense \nof thy presence control me to live as one professing \ngodliness. \xe2\x80\x94 O, incline me, I pray thee, to order all \n\n\n\n165 \n\nmy walk and conversati on, so that I may be a living \nillustration of the sober influences of piety. \n\nLIBERTY. \n\nLord, increase my gratitude to thee for the bless- \nings of liberty. While millions of the human race are \ngroaning under the yoke of oppression, thou hast, \nin undeserved mercy, given to me the privileges of \ncivil and religious freedom. O let me not abuse \nthem, nor deny them to others, who are destitute of \nthem. Give me strong sympathy for the down- \ntrodden of every name and nation. Dispose me to \ndesire, and pray, and labour for the extension of \nfreedom to all mankind. Enlighten the consciences \nand cleanse the hearts of all men, in relation to the \ngreat doctrines of human rights. Do thou fan, and \npurify, and spread the fire of truth, until it shall \nmelt off every fetter from every limb \xe2\x80\x94 until deliver- \nance shall be preached to all the captives, and li- \nberty be proclaimed to all the oppressed. \n\nO Lord, release men everywhere, from the bond- \nage of sin. Break the yoke of Satan, of the \nworld, and of selfishness. May thy Son make man- \nkind free, and they shall be free indeed : so shall \nthey be servants to God only, that their fruit may be \nholiness, and the end everlasting life. \n\nLIFE. \n\nLord, thou art the Author and Owner of my life. \nApart from thy will, I can have no existence ; and \nif it should please thee to revoke my title to being, \nin that moment I would be blotted from the face of \ncreation. \xe2\x80\x94 Instruct me, I pray thee, in the uncer- \ntainty and shortness of human life. We are but of \nyesterday, and our days upon earth are a shadow. \n\n\n\n166 \n\nOur breath is in our nostrils : it is even a vapour, \nthat appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth \naway. \xe2\x80\x94 Teach me that my span of life is given me \nas my probation for eternity. Grant, therefoie, \nthat I may walk circumspectly ; redeeming the time, \nbecause the days are evil. While I grow in age, \nenable me to grow in grace. While I travel through \nthis wilderness, guide me by the fiery-cloudy pillar, \nfeed my hunger with manna from heaven, and \nquench my thirst with water from the smitten rock. \nLord, let me not be anxious for length of days ; nor \ngrow weary of my season of trial. Make me con- \ntented that my seasons are in thy hands, and willing \nto wait all the days of my appointed time, till my \nchange come. Give me, I beseech thee, in all the \nvicissitudes of life, such preparation of heart, that \nwhether I live, I may live to the Lord ; or whether I \ndie, I may die to the Lord : so that whether living \nor dying, I may be the Lord\'s. \n\nHeavenly Father, may the considerations that life \nis short, and that it involves the destinies of eternity, \nexcite those who are now thoughtless about their \neternal peace, to number their days, that they may \napply their hearts unto wisdom : even that wisdom \nwhich will lead them to live for the glory of him \nwho died for their salvation ; and which will also \nprepare them to depart, and be with Christ, which \nis far better. \n\nLong-suffering. \xe2\x80\x94 See Forbearance, \n\nL ord\'s supper. \nCompassionate Jehovah, give me lively percep- \ntions of the nature and uses of that holy Supper, \nwhich thou hast instituted in memory of the dying \n\n\n\n167 \n\nSaviour. May it always be to the eye of my faith, \na token and pledge of a covenant of mercy, in the \nblood of Christ. Let it ever be my Eucharist \xe2\x80\x94 \nmy giving of thanks to thee, from a heart overflow- \ning with gratitude, that thou didst recover man from \nhis condition of sin and misery, by the gift of a \nRedeemer. Make it my Passover, in which my \nsoul shall be made joyful, in being exempted from \nthe wrath which abideth on the ungodly. O let it \nbe the Sacrament of that allegiance to thy cause, \nwhich will lead me to rejoice when I am counted \nworthy to suffer shame for thy name\'s sake ; and \nto glory in nothing, save in the cross of Christ. \nMake it a Feast, at which he shall sup with me, and \nI with him ; and in which my heart shall be re- \nfreshed by his spiritual presence. And O do thou \nmake it a precious season of Communion, wherein \nI shall hold fellowship with the Father, Son, and \nHoly Ghost ; and be knit, with closer bands of \nunity, to them that are of the household of faith. \n\nLord Jesus, help me to keep this ordinance in re- \nmembrance of thee. Give me knowledge to discern \nthy body, and faith to feed upon thee. Grant me \nrepentance, love, and new obedience ; lest coming \nunworthily, I eat and drink judgment to myself. \nMake me a partaker of thy body and blood, not af- \nter a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith ; with \nall thy benefits, to my spiritual nourishment and \ngrowth in grace. Grant me comfort from this feast, \nwhen I am wounded by a sense of sin ; for thou \nwast revealed to take away sin : give me patience \nin trials and afflictions, by looking at thee, enduring \n*^he contradiction of sinners, and the hidings of thy \nFather\'s love : and O grant that I may imbibe a \nholy hatred for transgression, when I look at thy \n\n\n\n168 \n\nbody broken and thy blood shed, because I have \nsinned. \xe2\x80\x94 Blessed Jesus, crowned in light and glory, \ndost thou indeed desire us sinners to remember thee? \n\nthat we should ever forget thy matchless, un- \nspeakable claims to our love ! O help me to re- \nmember the glory thou didst leave, the flesh thou \ndidst adopt, the reproach thou didst meet, and the \nsufi\'erings thou didst endure, that I might be re- \ndeemed from the curse of the law, and be made a \npartner of thine inheritance in glory ! I would learn \nof thee, as my Prophet; I would rely on thee, as \nmy Priest ; I would follow thee, as my Example ; \n\n1 would obey thee, as my King ! \n\nHeavenly Father, make thy people feel their ob- \nligation to celebrate the Supper of the Lord. Thou \nhast commanded it, and made it the badge of their \ndiscipleship. Thou hast set it forth to be the me- \nmorial of a Saviour\'s love, in which they show forth \nhis death, before heaven and earth. And thou hast \nmade it a special season of communion with thee, \nin thy banqueting-house, where thy banner over them \nis love. \xe2\x80\x94 O may they always be prepared for this \nservice, by self-examination, by meditation, and by \nprayer : and so let them eat of that bread, and drink \nof that cup. May they resolve, upon that sacred \naltar, that they will renounce every transgression, \nand live only for that which is good in thy sight. \nGive them an affectionate and confiding trust in thy \ncovenant of grace ; and build them up, by means \nof this ordinance, through faith, unto salvation.\xe2\x80\x94 \nGod forbid that there should be any hand on the \ntable which will betray the Son of man. Let none \nwho thus profess thy name, be cast forth as a \nbranch that is withered, and cast into the fire, and \nburned ; but make them all branches, that shall \n\n\n\n169 \n\nabide in thee, bringing forth much fruit, that thy \nname may be glorified. \n\nLord, grant that the impenitent may reflect, that \nif they eat not the flesh of the Son of man, and \ndrink not his blood, they shall have no part nor lot \nin his salvation. May thy Spirit reveal Christ to \nthem in the breaking of bread, in all his fulness and \nwillingness as a Saviour. O may they be persuaded \nto make with him a covenant of mercy and obedi- \nence, which shall never be revoked nor forsaken. \n\nThese petitions I ofl^er thee. Gracious Father, \nthrough him whose blood speaketh better things \nthan that of Abel ; and who sitteth at thy right hand, \nto make intercession, and receive the service and \nadoration of saints and angels, forever. \n\nLOVE OF GOD. \n\nGod is love ! Lord, thou art good, and thou \nlovest to do good. The eyes of all are unto thee, \nand thou givest them their meat in due season : thou \nopenest thy hand, and satisfiest the desires of every \nliving thing. Thy tender mercies are over all thy \nworks, and thy goodness is seen in all thy ways. \nBut thou hast most commended thy love to us, in \nthat while we were sinners, Christ died for us. \nHere it is beyond parallel ; it transcends the strong- \nest eflfort of thought ; and it is above blessing and \npraise. This is the bright and glorious centre of \nthy good- will to man, around which every other \ntoken of thy mercy gathers. \xe2\x80\x94 I would praise thee, \nLord, for the common and special benefits of thy \nprovidence, and for that wise arrangement of the \nlaws of nature, which promotes the happiness and \nwell-being of thy creatures : yet I would ofler thee \nlouder strains of praise, and stronger feelings of \n15 \n\n\n\n170 \n\ngratitude, for thy compassion to our souls, in reveal- \ning thy will, in teaching us the issues of eternity, \nin giving thy Son to bear our iniquities, and in be- \nstowing thy Spirit, to convince us of sin, to enlighten \nour minds in tlie knowledge of truth, and to per- \nsuade us to accept the plan of salvation. \xe2\x80\x94 Forbid it, \nO God, that I should ever forget or undervalue thy \nfavours which are past ; or that I should doubt thy \nsuretiship of compassion for the future. Continue \nto manifest thyself unto me, as thou dost not unto \nthe world. Enrich thou my soul with the fulness \nof thy love, now, henceforth, and forever. \n\nO Lord, why should there be any so carnally- \nminded, as to be enmity against thee, the God of \nlove ? Show them thy rich goodness, and their \nown dark ingratitude. Make them feel that this \nworld has no charms, when compared with that full \ntide of affection, v/hich flows from the heart of God \ntowards them that put their trust in him. O make \nmany such the partners of thy loving-kindness in \nJesus, which is unto eternal life. \n\nLOVE TO GOD. \n\nExalted Jehovah, thou art worthy, both by thy \nnature and dealings, of the strongest love of all thy \nrational creatures. Thou art perfect in all the attri- \nbutes of thy character. No ignorance impairs thy \nwisdom ; no error perverts thy justice ; no falsehood \nclouds thy truth ; no spot stains thy holiness. Thou \nart, moreover, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, \nand abundant in goodness. O that the language of \nmy heart might always be \xe2\x80\x94 " Whom have I in \nheaven but thee ; and there is none on earth I de- \nsire besides thee." Be thou my Alpha and Omega ; \n\n\n\n171 \n\nmy morning praise ; my noonday thought ; my \nevening prayer ; and my waking meditation. \n\nBlessed Jesus, help me that I may love thee with \nall my heart, and soul, and strength, and mind. I \ndesire to cherish the memory of thine example and \ninstructions, thy benevolence and promises, as the \ndearest objects of thought. O may my affection \nfor thee urge me to advance thy glory, to desire to \nbe conformed to thine image, to seek communion \nwith thee, and to love thy house, thine ordinances, \nthy word, and thy people. But let me not think \nthat any strength of attachment can merit thy love \nto me ; for O thine acceptance of my love is one \nof the crowning gifts of undeserved mercy. \n\nGlorious God, may thy saints bring thee the full \ntribute of their hearts. Let the constant bearing of \ntheir thoughts be unto thee, and the remembrance \nof thy name. Fill their hearts with gratitude to \nthee, and lead them to seek thee, with delight, in all \nthe exercises of religion. May they rejoice in thy \nword, as the index of thy will ; and take pleasure \nin thy people, as the excellent of the earth ; and \nseek the glory of Christ more than the favour of \nman, or the love of the world. \n\nLord, bring those who are now at enmity with \nthee, to esteem and desire thee, as their chief good. \nCast out their selfishness and aversion, and take the \ndominion of their hearts, that they may be able to \nsay, the Lord is their portion, and his love the ful- \nness of their joy. \n\nLOVE TO MAN. \n\nLord, I pray thee, for Christ\'s sake, to make my \nheart a wellspring of affection for all mankind. Let \nno jealousy, nor selfishness, nor anger, nor malice, \n\n\n\n172 \n\nlead me to forget that every man is my brother. \nThou makest thy sun to rise on the evil, and on the \ngood ; and sendest rain on the just, and on the un- \njust. Why then should I shut up my compassions \nfrom any that are my fellow-creatures 1 O help me \nto feel for every want, and to sympathize with every \nwo, that afflicts humanity. And, I pray thee, dis- \npose me, in benevolence of heart, to do what I can, \nto dry up the fountains of human misery, and to \nmultiply the sources of man\'s real happiness. \n\nLord, incline me to love the souls of men. May \nI have strong pity for those who are thoughtlessly \nor wilfully destroying their eternal peace ; and may \nI seek to bring them under the influences of the \nblessed gospel. Grant me that spirit which seek- \neth not her own, and is not easily provoked, and \nthat rejoiceth in the truth. Cause me to abound in \ngood-will to the brotherhood of faith, and to be \nkindly afFectioned towards them in brotherly love. \nMay I seek their company, and be glad in their \nprosperity, and make common cause with them in \nall their interests. Lord, give me, I pray thee, the \nlove of benevolence towards every thing that is ca- \npable of happiness or misery, and the affection of \ncomplacency towards every creature possessed of \nholiness. \n\nLUKE WARM NESS. \n\nLord, I pray thee, thi;ough thy grace in Jesus, to \npreserve me from lukewarmness in my religious \nduties. Make me feel an interest in them propor- \ntioned to their unspeakable importance. Let no \nworldly influence, no allurement of Satan, no self- \nish desires, lower the tone of my religious feeling \nand activity. How long, Lord, shall I serve thee \n\n\n\n173 ^ . \n\nwith an indifferent heart \xe2\x80\x94 thee, who hast infinite \nclaims on my most ardent attachment, and whose \nservice should be my chief delight. O rebuke my \napathy, and fill me with a holy zeal. Make me \nfervent in spirit ; and whatsoever my hand finds to \ndo, dispose me to do it with my might. Let thy \nSpirit that quickeneth, give me life, and cause me \nto mount up with wings, as eagles ; to run, and not \nbe weary ; to walk, and not faint. \n\nLUNATICS. \n\nLo, the inspiration of the Almighty giveth un- \nderstanding to man! Lord, show me the beauty \nand value of the gift of reason ; which thou hast \nmade in thine own image ; and by which I am fitted \nto learn thy character, to meditate on thy works, to \nunderstand my duties, and to enjoy happiness. Let \nmy regard and gratitude for this blessing, and for \nthe preservation of it, be excited by the melancholy \nfact, that it has been denied to many of my fellow- \ncreatures. \n\nLord, behold in mercy those whose balance of \nintellect has been broken, and who have become the \nsport of their own deranged judgment. Do thou \nrestrain them from doing injury to themselves, or \nto others. Let them not be made the objects of \nmerriment and annoyance by the thoughtless ; but \nof the pity and care of the humane. I bless thee \nthat in the prevalence of gospel humanity, asylums \nfor the protection and cure of the insane, have been \nestablished, from which many of these victims of \nderangement have gone forth, clothed, and in tneir \nright minds ; while those who have remained, as \nincurable, possess every earthly comfort, compatible \nwith the loss of reason. Do thou multiply the \n15* \n\n\n\n174 \n\nnumber of these institutions, and cause them to be \nsustained by liberal patronage. Increase the kind- \nness and skill of those who manage them. And, \nLord, let the rapid progress of knowledge include, \nin its discoveries, such remedies as shall dissolve \nthe fetters that imprison and pervert these immortal \nminds, and give them the freedom and joy of in- \ntelligent and virtuous wisdom. \n\nGracious God, provide, m thy mercy, for those \nwho shall go down through life, to the gates of \ndeath, without the cheoring and guiding torch of \nreason. O let the darkness and disquietude which \nafflicted them here, give place to the light and bless- \nedness of that region, where they shall know, even \nas they are known. \n\n\n\nLUXURY. \n\nHeavenly Father, guard me against indulging in \nluxury. Let me not seek to make provision for the \nflesh, to fulfil the lust of the eye, or the pride of \nlife. Let not my desires go out in anxious pursuit \nof what I shall eat, or drink, or wherewithal I shall \nbe clothed ; nor be unduly set on any of the pomps \nof sense, or vanities of life. May I use this world \nas not abusing it; remembering that a man\'s life \nconsists not in the abundance of the things he pos- \nsesses. Teach me that earthly indulgences excite \npride and sensuality ; and that instead of satisfying \nthe heart, they increase, continually, its restless de- \nsires for unprofitable and corrupting enjoyments. \nLord, thou wilt require it of the souls of those who \nlay up treasures for themselves, but are not rich to- \nwards God. O let me not desire to live in pleasure \non the earth, nor nourish my heart as in a day of \nslaughter. Make me content with a competent \n\n\n\n175 \n\nportion of the good things of this life ; and let me \nenjoy thy blessing with them. Show me that health \nof body, peace of mind, and ability and willingness \nto do good to others, will depend on my abstinence \nfrom fleshly lusts. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, be thou to me more than \nall thine other gifts. Incline me to lay up treasure \nin heaven, that there my heart may be also. \n\nMALICE. \n\nLord, keep my heart from the occasional or fre- \nquent influence of malice. Let no rivalry and no \nsense of injury, ever excite me to feelings or acts \nof malignity. O how infinitely is such a temper \nopposed to thy holiness ; and how nearly does it \napproach to the hatred which fills the bosoms of \nthe damned ! \xe2\x80\x94 Blessed Jesus, bring me into closer \nlikeness to thy precious example. Thou didst not \nrender railing for railing, nor evil for evil; but con- \ntrariwise, blessing. O give me, I pray thee, that \nspirit of love which worketh no ill to its neighbour ; \nand which looks on the earth, in all its length and \nbreadth, as one neighbourhood \xe2\x80\x94 and on all its diver- \nsified races, as one brotherhood of man. \n\nMARRIAGE. \n\nHeavenly Parent, thou hast shown both thy wis- \ndom and goodness in the institution of marriage. \nThou hast sought by it to increase the happiness, \nand promote the virtue of mankind. The works \nof thy creation, though good in thy sight, were unfi- \nnished, while man dwelt alone ; and thy last and \nbest gift to earth, was she that should be a fountain \nof joy, a partner of pleasure, and a solace of sor- \nrow. Lord, teach all men that this relation of \n\n\n\n176 \n\nlife is still (and must be throughout the annals of \ntime,) identified with the comfort and welfare of our \nrace. O let none with ruthless and impious hand, \nundermine nor overthrow this ordinance of God ; \nbut may all regard and sustain it as the safeguard \nof purity, the pledge of social bliss, and the bond \nof public good. \n\nLord, reform the opinions and correct the practice \nof Christians in relation to unhallowed marriages. \nLet none such be unequally yoked with unbelievers. \nMay they marry only in the Lord. Show them \nthat those who ally themselves in sacred ties with \nthe ungodly, rebel against the will of God, cast \nsnares and unhappiness in their way through life, \nand fearfully hinder the grace of God in their own \nhearts. \n\nLord, govern by the dictates of affection, pru- \ndence, and piety, those who would enter on the \nduties and pleasures of matrimony. \xe2\x80\x94 Bless all who \nhave embarked on them. May their relations be \ncharacterized by mutual love, esteem, forbearance, \nassistance, and sympathy. May the same sincere, \nardent, unchangeable, protecting, and providing \nlove, which the Saviour manifests to his spouse, \nthe church, be shown by the husband to his wife. \nAnd do thou direct her conduct to him in subjection, \nreverence, prudence, and love. Lord, make their \nunion conducive to every rational good of human \nlife. Let it be an emblem of the union between \nChj-ist and his church ; that they may walk in all \nthe statutes and ordinances of the Lord, blameless, \nand be made mutual helpers in the fellowship of \nthe gospel of Jesus Christ. \n\n\n\n177 \n\nMASTERS. \n\nO thou, who art King of Kings and Lord of \nLords, bless those who occupy places of authority \nover their inferiors. Teach them the duties of their \nstations. Induce masters to give that which is just \nand equal to their servants, in every thing that re- \nlates to courtesy, recompense, and good-will. May \nthey forbear threatening, knowing that their Master \nis in heaven, and that with him there is no respect \nof persons. May they reflect that though their ser- \nvants are inferior in rank, they are their equals by \nnature, equals in the grave, and equals at the throne \nof judgment. \xe2\x80\x94 Show them that the labourer is wor- \nthy of his hire : and let no honest wages be kept \nback by meanness or fraud ; lest the cry of the hire- \nling enter into the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth, \nand thou render vengeance for unrequited toil. \xe2\x80\x94 \nLord, incline the hearts of masters to kindness. \nMake them careful to avoid unjust exactions of la- \nbour, and every display of the pride of rank and \nauthority. Give them patience under provocation ; \nand lead them to seek every reasonable comfort for \ntheir domestics. And above all, may they strive to \npromote their spiritual welfare, by setting them a \ngodly example, by giving them full access to the \nmeans of grace, and by personal exertions, that they \nmay become the servants of God, and heirs of that \nrecompense of reward, which liveth and abideth for- \never. \n\nMEANS OF GRACE. \n\nLord, I thank thee for those means of grace \nwhich thou hast appointed for the instruction and \nconviction, conversion and sanctification of man- \nkind. O bless me, I pray thee, in the enjoyment \n\n\n\n178 \n\nof them. Make the Holy Scriptures profitable to \nme for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction \nin righteousness. Let thy preached gospel bring \nme glad tidings of good things. May I hallow thy \nSabbaths, and make them my delight. Make thy \nsacraments times of refreshing from thy presence. \nO cause the exercises of public, social, and private \nprayer to make me feel my wants, and thine infinite \nfulness and willingness to supply them. May I \nsing thy praises with melody of heart. Give me \ngrace to keep the season of fasting or of thanksgiv- \ning, so that it may be a time of refreshing from thy \npresence. Grant me the sanctified use of meditation \nand self-examination ; and lead me to such fellow- \nship with thy saints, as will strengthen my heart \nand encourage my zeal in the Christian race. \n\nBlessed God, I humbly pray thee, that I may use \nthese privileges only as the means, and not as the \nend, of religion. Make me regard them as tjie chan- \nnels throngh which thou dost vouchsafe to pour the \nrefreshing streams of thy grace. It is the Spirit \nwhich gives efficacy to all the appointments of thy \nmercy. O Lord, make me understand that while I \nwork out my salvation with fear and trembling, it \nis thou who workest in me, both to will and to do, \nof thine own good pleasure. \n\nMEDIATOR. \n\nHeavenly Father, I would praise and magnify \nthy name, that thou hast laid help upon One, who \nis mighty to save, unto the uttermost, all who come \nunto thee by him. Though the human race was at \nenmity with thee, and lay exposed to thy curse, \nthou didst, in infinite mercy, appoint an Interposer \nbetween thee and us, that we, who were alienated \n\n\n\n179 \n\nand enemies by wicked works, might be reconciled \nin the body of his flesh, through death. We thank \nthee that we are not called to that mountain which \nburned with fire, and was clouded with darkness \nand tempest ; but to Jesus the Mediator of the new \ncovenant, and to that blood of sprinkling, which \nspeaketh better things than that of Abel. O, it was \nneedful that he should be -the Son of God; for no \nother sacrifice could satisfy the demands of infinite \njustice \xe2\x80\x94 and he must needs be the Son of man ; \nsince without the shedding of blood, there is no re- \nmission of sins. He who is our eternal Daysman, \nhas infinite fitness for his high and holy office : for \nin him dwells the fulness of power, wisdom, and \nmercy ! \n\nBlessed Jesus, be thou the propitiation for my \nsins ; and not for mine only, but also for the whole \nworld. O thou who didst become the High-Priest \nof thine own sacrifice, to make reconciliation for \nthe sins of the people, do thou blot out the hand- \nwriting of ordinances that was recorded against me, \nfor my transgressions \xe2\x80\x94 procure for me, by thine in- \ntercession, the loving kindness of Jehovah \xe2\x80\x94 and \nbind all my affections to the throne of grace, by \nthat new, and better, and everlasting covenant, \nwhich is the fruit of thy wisdom and mercy, and the \nwork of thy power and grace, unto salvation. \xe2\x80\x94 Hea- \nvenly Father, make the words of my mouth, and \nthe meditations of my heart, and the service of my \nlife, acceptable to thee, through him who is my \nStrength and my Redeemer. \n\nMEDITATION. \n\nBlessed Jehovah, enable me to withdraw my \nthoughts and desires, at frequent seasons, from the \n\n\n\n180 \n\nthings that are seen and temporal, and to fix them \non those that are unseen and eternal. O may thy \ncharacter, in all its variety and fulness, be a rich \ntopic of my meditation. Grant me holy and ex- \nalted converse with thine attributes, as they are re- \nvealed in thy word, and in thy works of creation, \nprovidence, and redemption. \xe2\x80\x94 May Jesus be to my \nsoul, the chief among ten thousand, and one alto- \ngether lovely. \xe2\x80\x94 Draw out my thoughts, sweetly and \nconfidingly, to that Holy Spirit, whose work is qui- \netness and assurance forever. \xe2\x80\x94 May I love to dwell \nupon the law of thy mouth ; and do thou make it \nbetter to me than thousands of gold and silver. \xe2\x80\x94 \nTeach me in these hours of reflection, my weakness \nand sinfulness, and the means by which I may grow \nin grace, and advance the various interests of thy \nkingdom. \xe2\x80\x94 Help me, O Lord, to fix my thoughts \non the shortness of time, the certainty of death, and \nthe undying worth of the soul. \n\nLord, grant me the presence and blessing of thy \nSpirit, in these solemn meditations. May the peace \nof God, which passeth understanding-, fill my heart \nand make it a fountain of love to God, and of good- \nwill to man. May my knowledge be refreshed and \nenlarged. While I muse on holy things, cause the \nfire to burn within me, until the dross of sin be con- \nsumed, and my soul be as gold that has been tried \nin the furnace. O vouchsafe unto me, rich foretastes \nof those heavenly contemplations, where no cloud \nof sense, nor of sin, shall shut out the light of thy \npresence, and where there are pleasures for ever- \nmore. \n\n\n\n181 \n\n\n\nMEEKNESS. \n\nMerciful God, impart to me the grace of meek- \nness. Preserve me from the exercise of a violent \nand overbearing temper. Break down the native \nstubbornness and resentment of my heart ; and give \nme that childlike spirit, which knows no will but \nthat of its heavenly Father. Bestow on me that \ntemper of soul, which seeketh not its own selfish \ngood ; that is not easily provoked by injury ; and \nthat hopeth all things, before it thinketh evil of any \none. May this state of mind be the working of thy \nSpirit, teaching me that I am, in myself, weak and \nsinful, and that thou requirest meekness of spirit in \nall that *would be followers of Christ : for if any \nman have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. \nShow me that this grace is an ornament of great \nprice in thy sight ; and that he who ruleth his own \nspirit is greater than he who taketh a city ; and that \nhe findeth rest for his soul, in learning of him who \nwas meek and lowly in heart. Lord, excite me to \nseek this heavenly mind, by considering the exam- \nples of the patriarchs and prophets, of the apostles, \nand Jesus Christ, w^ho manifested it. O grant me \nthe blessings of the meek ; whom thou guidest in \njudgment, and beautifiest with salvation, and makest \nthe dwelling-place of thy power and mercy. \n\nMEMORY. \n\nLord, invigorate and sanctify, for Jesus\' sake, all \nthe exercises of my memory. O how has this \nnoble faculty been weakened and corrupted by the \nfall ! But thou canst restore it ; and instead of suf- \nfering it to run after forbidden and unholy things, \nthou canst give it employment in those things which \n16 \n\n\n\n182 \n\nbelong to wisdom and salvation. Lead me, I pray \nthee, to remember tbee, my Creator, and all thine \nexcellent mercies. May my memcory be precious \nof him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Im- \npress indelibly on my thoughts, the doctrines, pre- \ncepts, warnings, and promises of thy word. Make \nme mindful of my transgressions, and let my sin be \never before me. Enable me to bring up in review, \nthe covenants and promises I have made to thee ; \nand lead me to pay unto thee my vows. \n\nO Lord, preserve me from every thing, moral or \nphysical, that will weaken or deprave my memory. \nLead me to the use of such means as will promote \nits strength and purity. May I regard and value it \nas the storehouse of knowledge and comfort ; the \nspring of repentance and hope ; and the monitor of \nthankfulness and faith. May it retain that which \nis good, and banish that which is evil. Dispose me \nto practice every holy thing it remembers ; and \ngrant that I may so use this noble power, that I \nmay glorify thee in my body and spirit, which are \nthine. \n\nMERCY. \n\nGreat Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant \nme a sanctifying and saving knowledge of thy mer- \ncy. thou art good and gracious ; slow to anger, \nand plenteous in mercy. Yet thou hast a perfect \nright to v/ithhold it from us \xe2\x80\x94 yea, to visit us with \nunmixed and irretrievable evil, for we are not only \nunworthy of the least expression of thy goodness, \nbut we have deserved the severe retributions of thy \nwrath. Nevertheless, thy goodness lias pursued us \nin all the walks of life. It has stayed, or soothed, \nor healed the inflictions of merited evil ; and it has \n\n\n\n183 \n\nbestowed on us uncounted tokens of unmerited \ngood. When we have been thoughtless of thee, \nthou hast been mindful of us : when we hated thee, \nthou hast loved us. Verily, thou art long-suffering, \nand abundant in compassion. Thou dost not mete \nunto man evil for evil ; but dost crown him with \nloving-kindness and tender mercy. \n\nO that my memory could retain, and that my \nheart could properly value, the long catalogue of \nthine affectionate dealings with me. Thou hast \nwatched over me by night, and guarded me by day ; \nthou hast preserved me in health, and healed me in \nsickness ; thou hast chosen for me the changes of \nlife, and hast suited me to them : and more than all \nthings else, thou hast given our race that mercy of \nChrist, whereby the dayspring from on high hath \nvisited us, with healing in its beams. Lord, enable \nme to cherish a suitable estimate of thy goodness. \nMay it lead me to love thee, and to do thy will \xe2\x80\x94 \nmay it succour me when I am tempted, and comfort \nme when I am grieved. \xe2\x80\x94 May it strengthen me in \nthe hour of death, and be the song of my rejoicing \nthroughout the ages of eternity. \n\nCompassionate Father, deal not in strict justice \nwith those who are now rejecting thy mercy. Say \nnot in thy wrath, that they shall not enter thy rest. \nMake them hear thy tender and oft-repeated entreat- \nies to turn from their wickedness, whilst thou art \nwaiting to be gracious. Display to them the riches \nand fulness of that compassion, which brings the \nSovereign of heaven to plead with them, and to \npursue them, in their obstinacy, with so many ex- \npressions of love. Extend to them thy golden \nsceptre of grace, that they may touch it, and live. \nO, forsake them not ; but multiply thy mercies upon \n\n\n\n184 \n\nthem, until their hardness of heart shall be melted \ndown, in humble sorrow and love \xe2\x80\x94 until their re- \nbellious wills shall be brought to serve the living \nand true God. \n\nMILLENNIUM. \n\nGreat God, rejoice my heart with frequent and \nthankful contemplations of that millennial glory, \nwhen thy name shall be great among the heathen, \nand when thou wilt give them to thy Son, for his \ninheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth, for \nhis possession. Then thou wilt pour out thy Holy \nSpirit without measure, and darkness and trans- \ngression will be supplanted by light and obedience. \nLove to God and love to man, will fill the hearts of \nall the dwellers on earth : they shall beat their \nswords into ploughshares, and their spears into \npruninghooks : nation shall not lift up sword against \nnation, neither shall they learn war any more. \nThen there will be no clashing of sects ; for there \nwill be one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The hea- \nvens shall give their dew ; the earth shall give her \nincrease ; the parched ground shall become a pool ; \nand the desert shall blossom as the rose. They \nshall teach no more every man his neighbour, and \nevery man his brother, saying, \'\' Know the Lord ;" \nfor they shall know thee, from the least of them \nunto the greatest of them. The mountain of the \nhouse of the Lord shall be established in the top of \nthe mountains, and be exalted above the hills. O \nthen there will be great voices in heaven, saying, \n*\' The kingdoms of the world are become the king- \ndoms of the Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall \nreign forever and ever!" \n\nLord, teach all thy people the duties that belong \n\n\n\n185 \n\nto them, in reference to the coming of that glorious \nseason. May they trim their lamps, and keep their \nlights burning, and be ready at the advent of their \nMaster. But do thou show them that his glorious \nappearing will be by the instrumentality of the \nsanctified and intelligent efforts of his church. O \ninduce them to desire it ardently, to pray for it fer- \nvently, to hope for it believingly, and to labour for \nit diligently, in all those measures which thou hast \nbeen pleased to institute, as the means of accom- \nplishing it. Bless all iheir works of faith, and \nlabours of love. O hasten thy glorious dominion. \nSpread it from pole to pole, from sea to sea, and \nfrom the river unto the ends of the earth ; and fill \nthe wide world with thy knowledge, even as the \nwaters cover the sea. \n\nMINISTRY. \n\nGreat Author and Dispenser of Truth, bless those \nwhom thou hast set to preach the everlasting gos- \npel, and to bring glad tidings of good things. Thou \nhast not sent us the ministry of angels, but of men ; \nand hast given us this treasure in earthen vessels, \nthat the excellency of the power might be of God. \nIt has pleased thee, by that which the world calls \nthe foolishness of preaching, to save them that be- \nlieve. \n\nLord of the Vineyard, let none take upon them \nthis holy office, who are unfit for its sacred duties, \nin body, mind, or spirit. Yetdo thou call out and \nprepare many, very many, who thou knowest are \nmeet for the divine work of saving souls. Qualify \nthose who are now ambassadors for Christ, and \nenable them to persuade sinners to be reconciled to \nGod. Make them men of strong and cultivated \n16* \n\n\n\n186 \n\njudgment; of diligent and persevering study ; of \nzealous and faithful labour ; and of prayerful, fer- \nvent, and consistent piety. Make them as the voice \nof him that cried in the wilderness, " Prepare ye \nthe way of the Lord; make his paths straight." \nMay tliey be themselves instructed unto the king- \ndom of heaven, and bring forth out of their treasure, \nthings new and old. Cause them to exemplify their \ndoctrine by a holy walk. Preserve them from the \ndesire of applause, and the love of lucre. Let them \nnot confer with flesh and blood. Bestow on them \na mouth and wisdom which their enemies shall not \nbe able to gainsay nor resist. Give them grace to \nspeak thy word with all boldness ; keeping back \nnothing that is profitable ; shunning not to declare \nall the counsel of God ; and having this record, \nthat they are pure from the blood of all men. \n\nO Lord, bring them before their flocks in the ful- \nness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Dis- \npose them to give themselves continually to prayer, \nand the ministry of the word. Lead them to \nproclaim the gospel, not only in the sanctuar}\'-, but \nfrom house to house. May their preaching be in \ndemonstration of the Spirit, and of power. Let thy \npleasure prosper in their hands, and thy word have \nfree course, and be glorified. May they seek dili- \ngently to bring the religion of their people up to the \nstandard of the Bible-^to the measure of the faith \nonce delivered to the saints. Give them power to \nalarm the guilty consciences, and to persuade the \nstubborn wills, of the impenitent. Constrain them \nto watch, as those who must give an account of \ntheir stewardship. Let them not be compelled to \nsay, \'*A11 day long, we have stretched forth our \nhands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people :" \n\n\n\n187 \n\nnor to ask in despair, " Who hath believed our \nreport, and to whom is the aTm of the Lord re- \nvealed ?*\' O make tliem guides of the blind, and \nlights of them which are in darkness. Grant ^that \nby their efforts, revivals of pure and undefiled reli- \ngion shall prevail, to cleanse thy church, and to \nsave perishing sinners. \n\nShepherd of Israel, incline thy people to dis- \ncharge the duties they owe to the messengers of thy \nword. May they remember that the labourer is \nworthy of his hire, and that they who preach the \ngospel, should live of the gospel. May they pro- \nperly appreciate ihe office of those that are over them \nin the Lord, and esteem such very highly, in love, \nfor their works\' sake. Make them careful to main- \ntain all the institutions of thy word. May they \nlisten to the preached message with the preparation \nof heart, the culture of prayer, the hearing of faith, \nand the purpose of obedience : receiving with meek- \nness the engrafted word, as that which ministers \ngrace to the hearers. Blessed Lord, excite them to \nsustain thy ministering servants by their interces- \nsory prayers, that thou wouldst make them wise as \nserpents, and harmless as doves \xe2\x80\x94 that thou wouldst \nenable them to turn many to righteousness, w^ho \nshall be as stars in the crowns of their rejoicing, at \nthe last day. \n\nLord, give to every destitute flock, a pastor after \nthine own heart, who shall go in and out before his \npeople in righteousness and zeal. Send thy mes- \nsengers of mercy to those who are perishing for \nlack of knowledge. O raise up, and qualify, and \nsend forth those who shall teach all nations, bap- \ntizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and \nHoly Ghost : and be thou with them always, even \nunto the end of the world. Amen. \n\n\n\n188 \n\nMissions. \xe2\x80\x94 See Heathen^ Idolatry^ Home Mis- \nsions, \n\nMOHAMMEDANS. \n\nLord, look in mercy on the followers of the False \nProphet, whose system of blood and sensuality has \ndragged into the net of delusion and death, so many \nmillions of the human family. Thou seest how \nthey have usurped the seats of the early triumphs \nof th\xc2\xab gospel ; and how they are trampling under- \nfoot conscience and liberty, in the scenes where \nJesus and his apostles taught, and toiled, and died \nfor the blessed truth of God. O Lord, open a great \nand effectual door of access to this people, through \nwhich the chariot of thy gospel may go forth, con- \nqueri^ng and to conquer. Subdue their prejudice \nmid bigotry ; destroy their licentiousness and love \nof carnage ; supplant their pride and superstition ; \nand on the ruins of this dominion of sin, build that \nkingdom of righteousness, which is peace on earth \nand good-will to men. \n\nMORNING. \n\nO God, thou art my God ; early will I seek thee. \nI thank thee for peaceful and refreshing sleep, and \nfor the returning light of the morning. Lift thou on \nmy soul, the light of thy reconciled and lifegiving \ncountenance. May my heart rejoice in the daily \nrenewals of thy love, even as the springing grass \nrejoices in the reviving visits of the morning sun. \nO cause my first awakings of thought \xe2\x80\x94 my earliest \ndesires, to fix on thee, and the remembrance of thy \nname. \xe2\x80\x94 Whilst I have slept in quiet comfort, many \nhave been racked by pain or disease ; or disturbed \nby fear or calamity ; or suddenly called to the retri- \n\n\n\n189 \n\nbutions of eternity. \xe2\x80\x94 Grant me grace, for Christ\'s \nsake, to meet and discharge the duties of this day. \nBe thou my guide and protector, in the midst of \nthem. Let me not undertake any thing which is \nnot agreeable to thee. Dispose me to follow all my \noccupations in the world with a heavenly mmd. \nMay I use this world, as not abusing it ; and pass \nthrough things temporal, so as not to forget nor \nforfeit the things eternal. Enable me to make this \nlife my journey to my everlasting home. \n\nO Lord, let a conviction of thy presence and of \nmy accountability, pursue me in my worldly busi- \nness, and render me subservient to thy will. Pro- \ntect me from folly, error, and sin. Make me kind, \nforbearing, and just in all my intercourse with man- \nkind. Preserve me from exercising selfishness, \ndeceit, or ill-will, towards any one. Be pleased. \nGracious God, to make the allotments of thy provi- \ndence towards me this day, such as may not tempt \nme to evil ; but such as will work together for my \ngood. Guard my thoughts, that they may not tam- \nper with sin ; and my lips, that I offend not with \nmy tongue ; and my feet, that they wander not in \nforbidden paths. Grant me disposition and leisure \nto retire from the world, to hold sweet and profita- \nble communion with thee, at thy throne of grace. \nAnd, O may I find at the close of this day, that \nwhile I have been drawn so much nearer eternity, \nI have been suitably advanced in meetness for the \ninheritance of the saints in light. \n\nMOTHERS. \n\nHeavenly Parent, bless, for the glory of Christ, \nthe. maternal relation. Thou hast been pleased to \nassign to mothers, more than to any othe^- class, the \n\n\n\n190 \n\nmoulding influences, which determine the character \nand destinies of children, for time and eternity. \nLord, do thou teach every mother her various duties, \nand give her wisdom and grace to fulfil them. May \nshe realize that it is in the days of infancy and of \nearly life, that those principles and habits are \nformed, which decide the future history of the child ; \nand that on her thou hast laid the chief responsibi- \nlity of forming them. Give her a heart of piety, \nthat shall impart a savour of life unto life to all her \nefforts. May she seal all her anxieties and efforts \nby fervent prayer, with and for her offspring, that \nthou wouldst help her to train them up in the way \nthey should go, and preserve them in it, unto eter- \nnal life. Make her example such as shall be right \nin thy sight, and adapted to win their confidence, \nlove, and obedience. May she constantly seek in- \nstruction in the various details of her duty. Induce \nher to acquire such mental culture as will secure \nthe respect of her offspring, and enable her to in- \nstruct their forming minds. May she remember \nthat undue indulgence is the besetting sin of mo- \nthers, and that it is the sunken rock on which count- \nless numbers have made shipwreck of all their \nhopes. Let the decisions of her authority be wise- \nly made, and rigidly enforced. Teach her that the \nrod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to \nhimself bringeth his mother to shame. Let not re- \nvengeful anger, but reclaiming love, prescribe the \nkind and measure of punishment. May her incen- \ntives and rewards for obedience be such as shall es- \ntablish abiding principles of virtue. Let a scrupu- \nlous regard for truth manifest itself in all her deal- \nings with her children. Guard her against partial \ntreatment among them. Give her wisdom to know \n\n\n\n191 \n\nand skill to consult their different characters. May \nshe strive to cultivate in them habits of* prudence \nand frugality, industry and generosity. Make her \ncareful to preserve them from vain pleasures, from \nevil company, and from selfish pursuits. Establish \na perfect harmony between fathers and mothers, in \ntheir separate and mutual plans of family training. \nBestow thy rich favour on maternal associations^ \nEstablish them in every community, and cause \nsound knowledge and saving wisdom to dictate and \ngovern all their measures. O, Gracious God, let \nthe salvation of her children be the object cTf every \nmother\'s strongest solicitude and most diligent \nefforts. May she feel that while this end is not se- \ncured, every other success is but as water that is \nspilled on the ground, and cannot be gathered. \n\nLord, let a full sense of their responsibilities and \nduties rest on the hearts of all mothers. Yet suf- \nfer them not to be cast down by the weight of them. \nAssure them that thy grace is sufficient for them, \nand that thy strength shall be made perfect in their \nweakness ! \n\nMOTIVES. \n\nLord, I pray thee, through the merits of Jesus \nChrist, that thou wouldst sanctify my motives. Let \nmy outward conduct be according to righteousness \nand mercy; but O, do thou make my heart pure in \nall its promptings towards duty. Dispose me to \nwatch narrowly, lest I make a merit of good works ; \nor perform them to be seen of men, or to advance \nmy selfish interests. Raise me above the love of \nself, and the desire of applause. Let not my mo- \ntives, when they are right, be unsteady ; but do \nthou give them such stability as shall cause me to \n\n\n\n192 \n\nbe steadfast, unmovable, always abounding -in the \nwoiK of the Lord. Teach me that if my purposes \nare right in thy sight, O Lord, thou wilt bless me, \nthough thou mayst see fit to deny their accomplish- \nment. Show me that where there is a will to serve \nthee, it is accepted according to what a man hath, \nand not according to what a man hath not ; for even \nthe widow\'s mite secured a richer meed of favour, \nthan the expensive gifts of the wealthy ; and a cup \nof cold water given to a disciple, out of love to \nJesus, shall in nowise lose its re^yard. Blessed Lord, \nmake mhie eye single, and my heart sincere. May \nI do good, not to be seen of men, but in the spirit of \nnot letting my left hand know what my right hand \ndoth ; for my Father which seeth in secret, will re- \nward me openly. Lord, I would not seek to do thy \nwill merely that I may derive comfort from so doing; \nbut chiefly because it is thy pleasure that 1 should \nobey thee, and because it should be my own desire \nthat good may be done, for thy glory and human \nwelfare. \n\nNATURE. \n\nGreat God, the invisible things of thee, from the \ncreation of the world, are clearly seen, being un- \nderstood by the things that are made ; even thine \neternal power and Godhead. Help me, I pray \nthee, to make Nature the handmaid of devotion. \nGive me knowledge to discern thy character in her \nvarious scenes. May I see thy power in the extent \nand diversity of creation ; and discern thy wisdom \nin the arrangiement and government of thy works ; \nand acknowledge thy goodness in the harmony and \nexcellence of thy products. Behold, all that I see \nis eloquent of God ! The day, with its flood of \n\n\n\n193 \n\nlight ; the night, with its pall of darkness ; the sea- \nsons, with their circle of changes ; life, with its \nmysteries of being, thought, and feeling ; and death, \nwith its pains, and silence, and corruption \xe2\x80\x94 all, all \nare full of the messages of divinity ! There is no \nlanguage where their voice is not heard ; their line \nis gone out through all the earth, and their words \nto the end of the world. \n\nYet, O Lord, Nature is, in all these, but the echo \nof thy word. Although thou hast given thyself \nsuch witness in her, that men are left without ex- \ncuse in rejecting thee ; yet without thy revealed \nwill, they become vain in their imaginations, and \ntheir foolish heart is darkened : they change the \nglory of the incorruptible God into an image made \nlike to corruptible man ; and to birds, and to four- \nfooted beasts, and to creeping things ! Alas, the \nworld by wisdom knew not God. Lord, give me \ngrace ever to study thy works in the light of thy \nword ; and dispose me to worship and serve the \nCreator, who is blessed forever. Amen. \n\nNEW YEAR. \n\nO thou God of the rolling seasons, I thank thee \nfor thy mercies to me during the last year. There \nhas not been an hour nor a moment of it, which has \nnot brought me tokens of thy care and kindness. \nAssist me now to bring its transactions, in which I \nhave been engaged, in solemn review before my \nconscience. Though the record of them is fast \nwasting away from the treacherous tablet of my \nmemory, yet they are written, as with a pen of iron, \non the books of thy remembrance ; where they \nwill remain until that fearful hour of trial, when the \nbooks shall be opened, and all men shall be judged \n17 \n\n\n\n194 \n\nout of the tilings that are written therein, whether \nthey be good or evil. \n\nLord, I desire to acknowledge before thee, with \ngodly sorrow, that I have neglected many duties, \nand abused many privileges, during the past year. \nMy heart, and niy lips, and my hands, have often \nbeen the agents of transgression. Many of thy \nmercies have been ungratefully perverted or for- \ngotten ; and thy chastenings have often been de- \nspised or unheeded. O, my tongue would grow \nweary, and my heart would sicken, if I should un- \ndertake to recite all my iniquities before thee. Help \nme, I pray thee, for the sake of our Great Advocate, \nto repent over them, to loathe and forsake them, and \nto look to thee for strength, that the time past of my \nlife may suffice to have wrought the deeds of the \nflesh, and that henceforth I may live to the will of \nGod. \n\nO Lord, I desire to enter the coming year, feeling \nthe solemn responsibilities of human life. I know \nnot what a day may bring forth, nor what the ap- \nproaching months may reveal respecting me : ex- \ncept that they will bring me so much nearer eternity, \nand be full of records of my growth in grace, or of \nmy backslidings from thy holy law. Yet I. thank \nthee that my span of life is still lengthened out, and \nthat I am still permitted to enjoy the precious op- \nportunities that have been vouchsafed to me in days \npast. O God, assist me, 1 beseech thee, to dis- \ncharge aright all the duties that lie before me. Make \nme understand the uncertainty of time, the worth \nof my soul, the multiplied interests of my fellow^ \ntravellers to eternity, and the righteous claims of \nthy service, Make me watchful against the many \ndangers to which I am exposed. Strengthei^ my \n\n\n\n195 \n\nlove to thee; deepen my convictions of sin; ani- \nmate my desires after holiness ; increase my spirit \nof prayer; enlarge my benevolence ; and lead me \nin thine own way, for thy name\'s sake. Protect \nme by thy care ; supply me by thy bounty ; and \ngrant me an increasing meetness for that state, \nwhere these changing seasons will give place to an \nendless life. \n\nLord, make this opening year, a year of the right \nhand of the Most High. Pour the healing balm of \npeace on all the bleeding wounds of thy church. \nSpread over her the spodess mantle of purity. In- \nvigorate her by the reviving power of truth. Awaken \nher to renewed efforts in doing good. O may these \nmonths stand forth in the history of redemption, as \nprecious seasons of refreshing from thy holy and \nlife-giving presence. \n\nNIGHT. \n\nGreat God, I thank thee for the light, the com- \nforts, and the duties of this day. Assist my thoughts \nnow in meditating on its transactions. Bless what- \never thou hast seen in me, which has been agreea- \nble to thy will. Grant me repentance and forgiveness \nfor whatever has been sinful in thy sight ; and pre- \npare me by godly sorrow, and renewing grace, for \nbetter conformity in time to come. As my allotted \nspan of life grows shorter every day, may I make \ndaily some progress in the way to heaven. \n\nO Lord, take me into thy keeping during the \nwatches of the night. The darkness and the light \nare both alike to thee. May thine eye that never \nslumbers, keep guard over me ; and thine arm that \nis never weary, protect me. May I lie down, having \nmy thoughts directed to thee, and the things that \n\n\n\n196 \n\nbelong to my peace. Teacli me to look on sleep \nas the emblem of death ; and to seek that prepara- \ntion of heart with which 1 should desire to meet the \nking of terrors. May the close of each day remind \nme of that night of death in which no man can \nwork, and urge me to finish every work thou hast \ngiven me to do. Preserve me, I pray thee, from \nfear, from accident, from sickness, and from death. \nMake my sleep quiet and refreshing. And grant \nthat when I awake in the morning, my thoughts \nmay be full of thankfulness to thee for thy protect- \ning and satisfying goodness. \n\nOBEDIENCE. \n\nAdorable Jehovah, bestow on me, for the merits \nof thy Son, the spirit of unreserved and fullhearted \nobedience to thy law. Thou art entitled to the ser- \nvice of all thy creatures. Thou didst form man out \nof the dust of the ground, and didst give him the \nbreath of life, that he should honour and obey thee. \nThou hast preserved his being, and gathered around \nhim the comforts of life, that he should show forth \nthy praise. And he owes thee allegiance, because \nthou art the Governor of the universe, having a \nright to do thy pleasure among the army of heaven \nand the inhabitants of earth; none of whom can \nresist thy will, but at the risk of thy sore displea- \nsure. But thou hast strengthened, infinitely, all these \nclaims on his service, by the ofi\'er of salvation to a \nperishing world. Without this there had been no \nhope of escape from the fruits of disobedience, \nwhich had treasured up wrath against the day of \nwrath. Blessed be thy mercy, that with this pre- \ncious gift, thou hast not only infinitely increased our \nobligations, but thou hast actually redeemed unto \n\n\n\n197 \n\nthyself, a peculiar people, who are zealous of good \nworks. Though thy righteous claims of creation, \npreservation, and benefaction, have been disregarded, \nthou hast overcome the rebellion of many of thy \ncreatures, by the controlling influence of a Saviour\'s \nlove ; so that they no longer live unto themselves, \nbut unto him who died for them. \n\nLord, enable me to present myself to thee, a living \nsacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is my most \nreasonable service. Aid me to do thy will in the \nthings which thou hast commanded, and in those \nwhich thou hast forbidden. May I fulfil thy com- \nmandment out of a pure heart, and of a good con- \nscience, and of faith unfeigned. Teach me that \nwhoso keepeth thy word, in him verily is the love \nof God perfected. O let me not confer with flesh and \nblood, in reference to the claims of duty. Give me \ncourage to hold forth the word of life in evil report, \nand in good report. O let my obedience have that \nsymmetry and that fulness, which are found in add- \ning to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, \ngodliness, brotherly-kindness and charity. Give \nme patient continuance in well-doing ; and cheer me \nby the hope, that in due season, if I faint not, I \nshall reap eternal blessedness. \n\nBlessed Sovereign, may thy chosen generation \nadorn the doctrine of God, their Saviour, in all \nthings. Enable them, by a holy walk, to be the light \nof the world, and to put to silence the ignorance of \nfoolish men. Make their consciences void of of- \nfence toward God and man. May they find that \nthy yoke is easy and thy burden light. Make them \nfruitful of every good work ; for thou hast ordained \nthem, that they should go and bring forth fruit ; and \nherein is our Father glorified, that they should bear \n17^^ \n\n\n\n198 \n\nmuch fruit. Grant that they may walk worthy of \nthee, in holiness and righteousness before thee, all \nthe days of their lives. Make them willing, if needs \nbe, to lose life for thy sake and the gospel\'s ; for \nthen they shall find it in life everlasting. And the \npraise of their service, sanctified by Christ\'s merits, \nand accepted through his pleadings, shall be thine \nforever. \n\nOLD AGE. \n\nEternal Jehovah, the days of our years are three- \nscore and ten ; and if by reason of strength, they \nbe fourscore, yet is their strength labour and sorrow ! \nLord, regard, in great mercy, those whose age warns \nthem that thou wilt come quickly, and bring thy \nreward with thee. Especially let thy compassions \nbe kindled towards those who are bowed down under \nthe weight of years and guilt \xe2\x80\x94 to whom gray hairs \nhave brought no true wisdom, and to whom length \nof days has given no experience of eternal life. \nDo thou show them the accumulated wrath which \nthey have treasured up by their long delay. Teach \nthem that there is but a step between them and \ndeath. Arouse them to a knowledge of the fearful \ncrisis in which they stand. Let them know that \nthe destinies of heaven and hell hang on every \nfleeting breath, and every moving muscle. And if \nconsistent with thy will, give them repentance unto \nlife. \xe2\x80\x94 But O how little ground of hope is there, in- \ndeed, when we reflect on their enfeebled judgment, \nand decreasing affections, their rigid habits, and ag- \ngravated sins ! In the multitude of thy promises, \nthere is none to the aged sinner. Alas, how few \nare brought into thy vineyard at the eleventh hour! \nBut because there are some, we would not despair \n\n\n\n199 \n\nof thy mercy. Lord, glorify thyself in plucking \nmany as brands from the burning. \n\nGracious God, let thy precious favour rest on \nthose whose hoary head is a crown of glory, be- \ncause it is found in the ways of righteousness. \nMake them the objects of the respect, affection, \nand care, of all around them. Let their example \nbe a blessing on all that witness it. Temper thy \nprovidence to their declining strength, and suit thy \ngrace to their approaching death. And when thou \nbringest them to the grave, as a shock of corn \nCometh in his season, fully ripe, soothe their pains, \nallay their fears, strengthen their hopes, and bid \nthem welcome to thy courts of glory. \n\nLord, let me not be anxious for long life. May \nI learn that honourable age is not that which stand- \neth in length of time, nor that which is measured \nby number of years : for wisdom is the gray hair \nunto men ; and unspotted life is old age. \n\nOMNIPOTENCE. \n\nLord, thou art God Almighty. The thunder of \nthy power, who can understand ? Thou hast made, \nand controlled, and sustained the mighty fabric of \nnature, by the strength of thy word. The firma- \nment, with all its shining garniture of countless \nworlds, showeth thy handiwork; the earih, with \nall its furniture of hills and valleys, rivers and seas \nproclaims thy greatness : and in thee all creatures \nlive, and move, and have their being. \n\nO Lord, give me a realizing sense of the greatness \nof thy power. Show it to me in the rich and varied \nworks of nature ; and unfold it to me in that crea- \ntion in the soul of man, in which old things are \npassed away, and all things are become new. I \n\n\n\n200 \n\nwould adore thee for the strength of thy grace, \nwhich breaks the stony heart, and bends the stub- \nborn will, and quickens those that were dead in tres- \npasses and sins, into newness of life. Thy gospel \nis the power of God unto salvation, to every one that \nbelieveth. \xe2\x80\x94 O God, I would bless thee that thou hast \npledged thy might for the increase of thy kingdom \nin the world, and hast promised that the gates of hell \nshall not prevail against it. O help me to cry, \n" Alleluia ; for the Lord God Omnipotent reign- \neth ?" \n\nMost High and Mighty, incline me to fear thee, \nAvho art able to destroy both body and soul in hell \nforever. Induce me to put my trust in thee ; for if \nthou art with me, who can be against me ? May I \nexperience in my heart that working whereby thou \nart able to subdue all things unto thyself. Grant me \nthe succour of him, who is mighty to save, unto the \nuttermost, those who come unto thee by him. Keep \nme by thy power, through faith, unto salvation, \nready to be revealed in the last time. \n\nOMNIPRESENCE. \n\nO God, whither shall I go from thy Spirit ; or \nwhere shall I flee from thy presence ? If I ascend \ntip into heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed in \nhell, thou art there : if I take the wings of the morn- \ning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, \neven there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right \nhand shall hold me ! Thou fiUest and exceedest \nthe vast amplitude of the universe. \n\nLord, help me to understand the purposes of thy \nuniversal presence. Thou art bestowing the bless- \nings of thy providence, and exerting the righteous- \nness of thy government, over all thy creatures. \n\n\n\n201 \n\nThou art comforting, protecting, and sanctifying \nthe hearts of thy saints, and bestowing mingled \nmercy and justice on the earthly probation of the \nwicked. Thou art pervading heaven with the bliss \nof eternal life, and filling hell with the anguish of \neverlasting death. \n\nO Lord, assist me to profit by the truth, that thou \nart everywhere present, at all times. Teach me \nby it, that in the infinite contrast with thee, I am \nbut a grain of dust, a point, an atom, or as nothing ! \nO that it might lead me to be vigilant in doing thy \nwill, and in trusting to thy protecting providence, \nand redeeming goodness. Lord, grant me here, I \nbeseech thee, a foretaste of that fulness of joy, \nwhich is in thy heavenly presence for evermore. \n\nOMNIS CIE NCE. \n\nGreat Fountain of Knowledge, thine understand- \ning is infinite. Thou knowest all things ; even the \nend from the beginning. There is no creature that \nis not manifest in thy sight. Thou rememberest \nevery thing that has occurred in the history of the \nwide universe : thou knowest all the open and secret \nworkings of matter and mind, throughout thine un- \nmeasured dominion : even a sparrow cannot fall to \nthe ground without thy notice, and the very hairs of \nour heads are all numbered : and there is nothing \nin the countless revolutions of eternity, that is not \nas visible to thine eye as the light of day ! \n\nLord, thou knowest my down-sitting and mine \nup-rising ; thou art acquainted with all my ways ; \nand thou understandest even my thoughts afar off. \nIf I say, " Surely the darkness shall cover me" \xe2\x80\x94 \neven the night shall be light about me. grant me \nthe solemn influence of the truth, that thou knowest \n\n\n\n202 \n\nthe hearts of all men : thou hast indeed searched \nand known me. May it lead me to worship thee in \nspirit and in truth ; for thou art not deceived, and \ncanst not be mocked. May it restrain me from sin ; \nbecause there is no darkness nor shadow of death, \nwhere the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. \nAnd, O, may it be a source of comfort and blessing \nto me ; for thou knowest all my wants, and canst \nsupply them out of thine abundant fulness. \n\nORP HA N A GE. \n\nLord, thou art the Helper of the fatherless. Look, \nI pray thee, in thy tenderest compassion, on those \nfrom whom thou hast taken away the natural guides \nand comforters of their life. Heal the wounded \nhearts of those who are bleeding under these keen \nbereavements. Assure them that when their father \nand mother forsake them, then, if they put their trust \nin thee, the Lord will take them up. \n\nO\' God, open fountains of compassion in the \nhearts of mankind, towards orphans. Raise up for \nthem friends, who shall take the places, and dis- \ncharge the offices, of those whom thou hast, in thy \nwise purposes, taken away from them. Make it \nthe business of christian love, to soothe their sor- \nrows, to minister to their wants, and to guide their \nsteps amid the wanderings of earth. Protect them \nfrom the dangers which accompany their exposed \ncondition. Screen them from the oppressions with \nwhich the selfish so often scourge the destitute. \nGuard them from the temptations which gather in \nfearful number and strength around the defenceless. \nSave them from those indulgences in sin, into which \nthe unrestrained are so prone to fall. Gracious \nLord, smooth for them the pathways of life. Even \n\n\n\n203 \n\nas a tender shepherd carries the lambs of his flock \nin his bosom, so do thou shelter them in the covert \nof thy wings. \xe2\x80\x94 Above every other blessing, grant \nthem that of regarding ihee as their reconciled God \nand Father, in the Lord Jesus Christ. Though thou \nhast hid the desire of their eyes, and the hope of \ntheir hearts, in the silence of the grave, yet thou \nwilt be unto them, if they confide in thee, a present \nhelp and an eternal portion. Lead them to look up \nunto thee, in their destitution, as their Heavenly Fa- \nther ; and to feel that the most cherished pleasures \nof earthly parentage, fall infinitely below the privi- \nleges of being in the adoption of the sons of God. \n\nOSTENTATION. \n\nO thou that dwellest in the contrite heart, preserve \nme, for the Redeemer\'s sake, from the folly and sin \nof ostentation, both in the common duties of life, \nand in my religious actions. Teach me that I have \nnothing that I have not received ; and that thou \nhast commanded that nothing be done through vain- \nglory. Lord, let me not do my works before men, \nto be seen of them. Make my path of life like the \ncourse of the humble rivulet, which is not denoted \nby noise and glare, but by the verdure and plenty \nthat attend its borders. Grant that whenever I \ndesire to catch the applause of man, or seek to be \nthought of others what I am not, I may reflect that \nall I am and all I do, are naked and open to thine \neyes. Let it be a very small thing with me that I \nshould be judged of man\'s judgment; for though I \nmay lawfully desire the good opinion of my fellow- \ncreatures, I must hold it subordinate to the esteem \nof God : thou art the only true and final umpire of \nconduct and character. Heavenly Father, do thou \n\n\n\n204 \n\ngo raise me above the fear and love of man, that I \nmay be m all things, and at all times, a servant of \nChrist, doing the will of God from the heart, as \nunto the Lord, and not unto men. \n\nPARDON. \n\nGreat God, T have sinned against thee, times and \nways beyond number. If thou shouldst lay righte- \nousness to the line, and judgment to the pluinmet, \nI should be driven from thy presence. Yea, if thou \nshouldst deal with me for one of a thousand of my \ntransgressions, I could not appear before thee. Yet \nI praise thee that there is forgiveness with thee, and \nthat thou blottest out the transgressions of thy peo- \nple. O give me the blessedness of him to whom \nthou imputest no iniquity ; whose sins, though they \nbe as scarlet, shall be as white as snow ; and though \nthey be red like crimson, shall be as wool. \n\nLord, teach me the nature and condition of that \npardon which thou art willing and ready to bestow \non thy sinful creatures. O, it is sufficient to stay \nthe wrath of thy condemnation, and to take away \nforever, the sentence which was written against us. \nYet it is not procured by our own works of right- \neousness ; but we have this redemption through the \nblood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, according \nto the riches of his grace. Grant me, I beseech \nthee, such a conviction of sin, and such a reliance \non the atonement of Jesus, as will make it consist- \nent with thy love of justice, and with the security \nof thy moral government, to remember my trans- \ngressions no more against me. Keep me from every \neffort to bring thee a price in my hand, for this \nprecious boon. O may I seek it as the gift of thy \n\n\n\n205 \n\nmercy, purchased by ine death of thy Son, and made \neffectual by the application of the Holy Ghost. \n\nMerciful God, grant me the fruits of thy forgiving \nlove, in peace of conscience, a sense of thy favour, \na tender penitence for sin, a feeling of deep and \nlasting gratitude, and a holy, humble, and confiding \naccess to thy throne of grace. \n\nLord, lead multitudes of the impenitent to seek \nthy forgiving mercy. May they learn the infinite \nvalue of that sacrifice by which it was procured, \nand the tender solicitude and strivings of thy Spirit, \nthat they should embrace it. Show them from what \nguilt and punishment it redeems, and to what purity \nand happiness it leads. Enter not now into judg- \nment with them, for in th)^ sight shall no man living \nbe justified. O do thou excite many to call on thee \nwhilst thou art waiting to be gracious ; and do thou \nmake peace with them through the blood of the \ncross, and present them holy and unblameable in thy \nsight. Blot out their iniquities from the book of \nthy remembrance, and write their names in the \nLamb\'s book of life. \n\nParents. \xe2\x80\x94 See Fathers, Mothers. \n\nPASSIONS. \n\nLord, preserve me from the dominion of my pas- \nsions. Thou hast given me, in thy wisdom and \ngoodness, the affections of human nature ; but thou \nhast put them under laws of usefulness and of sub- \njection to thy will. Lead me, I pray thee, to con- \nsult diligently those laws ; and help me to bring my \nfeelings into submission to them. O let not the \nthings that are sensual and carnal, attract and absorb \nmy desires. Teach me to abstain from fleshly lusts \n18 \n\n\n\n206 \n\nthat destroy the body, that war against the soul, and \nwhich bring down the displeasure of God. Lord, \nkeep me from the undue and unholy exercise of my \nmental passions. Enable me to control and direct \nthem, that they may be the servants of grace, and \nnot the instruments of unrighteousness. \n\nPATIENCE. \n\nLord, I would draw nigh, in the prevailing name \nof Jesus, to ask thee to cause patience to have its \nperfect work in my heart, in all the various trials \nof life. May it possess my soul, and suffer no in- \ntrusion there of fretful complaint, nor anxious fear. \nIn sickness, in bereavement, in crosses, in provoca- \ntions, in persecutions, in every thing that clashes \nwith my desires, grant, I beseech thee, that I may \nsecure and preserve serenity of mind. Instruct me \nthat every discontented and peevish feeling is re- \nbellion against thee ; and that I may glorify thy \nname by the meek endurance of trial, as well as by \nthe active performance of duty. \xe2\x80\x94 What is man, that \nhe should complain ? Lo ! thou Jehovah art long- \nsuffering, even towards the contradiction of sinners. \nMay I remember that there is One who was tempted \nin all points as I am ; and yet never incurred the \nsin of an impatient spirit \xe2\x80\x94 who when he was re- \nviled, reviled not again ; who when he suffered, \nthreatened not, but committed himself to him that \njudgeth righteously. Teach me that this grace will \nprotect me from much that is evil, and strengthen \nme in all that is good ; and that it will secure thy , \nfavour \xe2\x80\x94 for thou hast said that when we do well, \nand suffer for it, yet take it patiently, this is accept- \nable with God. Enable me to run with patience, \nthe race that is set before me. Put my heart at rest \n\n\n\n207 \n\nin thee ; for he who hath delivered, will yet deliver. \nMay the thought that the Lord will provide, quell \nevery restless and fearful emotion. O God, make \nme a steadfast follower of them that through faith \nand patience, inherit the promises. \n\nPEACE. \n\nHeavenly Father, grant me peace of conscience \ntowards thee, through the atoning hlood of the Lord \nJesus Christ. Give me, I pray thee, that holy se- \nrenity of mind, which the world can neither give \nnor take away, and which results from receiving thy \nlove, and from knowing and doing thy will continu- \nally. \xe2\x80\x94 Enable me to live peaceably with all men \xe2\x80\x94 \nrespecting with justice their rights, and not seeking \nwith pertinacity my own \xe2\x80\x94 giving place to wrath, \nand refraining from an evil tongue, and every thing \nthat stirs up strife. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, give thy churches rest \nfrom unholy divisions within, and from wicked as- \nsaults without. May the household of faith dwell \ntogether in unity ; and then the gates of hell shall \nnot prevail against it. O God, promote and esta- \nblish peace between man and man, and between na- \ntion and nation, throughout the world. Supplant, \nby the influence of the gospel, that selfishness which \nIS the fruitful source of every form of contention : \nand in its place implant that holy love which work- \neth no ill to its neighbour, and which leadeth man \nto regard every human being as a neighbour and a \nbrother. Then shall individuals cease from strife \n\xe2\x80\x94 nations shall learn war no more \xe2\x80\x94 and Jesus, the \nPrince of Peace, shall reign over a dominion where \nthere shall be none to hurt nor destroy \xe2\x80\x94 wher^ heart \nshall beat in harmony with heart \xe2\x80\x94 where eye shall \n\n\n\n208 \n\nspeak peace to eye \xe2\x80\x94 -and where hand shall be to \nhand the exchange of good-will to man. \n\nPERSECUTION. \n\nShepherd of Israel, I would praise thy name for \nthat comparative exemption from persecution, which \nwe enjoy in this highly favoured land. Yet perhaps \nwe owe our peaceful security to our conformity \nwith the world. It becomes us to inquire, whether \nthe world arrays itself not against us, because we \nhave not fearlessly borne our testimony against it, \nthat its deeds are evil ; or because we have not re- \nbuked its practices by a high standard of holy liv- \ning. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, let me not desire exemption from the \nenmity of the wicked, at the expense of duty. \nMake me willing to suffer persecution for righteous- \nness\' sake : yea, thou hast said that they shall suffer \nit, who live godly, in Christ Jesus. If our Blessed \nLord was reviled, scourged, and persecuted, and his \nnoble cloud of witnesses, of whom the world was \nnot worthy, had trial of cruel mockings, and bonds, \nand death, why should I hope to escape ? Lord, \nenable me so to act, that whether men may devise \nevil or good concerning me, my conscience shall be \nfree from guilt towards thee and all mankind. \n\nO thou who art a very present help in trouble, \nremember those who fall into persecution. Over- \nrule the trial of their faith and patience, for their \ngood and thy glory. Abate its severity, or open a \ndoor of deliverance from it, or enable them to bear \nit as good soldiers of Christ. While they suffer \naccording to thy will, may they commit the keep- \ning of their souls to thee, in well-doing, as unto a \nfaithful Creator. Let them not wonder nor com- \nplain, as though some strange thing had happene \n\n\n\n209 \n\nunto them ; but rejoice inasmuch as they are par- \ntakers of Christ\'s sufferings ; that when his glory \nshall be revealed, they may be glad also with ex- \nceeding joy. \n\nPE RSE V E RAN C E. \n\nGod of Salvation, let me not be of those that \ndraw back unto perdition, but of them that believe \nunto the saving of the soul. Make me steadfast in \nthe pursuit of knowledge, and performance of duty. \nTeach me that the race is not to the swift, but to \nthem who cast aside every weight, and the sin that \ndoth so easily beset them ; and who look to Jesus, \nas the Author and Finisher of faith. Blessed be \nGod, the way I am called to run in, is not an un- \nbeaten path ; for thy people on earth are now walk- \ning in it as the highway to heaven ; the saints in \nglory have followed it unto life eternal ; yea, even \nthe High Priest of our profession, Christ the Right- \neous, hath made it smooth by his glorious footsteps. \nLord, give me a warmer zeal, and a holier strength, \nto run that heavenly road. \n\nO God, set clearly and strongly before my mind, \nthat exceeding and eternal weight of glory, which \nis laid up for those that endure unto the end. May \nI so run, that I shall obtain it. Enable me to con- \ntinue in all things which are written in the book of \nthe law, to do them. O teach me the duty of per- \nseverance, by a conviction of the uncertainty of life. \nThose servants only shall be blessed, whom when \nthe Lord cometh, he shall find watching. \xe2\x80\x94 Give me, \nI beseech thee, such views of the foes that are with- \nin and around me, as shall lead me to continual de- \npendence on thy grace, and unremitted diligence in \nthy will. Imbue me with courage of mind and \n18* \n\n\n\n210 \n\nstrength of heart, to overcome all the hinderances \nwhich Satan, or the world, or my own passions, \nmay cast in my way. \xe2\x80\x94 Heavenly Father, let nothing \nbe able to separate me from thy love in Christ Je- \nsus. O, love me with an everlasting love. May \nhe that is the Ransom of sinners, save me unto the \nuttermost. May thy Holy Spirit seal me unto the \nday of redemption, and be my Comforter, to abide \nwith me forever. And then, in that inheritance \nwhich is incorruptible, and that fadeth not away, I \nwill praise thee for the power of thy grace, by \nwhich I shall have been kept, through faith, unto \nsalvation. \n\nPIETY. \n\nGod of Salvation, vouchsafe unto me a spirit of \nintelligent and devoted piety. Make me a Chris- \ntian, not only in name, but in truth. May I watch \ndiligently, lest while I have the form of godliness, \nI may be destitute of its power. \xe2\x80\x94 Lead me, I pray \nthee, into the constant exercise of repentance to- \nwards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Fill \nmy heart with love to thee, thine ordinances, thy \nservice, thy people, and all mankind. Give that \nlove such strength and purity, that it shall fulfil thy \nlaw. Make it abound more and more, in know- \nledge and judgment, until I am filled with the fruits \nof righteousness, unto the glory and praise of God. \nCleanse thou my heart from evil thoughts, and my \nlife from wicked ways ; and enable me to die unto \nsin, and to live unto righteousness. Make me meek \nand forgiving, sincere and humble. Let consistency, \nself-denial, and gratitude, pervade all my actions. \nMake me earnest in prayer, unwavering in faith, \nand joyful in hope. Prepare me for the quiet en- \n\n\n\n211 \n\ndurance of every trial, and for the zealous perform- \nance of .every duty. If I suffer as a Christian, let \nme not be ashamed, but glorify God on this behalf. \nLord, make me a follower of them who, through \nfaith and patience, inherit the promises. Permit \nme not to put a stumbling-block, or an occasion \nto fall, in my brother\'s way : but cause me to \nfollow after the things which make for peace, and \nthings wherewith one may edify another. May I so \nact before the world, that men may take knowledge \nof me, and be led to glorify our Father in heaven. \nMay the same mind w^hich ^vas in Christ be also \nin me. As I have borne the image of the earthly, \nso let me bear the image of the heavenly ; and of \nhis fulness receive, and grace for grace. Blessed \nLord, grant that by patient continuance in well-doing, \nI may seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, \nwhere the righteous shall shine forth as the sun, in \nthe kingdom of their Father. \n\nPITY. \n\nMerciful Father, make my heart sensible to every \nobject of pity. Blessed Jesus, thou hadst compas- \nsion on every subject of distress and misfortune. \nThou didst mourn with them that mourned, and weep \nwith them that w^ept. It was indeed the tenderness \nof thy love which brought thee to this world of wo, \nthat thou mightest bless and save those who were \nready to perish. O may the same mind be in me \nwhich was in Christ Jesus. Let no form of self- \nishness so harden my heart, that I shall fail to ex- \nercise compassion for the wants and woes of thy \ncreatures. Let me not stop my ears to the cry of \nthe needy, nor turn away my eyes from them that \nare stricken with misery. And let me not pity only \n\n\n\n212 \n\nm word and in tongue ; but in deed and in truth : \nfor so shall I know that I am of the truth, and as- \nsure my heart before thee, whose compassions fail \nnot, else I should be consumed in thy presence. \n\nLord, grant that my deepest feelings of pity, my \nstrongest yearnings of soul, may be over those who \nare living heedlessly, under the wrath of God. Let \nmy heart\'s desire and prayer to thee be, that they \nmight be saved. O magnify thy goodness in bring- \ning them from the rebellion of sin, into the obedi- \nence of faith. \n\nPOPERY. \n\nGod of Truth, destroy the power of popery. Let \nnot the Man of sin, the Son of perdition, continue \nto rule the nations with his rod of iron. Lord, how \nlong shall men concede to weak mortals, like them- \nselves, the claims of infallibility and absolution ? \nHow long shall sinful men be permitted to keep the \nconsciences of their fellow-men \xe2\x80\x94 to dispense vain \nindulgences for sin \xe2\x80\x94 to blot out the commandments \nof God \xe2\x80\x94 to make thy law void by vain traditions\xe2\x80\x94 \nto prohibit the bread of life \xe2\x80\x94 and to exalt the wor- \nship of superstition over the services of simplicity \nand truth ? How long, O Lord, shall they impiously \narrogate to change a corruptible thing into the in- \ncorruptible body of Christ ; and to dishonour the \natonement of Jesus, by claiming for any that have \nbeen redeemed by his blood, an excess of obedience \nbeyond the requirements of thy law ? O redeem \nthe victims of these delusions. May they learn that \nthou only art the object of worship ; that thou only \ncanst forgive sin ; and that the Scriptures of truth \nare the only and all-sufficient rule which thou hast \ngiven us, to know how we may glorify and enjoy \nthee forever. \n\n\n\n213 \n\nLord, cause thy word, thy Spirit, thy providence, \nand thy people, to concur mightily in overthrowing \nthis great bulwark of Satan. May the spirit of love \ngovern all thy saints in their efforts to recover the \nworld from papal power. Transform all its temples \ninto sanctuaries of righteousness ; and into every \nheart that has been a shrine of its corruptions, put \nthou an altar consecrated to the pure service of the \nliving God. \n\nPOVERTY. \n\nMerciful Father, if it be thy will, preserve me \nfrom poverty. Let not my mind be harassed by \nfears as to what I, or those who may be dependent \non me, shall eat or drink, or wherewithal we shall \nbe clothed. Bestow on me a moderate competence \nof the means of support, and grant me thy favour in \nthe enjoyment of it. Make me grateful to thee for \nthy past and present bounties. But, O Lord, if it \nbe thy pleasure to strip me of my worldly comforts, \nand to bring me into deep and distressing need, let \nme not rebel against thee, nor complain of thy right- \neous providence. May I find more joy in trusting \nto thee, in the midst of adversity, than in all the \npleasures which unsanctified wealth could bestow. \nEven though darkness should gather with forbidding \ngloom over all my expectations of worldly comfort, \nthroughout all the remainder of my life, let the con- \nsolations of thy Spirit be more than enough to satisfy \nmy soul. Make me rich in the hope of a better and \na heavenly substance, which corrupts not in the \nenjoyment, perishes not in the using, but endures \nforever. \n\nLord, pity the poor. Soothe and relieve their \nwants. Protect them from oppression, and deliver \n\n\n\n214 \n\nihem from him that spoileth them. Save them from \nthe vices which so often accompany their lot. Raise \nup friends who shall feel for their wants, and supply \ntheir necessities. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, let it be a prominent duty \nwith Christians, to minister to those that are in \nneed. May they remember that their Lord and \nMaster had not where to lay his head, and that these \nstricken ones are his representatives on the earth. \nShow them that he who hath pity on the poor, \nlendeth to the Lord, who will pay him again : while \nhe that oppresseth them reproacheth his Maker, and \nhe that stoppeth his ears at their cry, shall also cry \nhimself, and shall not be heard. Enable them to \ndevise such employment for the needy, as shall at \nonce confer on them the blessings of industry and \nself-support. May those who have no silver nor \ngold to give, bestow their sympathies and counsels, \nwhich are often worth more than money. \xe2\x80\x94 And \nabove all, may they seek, through thy Spirit, to con- \nfer on them that godliness which is profitable unto \nall things. \n\nLord, bless those public charities which are de-- \nsigned to relieve the distresses of the destitute. Give \nminds of discretion, and hearts of pity, to those who \ncontrol them. As these works of mercy are the \nfruits of the gospel, so may they be conducted in its \nspirit, and result in its choicest blessings. Though \nthou hast said that the poor shall never cease out \nof the land, yet do thou abate the sorrows, and re- \nmove the evils, of their condition ; and make multi- \ntudes of them rich in faith toward God, and in the \nhope of salvation. \n\nPRAISE. \n\nO thou Most High, I would praise thee for thine \nexcellent greatness. The heaven of heavens cannot \n\n\n\n215 \n\ncontain thee. From everlasting to everlasting thou \nart God. With thee there is no variableness, neither \nshadow of turning. Thou art infinitely more exalted \nabove us, than we are above the smallest insect of \ncreation. Lord, thou knowest all things : thou art \nthe only wise God, wonderful in counsel, and infi- \nnite in knowledge. Thou art able to do, exceeding \nabundantly, above all that we can think. Thou art \nof purer eyes, than to behold evil. Justice and \njudgment are the habitation of thy throne. The \nworks of nature, the movements of providence, and \nthe plan of redemption are full of thy goodness. \nThy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Lo, \nall thy ways are perfect ! \n\nLord, grant me such adoring views of thy cha- \nracter, as shall be delightful foretastes of that praise \nwhich is the incense of thy worship in heaven. May \nI rejoice that the government of the world, and of \nthe universe, is in the hands of a perfect being, who \nwill do all things well. Make me esteem thy favour \nas the highest honour, and the most glorious privi- \nlege, which men or angels can enjoy. O may I \noften set my feeble and corrupt powers in contrast \nwith thine infinite and spotless perfections, that I \nmay thus at once take my place in the dust before \nthee, and magnify thy great and glorious name. \xe2\x80\x94 \n[_See THE VARIOUS Attributes.]] \n\nPRAYER. \n\nHeavenly Father, teach me to pray, and quicken \nme by thy Spirit, that I may worship thee in spirit \nand in truth. Give me clear and abiding views of \nthe nature of this solemn act of worship. Grant me \na proper estimate of thy character, as infinitely able \nand willing to bless all who would approach the \nthrone of grace, according to thy will. Enable me \n\n\n\n216 \n\nto make thy glory the ruling object of my desires ; \nand to present them only in the name of the heaven- \nly Mediator ; whom thou always hearest, for in him \nthou art ever well-pleased. May every supplication \nbe offered in the wish and hope that Jesus will pre- \nsent it, with his prevailing intercession, at the throne \nof grace. Lord, make me feel my entire and con- \ntinual dependance on thee for all the blessings I \npossess, or hope to enjoy. O do thou give me \nsuch a craving sense of want, such a conviction that \nthere is no other source of relief, and such confi- \ndence in thy promises, that supplication shall be the \nlanguage of my tongue, the thought of my heart, and \nthe food of my soul. \n\nGreat God, thou art, indeed, not worshipped as \nthough thou needest any thing ; for thou givest to \nall, life, and breath, and all things. It is in mercy \nto us that thou art willing to hear and answer the \nprayer of penitence and faith. Thou hast more- \nover commanded it, as our imperative duty \xe2\x80\x94 thus \nmaking our privilege and our obligation one and in- \nseparable. \n\nInfinite Fountain of Blessing, grant me the influ- \nences of thy Spirit, to show me wkat I should pray \nfor, and the way in which I should draw nigh to the \nmercy-seat. \xe2\x80\x94 Teach me, I pray thee, the various \nand numerous wants of my dependent nature, until \nmy thoughts shall grow familiar with them, in all \ntheir number, and my heart shall be absorbed by con- \nvictions of their importance. Lord, dispose me to \nsubmit every object of hope and every pursuit of \ndesire, by prayer, to the control of thy will : and do \nthou turn me away from continuing or completing \nany thing, which has not the sanction of thy favour, \nand upon which I cannot invoke thy blessing. O \n\n\n\n217 \n\nLord, suffer me not to confine my supplications \nto my own wants ; but do thou give me a spirit of \nprayer on behalf of others. Make me feelingly \nalive to all the interests of thy church, and abundant \nin intercession for her knowledge, purity, and in- \ncrease. O burden my heart with anxious solicitude \nfor the impenitent ; and lead my feelings out in \nearnest and importunate pleadings for their salva- \ntion. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, suffer me not to approach thee, on any \nsubject, with thoughtlessness or insincerity. Re- \nstrain me from a wandering and corrupted mind. \nMay every petition be the expression of true and \nanxious feeling. Suffer me not to forget my sup- \nplications, with the passing breath that utters them ; \nbut do thou cause my memory to retain them, and \nmy hope to pursue them ; and if I receive not, may \nI be assured that it is because I ask amiss. \n\nFather of Mercy, assist me to bring my desires \ninto conformity to thy will. Let me not ask thee \nfor any thing inconsistent with thy holy and sove- \nreign pleasure. \xe2\x80\x94 Help me to come in the humble \nboldness of faith to thy throne, that I may obtain \nmercy, and find grace to help in time of need. \nThou art indeed more ready to hear than I am to \npray ; and more willing to give than I am to ask. \nEnable me, I pray thee, to come to thee in the con- \nfidence with which I would approach an earthly \nparent : for if such an one knows how to give good \ngifts to his children, much more will our heavenly \nFather give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him. \nLord, help thou mine unbelief, and enable me to \nbelieve that thou art the rewarder of them that dili- \ngently seek thee. \xe2\x80\x94 Teach me that if I regard ini- \nquity in my heart, thou wilt not hear me. Do thou \ntherefore cleanse my heart, that my desires may go \n19 \n\n\n\n218 \n\nforth unspotted by sin, and find acceptance in thy \nsight. Lord, lead me to the thankful acknowledg- \nment of past mercies ; and dispose me to hope from \nthem for the bestow ment of future good. \xe2\x80\x94 Bring \nme to thee, O Searcher of hearts, with humble con- \nfession of sins ; for it becomes me to say, that in- \nstead of having any claim to thine audience and \nfavour, I have only deserved thy displeasure. It \nis of thy grace that I am even permitted to plead \nfor mercy. \n\nHeavenly Father, dispose me to fulfil every suita- \nble occasion of devotional duty. May I love the \npublic and social supplications of thy saints. Let \nme not withhold the incense from the family altar. \nMay I delight to hold converse with thee, where \nthere is no other eye to watch, and no other ear to \nhear, and where I shall feel that I am alone with \nGod. And give me. Blessed Master, that spirit of \nejaculatory prayer, which will purify every current \nof my thoughts, and sanctify every business of my \nlife. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, enable me, in all the vicissitudes of \nlife, to watch unto prayer, and to find that it is good \nfor me to draw nigh to God. May I wrestle, as did \nthy servant of old, who had power with thee, and \nprevailed. And may my soul ascribe, in sincerity \nand love, the praise of all the mercies I derive from \nthee, to thy matchless grace in the Redeemer, both \nnow and forever. Amen. \n\nPRESS. \n\nGod of Wisdom, I thank thee for the invention \nof the art of printing, by which temporal know- \nledge and heavenly wisdom have been scattered, in \ncopious profusion, over the face of society. I desire \nto regard it as a noble instrumentality for imbuing \n\n\n\n219 \n\nevery mind with useful learning, and every heart \nwith saving truth. Yet do thou teach me that its \ncapacity to do good, is often fearfully perverted to \ndo evil. For, O, its works often teem with the \npages of folly and slander, licentiousness and infi- \ndelity : and its {periodical issues, which might be \nthe guardians of public welfare, and the monitors \nof public virtue, are, many of them, crowded with \nscandal and falsehood, vice and impiety, which de- \nstroy the common good, and deprave the common \nmorality. Gracious God, supplant all these cor- \nrupting influences ; and cause the whole power of \nthis mighty engine to be exercised on behalf of the \ntemporal and eternal interests of the human family. \n\nLord, purify our literature in all its forms, and \nmake it auxiliary to religion. Elevate and sanctify \nthe aims of authors, and cause their fountains of \nthought to flow forth in streams that shall refresh \nand fertilize the human mind. Let intelligence, \nprudence, and virtue, control our periodicals of \nevery class. Create distaste and aversion in the \nreading public, towards every thing that is subver- \nsive of morality. \n\nMerciful God, make the press an important means \nof ascertaining every disputed truth and duty, and \nof fixing them on immovable foundations. Pre- \nserve its liberty, but overthrow its licentiousness. \nLet it circulate useful knowledge, of every kind, \namong all the inhabitants of the world. Make it \nthe gift of tongues, to proclaim, in every language, \nthe wonderful works of God. Let the Holy Bible, \nthe sacred tract, the religious paper, and the evan- \ngelical volume, reach every household of earth, and \nfill every mind of man with saving knowledge. \n\n\n\n220 \n\n\n\nPRIDE. \n\nO thou who hast said that jio flesh shall glory in \nthy presence, redeem and preserve me from the \nspirit of pride. Show me its folly and sinfulness ; \nand incline me to watch closely agwnst its corrupt- \ning influence over my soul. Lord, why should a \nworm of the dust, a being of weakness, want, and \ndependence, exalt itself in the vanity of self-suffi- \nciency, and ask the tribute of praise or homage from \nits fellow-creatures ? O, thou hatest pride ; thou \nmakest it go before destruction, and a haughty spirit \nbefore a fall. Lead me, I pray thee, to reflect that \nthis wicked spirit cast out the rebel angels from \ntheir first estate, into that fearful darkness, where \nthey are reserved in everlasting chains ; and that by \nit man was beguiled, in the garden of Paradise, into \nthat disobedience which brought death into the \nworld ; and that it has ever since been a fountain of \nguilt, sending forth innumerable streams of corrup- \ntion and desolation. Enable me to set this vice in \nstrong contrast with the meekness of Christ, and \nwith that humility, by which are riches, and honour, \nand life. Lord, wherefore should I glory, since all \nthat I am, and all that I have, are the gifts of thine \nunmerited goodness ? O do thou give me such \nabiding perceptions of thy greatness and excellency, \nand of my own weakness and unworthiness \xe2\x80\x94 such \nviews of the presumption, sinfulness, and danger \nof pride, and of the beauty and blessedness of meek- \nness \xe2\x80\x94 as shall lead me to renounce, at once and for- \never, the dominion of a haughty spirit. \n\nGreat God, stain the pride of human glory. May \nsinners learn the vanity and guilt of every thing \nthat exalts itself against the will of God. Teach \n\n\n\n221 \n\nthem that neither birth, nor learning, nor wealth, \nnor rank, is noble in thy sight: while the humble \nand childlike are the greatest in the kingdom of \nheaven. O thou exalted Jehovah, bring all their \nthoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. \nLet them that glory, glory in the Lord ; who though \nhe be to carnal men a stumblingblock and foolish- \nness, is yet to them that are called, the power of \nGod, and the wisdom of God, unto salvation ! \n\nPRISONS. \n\nLord, pity those whose crimes have brought on \nthem the retributions of human justice, and who \nare shut up in the gloomy walls of the prison-house. \nDo thou kindle the sympathies of the humane for \nthem. Make them the objects, not of exulting re- \nvenge, but of reforming compassion. Rebuke the \nindifference and neglect of thy people towards them. \nMay they remember that it was restraining grace \nwhich saved themselves from a similar or worse \ndoom. Let that love, which teaches us to do good \nto those that injure us, devise and execute blessings \nfor them. May they be persuaded that thy spirit is \nable to renovate them, though they be the chief of \nsinners. \xe2\x80\x94 God of Wisdom, make the laws that \npunish criminals suitable to their several offences ; \nand let the certainty, rather than the severity, of the \npenalty, be sought in the enactments and execution \nof justice. May the whole treatment of them be \nsuch as shall both punish and reform them. \n\nLord, I bless thee that the attention of enlightened \nand pious minds has been drawn to consider and \ncorrect the abuses of prison discipline. By their \nefforts, suitable edifices have been built ; the cor- \nruptions of free intercourse between the convicts \n19* \n\n\n\n222 \n\nhave been prevented ; habits of industry and so- \nbriety have been formed ; useful knowledge and re- \nligious instruction have been imparted ; and many, \nwhose bondage on earth seemed to be a certain \ntoken of an everlasting captivity, have been made \nto rejoice in the liberty of thy children. Extend, I \npray thee, in the name of Jesus, the blessings of \nthis system to every prison. And grant that when \nthou openest the prison-doors to them that are bound, \nthey may go forth, not to prey upon, but to bless \nsociety. \n\nGracious God, abate and remove the necessity \nof punishment, by the decrease and extinction of \ncrime. Let the time soon come, when, in the uni- \nversal prevalence of virtue, our jails and peniten- \ntiaries shall be crumbling heaps of ruins, or stand \nas monuments of past guilt and present reforma- \ntion. \n\nPrivileges. \xe2\x80\x94 See Means of Grace. \n\nPROCRASTINATION. \n\nLord, keep me, for Christ\'s sake, from that indo- \nlence of heart, and that aversion to duty, which \nwould lead me to evade or postpone the claims of \npresent obedience. Let me not put off for to-mor- \nrow nor futurity, that which ought to be done to-day. \nSuffer not the hope of a more convenient season to \ndefraud thee of that service which thou requirest \nof me now. O grant me knowledge to discern \nthine accepted time, and zeal to do at once, and \nwith earnest willingness, what my hand findeth \nto do. \n\nO Lord, how many have cheated their consciences \nand expectations, with intentions of future repent- \n\n\n\n223 \n\nance, and are now reaping the bitter fruits of their \nfoolish and sinful delay, where repentance never \nconies. I beseech thee, explode that wretched fal- \nlacy of hope, which binds up such multitudes in \nthe fetters of sloth, and delivers them over to the \nchains of the second death. O, awake those who \nare lulled by this opiate of sin, and teach them the \nvanity and guilt of delaying to make their peace \nwith thee. Let none be deluded by the expectation \nof a death-bed repentance. Teach them how vain \nit is to expect that in those hours, when the judg- \nment is unfit to discharge the ordinary duties of life, \nit shall be competent to encounter and decide aright, \nthe weighty interests of eternity. Let none deceive \nthemselves with the vain hope of waiting for God\'s \ntime.* May they hear thy voice saying to them, \n" Behold, now is the accepted time : this is the day \nof salvation." Draw them unto thee, whilst thou \nart waiting to be gracious. Show them that if they \nwill still refuse to come to thee, their hearts will \ngrow hard and unfeeling ; thy Spirit may cease to \nstrive with them ; the stroke of death may cut them \noff from the dwelling-place of mercy ; and then \nthey will lift up the unavailing cry, " How have \nwe hated instruction, and despised reproof. \xe2\x80\x94 The \nharvest is past, and we are not saved !" \n\nPROFANITY. \n\nLord, let me not take thy holy name in vain. \nKeep me from profaning or abusing any thing \nwhereby thou makest thyself known ; and lead me \ninto a holy and reverend use of thy names, titles, \nattributes, ordinances, word, and works. \n\nSuppress, I beseech thee, the profanity which so \nshamefully abounds in the world. O, I would la- \n\n\n\n224 \n\nment before thee, that because of swearing, the land \nmourneth. May all who are guilty of this trans- \ngression, be persuaded that it is an unprovoked, a \nwilful, and presumptuous sin against the Most High, \nwhose name is exalted, that every knee should bow, \nand every tongue confess before him, in the deep- \nest reverence and self-abasement. Thou hast re- \nvealed thy name, and character, and dealings, that \nmankind should praise, and supplicate, and obey \nthee : but they have, in their madness of heart, \nmade this knowledge the occasion of impious pro- \nfaneness^ Lord, show them that thou wilt not hold \nthose guiltless, who take thy name in vain. They \nthat love cursing, shall be cursed. Adorable Je- \nhovah, give them a speedy repentance and forsak- \ning of their sin. Grant that every tongue Vhich \nhas abused thy majesty, may become a voice of \nthanksgiving and prayer. \n\nPROMISES. \n\nGreat Fountain of Blessing, I thank thee that \nthou hast strengthened the faith, and established the \nhopes, of thy chosen people, throughout all genera- \ntions, by many precious promises. Even in that \nday when our first parents forfeited, by iniquity, \ntheir birthright to Paradise, thou didst give the \npledge of thy truth, that the seed of the woman \nshould bruise the serpent\'s head, and thus recover \nour race from the ruins of the apostasy. And ever \nsince, in all thy revelations to men, thou hast been \npleased to declare, abundantly, thy rich purposes of \nmercy. They are scattered over every page of thy \nword ; they are suited to every variety of Christian \nexperience and trial ; and they are so plain, that he \nwho runs may read. The history of thy heritage, \n\n\n\n225 \n\nin all ages, has borne witness that they are steadfast \nand true ; for they are established on the faithful- \nness of the God of Truth. Lord, I desire to mag- \nnify and extol thee for those assurances of comfort \nin this life, and of bliss in that to come, which \ngather in countless profusion around the cross of \nChrist. Blessed be thy name, thy promises are \nYea and Amen in him, unto the glory of God. \n\nO that they might be embalmed in my memoVy, \nand be cherished in my confidence ; for they are \nmore precious than rubies, and more enduring than \nthe foundations of the earth. Make them, t beseech \nthee, the means of dispelling my sorrows, of scatter- \ning my doubts, and of exciting my zeal. May I \nregard them with overflowing gratitude to thee, as \nthe pledges of thine eternal truth and goodness ; as \nthe beacons which thou hast set to light up the \ngloomy pathways of life, and to throw over the \npillow of death, the dawning beams of an unclouded \nimmortality. \n\nO God, fulfil speedily thy promises to the Daugh- \nter of Zion. Let not her ways mourn, nor her gates \nbe desolate, nor her priests sigh, nor her people be \nin bitterness. Put off her sackcloth, and gird her \nwith gladness. Give her the garments of praise \nfor the spirit of heaviness. Cause her righteous- \nness to go forth as brightness, and her salvation as \na lamp that burneth. O create her a rejoicing, and \nthy people a joy, throughout the whole earth. \n\nPROSPERITY. \n\nLord, suffer me not to be anxious for worldly \nprosperity. let me not forget its fearful dangers \n\xe2\x80\x94 how often it leads the soul away in forgetfulness \nand ingratitude from God ; how it binds the heart in \n\n\n\n226 \n\nthe fetters of worldly conformity and self-indul \ngence ; how it nourishes pride, indolence, and iin- \nfeelingness, and palsies faith, zeal, and prayer. \n\nLord, if it please thee to bestow abundance on \nme, enable me to use it, not in fulfilling the lust of \nthe flesh, but for thy glory and the good of man. \nIf riches increase, let me not set my heart upon \nthem. Make me willing to surrender them at thy \ncall. May I remember that the duration of their \nenjoyment must at best be short; that their plea- \nsures are mixed with vanity and vexation of spirit ; \nand thafrthou wilt judge men according to the plenty \nthey enjoy from thee. O give me such views of \nthy better inheritance, as shall preserve me from \nthe thraldom of those vices which spring from a \nprosperous life. Give such strength to my hope of \nthe eternal weight of glory, that all the enjoyments \nof earth shall be barren and tasteless in the infinite \ncontrast. O make me ever mindful of the solemn \nwarning, \'* How hardly shall they that have riches, \nenter into the kingdom of God !" \n\nHeavenly Father, let me not be envious nor re- \nbellious when I see the prosperity of the wicked. \nSurely thou hast set them in slippery places. They \nthat will be rich fall into temptations and snares, \nand into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown \nmen in destruction and perdition. Lord, what shall \nit profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose \nhis own soul ? \n\nGod of Beneficence, enlarge the souls of those on \nwhom thou hast cast the mantle of plenty. May \nthey bless the Lord, and forget not all his benefits. \nMake them rich in good works, and ready to distri- \nbute, according as thou hast prospered them. Teach \nthem that the silver and the gold are thine, and \n\n\n\n227 \n\nmake them the stewards of thy bounty \xe2\x80\x94 willing \ninstruments in sustaining and enlarging every work \nof faith and labour of love. Give them grace to lay \nup treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not \ncorrupt, and where thieves cannot break through and \nsteal. \n\nPROVIDENCE. \n\nGreat Sovereign, thou hast prepared thy throne \nin the heavens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all. \nThou dost thy will in the army of heaven, and \namong the inhabitants of earth ; and none can stay \nthy hand, nor say unto thee, " What dost thou ?" \nThou callest the stars by name, and numberest the \nhairs of our heads : thou upholdest the sparrow, and \ngivest strength to the seraph. Lord, I would praise \nthee for thy most holy, wise, and powerful preserv- \ning and governing all thy creatures. If thou shouldst \nwithdraw the energies of thy power from the works \nof thy hands, they* would all fall back at once into \nnon-existence. But blessed be thy name, thy do- \nminion is an everlasting dominion, and thy king- \ndom is from generation to generation. \n\nGreat God, enable me to see and acknowledge \nthy hand in all the movements of thy providence. \nMake me realize my immediate and absolute depend- \nence on thee, and my obligations to thy preserving \nand governing wisdom. Suffer me not to impeach \nany of thy ways : for though thy dealings may often \nseem to the eye of feeble sense to be confused or \nmysterious, yet in thy sight they stand in perfect \norder, and are clothed with unshadowed light. \nMake me submissive to every token of thy will. \nMay I praise thee in joy and in grief: because it \nis the Lord that giveth, and that taketh away. Thou \n\n\n\n228 \n\nart indeed wonderful in counsel, and excellent in \nworking. Thou givest the mercies of every day\'s \nlife to the evil, as well as to the good. But it is \nonly for them that love thee, that thou makest thy \nprovidence and grace work together for good.\xe2\x80\x94 \nExalted Jehovah, may the solemn truth that thy \nkingdom ruleth over all, lead me to seek thy favour, \nas the chief blessing of life ; and to do thy pleasure, \nas it is done in heaven. \n\nPRUDENCE. \n\nO thou who only art wise, vouchsafe to me that \nprudence which is the dwelling-place of wisdom. \nPreserve me from a heedless and an impetuous \nspirit. Make every purpose of my heart, and every \naction of my life, the result of prayerful considera- \ntion. Dispose me, I pray thee, to pursue every \nright object with a proper spirit. Let me not be \ngoverned by any rules of policy which are incon- \nsistent with a good conscience ; nor do evil that \ngood may come. Instruct me in all my personal \nand relative duties ; and give me sanctified know- \nledge and discreet zeal, to meet and discharge them, \nin the sight of God. Grant me the instruction of \nthy word, which is able to make me wise unto sal- \nvation ; and the teachings of thy Spirit, which search- \nest the deep things of God, and beareth witness \nwith my conscience, whether I walk in the way, \nthe truth, and the life. \n\nRegeneration. \xe2\x80\x94 See Conversion, \n\nREPENTANCE. \n\nHeavenly Father, grant me repentance unto lifi*^ \nthrough the merits of the Saviour. Give me, I be- \n\n\n\n229 \n\nseech thee, a true sense of my sin. It is against \nthee, O Lord, I have sinned. I have broken thy \nholy, wise, and benevolent law, ways and times be- \nyond number. I have sinned against the teachings \nof thy word, against the testimonies of conscience, \nagainst the drawings of thy love, and against the \nstrivings of thy Spirit. My transgressions may \nhave led others into the paths of evil, and thus have \nbeen instrumental in loading their souls with guilt. \nMine iniquities have cast reproach on thy cause in \nthe world ; and they have shut out the precious \nlight of thy countenance from my soul. O God, \nmake me feel how hateful my sin is in thy sight, \nand that the perfections of thy nature are pledged \nfor its punishment. O thou hast spread wide and \ndeep, the lake of unquenchable fire \xe2\x80\x94 thou hast built, \nwith everlasting strength, the prison-walls of hell \xe2\x80\x94 \nwhere the unrepenting sinner will dwell in torment \nforever. \n\nLord, I implore thee to give me deep convictions \nof the atrocious guilt and soul-destroying danger of \nsin. Grant me feelings of strong abhorrence to- \nwards it. Incline me to mourn, with bitterness of \nheart, over my transgressions. Imbue me with \ncourage, to resolve to forsake them, and with \nstrength, to turn from them unto thee, with earnest \nendeavours after new obedience. Teach me, that \nhe who turns not away from every sin, turns not \naright from any sin. O let not mine be the^orrow \nof the world, that worketh death ; but a godly sor- \nrow, that worketh repentance to salvation, not to be \nrepented of. Bring me to thee, crying, " Lord, save \nme, or I perish." And say to me in thy mercy, \n\'\'Son, beef good cheer; thy sins be forgiven \nthee." \n\n20 \n\n\n\n230 \n\nO God, kindle a fire in the consciences of the \nimpenitent, that shall cleanse them from the love of \nsin, and purify them unto thee, in holiness of heart \nand life. Convince them of the evil nature, and \nfearful consequences of their iniquity. Show ihem \nthat thou art waiting to be gracious, and that thou \nhast no pleasure in the death of them that die, but \nthat they turn and live. Turn them from the error \nof their ways, and lead them into the path of the \njust. Induce them to forsake their sins, and to \nbring forth fruits meet for repentance. Incline them \nto obey thy will from the heart , not that they may \nseek, by the deeds of the law, to be justified in \nthy sight ; but that he who was delivered for their \noffences, may be made their justification and com- \nplete salvation. \n\nREPROOF. \n\nO thou Holy One, suffer me to have no fellow- \nship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but may \nI rather reprove them. Cause my conduct to stand \nforth as a sentence of condemnation against them, \nboth in my scrupulously avoiding that which is evil, \nand resolutely cleaving to that which is good. Give \nme a holy courage to bear the testimony of my \nvoice against transgression. But, O, let it not be \ndone in anger, but in love and humility, and with \nprayer. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, may I be encouraged in this duty, \nby remembering that it is thy will that we should \nin any wise rebuke our neighbour, and not suffer \nsin upon him. \xe2\x80\x94 If any of the brethren be overtaken \nin a fault, make me feel that it is both my duty and \nprivilege to restore such a one, in the spirit of meek- \nness. Show me that the eternal interests of the \nungodly require me to take up this cross ; for the \n\n\n\n231 \n\nwant of my reproof may leave him unmolested in \nhis sin, to spread its contagion on others, and to go \ndown with it to the bosom of perdition ; while my \nfaithfulness may be the blessed means of redeeming \nhim from the dominion of iniquity, and of leading \nhim to seek the salvation of his soul. \n\nLord, dispose me to receive rebuke with meek- \nness and thankfulness. Make me open to convic- \ntion, and dispose me to acknowledge and forsake \nmy evil. O may all that are the subjects of Chris- \ntian reproof, reflect, that he who is often reproved, \nand still hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be de- \nstroyed, and that without remedy. \n\nResignation. \xe2\x80\x94 See Afflietion^ Submission. \n\nRESURRECTION. \n\nGod of the living, thou hast revealed the doc- \ntrine that thou wilt raise these mortal frames, at the \nday of judgment, from their long decay of death, \nand make them joint-heirs with our spirits in the \nretributions of eternity. All that are in the graves \nshall hear thy voice, and shall come forth ; they \nthat have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; \nand they that have done evil, unto the resurrection \nof damnation. \n\nLord, I thank thee that our Blessed Saviour be- \ncame the first-fruits of them that slept ; thus setting \nthe seal of heaven to the truth of his gospel, and \nto the hope of our resurrection. If Christ be not \nrisen, then is our faith vain. But, thanks be to thy \nname, he has the keys of death, and could not be \nholden of it : and as we believe that Jesus died and \nrose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, \nwill God bring with him, O may I rejoice in the \n\n\n\n232 \n\nhope, that though after my skin, worms destroy my \nbody, yet in my flesh, I shall see God, and be for- \never with the Lord. O grant that when the earth \nshall cast forth her dead, this corruptible may put \non incorruption, and this mortality put on immor- \ntality, and be fashioned like unto Christ\'s glorious \nbody, according to the working whereby he is able \nto subdue all things to himself. \n\nRETIRE ME NT. \n\nLord, dispose and enable me to cultivate and en- \njoy the blessings of Christian retirement. Grant \nme many of those precious hours of peaceful seclu- \nsion, in which I shall find rest from the cares and \ncorruptions of the world, and reflect on my past con- \nduct, my present character, and my future purposes. \n\nmay they be seasons when I shall fill with hea- \nvenly oil, and kindle with holy fire, the lamp of my \nprofession ; and when I shall hold sweet communion \nwith thee at thy mercy-seat. Vouchsafe that when \n\n1 thus retire from the world, it may be in order to \nreplenish my soul, and return again to the duties of \nlife, strengthened by thy grace, and richly laden \nwith gospel blessings. O thou who didst seek the \nlonely desert, the solitary mountain, and the covert \nof night, make my withdrawings from the busy \nscenes of earth, such as thine own were \xe2\x80\x94 hours \nfull of holy love to God, and fraught with good-will \nto man. \n\nREVENGE. \n\nHeavenly Father, convince my judgment of the \nfolly, and my heart of the sin, of revenge. Per- \nsuade me that it can neither preserve me\' from harm, \nnor procure me any good ; while it stirs up wrath \n\n\n\n233 \n\nand retaliation, and arrays against it the anger of a \nholy God. I pray thee, for the sake of Jesus, let \nme not render evil for evil to any man. Give me \npatience under provocation, meekness under injury, \nand good-will under revenge. Suffer me not, in \nany case, to avenge myself: for vengeance is thine, \nand thou wilt repay. \n\nREVIVALS. \n\nBlessed God, revive thy work ; in the midst of \nthe years make known ; in wrath remember mercy. \nLet not thy heritage be in bondage to sin and sloth- \nfulness ; nor the ungodl)^ go down to death, with- \nout the strong, and special, and redeeming influences \nof thy Holy Spirit. Let thy work appear unto thy \nservants, and thy glory unto their children : and let \nthe beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. Make \nthe wilderness like Eden ; and the desert like the \ngarden of the Lord : let joy and gladness be found \ntherein, with thanksgiving and the voice of melody. \n\nGreat God, may all thy ministers be indeed \npreachers of righteousness, and ambassadors for \nChrist. Sanctify their motives, and inflame their \nzeal. Give them wisdom to devise, and faithfulness \nto execute, such efforts as shall promote thy glory, \nin the work of saving souls. Let them not heal \nthe hurt of the daughter of thy people slightly ; \nsaying, " Peace, peace," when there is no peace. \nMay they search Jerusalem, as with lighted candles; \nand apply thy truth to all their hearers, with plain- \nness, fulness, and pungency. Bless the word of \ntheir mouth, and accompany it with the demonstra- \ntion of thy Spirit. \n\nO Lord, let judgment begin at the house of God. \nTake away the hopes of those who have the form of \n20* \n\n\n\n234 \n\ngodliness, without its power. Convince thy people \nof sin against thee, against each other, and against \nthe souls of the ungodly. Bring them to repent- \nance that needeth not to be repented of. Break \nfrom them the fetters with which the world, the \nflesh, and the devil, have encompassed them. Give \nthem that clearness and strength of faith, by which \nthey shall learn the value of their own souls, and \nthe worth of the souls of perishing sinners around \nthem. \n\nHeavenly Father, burden the hearts of thy people \nwith earnest desires for the revival of pure and un- \ndefiled religion. May they present fervent, impor- \ntunate, and believing prayer, at the throne of thy \ngrace, for the prosperity of Zion, and the salvation \nof the ungodly. O fill them with thy Spirit, and \ncause them to abound in love, zeal, and holiness. \nMay they love the places where supplication is \nwont to be made, and where souls have been born \nto God. Give them grace to uphold, by prayer, \nthe hands of thy ministers, whilst thou art using \nsuch to carry forward the triumphs of the gospel. \nMake thy saints willing to adopt and sustain those \nmeasures which are agreeable to thy will, and which \nreceive the abiding sanction of thy Spirit. Lord, \ncast up and remove every stumblingblock out of \nthe ways of Zion. Give thy servants unity of feel- \ning and action ; and lead them to act in the faith of \nthy word, wherein thou hast said, that if two shall \nagree on earth, as touching any thing they shall ask, \nit shall be done for them of our Father in heaven. \nLet the blessing of the Lord our God be upon them ; \nand establish the work of their hands upon them : \nyea, the work of their hands, establish thou it. \n\nO Most High, visit with convincing and convert- \n\n\n\n235 \n\ning power, the consciences of sinners. Bring them \nwithin the reach of the preached gospel, and the \nhearing of effectual prayer. May thy Spirit set \nhome to their hearts the truth, which is able to \nmake them wise unto salvation. Make them feel \ndeeply, that they are guilty before thee ; and that \ninstead of having the offer of salvation, thy right- \neous letribution would blast them in everlasting \ndeath. O, may they cherish the workings of the \nHoly Ghost within them, and fear lest that Divine \nAgent give them up to blindness of mind, and hard- \nness of heart. Let that godly sorrow, which work- \neth life, possess every feeling of their souls. Show \nthem that now is the accepted time, and this the day \nof salvation. Give them clear, and convincing, and \npersuading views of Christ, as the only, and all- \nsuflFicient, and infinitely willing Saviour. O God, \ngrant, for the honour of Jesus, that now, whilst \nthou art waiting to be gracious, they may renounce \ntheir iniquities, receive Christ, as he is freely of- \nfered in the gospel, and give themselves to thee, in \na covenant never to be forgotten. \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\nLord of Hosts, make the fruits of revivals glo- \nrious in the history of thy church. May their con- \nverts to righteousness be for multitude, as the drops \nof the dew in the morning. May they be distin- \nguished for consistent piety and holy zeal, and be \nhonoured instruments in multiplying the trophies \nof redeeming grace, until the Lord shall have made \nbare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations ; \nand all the ends of the earth shall have seen the \nsalvation of our God. And to God, the Father, \nSon, and Spirit, shall be all the praise in earth and \nheaven, now and forever. Amen. \n\n\n\n236 \n\nRicHi;s. \xe2\x80\x94 See Prosperity, \n\nRIGHTEOUSNESS. \n\nO thou who art righteous in all thy thoughts, \npurposes, and ways, give me, I pray thee, the cha- \nracter and blessings of righteousness. Make me \njust to thee, to myself, and to my fellow-creatures. \nBut, O keep me from trusting to my own fancied \nmerits. Rebuke and dispel every thing like self- \nconfidence, and lead me humbly to the foot of the \ncross, there to find both the mercy of acceptance, \nand the grace of obedience. Behold, O God, my \nShield, and look upon the face of thine Anointed. \nMay he be for me the end of the law for righteous- \nness. May I desire to be found only in him, not \nhaving on mine own righteousness, wliich is of the \nlaw ; but that which is through the faith of Christ, \nand which is of God, by faith. 0,may the accept- \ned works which flow from that atoning union with \nhim, be found in all my walk and conversation. \nCleanse me from dead works to serve the living \nGod. Make me diligent in working out my own \nsalvation, knowing that thou workest in me both to \nwill and to do, of thine own good pleasure. May \nI love mercy and do justice towards all men; and \nwhatsoever I would that they should do to me, in \ntemporal or spiritual things, may I do even so to \nthem. \xe2\x80\x94 Blessed Source of all good, fill me with the \nfruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, \nunto the glory and praise of God. \n\nSABBATH. \n\nO thou that hearest and answerest prayer for the \nmerits of Jesus, the Heavenly Advocate, give me \n\n\n\n237 \n\ngrace, I beseech thee, to remember the Sabbath-day, \nto keep it holy. In six days thou didst make \nheaven, earth, and sea ; and didst rest ^he seventh \nday : wherefore thou hast blessed the Sabbath, and \nhallowed it. I thank thee, God of Mercy, for that \nconsecrated season, in which thou givest rest to our \nwearied natures, and affordest us leisure for reflec- \ntion on our duties in this world, and our destinies \nin the world to come. I thank thee for its privileges \nof praise, of prayer, and of instruction, by which \nthy saints are built up in faith and zeal, and sinners \nare brought from the darkness and iniquity of carnal \nnature, to the light and holniess of heavenly grace. \nI would praise thee that there still remaineth this \nrest to the people of God. Thou hast made the \nSabbath for man ; and thou hast abolished neither \nits privileges nor its duties ; but thou wilt continue \nthem down to the end of the world. \n\nO that I might always be in the Spirit on the \nLord\'s-day. \xe2\x80\x94 May I remember that thou hast given \nme six days of the week for my own employments, \nand hast challenged a special ownership of the \nseventh ; and that thou hast given it the sanction of \nthine own example and blessing. O let me not \nprofane that holy time by idleness ; nor by doing \nthat which is in itself sinful ; nor by unnecessary \nthoughts, words, or works, about worldly employ- \nments or recreations. May I sanctify it by a holy \nresting, even from such avocations as are lawful on \nother days ; and spend all its sacred hours in the \npublic and private exercises of God\'s worship ; \nexcept so much as may be taken up in the works \nof necessity and mercy. Let that day ever be a \nprecious occasion, wherein thy love shall be richly \nmanifested to me, and my affections shall hold free, \n\n\n\n238 \n\nand holy, and rejoicing communion with thy Spirit. \nMay I be prepared by its sanctifying duties and re- \nviving ple^i^ures, for serving thee and mankind \nbetter, in all the relations of life. O make it a \nblessed type of that eternal Sabbath, which is re- \nserved for the pure in heart, in the regions of un- \nmingled bliss. , \n\nLord, save thy holy day from the desecration \nwhich has been so fearfully brought upon it. Thou \nseest how men pursue on it their carnal pleasures \nand worldly interests, regardless of thy statutes, \nand the ultimate welfare of their country, and of \nmankind. Even those who have made a covenant \nwith thee, to keep thy commandments, sometimes \njoin hand in hand with the ungodly, in these pro- \nfanations of sacred time. O that thy people would \nset their faces as flint against these transgressions, \nand bear the testimony of their voice and conduct \nagainst them. Bring not thy wrath upon our land, \nbecause its inhabitants make the Sabbath their sea- \nson of amusement, convenience, and lucre. Teach \nall men that it is thine imperative will, that they \nshould sanctify that day : and that thou hast judg- \nments in store for its transgressors : \xe2\x80\x94 while they \nwho turn away their feet from polluting it, and from \ndoing their pleasure on it, and shall call the Sabbath \na delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable ; and \nshall honour thee, not doing their own ways, nor \nfinding their own pleasure, nor speaking their own \nwords \xe2\x80\x94 they shall ride upon the high places of the \nearth, and shall be fed with the heritage of Jacob ; \nfor the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ! \n\n\n\n239 \n\nSABBAT H-SCH OOLS. \n\nLord, thou hast taught us that it is lawful to do \nwell on the Sabbath-day. I thank thee, that in \nmercy towards the ignorance and wickedness of the \nworld, thou hast established the system of Sunday- \nschools. I would praise thee that they have been \nspread so widely, and that so many heart-cheering \nfruits have sprung from them. Thou hast made \nthem instrumental in elevating the standard of re- \nligious knowledge, and active piety, in the church. \nThey have been the means of dispelling ignorance \nand superstition, and of moulding the character of \nour youth in right knowledge and moral feeling. \nAnd blessed be thy mercy for that which is worth \nmore than every other blessing ; they have been \nmade the nurseries of the Lord, from which many \nplants of righteousness have been transferred to the \ngardens of thy church, there to bear fruit unto \neternal life. And of these, not a few are now sing- \ning, in everlasting bliss, the song of redemption to \nhim who said, " Suffer little children to come unto \nme, and forbid them not ; for of such is the king- \ndom of heaven." \n\nGracious God, I would humbly trust that these \nthings are but the introductory tokens of the glorious \ninfluences which this heaven-born system will yet \nexert on behalf of our ruined race. Lord, am I \nnot warranted, from thy word, and from the nature \nof things, to expect that the religious instruction of \nour children and youth, when it shall become uni- \nversal, and shall be conducted with that preparation \nof the heart and answer of the tongue, which are \nfrom the Lord, \xe2\x80\x94 will secure that outpouring of thy \n\n\n\n240 \n\nHoly Spirit, which will fill the earth with thy know- \nledge, even as the waters cover the deep ? \n\nGreat Shepherd of Israel, may all that seek the \nprevalence and triumph of the gospel, give this \ncause their sanction and help. \xe2\x80\x94 Make thy ministers \nwatchmen and husbandmen in it, who shall give it \nthe service of the eye, and of the lips, and of the \nhands, with willing and diligent hearts. \xe2\x80\x94 May all \nwho have made a covenant with thee by sacrifice, \nand who stand pledged that they will not live unto \nthemselves, inquire what thou wilt have them to do \nin this labour of love. O that there were heart- \nburnings of shame, and deep repentings of soul, \namong those who have refused to come up to the \nhelp of the Lord, in this work of faith. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, give \nthis cause favour in the eyes of parents, and of the \nworld at large. May they all delight to honour and \npromote it. \n\nFather of Mercies, I would invoke thy blessing \non all who are engaged in it as teachers. Give \nthem knowledge to discern, and zeal to fulfil, the \nimportant duties of their office. Show them that \ntheir service relates to filling the immortal mind \nwith the riches of religious knowledge ; and to con- \nverting the soul from sin and death unto holiness \nand everlasting life. O that they would understand, \nand meet, and discharge, these awfully solemn re- \nsponsibilities ! \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, give them grace to help in all \ntheir times of need. May they live in constant de- \npendence on the teaching and blessing of the Holy \nGhost. Put into their hearts that well of living \nwater, which springs up into everlasting life ; and \nlet every work of their hands be nourished by that \nfountain of piety within them. \xe2\x80\x94 May they teach by \na living example, that shall be seen and read by \n\n\n\n241 \n\nall their scholars \xe2\x80\x94 that shall make them as a city- \nset on a hill \xe2\x80\x94 that shall be as salt to purify and \nsave their classes. \xe2\x80\x94 Give them an ample and well- \ndigested knowledge of divine truth. Make them \nwise in the treasures of the book of nature, and the \nvolume of thy providence. Make them apt to teach \n\xe2\x80\x94 in simplicity, in patience, in love, in judgment, \nand in perseverance. \xe2\x80\x94 May all teachers love each \nother out of pure hearts, fervently ; and keep the \nunity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. Make \nthem helpers to each other in mutual study, and in \nprivate and social prayer. \xe2\x80\x94 Preserve their hearts \nfrom the influence of the discouragements which \nbeset their office. Let them not be cast down, nor \ndriven back from their work, by difficulties within \nthe school, or by apathy or opposition without it. \nLet them not be weary in well-doing ; but do thou \nstrengthen them by thy precious promises, that in \ndue season they shall reap, if they faint not ; and \nthat though they may now often go forth, bearing \nprecious seed, and weeping, yet they shall hereafter \nreturn, bringing many sheaves with them. \n\nHeavenly Father, visit by thy mercy, those who \nare taught in Sunday-schools. Though foolishness \nis bound up in their hearts, thou canst supplant it \nby divine wisdom. Though thou seest that the \nimagination of their hearts is evil, thou canst create \nin them a new heart, and renew a right spirit with- \nin them. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, make them punctual, attentive, \nobedient, and diligent. Seal instruction on their \nminds. Let not thy word return from them void; \nbut do thou prosper it in the thing whereunto thou \nsendest it. Let it not be as water that is spilled on \nthe ground, and cannot be gathered. O make their \nhearts as good ground, which will give growth to \n21 \n\n\n\n242 \n\nthe seed of truth, and produce rich harvests of spi- \nritual good. May they learn the worth of the un- \ndying soul ; the guilt which sin has brought on \nthem ; and the fearful wrath which hangs over them \nin their impenitency. Show them, O Lord, the \nway thou hast provided, of escape from their guilt \nand danger ; and do thou persuade and enable them, \nby the power of the Spirit, to receive Jesus as their \nTeacher, Saviour, and Ruler. Merciful Father, \nmay it please thee to add to thy church from their \nnumber, many of such as shall be saved. Raise up \nfrom them many who shall be burning and shining \nlights \xe2\x80\x94 many who shall be abundantly blessed in \nthe work of saving souls. \n\nLord, I offer these entreaties, not in my own \nmerits, which are worthless in thy sight, but in the \nname of the Beloved \xe2\x80\x94 unto whom, with the Father \nand the Spirit, be sincere and endless praise. \xe2\x80\x94 [_See \nTeachers, Children, Early Piety.] \n\nSacrament. \xe2\x80\x94 See Lord\'s Supper, \n\nsacred music. \nLet all that hath breath praise the Lord ! Hearken, \nO my soul : the voice of universal nature is a song \nof glory unto God : and shaltthou, who hast shared \nhis choicest mercies, keep silence before him ? I \nthank thee. Gracious Maker, for the gift of speech. \nIncline me, I pray thee, to train and employ it in \nthy praise. Make me feel the importance of this \nportion of thy worship, in honouring thy name, in \nexciting feelings of devotion, and in obtaining thy \nblessing. Let it be an intelligent, sincere, and holy \nservice. May I sing with the understanding, and \n\n\n\n243 \n\nwith the spirit ; making melody with my heart unto \nthe Lord. \n\nLord, redeem the power of music from the fool- \nish and profane uses to which it is so often applied. \nLet praise wait for thee, O God, in Zion. May \nthy saints teach and admonish one another, in \npsalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs ; singing \nwith grace in their hearts unto the Lord. Dispose \nthy people to give increased attention to this im- \nportant service. Reform its abases, in manner and \nin spirit. Let it not b^ profaned by insincerity, \nnor be made the instrument of vain glory. May all \nfeel it to be their duty to fit themselves to join in it. \nGive it influence on the piety of the church, and \nlet its words of wisdom fall with conviction on the \nears of the ungodly. O may the days of praise of \nthy servants on earth, prepare them for that nobler \nworship, where every thought, and every feeling, \nand every sound, is a voice of melody, which hearts \nof bliss bring, like holy incense, to thy heavenly \nthrone ! \n\nSALVATION. \n\nHeavenly Father, grant nie just and full views \nof the plan of salvation by a Redeemer. Give me, \nI pray thee, an understanding to know, and a heart \nto feel, what thou hast done for the redemption of \nsinners. \xe2\x80\x94 In the counsels of eternity, thou didst \nforesee that estate of sin and misery into which \nmankind should be brought by the fall ; and thou \ndidst not leave them to perish in it ; for in thy wis- \ndom and mercy, thou didst devise a scheme, by \nwhich they might be delivered from it, and be \nbrought into an estate of salvation, through the \natoning blood of thv Son. Thou didst send him, \n\n\n\n244 \n\nin the fulness of time, to save that which was lost \n\xe2\x80\x94 to ransom those who were under the curse of the \nlaw \xe2\x80\x94 to redeem them who were subject to the world, \nthe flesh, and the devil ; and over whom were hang- \ning the terrors of the second death. And, O, that \nredemption which he brought, not only saves from \nthese fearful evils, but exalts those who were by- \nnature and practice the heirs of wo, to be the ob- \njects of God\'s favonr in this life, and the joint- \nheirs of Christ\'s inheritance in the world to come ! \n\nO Lord, give me an evSr-present conviction that \nthis salvation is not by human wisdom or power ; \nfor it was thy mercy that procured it, and it is thy \nSpirit that induces and enables me to accept it. \nDirect all my hopes to the Lamb of God that taketh \naway the sin of the world ; and assist me to realize \nthat there is no other name given under heaven, \namong men, whereby sinners can be saved. Ena- \nble me, I beseech thee, to believe in him with my \nheart unto righteousness, and to make confession of \nhim with my mouth unto salvation. Teach me that \nit is by grace we are saved : for thou wouldst not \ndefile the excellency and glory of thy plan, by mak- \ning our deliverance the fruit of our works of right- \neousness, which are indeed, of themselves, as filthy \nrags. Thou wilt sufler none to glory in redemption, \nbut through the cross of Jesus Christ. Lead me, I \npray thee, in that highway of holiness, thy sacred \nword ; which thou hast given us, that the man of \nGod may be perfect, and thoroughly furnished unto \nall good w^orks. Seal me by thy Spirit of promise ; \nand if thou hast begun a good work in me, perform \nit unto the day of Christ. \n\nO Most High, if the righteous be scarcely saved, \n-^^here shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? \n\n\n\n245 \n\nFor thy great name\'s sake, show the power and fit- \nness of thy salvation on the wicked. Arouse them \nfrom their false and guilty peace, by some bereave- \nment of their comforts, or some disaster of life ; by \nthe startling terrors of thy law, or by the clear \nshining of thy love. Make them feel that the re- \ndemption of the soul is precious, and that it ceaseth \nforever. Persuade them to flee for refuge to a cru- \ncified Saviour. Take them from the horrible pit \nand the miry clay ; and set their feet upon the Rock \nof safety and blessedness ; and put a new song into \ntheir mouths, even of praise to him, who so loved \nthe world, as to give hiaiself for it, that he might \nredeem unto himself a peculiar people, who should \nserve him in newness of life, and enjoy with him \nthe blessings of an everlasting salvation. \n\nSANCTUARY. \n\nLord, incline me to love the services of thy sanc- \ntuary ; for a day in thy courts is better than a thou- \nsand spent in worldly pleasures. O that I might \ndesire more to be a doorkeeper in the house of \nGod, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. \xe2\x80\x94 \nLord, sufi*er me not to forsake the assemblies of \nthy saints. May I remember that Christ loved the \nsynagogue ; and that his disciples continued daily \nwith one accord in the temple. There the rich and \nthe poor meet together, and the Lord is the Maker \nof them all. There thou makest the hearts of thy \nsaints to rejoice, and preparest them to run with re- \nnewed strength and increasing diligence, in their \nChristian race ; and there thou makest the souls of \nthine enemies to tremble and bow before thy sove- \nreign will. It is in thy house, O Lord, that thou \n21* \n\n\n\n246 \n\nshowest the riches of thy mercy, and the strength \nof thy power ! \n\nGreat Master of Assemblies, bring me to thy ta- \nbernacle with preparation of heart and with prayer. \nMay I revere and love that gospel which is preached \nthere. Incline me to hear it with close and devout \nattention, and with personal application. Make thy \nword to my heart as a fire that melteth, and as a \nhammer that breaketh the rock. Incline me to hear \nit with candour and kindness towards him who is \nits messenger ; desiring that the words of his mouth \nmay glorify God, and be used as the means of \nquickening and saving souls. Strengthen me, I \npray thee, to obey, with full purpose of heart, all \nthy commands. They only are happy, who in \nknowing these things, are willing to do them ; \nfor not every one that saith, " Lord, Lord," shall \nenter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the \nwill of our Father in heaven. Make me a doer, as \nwell as a hearer, of thy word. Lord, let not the im- \npressions of thy truth escape with the occasion of \nits utterance. Dispose me to meditate on it in my \nheart \xe2\x80\x94 to digest it in my thoughts \xe2\x80\x94 to make it the \nsubject of prayer \xe2\x80\x94 and to show it forth in my life. \nO let it not be as the seed by the wayside ; nor as \nthat on stony ground ; nor as that among thorns : \xe2\x80\x94 \nbut let it be like that which fell on good ground, \nand brought forth, some thirty, some sixty, and \nsome an hundred fold. \n\nGrant, I pray thee, that when I call upon thy \nname in thy house, my prayer may not go out of \nfeigned lips. Make it the homage of the creature \nto the Creator, and the supplication of a needy child \nto a rich and liberal Parent. And when I praise \nthee in the songs of Zion, may I render thee not \n\n\n\n247 \n\nonly an outward, but an inward and spiritual wor- \nship. \n\nLord, bring within thy sanctuaries, the multitudes \nwho spend their Sabbaths in idleness and sin. O, \nlet not the walks of Zion be deserted, while the gates \nof hell are thronged with eager travellers. May \nthy people draw them by the bands of a man, and \nthy Spirit by the cords of love, until they shall come \nand fill to overflowing, the tabernacles of the right- \neous. And come thou, O God, in the greatness of \nthy love and majesty, and make thy courts melo- \ndious with the praises of souls newly ransomed by \nthe power and grace of thy truth. And thy glorious \nname, Father, Son, and Spirit, shall have the praise \nforever. \n\nSAN CTIFICATION. \n\nO Most Holy, how impure is this heart which \nthou didst make to be the temple of the living God. \nBut, thanks be to thy name, thou canst make me \nclean. Thy Spirit can sanctify me by thy truth, \nand by thy providence, and can change me into \nthine own image ; making my powers tit for thy \nservice, and my soul meet to be thy dwelling. \n\nLord, grant me that work of thy free grace, by \nwhich I shall be enabled, more and more, to die \nunto sin, and to live unto righteousness. May I \nremember that thou art holy ; and that this is thy \nwill, even our sanctification. May I look upon \nJesus, in his character as a Saviour from sin. Show \nme in his sufferings and death, the guilt of man\'s \nsinfulness. Teach me by the rebellion of my own \nheart, its stubbornness and deformity. Convince \nme of its demerit, by vivid view^s of the unending \npunishment of the lost. O make me loathe trans- \n\n\n\n248 \n\ngression. Paralyze its power over my judgment, \nconscience, and affections ; that the body of sin \nbeing destroyed, henceforth I may not serve sin, \nbut be the servant of righteousness. \n\nGreat God, preserve the hearts of thy chosen \ngeneration from sinful thoughts, words, and actions ; \nand do thou cause them to abound in the fruits of \nholiness. May thy grace sanctify them by a hope \nthat purifieth, even as Christ is pure ; by a love \nwhich seeks conformity to thine own image ; and \nby a faith which looks at things that are not seen, \nand that are eternal. \xe2\x80\x94 Make them living epistles, \nseen and read of all men. Make them the salt of \nthe earth \xe2\x80\x94 the means of leading a wicked and per- \nverse generation, by the power of a good example, \nto glorify their Father in heaven. Gracious Sove- \nreign, enable them to adorn the doctrine of God, \ntheir Saviour, in all things. Imbue them with that \nholiness without which no man can see the Lord. \n\xe2\x80\x94 [^See Holiness.] \n\nSATAN. \n\nMerciful Father, protect me from the open and \nsecret influences of Satan, who is the great adver- \nsary of souls. O let me not be heedless of the \ntruth, that he exerts his power even on the hearts \nof thy saints. If the innocence of Paradise, and \nthe spotless purity of JesusTiimself, were not ex- \nempt from his devices, I surely should not hope to \nescape his assaults. But I implore the aid of thy \ngrace, that I may resist them, and triumph over \nthem. Bestow on me the shield of faith, where- \nwith I may be able to quench all the fiery darts of \nthe wicked one. Give me wisdom to detect, and \nvirtue to repel, all his countless temptations. Arm \n\n\n\n249 \n\nme, I pray thee, with the sword of thy truth, that \nI may resist the devil, so that he shall flee from \nme. \n\nLord, overthrow the pov/er of Satan in the hearts \nof the children of disobedience. Let not this world \nbe given up to his cruel dominion. Redeem those \nthat are under his influence, and make them the \nservants of the living God. Lord of Hosts, cast \nout the prince of this world. Fulfil, speedily, thy \npromises, that thou wilt bruise the serpent\'s head ; \nand that thou wilt bind the dragon, and cast him \ninto the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a \nseal upon him, that he shall deceive the nations no \nmore, until the thousand years are fulfilled, in which \nChrist shall reign from sea to sea, and from the \nriver to the ends of the earth. \n\nSaviour. \xe2\x80\x94 See Jesus Christ and Christmas. \n\nS C RIPTURE s. \n\nGod of Truth, I praise thy mercy, in Jesus Christ, \nthat thou hast not left the human race to the blind \ngropings of unaided reason, in seeking a knowledge \nof thy will ; but that thou hast given us the Scrip- \ntures of truth, which holy men of old spake as they \nwere moved by the Holy Ghost. I would thank \nthee for their precepts, which are incentives to good \n\xe2\x80\x94 for their examples, which ar^monitors of duty \xe2\x80\x94 \nfor their threatenings, which are merciful warnings \nagainst evil \xe2\x80\x94 and for their promises, which are the \nbeacons of hope. Thy testimonies are sure, mak- \ning wise the simple ; and thy law is perfect, con- \nverting the soul. \n\nLord, grant me an aflecting sense of thy conde- \nscending goodness in the gift of the volume of reve- \n\n\n\n250 \n\nlation. Give me the teachings of thy Spirit, that I \nmay understand and love the things of thy word. \nIncline me, I pray thee, to keep thy statutes ; since \nhe only that doth thy will, shall know of the doc- \ntrine, whether it be of God : w^hile he is cursed, \nwho continueth not in all things written in the book \nof the law, to do them. O make the scriptures \nprofitable to me for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- \ntion, and for instruction in righteousness ; that I \nmay be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. \nIncline me to search them for the truth as it is in \nJesus ; and may I find there that pearl of great price, \nwhich is the only passport to heaven. When my \nsoul cleaveth to the dust, quicken thou me accord- \ning to thy word ; and cause it to dwell in me richly, \nin all wisdom. Enable me to draw lessons of wis- \ndom and holiness from its blessed pages, wherewith \nto guide my judgment, and direct my steps, in all \nthe ways of life. Sanctify me by thy truth ; thy \nword is truth. \n\nGiver of Mercies, I thank thee for that bright \ncluster of evidences of the truth of the Bible, which \nthe researches of the wise and good have gathered \nover its sacred leaves. O that every skeptic, and \nevery infidel, would learn from them the folly and \nwickedness of their unbelief, and come with broken \nhearts and submissive minds, to the throne of thy \nmercy, crying, "I\xc2\xabord, we would believe; help \nthou our unbelief." \n\nLord, bring thy truth with convincing, and per- \nsuading, and controlling power, to the hearts and \nconsciences of the ungodly. O make it an effectual \nmeans of converting sinners, and of building them \nup, in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto sal- \nvation. \xe2\x80\x94 May thy saints attend thereunto, with dili- \n\n\n\n251 \n\ngence, preparation, and prayer ; receiving it with \nfaith and love, laying it up in their hearts, and prac- \ntising it in their lives. \n\nBestow, I pray thee, thy rich favour on Bible- \nclasses. Thou hast been pleased to make them, in \nmany instances, the instruments of turning the hearts \nof the disobedient. Establish them in every com- \nmunity. Let them be conducted in wisdom and \ngrace, and result in multiplying greatly the trophies \nof redeeming love. \n\nGod of Truth, prosper with thy blessing, the ef- \nforts which have been made, and are now making, \nto give the word of life to those who, in our own, \nand in other countries, are perishing for lack of \nknowledge. I would extol thy mercy, that the \nsacred volume has been transmitted through so many \ngenerations, without corruption ; and that it has \nbeen translated, and published, and multiplied, in so \nmany tongues and nations of the earth. O reani- \nmate, and strengthen, and extend these labours, until \nthy word shall have free course in every family \nthroughout the world, and be glorified in bringing \nmultitudes of souls into the kingdom of God. And \nto thee, O Lord, shall be ascribed the power, and \ndominion, and glory, forever. \n\xc2\xab \n\nSEAMEN. \n\nLord, remember the wants of them that go down \nto the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, \nand see thy wonders in the deep. Alas ! how few \nof them can be said to have any Sabbath, any \nsanctuary, any home ; and how few are there among \nthy people, that care for their bodies or their souls. \nLord, preserve them in their constant perils by sea \nand by land. thou that makest the storm a calm, \n\n\n\n253 \n\nthat the waves thereof are still, restrain for them \nthe raging teropest ; quiet for them the devouring \nocean ; and send them in safety and gladness over \ntheir trackless journeys. And while their feet are \nupon land, keep them from straying among thoso \nforbidden paths, which are more dangerous than \nstormy winds, and sunken rocks, and treacherous- \nseas. \n\nHeavenly Father, I thank thee that this class of \nmen, so long neglected, has at length arrested the \nsympathies of some in thy churches ; and that suc- \ncessful measures have been undertaken, to make \nthem the subjects of that gospel, which should be \ntheir anchor in port, and their chart at sea. Lord, \nspread widely through thy churches, a knowledge \nof the wants and claims of seamen. May thy peo- \nple look with compassion on their toils and suf- \nferings, their dangers and destitution ; and be led, \nin the love of souls, to strive to bring them into the \nkingdom of heaven. Grant that these men, who \nhave so long been the instruments of carrying the \nvices of civilization among the heathen, and all \nnations of the world, may soon become the heralds \nof the gospel, and carry to every coast of earth, the \nblessings of redeeming grace. O fulfil that vision \nof prophecy, in which the abundance of the sea \nshall be converted unto God ! \n\nSELF-CONSECRATIQN. \n\nGracious God, help me to consecrate myself to \nthee, with full purpose of soul, and with endea- \nvours after new obedience. Make me feel that if I \ncould offer thee a world, and yet hold back the gift \nof my heart, my oblation "would be but a worthless \nand odious thing in thy sight. Lord, I am thine by \n\n\n\n253 \n\ncreation, and by constant benefaction. O has not \nChrist died for me, that I should be thine, in the \npurchase of his atoning blood ? Let me, therefore, \nnot live unto myself, but unto him. Enable me to \nsay from my heart, " Here, Lord, I give myself to \nthee ; it is all that I can do." Accept, I pray thee, \nthat offering, in the name of Jesus, the Ransom of \nsinners. \n\nI would take thee, O Lord, as my portion \xe2\x80\x94 thy \nlaw as nty rule \xe2\x80\x94 thy service as my meat and drink \n\xe2\x80\x94 and thy purposes as the ground of my faith and \nhope. Bring all my expectations, wishes, and in- \ntentions into conformity with thy will ; and let me \nlive, and move, and have my being in a covenant \nof full-hearted and never-failing devotion to thee, \nand the interests of thy kingdom. \n\n\n\nSELF-DENIAL. \n\nO Most High, enable me to deny myself, to take \nup my cross daily, and to follow my blessed Sa- \nviour ; who, though he had shared with the Father, \nthe glory from the beginning, yet made himself of \nno reputation ; and though he had all power in hea- \nven and earth, took upon him the form of a servant, \nand became obedient unto death, even the death of \nthe cross. \n\nLord, grant me the spirit of self-denial in what I \neat and drink, and wherewithal I am clothed. Let \nme not be a lover of pleasure more than a lover of \nGod. Make me temperate in every lawful pursuit. \nHelp me to\' abstain from fleshly lusts that war \nagainst the soul. May I forsake uncleanness of \nthought, word, and action. Turn me away from \nthe love of money, which is the root of all evil. \nGive me grace to stifle my desires for the praise of \n22 \n\n\n\n254 \n\nmen, whose favour is indeed deceitful. Raise me \nabove the fear of man, that bringeth a snare. As- \nsist me, I beseech thee, to overcome my tempta- \ntions to display and to self-righteousness ; and let \nme count all things but loss, that I may be found \nin Christ, with that righteousness which is of Godj^ \nby faith. Make me willing to give up every thing \nwhich will come in competition with the interests of \nmy soul, or the welfare of thy kingdom. Yea, let \nme not count my life dear to myself, if I may avoid \nthat which is evil, and cleave to that which is right: \nfor whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; but \nhe that loseth his life for thy sake, shall find it. \n\nSELF-DECEPTION. \n\nSearcher of Hearts, suffer me not to dwell at ease \nin Zion, if I have only a name to live, and have \nnot the lifegiving power of godliness. If my hope \nbe false, O take it away before it becomes as that \nof the hypocrite \xe2\x80\x94 as a spider\'s web, or as the giv- \ning up of the ghost. Bestow on me, I beseech \nthee, thou Gracious One, a good hope through grace, \nwhich shall be as a house built on a rock, that shall \nnot fall, though the rains come, and the winds blow, \nand beat upon it. May it be as an anchor to my \nsoul, both sure and steadfast, entering into that \nwithin the vail. Lord, search me and try me, and \nsee if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in \nthe way everlasting. If I have indeed been de- \nceived, O do thou open my eyes, and turn me from \ndarkness unto light, and from the power of Satan \nunto God, that I may receive forgiveness of sins, and \nan inheritance among them that are sanctified by \nfaith. \n\nGreat God, let there be searchings of heart among \n\n\n\n255 \n\nall that profess thy name. May they remember \nthat those are not all Israel, who are of Israel. Not \nevery one that saith, " Lord, Lord," shall enter the \nkingdom of heaven : for the King will say of many \nwho would be guests at his heavenly table, " Bind \n-them hand and foot, and take them away, and cast \nthem into outer darkness \xe2\x80\x94 there shall be weeping \nand gnashing of teeth." O let all the victims ot \nself-delusion cast off the robes of deceit, and put on \nthe wedding garment; that they may be found \namong thy chosen ones, whom thou will feast with \nthe fulness of joy, in thy presence, forevermore. \n\nSELF-EXAMINATION. \n\nGreat Source of Wisdom, give me a habit of \nhonest and searching self-examination, that I may \nprove myself, and know whether I am in the faith. \nMake me ever anxious to know the state of my \nheart, and the working of my motives. Guide and \nstrengthen me, while I inquire of my soul and of thee, \nwhether I acknowledge and mourn over my trans- \ngressions, and receive Christ as my wisdom, right- \neousness, sanctification, and redemption. Have t \nindeed been born again \xe2\x80\x94 am I a new creature in \nChrist Jesus \xe2\x80\x94 and are the evidences of my new \nestate clear and increasing ? Is the Lord my mas- \nter to serve, and my portion to enjoy ; and is the \nwelfare of his kingdom the desire of my heart ? Am \nI daily dying unto sin, and living unto righteous- \nness ? Am I thankful for mercies, and prayerful \nfor blessings ; pursuing the glory of God ; doing to \nothers as I would have them do unto me ; and dili- \ngently seeking that city which hath foundations, \nwhose builder and maker is God ? \n\nTeach me, O Lord, all my errors, weaknesses, \n\n\n\n256 \n\nand sins. Cleanse me from them by the enlighten- \ning, strengthening, and sanctifying influences of thy \nSpirit. And O, may I remember that if I should \nbe wilfully or heedlessly blind to my transgressions, \nthou. Lord, knowest them altogether. Let not self- \nlove nor pride, hinder me from an impartial know- \nledge of myself. Preserve me from a false estimate \nof any part of my character. May I look at my \nprinciples as well as my conduct \xe2\x80\x94 and at my mo- \ntives as well as my actions. Let me never mistake \nthe excitement of feeling for the renewing of the \nHoly Ghost ; nor the outward activities of religion \nfor its inward spirit. Let me not judge of my re- \nligion by occasional impressions and impulses, but \nby my habit of life. Lord, make it worthy of the \nvocation wherewith I am called, and such as be- \ncometh the gospel of Christ. \n\nSELFISHNESS. \n\nGreat Sovereign, let not my motives nor conduct \nbe governed by selfishness. Teach me that this \nprinciple is the original and deep-rooted sin of my \nnature. O how has it exalted self above all other \ncreatures, and above God himself! How has it \nfilled the world, in all the length of its history, \nwith pride, self-indulgence, contention, cruelty, and \ndeath. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, suffer me not to setup my judgment \nagainst thy wisdom, nor my desires against thy \nwill. Show me that thy will is the supreme law of \nboth duty and happiness. Keep me from seeking \nmy own interests heedlessly, or at the expense of \nthe welfare of others. Make me realize that I am \nbut a unit among the multitudes of thy rational crea- \ntures, each of whom has the same deep stake with \nmyself, in the pursuit of comfort and well-being. \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n\n\n257 \n\nThou hast said that he who would follow Jesus, \nmust deny himself. Keep me from the character \nand wo of those that covet an evil covetousness, and \nwho would grow rich in pleasure and worldly good, \nat the cost of the humble and needy. O let me not \nexclude myself from thy love, nor dishonour hu- \nmanity, by shutting up my feelings of compassion at \nthe cry of want or misery. Give me that charity \nthat seeketh not her own, that goeth about doing \ngood, even as did our Lord and Master. \n\nLord, preserve me from selfishness in the pursuits \nof religion. Though thou hast enjoined on me the \nmost diligent efforts for growth in grace and per- \nsonal salvation, thou hast laid necessity upon me, to \nspread the gospel among the destitute, and to warn \nsouls from the broad way of death, and win them to \nthe narrow path of life. O help me so to blend my \nduties to myself and my neighbour, that we together \nmay be partners of thy fellowship on earth, and \njoint-heirs of thy communion in heaven. \n\nSEMINARIES. \n\nGreat Teacher, bestow thy choicest favours on \nthose who are now in training for the active duties \nof life, in our various institutions of learning. I \nthank thee that thou art multiplying the facilities of \nsecuring a liberal education, and that an increasing \nnumber of minds are receiving those acquisitions of \nknowledge, which impart dignity and usefulness to \nman. Yet, Lord, I desire to remember that \nmany youth, who were the hope of parents, and \nthe pride of friends, have made shipwreck in our semi- \nnaries, of all that is valuable for time and eternity ; \nand that unsanctified genius has often exerted, and \nmay still exert, a fearful power to do evil. \n22* \n\n\n\n258 \n\nLord, shelter these precious youth from the dan- \ngers to which they are exposed, by ambition, infi- \ndelity, and corruption. Thou seest that the large \nmajority of them are unconverted ; and that beside \nthe peril that may accrue to their own souls, they \nare the germs of those influences which will spread \nweal or wo among mankind. Thou knowest that \nit is to these the church looks for the chief supply \nof that ministry, which thou hast appointed to preach \nthe gospel to every creature. \n\nGracious God, make these institutions favourable, \nin the highest degree, for the promotion of useful \nlearning and sound morals. May those who teach in \nthem, be fitted in intellect and heart for their responsi- \nble duties. Grant that while their pupils are drinking \nfrom the fountains of human knowledge, they may \nalso draw water out of the wells of salvation; and \nbe prepared to go forth, into the walks of life, laden \nwith the mingled treasures of wisdom and piety. \n\nLord, remember pious students. Suffer them \nnot to forsake nor dishonour their profession of \ngodliness. Let their example be moulded in right- \neousness. Give them willing hearts and abundant \nopportunities to do good in their station. O do \nthou make our seminaries subjects of deep interest \nand earnest supplication in thy church. Let that \nday of annual prayer which has been appointed for \nthem, be a consecrated season among thy people. \nAnd grant, that often, very often, in the sacred desk, \nin the social meeting, and in the lonely closet, ear- \nnest entreaty may go up to thy throne, that thou \nwouldst take the precious jewels of educated mind, \nin these cabinets of knowledge, and purify and po- \nlish them, that they may reflect thy glory before \nearth and heaven. \n\n\n\n259 \n\nSERVANTS. \n\nHeavenly Master, bless those that occupy the \nrelation of servants. Teach them the duties of their \nstation, and dispose them to do them in the fear of \nthe Lord. May they count their masters worthy of \nhonour, and obey them in singleness of heart, as \nunto Christ; with good-will doing service, as to \nthe Lord, and not to men ; knowing that whatso- \never good things any man doth, the same shall he \nreceive of the Lord, whetlier he be bond or free. \nMake them faithful in protecting and diligent in \npromoting the interests, reputation, and comfort \nof their employers. \xe2\x80\x94 O that they might always be \ntreated with kindness and liberality ; and thus be \ninduced to a grateful attachment to those \\vhom \nthey serve. Lord, protect them from oppression, \nunkindness, and fraud. Make them contented and \nhappy in the discharge of their lawful duties. May \nthey remember that even the Son of Man took \nupon him the form of a servant, and came not to be \nministered unto, but to minister. Show them that \ntheir station is of the ordinance of God ; and that \nby a faithful use of their opportunities, they may \nso labour in the service of heaven, that at the last \nday, their great Master may say unto them, " Well \ndone, good and faithful servants ; enter ye into \nthe joy of your Lord." \n\nSICKNESS. \n\nBlessed and Only Potentate, in thy power are the \nsprings of disease and the secrets of health. Thou \nmakest sore, and bindest up : thou woundest, and \nthy hands make whole. If thou speak the word, the \nseason of my sickness shall melt away into the re- \nfreshing glow of health : but if thou command il \n\n\n\n260 \n\notherwise, it will change to the cold and gloomy \ndarkness of death and the grave. Lord, make me \ncontent to leave its issues with thee. If it be thy \nwill, then raise me up, to praise thee in the land of \nthe living. But if not, prepare me for the valley of \nthe shadow of death. May thy rod and staff com- \nfort me, and thy hand minister unto me an entrance \nabundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord \nand Saviour Jesus Christ. \n\nHeavenly Parent, visit in great mercy, all that lie \non beds of lanouishinof. Liduce them to reflect that \ndisease is a mournful proof of human transgression. \nMay they regard their sickness as the light recom- \npense of their iniquities ; and as the discipline of \nthy hand, which will either prepare them for better \nservice on earth, and nobler enjoyment in heaven \xe2\x80\x94 \nor leave them to greater hardness of heart in this \nworld, and deeper condemnation in the world to \ncome. O Lord of Mercy, relieve their pains, or \ngive them grace to bear them with enduring patience. \nLet them neither despise thy chastenings, nor faint \nat thy rebukes. Grant them confidence in thy wis- \ndom, mercy, and power : for thou canst not err in \nthy judgment \xe2\x80\x94 thy chastenings work out the peace- \nable fruits of righteousness^ \xe2\x80\x94 and thy strength is \nmade perfect in human weakness. May the light \nof thy countenance be more desirable to them, than \neven the gladness of returning health. O teach \nthem in these hours of suffering, how brief and un- \ncertain are earthly comforts \xe2\x80\x94 how weak and brittle is \ntheir hold on human life. Incline them, I pray thee, \nto renounce every human hope, and to look unto \nJesus, as the great and only Physician of the soul. \nMay they, by the exercise of faith in his atoning \n\n\n\n261 \n\nblood, consecrate themselves to him, that whether \nliving or dying, they may be the Lord\'s. \n\nMerciful Father, shed thy most tender compas- \nsions over those whose sickness is unto death. May \nthy saints be stayed in their hour of trial, upon \nthine everlasting arm, and go through the swelling \ntide with hope in their hearts, and rejoicing on their \nlips. \xe2\x80\x94 O let not the sinner venture to encounter the \nking of terrors with sullen indifference, nor decep- \ntive hope. Although a death-bed repentance be an \nuncertain ground of trust, yet thy grace, which is \nsufficient for every emergency of life, can still \nredeem him, even in the gates of dissolution. O \nJesus, speak to him, as thou didst to the thief on \nthe cross, " To-day shalt thou be with me in Para- \ndise." \n\nS IN. \n\nHoly One of Israel, teach me the evil nature and \nfearful consequences of iniquity. It is the trans- \ngression of thy law, in doing what thou hast for- \nbidden, and failing to do what thou hast commanded. \nLord, every sin deserves thy wrath and curse, both \nin this life, and in that which is to come. \n\nAssist me, I beseech thee, to feel that it is, an \nevil and bitter thing to sin against the Lord. Thy \nlaw, which I ^d all mankind break, is holy, just, \nand good. Thy goodness against which we have \ntransgressed, has been over us every hour of our \nlives. Thou hast nourished and brought us up as \nchildren ; but we have rebelled against thee. Every \nsin which we commit, includes as many acts of in- \ngratitude as the whole number of thy past mercies \nto us. Our iniquity has blinded our minds towards \ntruth, and has made us the prey of error. It has \n\n\n\n262 \n\nbeen the snare that has corrupted and debased our \nsouls, and left them increasingly open to temptation \nand guilt. O make us feel that all the sickness, \nmisery, remorse, and death, in the world, are the \nfruits of transgression ; and that if sin had not \nentered into the world, this earth would have been, \nin all its generations, a paradise of happy and \nholy obedience. Lord, increase our sense of the ex- \nceeding sinfulness of sin, by heartfelt views of the \nhumiliation, agony, and death of thy Son ; and by \nthe revelation thou hast given of that blackness of \ndarkness, and anguish of despair, which it has \nbrought on the finally impenitent, the smoke of \nwhose torment ascendeth forever and ever. \n\nGreat God, it becomes me to take shame and con- \nfusion of face upon myself; to cry, "Guilty, and \nunclean ;" and to implore thee to be merciful to me, \na sinner. Thou art spodess holiness ; and thou \ncanst not look upon sin but with abhorrence. If \nthou shouldst lay judgment to the line, and right- \neousness to the plummet; or if even thou shouldst \ndeal with me for one of a thousand of my trans- \ngressions, I would be driven from thy presence, in \nutter despair. But, thanks be to thy name, the \nblood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. Though I \nshould be condemned without hope, if I dared to \nstand before thee in my own strength, yet in the \nrighteousness of my Surety, I may approach thee, \nand receive remission of sins. Lord, preserve me \nfrom the dominion of unholiness, whether it spring \nfrom the world, the flesh, or the devil. May the \ngrace that bringeth salvation, so teach me to deny \nungodliness, and to fear and loathe iniquity, that \nI shall constantly die unto sin and live unto right- \neousness. \n\n\n\n263 \n\nSINNERS. \n\nGreat God, affect my heart powerfully, by right \nviews of the condition of sinners. O let not my \nsonl be at ease in her possessions, while the earth \nis full of the workers of iniquity. Let not self- \nishness, nor unbelief, nor despondency, stupify my \ncompassions for those who everywhere crowd the \nways of destruction. May I look on them as rebels \nagainst thy law, over whom hang thy judgments, \nv^^hich may soon overwhelm them in remediless \nruin. Give me deep yearnings over their awful \nguilt and danger. Dispose me to pray, in earnest- \nness and faith, for their deliverance from sin ; and \nlead me to strive to pluck them as brands from the \nburning. Lord, direct me in the choice and use of \nsuch measures as will promote the salvation of souls. \n\nwilt thou give me the blessed privilege of turn- \ning some that were ready to perish, into the covert \nof redemption ? \n\nCompassionate Jehovah, kindle the love of souls \nin the breasts of all thy people. May deep con- \ncern for the spiritual wants of men, pervade their \nthoughts, direct their desires, and govern their con- \nduct. O that all who call upon thy name for their \nown salvation, would earnestly ask what thou wilt \nhave them to do, in saving the ungodly. Arm them, \n\n1 pray thee, with those weapons of love which are \nmighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong- \nholds. May they use the power of holy example, \nthe wisdom of right knowledge, and the fervour of \npersevering zeal, to convince, and persuade, and win \nthe unrighteous from their transgressions. Cause \nthe remembrance of their own former impenitency \nand exposure to wrath, together with their gratitude \n\n\n\n264 \n\nfor thy distinguishing grace, to excite their Strong \ncryings to God, and their deep compassions and \nearnest efforts, for those who are living without \nhope and God in the world. Lord, set before the \nminds of believers, the weight of guilt and retribu- \ntion which hangs over the impenitent ; and cause \nthem to feel and act upon the strong conviction, \nthat in fulfilling their duty to such, they will enjoy \npeace of conscience, the joyful reward of faithful \nservants, and be the happy instruments of saving \nsouls. \n\nLord, I would implore thy mercy on sinners \nthemselves. Convince them of their deep-rooted \ndepravity, and of the wrath they are treasuring up \nagainst the day of wrath. Let none deceive them- \nselves with a vain admiration of their natural vir- \ntues ; for these, instead of abating the enormity of \ntheir guilt, only stamp upon it the additional re- \nproach, that they have ungratefully refused to con- \nsecrate these virtues to the Lord thatbestowecl them. \nO that thy love to them, in the mercies of thy pro- \nvidence, in the pleadings of thy word, in the gift \nof thy Son, and in the strivings of thy grace, might \nfill them with that repentance which is unto life. \nPersuade them that thou hast no pleasure in their \ndeath ; but that thou art waiting to be gracious. \nThough they have destroyed themselves, in thee is \ntheir help : whosoever will, may take of the waters \nof life freely. Let them not neglect so great salva- \ntion, lest they sin away the day of their merciful \nvisitation ; and then a great ransom will not deliver \nthem. Lead them, I pray thee, to the Lamb of * \nGod that taketh away the sin of the world. May \nthey look to him and be saved. And thy name, \n\n\n\n265 \n\nFather, Son, and Spirit, shall have the glory of their \nredemption, through time and eternity. Amen. \n\nSLANDER. \n\nLord, suffer me not to be guilty of the vice of \nslander. Let me not through either mistake or pre- \njudice, rashness or ill-will, charge evil falsely on \nmy fellows. Make me tender of the reputation \nof all men ; and especially of the household of \nfaith. \xe2\x80\x94 O how has this sin impaired or destroyed \nindividual comfort and usefulness, domestic and \nsocial bliss, and public peace ! How has even the \ncharacter of piety been soiled, and its means of \ndoing good frustrated, by the words of suspicion, \nand talebearing and falsehood ! Let the lying lips \nbe put to silence, which speak grievous things \nproudly and contemptuously, against the righteous. \nO that all evil speaking would cease out of the world, \nand that all men would judge the motives, and state \nthe conduct of others, in righteousness and truth. \n\nLord, keep my mouth from slander, and my lips \nfrom speaking guile. Incline me to take heed to \nmy ways, that I sin not with my tongue. May \nmy speech be always with grace ; for if any man \noffend not in word, the same is perfect, and is able \nalso to bridle the whole body. \n\nSLAVERY. \n\nGod of Truth and Love, direct aright the feel- \nings and judgments of all men in relation to slavery. \nMay they learn that it is a sin against the laws of \nGod and the rights of man, which must, if not for- \nsaken, avert thy blessed favour, and bring down thy \nsore displeasure. Thou hast said that love is the \nfulfilling of thy law ; and that whatsoever we would \n23 \n\n\n\n266 \n\nthat men should do to us, we must do even so unto \nthem. Thou hast told us that the cries of them \nthat reap without hire, enter into thine ears : and \nthou hast denounced heavy wo against him that \nbuildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his \nchambers by wrong \xe2\x80\x94 that useth his neighbour\'s \nservice without wages, and giveth him not for his \nwork. \xe2\x80\x94 How long, O Lord, shall the selfishness of \nman appropriate to itself the time and the toil of \nthe weak and needy, and degrade the immortal mind \nwith ignorance and sin ? Lord, let our land soon \ncease to be an astonishment and a reproach among \nthe nations of the earth. May we cease to do evil, \nand learn to do well. Show us that righteousness \nexalteth a nation ; but that sin is a reproach to any \npeople. \n\nShepherd of Israel, take away the guilt of thy \npeople in this matter, whether it be incurred by si- \nlence, approval, or fellowship. Bring them out \nfrom unrighteousness, that they may be separate, \nand touch not the unclean thing. Teach them that \nthe righteous considereth the cause of the poor. \nEnable them to discern the signs of the times, and \nto adopt such measures as heavenly wisdom will \nown and bless. Make them realize that all men \nhave one Father, and that they are verily guilty \nconcerning their brother. May they remember \nthem that are in bonds, as bound with them. May \nthey open their mouth for the dumb, and plead the \ncause of the poor and needy. \xe2\x80\x94 O God of Zion, do \nthou take up the stumbling-blocic out of their way. \nLet them have no fellowship with the unfruitful \nworks of darkness, but rather reprove them. Yea, \nthou hast said that open rebuke is better than secret \nlove ; and that faithful are the wounds of a friend. \n\n\n\n267 \n\nMay they in meekness, instruct those that oppose \nthemselves ; and yet be faithful witnesses, that \nshall cry aloud, and spare not ; and who will show \nthem their transgressions. Grant them in this war- \nfare, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous, \nwhich availeth much ; and make them abundant in- \nstruments in advancing the cause of freedom, and \nsaving those that are ready to perish. \n\nLord, look in mercy on the oppressor. Preserve \n.him, I pray thee, from the vengeance of the oppress- \ned. Touch his soul with a sense of his wrong, and \nof its danger. Show him that thou hast made of \none blood, all nations of men, to dwell on all the \nface of the earth. May he remember, that he who \noppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker. May \nhe break off his sins, by righteousness ; and his \niniquity by showing mercy. O suffer him not to \ncontinue to take away the key of knowledge, and \nto seal over to vicious ignorance, the soul that God \nhas made for the light of heaven. Let him not look \non his own things only, but also on the things of \nothers. Teach him that it is- safe to do right; for \nis not the work of righteousness peace ; and the \neffect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for- \never? Lead him to trust in the Lord, and do good ; \nso shall he dwell in the land, and verily, he shall \nbe fed ! \n\nO thou that executest righteousness and judgment \nfor the oppressed, wilt thou not proclaim liberty \nthroughout all the land, to all the inhabitants there- \nof? Give the down-trodden rest from their sorrow, \nand their fear, and their hard bondage, wherein they \nare made to serve. Preach deliverance to the cap- \ntives, and the opening of the prison-doors to them \nthai are bound. But, O let it be a bloodless deliver- \n\n\n\n268 \n\nance ; and let the captive come forth by the will of \nhis master; that God may be glorified as much in \nthe repentance of the one, as in the liberty of the \nother. And when thou settest the slave free from \nthe oppression of man, deliver him from the bondage \nof sin. Give him the liberty of the sons of God. \nMake him thy servant, that his fruit may be holi- \nness, and the end everlasting life. \n\nSorrow. \xe2\x80\x94 See Grief, \n\nSOUL. \n\nEternal and Unchangeable Jehovah, thou hast \ngiven me a soul of deathless nature, and of priceless \nworth. The earthly house of this tabernacle shall \nbe dissolved ; the earth and all that is therein shall \nbe burnt up ; the heavens shall pass away ; and \ntime shall be no more \xe2\x80\x94 and still this spirit will live \non, in imperishable youth. O, what is a man profit- \ned, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his \nown soul ? Riches make to themselves wings, and \nflyaway; honour is but a passing breath of air ; and \npleasure perishes in the using : \xe2\x80\x94 but thou hast made \nthe soul in the image of thine own eternity. \n\nGod of Wisdom, help me, for Christ\'s sake, to \nunderstand something of its ever-living value. Teach \nme that its powers of thought, memory, and affec- \ntion will cling to it, with an everlasting increase ; \nand will be instruments of exalting its hallowed \npleasures, or of deepening its debasing woes, for- \never. \xe2\x80\x94 O cause me to learn the value of my soul, \nby the price that was paid for it. Thou didst so \nlove the world, as to give thy Son to die for us. \nThou didst not redeem us with corruptible things, \nsuch as silver and gold ; but with the precious blood \n\n\n\n269 \n\nof Christ. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, let me not learn the worth of my \nsoul by its eternal loss, but by its everlasting gain. \n\nGreat God, thou hast put these awful and eternal \ninterests in the is3ues of human life. Our season \nof time, brief and uncertain at best, is our probation, \nthat will determine our destinies for eternity. Help \nme, I beseech thee, now to flee from the wrath to \ncome, and to pursue the inheritance of bliss. Make \nmy day and means of grace sufficient to bring me \ninto the narrow way that leadeth unto life : and then, \nwhen thou hast served thy righteous pleasure with \nme here, where I have no abiding place, take me \nto that city which hath foundations, whose builder \nand maker is God. \n\nLord, lead the impenitent to inquire, " What shall \na man give in exchange for his soul ?" O that they \nmight reflect on that blackness of darkness, and on \nthat fulness of joy, one or other of which must re- \nsult to the undying spirit, from the deeds done in \nthe body. Spread before their minds that holy and \nblissful rest that remaineth for the people of God ; \nand bring into full contrast with it, the bottomless \npit, the unquenchable fire, the worm that never \ndies, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth, pre- \npared for the devil and his angels, and for the spi- \nrits of the lost. O do thou write over all their \nthoughts of these scenes, as in letters of light, eter- \nnity, ETERNITY. Draw them by the cords of thy \nlove, and incline them by the terrors of thy law, to \nmake their peace with thee, ere the precious re- \ndemption of the soul ceaseth forever. \n\nSOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. \n\nLord, thou dost according to thy will in the army \nof heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth; and \n23* \n\n\n\n270 \n\nnone can stay thy hand, or say unto thee, \'* What \ndost thou ?" Thou workest all things after the \ncounsel of thine own will. A man\'s heart deviseth \nhis way, hut thou directest his steps. Thou hast \nchosen our inheritance, and determined our changes, \nand fixed the number of our days. We are in thy \nhands, as clay in the hands of the potter. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, I \nwould adore the mystery of thy sovereignty in the \nworks of grace. Thou hast hid these things from \nthe wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. \nThou hast mercy on whom thou wilt have mercy ; \nand whom thou wilt thou hardenest. Even so, \nFather ; for so it seemed good in thy sight. \n\nGreat God, I rejoice that thy dominion is built \non power and wisdom, righteousness and mercy. \nThou alone mayest exercise it ; for thou art the \nMaker, Governor, Benefactor, and Judge of all \nthings. \xe2\x80\x94 O do thou work in me, to will and to do, \nof thy good pleasure. Let me not be the slave of \nsin, but the servant of Jesus ; for his yoke is easy, \nand his burden is light, to all who put their trust \nin thee. Thy statutes are right, and thy law is \nperfect. Because the Lord reigneth, let the earth \nrejoice ; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. \nThough clouds and darkness are round about thee, \njustice and judgment are the habitation of thy \nthrone. \n\nLord, do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. \nBuild thou the walls of Jerusalem. Be thou her \nking, to govern, to defend, and to lead her forward, \nconquering and to conquer. May that stone which \nwas cut out without hands, become a great moun- \ntain, and fill the whole earth. \n\nSovereign of the Universe, teach all men that it \nis lawful for thee to do what thou wilt with thine \n\n\n\n271 \n\nown. Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker. \nLet the potsherds of the earth strive with the pots- \nherds of the earth ; but let not the thing formed say- \nto him that formed it, " Why hast thou made me \nthus ?" \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, bring the hearts of the ungodly to \nbow in quiet and confiding submission to thy will. \nMake them willing in the day of thy power. May \nthey know that thy dominion will be an everlasting \ndominion, even though they may never become the \nsubjects of thy heavenly kingdom. Thou makest \nthe wrath of- men to praise thee : and when the \nsmoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and \never, then shall be heard the voice of a great mul- \ntitude, as the voice of many waters, and of mighty \nthunderings, saying, " Alleluia ; for the Lord God, \nOmnipotent, reigneth." \n\nSpirit. \xe2\x80\x94 See Holy Ghost. \n\nSPIRITUALITY. \n\nHeavenly Father, grant me, in the name of Jesus, \nthat spiritual mind which is life and peace. Let \nnot my heart be troubled nor careful about the \nthings of this world ; but let it choose that better \npart, which cannot be taken from me. May I re- \ngard the blessing of thy favour infinitely above any \nand all earthly good. Incline me to find my plea- \nsure in the services of thy kingdom, and not in the \ndebasements of sense. Purify my motives, and \nmake the objects of my desires such as shall be in \nharmony with the teachings of the Holy Ghost. \xe2\x80\x94 \nLord, fixll my soul with those spiritual joys which \nraise the heart above the pleasures, honours and \nriches of the world ; which throw the gladness of \nhope over earth\'s darkest scenes ; and which are \n\n\n\n272 \n\nsweet foretastes of the happiness of that land of \nspirits, where formality, and sense, and sin, shall \ngive place to sincerity, devotion, and holiness. \n\nSPRING. \n\nLord, thou sendest out t!iy word, andmeltest the \nice ; thou causest thy wind to blow, and the waters \nflow. Lo ! the winter is past, and the flowers ap- \npear on the earth : the time of the singing of birds \nis come : thou waterest the hills from thy cham- \nbers ; and thy breath maketh the earth fruitful. \n\nO may the returning warmth, the reviving ver- \ndure, the gushing waters \xe2\x80\x94 the universal joy of \nemancipated nature, create an echo of sympathy in \nmy heart, and lead my aflections and devotions up \nto thy throne in heaven. Enlarge, and instruct, \nand sanctify my mind by frequent contemplations \nof thee in the works of thy hands. May I hear a \nvoice of wisdom, and mystery, and praise from \nevery grain of sand and blade of grass ; from every \nbreath of air and cloud of heaven ; from every drop \nof dew and shower of rain ; from every beam of \nlight and shade of darkness ; from every flowing \nfountain and rolling river ; from every peaceful \nvalley and stable mountain. Blessed Lord, all thy \nworks praise thee. O why should man, who en- \nvoys thy richest blessings, be last and feeblest in \nhis testimony to thy greatness ? Grant that my \nthoughts may meditate on thy wonders, \xe2\x80\x94 that my \nlips may speak of thy worth \xe2\x80\x94 and that my life \nmay show forth thy glory. \n\nFill my heart with love to thee, when I look on \nthe bounty of nature ; for thou art by it preserving \nthe life of man and beast, and bestowing on them \nboth gladness and plenty. Let it inspire me with \n\n\n\n273 \n\nconfidence in thy providence ; for if God so clothes \nthe grass, which to-day is in the field, and to-morrow \nis cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe \nme ? And if he feeds the fowls of the air, which nei- \nther sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, will he not \nalso feed me ? Lord, thou knowest that I have need of \nthese things ; and thou hast promised to add them unto \nme, if I seek first thy kingdom and righteousness. \n\nthou that renewest the face of the earth, grant \nmy soul the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Whilst \nthou art clothing creation with the beauty and vigour \nof a new life, give me, I pray thee, the beauty of \nholiness, and make me a new creature in Christ \nJesus. \n\nMerciful God, give me wisdom to Jook on life, \nas the seedtime of man\'s estate, and on eternity as \nits harvest. They that plough iniquity, and sow \nwickedness, shall reap the same ; but they that sow \nto the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. \n\nLord, bless those who are in the springtime of \nlife. May they remember their Creator in the days \nof their youth. Teach them that though their joy \nis in its opening bud, thou canst blast it, ere it be- \ncome a flower \xe2\x80\x94 though their hope is full of light, \nthou cajist draw over it the cloud of sorrow \xe2\x80\x94 \nthough they are in the morning of life, thou canst \nspeedily bring over them the night of death. O \ndispose them to give the bud of their being, the \nbrightness of their hope, the dawn of their day, to \nhim who made and seeks their hearts. And then, \nwhen time shall be no more, they will dwell where \nno cold shall wither their immortal bloom, no cloud \ncast a shadow over their radiant joy, and no night \ndarken their endless day ! \n\n\n\n274 \n\nSUBMISSION. \n\nLord, grant me, through the mediation of Jesus, \nthe grace of submission. I pray thee let me never \nmurmur nor rebel against either thy word or provi- \ndence. Thou hast an infinite right to reign in me, \nand to rule over me, and to do with me, as seemeth \ngood in thy sight. Thou canst not devise any sta- \ntute, which is not founded on infinite wisdom and \ngoodness. Thou canst not execute any measure, \nthat is not sanctioned by righteousness and grace. \n\nO strengthen me by faith and love, that I may \nbow to every token of thy will \xe2\x80\x94 which is indeed the \nperfection of knowledge, -holiness, and mercy. 1 \nthank thee. Lord, for that full expression of it, which \nthou hast bequeathed in thy word. There thou \nhast given line upon line, and precept upon precept, \nthat none may err therein. And yet how often \ndoes my heart forget and forsake, and sometimes \ncontend against thy law. How prone is it to be \nunsubmissive when thou lay est thy hand upon me \nin correction or displeasure. \xe2\x80\x94 O God, assist me to \nrecognise thy hand in all the workings of thy pro- \nvidence ; and lead me to concur cheerfully, with \nevery intimation which thou givest in these things, \nof thy sovereign pleasure. Incline me, I pray thee, \nto receive thy commandment as the law of my \nlanguage, feelings, and conduct. Let me not de- \nspise thy chastenings, nor faint at thy rebukes. \nMay I be still, and know that thou art God. \xe2\x80\x94 [_See \nAffliction.] \n\nSaviour of Man, bring the impenitent to submit \nto thy will. Thou wouldst indeed have them forsake \ntheir rebellion, and obey thy law ; and thou art \nseeking to win them to obedience, by the promises \nof thy grace, and the warnings of thy wrath. O \n\n\n\n275 \n\nconvince them that thy judgments are round about \nthem, and that the second death is before them. \nShow them that their unreserved submission to thee, \nis their only wisdom and safety : for then, instead \nof being" exposed to thy sore displeasure, they will \nbe received into thy favour, and enjoy the perfect \npeace of him whose heart is stayed on thee. \n\nSUMMER, \n\nCreator of Heaven and Earth, thou hast set a \ntabernacle in the firmament for the sun. His going \nforth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit \nunto the ends of it ; and there is nothing that is hid \nfrom the heat thereof. \n\nLord, if it please thee, preserve my health and \nlife during these months, that are so often marked \nby the ravages of disease and death. Especially \ndo thou keep my soul from the maladies of sin, and \ngive me the saving health of thy Spirit, through the \ngrace of the Lord Jesus. Be unto me as the sha- \ndow of a great rock in a weary land. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, lift up \nthe light of thy countenance upon me, and send me \nthy Sun of righteousness, with healing in his wings. \nAnd through thy tender mercy, let the dayspring \nfrom on high, visit those that sit in darkness, and in \nthe shadow of death, to guide their feet in the way \nof peace. \n\nGreat Benefactor, 1 thank thee for this season, in \nwhich thou art blessing the toil of the labourer, and , \nfulfilling the desire of the husbandman. Disappoint \nnot those who wait for the precious fruit of the earth. \nLet not the ground be parched with continual and \noppressive heat, nor flooded by untimely and de- \nstroying rain. Let the heavens give their dew \xe2\x80\x94 \nmake thou the earth soft with showers \xe2\x80\x94 give the \n\n\n\n276 \n\nclear shining after rain, whereby the grass springeth \nout of the earth \xe2\x80\x94 and let the land yield her increase \nabundantly. \n\nLord, whilst thou art giving seed to the sower, \nand bread to the eater, incline men to hunger and \nthirst after righteousness. Bestow on them that \nbread of God, which is he that came down from \nheaven, and gave his life for the world, that whoso- \never cometh to him, should never hunger, and that \nwhosoever believeth on him, should never thirst. \n\nO thou that givest growth and plenty, bless the \ngood seed of thy word. As the rain cometh down \nfrom heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth \nthe earth, and maketh it to bring forth and bud ; so \nlet thy word be, that goeth forth out of thy mouth : \nlet it not return unto thee void, but accomplish that \nwhich pleases thee, and prosper in the thing where- \nto thou hast sent it. \n\nLord, when I look on the abundance which covers \nthe earth, may I remember those moral fields that \nare white already to the harvest ; which truly is \nplenteous, but the labourers are few. I pray thee, \nfor Christ\'s sake, send forth labourers, who shall \ngather fruit, unto life eternal. \n\nGracious Father, regard in mercy, those who, \nunless they turn from the error of their ways, may \nsoon take up the lamentation \xe2\x80\x94 \'\' The harvest is \npast, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. \'^ \n, Break up the fallow ground of their hearts ; sow in \nthem the seed of truth ; rain righteousness upon \nthem ; and make them as the garden of the Lord\xe2\x80\x94 \nfor thy great name\'s sake. \n\n\n\n277 \nSwearing. \xe2\x80\x94 See Profanity. \n\nTALENTS. \n\nGiver of Mercies, thou hast been pleased to com- \nmit to me various talents, which thou requirest me \nto occupy until thy coming. Thou hast given me \ntime, property, influence, knowledge, and feeling, \nwherewith to advance thy glory, and to promote \nhuman welfare. Lord, let me not be as the wicked \nand slothful servant, who hid his talent in the earth, \nand vainly sought to avert the doom of his guilty \nindolence. Alas, how have the faculties and op- \nportunities thou hast in mercy given me, been neg- \nlected, perverted, and abused. Too often I have \nsought my own corrupt pleasures, instead of fulfill- \ning the exalted and ennobling duties thou hast set \nbefore me. O give me an everpresent conviction, \nthat the means with which thou hast invested me, \nare only gifts in trust, which thou wilt require from \nme again, with usury. Help me, I beseech thee, \nso to understand and employ them, that in the great \nday of reckoning, I may receive the plaudit \xe2\x80\x94 \n** Well done, thou good and faithful servant ; thou \nhast been faithful over a few things, I will make \nthee ruler over many things : enter thou into the \njoy of thy Lord." \n\nTEACHERS. \n\nLord, bless all those who, in their various spheres, \nhave taken charge of the important business of in- \nstruction. Dispose and enable them to guide the \nuntutored and inquiring into the acquisition of \nknowledge ; and fit them to guard from evil, and to \nmould for good, the characters of those who are \n24 \n\n\n\n278 \n\ncommitted to their care. O preserve our youth \nfrom the corrupting and destroying evils of igno- \nrant and immoral instructers. Inform the minds, \nand sanctify the hearts of teachers. Give them that \nwisdom from above, which will prepare them to \ntram their pupils in the highest and noblest know- \nledge that can adorn human nature. \xe2\x80\x94 Multiply the \nfacilities of education ; put them within the reach \nof all classes ; and dispose all men to seek the in- \ntellectual, moral, and religious culture of the rising \ngeneration. \n\nO Lord, vouchsafe, for the sake of thy dear Son, \nthy choicest blessings on the Teachers of Sabbath- \nschools, Give unto all of them tbe character and \nefficiency which are needful for their sacred duties. \nLet them not make these holy efforts, the pastime \nof the Sabbath, an opiate of conscience, or a service \nto be seen of men. But let all their impulses in \nthem, spring from love to God and love to man. \nImbue all their thoughts and labours in this work, \nwith a supreme regard for thy glory and human \nwelfare. While they take pleasure in every lesser \ndegree of success, O make the conversion of souls \ntheir steadfast and absorbing aim ! \n\nImpress on their minds, the priceless value, the \nhigh dignity, the solemn obligations, and the glorious \nreward of their office. Show them that it relates \nto the worth of the soul ; that it is kindred in its \nsympathies with the love of Jesus ; that its respon \nsibilities take hold of eternal issues ; and that its \nfaithful discharge will make them as the brightness \nof the firmament, and as the stars, forever and \never ! \n\nGreat God, give them an experimental knowledge \nof that salvation which is the great and final object \n\n\n\n279 \n\nof the system. \xe2\x80\x94 May all their duties in it be begun, \ncontinued, and ended in earnest prayer, and with \nentire dependence and unwavering reliance on the \nministrations of the Holy Spirit. \xe2\x80\x94 Give them those \npreparations of the heart, and that answer of the \ntongue, which are from thee ; and grant them a \nmouth and wisdom, by which they may persuade \ntheir youthful charge in the things concerning the \nkingdom of God.\xe2\x80\x94 Make them able ministers of the \nNew Testament; and let thy word dwell in them \nrichly, in all wisdom, that they may be thoroughly \nfurnished in their good work. \xe2\x80\x94 Make them fervent \nin spirit, that they may teach diligently, the things \nof the Lord. \xe2\x80\x94 Cause their example to adorn the \ndoctrine of God, their Saviour, and to allure those \nwhom they teach, into the same path of obedience. \nLord, dispose them to avail themselves of the \nvarious helps which the wise and good have fur- \nnished for their cause ; and let them not grudge the \ntime, and toil, and cost which are necessary to pre- \npare them to meet and instruct their classes. \xe2\x80\x94 Let \nthe spirit of affection manifest itself in all their \nmeasures ; and may they seek to draw their pupils \nwith the cords of love, and the bands of a man. \xe2\x80\x94 \nMake them patient in every trial which they may \nencounter, through failure, or ignorance, or vice, or \nenmity. \xe2\x80\x94 May that intention to succeed which \nstimulates their efforts, and secures their objects, in \nworldly pursuits, animate them with the purpose of \nsuccess in this calling; but. Lord, let this spirit ever \nbe pervaded by a sense of dependence on thee. \xe2\x80\x94 Let \nthem be punctual in all the appointments of the \nschool ; redeeming the time, because the days are \nevil. \xe2\x80\x94 Let them not be satisfied with filling up the \nbrief hours allotted to instruction in the schoolroom ; \n\n\n\nJ \n\n\n\n280 \n\nbut may it be their pleasure (as it it is their duty) \nto visit the homes of their scholars ; and, while \nthey minister a word in season, secure and strength- \nen the good-will of both parents and children. Make \nthem wise to know, and skilful to use, the influences \nwhich mould human character and conduct. \xe2\x80\x94 Let \nall the mutual relations of teachers be governed by \nthe fellowship of saints. \xe2\x80\x94 Suflfer none to draw back \nin weariness or discouragement from these precious \nduties ; but do thou make them always abound in \nthis work of the Lord. \xe2\x80\x94 O Lord, grant that the eye \nof their faith may ever be fixed on that promise\xe2\x80\x94 \n\'* In due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not :" and \nthat the ear of their hope may ever listen to that \nverdict \xe2\x80\x94 " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of \nthe least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto \nme." \n\nGracious God, give them abundant success in \ntheir labours. Make them leading instruments in \nspreading divine knowledge, enlarging missionary \neflforts, sanctifying thy church, promoting revivals \nof religion, and regenerating the world. \n\n\n\nTEMPER. \n\nLord, sanctify my temper. Preserve me from \npeevishness, envy, anger, revenge, and malice. Ena- \nble me to maintain an unruflfled spirit amid the vex- \nations of circumstances, and the provocations of my \nfellow-creatures. May that wisdom from above, \nwhich is peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, \nbe the governing influence of my life, and lead me \nto seek the fruit of righteousness, which is sown in \npeace, of them that make peace. Enable me to imi- \ntate the quiet meekness of him who lived as our \nExample, as well as died as our Redeemer. Lord, \n\n\n\n281 \n\nkeep me from those occasional or habitual excite- \nments of temper, which rob my mind of comfort, \ndishonour my profession of thy name, and turn \naway thy precious favour. Vouchsafe unto me, \nO God, the continual presence of that ornament of \na meek and quiet spirit, which in thy sight is of \ngreat price. \n\nTemperance. \xe2\x80\x94 See Intemperance. \n\nTEMPTATION. \n\nGreat God, make me realize that I live in con- \nstant danger of temptations from foes without and \nenemies within. Satan, with his countless wiles \n\xe2\x80\x94 my own heart, with its self-deceit and sensuality \n\xe2\x80\x94 the world, with its many lures \xe2\x80\x94 each seeks to \ndraw me from the paths of duty, and to lead me in \nthe ways of unrighteousness. Lord, thou hast, in- \ndeed, purposes of wisdom, in suffering me to be \nthus subject to temptation. Thou canst overrule it \nfor my conformity to Christ, who was in all points \ntempted like as we are, yet without sin. It is in \nsuch seasons, O Most High, that thy strength is \nmade perfect in our weakness ; and that we are en- \nabled to glory in our infirmities, that the power of \nChrist may rest on us. And thou often givest us, \nin mercy, the messengers of Satan, to buffet us, lest \nwe be exalted above measure. They that are tried, \nand found faithful, shall receive a crown of life, \nwhich the Lord hath promised to them that love \nhim. \n\nHeavenly Father, make thy grace sufficient for \nme in every season of trial \xe2\x80\x94 in the hour of adversi- \nty \xe2\x80\x94 in the day of prosperity \xe2\x80\x94 in the period when \nexemption from temptation has left me open to se- \n24* \n\n\n\n282 \n\nduction \xe2\x80\x94 and when the abounding consolations of \nthy Spirit have been perverted into heedlessness \ntowards the spiritual dangers which beset me. Give \nme wisdom to discover, and strength to resist, the \napproach of evil. Let me say at every enticement, \n" How can I do this wickedness, and sin ao^ainst \nGod ?" May I watch unto prayer, knowing that \nthou art a very present help in every hour of need ; \n. and that thou wilt, with the temptation, also make \na way of escape, for all that are of thy heritage. \xe2\x80\x94 \nLord, carry me safely through every danger, and in \nthine own time, give me an inheritance among those \nwho have come out of great tribulation, and have \nwashed their robes, and made them white, in the \nblood of the Lamb ! \n\nTHANKSGIVING. \n\nLord, I bring unto thee the sacrifice of thanks- \ngiving ; for thou art the Father of Lights, from \nwhom Cometh every good and perfect gift. I desire \nto praise thee for the multitude of thy favours, and \nto acknowledge that I have not deserved even the \nleast of them. I would magnify thee for thy pro- \nviding, sparing, forgiving, and saving mercies. I \nI bless thee for the various powers of my body, the \nfaculties of my mind, and the affections of my heart; \nfor health and employment; for food and clothing; \nfor social happiness and public safety. I thank \nthee for preserving me in the weakness and diseases \nof childhood, and conducting me over the slippery \npaths of youth, and protecting me amid the dangers \nof riper years. Thou hast indeed made my life, \nwhich ought, in justice, to have been a wilderness, \nto bud and blossom as the rose. My trials have \n\n\n\n283 \n\nbeen few and short ; while my mercies have been \nwithout number and without end. \n\nBut, O Lord, I would thank thee for the blessings \nof the gospel, more than for every thing else. O \nwhat a rich cluster of gifts is offered to us in the \ngrace that bringeth salvation. Thou hast given us \nthe Bible, the preached word, the privilege of prayer, \nthe ordinances of thy house, the Son of God, the \ninfluences of thy Holy Spirit, and the hope of glory. \nLord, teach me the value of thy bounties. Strength- \nen my memory that I may retain a knowledge of \nthem. Fill my heart with gratitude and love, be- \ncause of thine unnumbered, unmerited blessings. \nMay they lead me to repentance, humility, and \nfaith, and to consecrate them and myself to thy ser- \nvice and glory. \n\nTHEATRE. \n\nHeavenly Father, create an intelligent and vir- \ntuous public sentiment in relation to the dangers of \ntheatres ; and let it be such as shall lead to their \nspeedy abandonment and suppression. Dispel the fal- \nlacy of those who regard the" playhouse as a \'\' school \nof morals." Let the character of its teachers and \npupils, the language it offers to the ear, and the \nscenes it presents to the eye, with its appendages \nof intemperance and lewdness, be swift witnesses \nto all men, that it is a school cf vice. Lord, keep \nour youth from venturing into the magic circles of \nits corrupting influence. O how many, for whom \na father\'s daily toil and a mother\'s anxious care, \nhave been spent, have laid here the sure foundation \nof dissipation, fraud, debauchery, and ruin. O when \nshall the offerings to this Moloch cease ? Although \ndrunk with the blood of souls, its voice is still " Give \n\n\n\n284 \n\ngive !" And still its courts, and shambles, and \naltars are crowded with the living sacrifices. \n\nGod of Israel, let none who profess thy name, \ngive the theatre their patronage. For what fellow- \nship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and \nwhat concord hath Christ with Belial ? Persuade \nthe moral and influential, who now encourage and \nuphold this system, that it is full of danger to \nprivate good and public welfare. Direct the popu- \nlar taste, which now sanctions and demands this \namusement, into other and better pursuits. Let the \njoys of the domestic circle, the pleasures of social \nintercourse, and the pursuit of useful knowledge, \nhave more attractions than the mimic fancies of the \nplayhouse. Turn many feet, that stray to it nightly, \ninto the house of God ; there to learn, instead of \nthe fictions of worldly scenes, the realities of end- \nless life. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord, cause these walls that now echo to \nthe foolish song, the profane jest, and the licentious \nspeech, to resound with the hymn of praise, the \nvoice of prayer, and the word of God. Let the tem- \nple of Satan become the tabernacle of the Most High ! \n\nTHEFT. \n\nBlessed God, cause all dishonesty to cease from \nthe face of the earth. Let men no longer unjustly \nhinder their neighbour\'s wealth or outward estate. \nDestroy that spirit of covetousness which urges \nmankind to fraud, robbery, and oppression, and to \nbe partakers of unholy gain. Do thou cause the \nprinciples of strict and impartial honesty to govern \nthe relations of commerce, and of master and ser- \nvant. Give currency cind influence, I pray thee, \nto that blessed rule, of doing unto others as we \nwould they should do unto us. \n\n\n\n285 \n\nLord keep me from indulging in any form of dis- \nhonesty. Make me just to all the lawful interests \nof my fellows. Let me never desire to increase my \nown substance at their expense ; nor to withhold \nfrom any, however humble or unworthy, the debts \nof justice and humanity. Incline me always to \nrejoice in the good of my neighbour, and to walk \nuprightly and work righteousness. \n\nTime. \xe2\x80\x94 See Life, \n\n\n\nTONGUE. \n\nLord, make my voice a testimony of praise unto \nthee, and an organ of wisdom and love unto men. \nDispose me to speak of thine excellent goodness, to \nconfess my manifold transgressions, and to suppli- \ncate thy satisfying mercies. Give me grace to pro- \nclaim and defend thy word. Make me an advocate \nof the innocent and the oppressed. Incline me to \nencourage that which is good, and to reprove that \nwhich is evil. May I seek useful knowledge, with \nthe purpose of teaching it to others. And, Lord, I \nwould fervently implore thee, for Christ\'s sake, that \nI may be led to persuade men to be reconciled to \nthee, by the death of thy Son. \n\nGreat Author of Goodness, I thank thee for the \ngift of speech. But, O, I desire to realize that it is \nan instrument v/hose uses are fearfully abused. How \noften, alas 1 does the tongue become an unruly \nmember, and full of deadly poison ; producing en- \nvying and strife, confusion and every evil work. \nSet a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep \nthe door of my lips. Keep my tongue from evil, \nand my lips from speaking guile. Thou hast said, \nthat if any man seem to be religious, and bridle th \n\n\n\n286 \n\nnot his tongue, he deceiveth his own heart ; and \nhis religion is vain. Enable me to bring forth good \nthings out of the good treasure of the heart, and let \nmy words be of the uprightness of my heart. Put \naway from me all bitterness and evil speaking ; and \nlet no corrupt communication proceed out of my \nmouth, but that which is good, to the use of edify- \ning, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. \xe2\x80\x94 \n[^See Slander.] \n\nTRACTS. \n\nHeavenly Father, bless the efforts which are \nmade to spread thy truth, by means of tracts. It was \nin this form thou didst first cause to be gathered the \nwords of wisdom, which holy men spake of old, as \nthey were moved by the Holy Ghost. As thou \ndidst then set the seal of thy favour on such instru- \nments, so thou art now using them as means of \nturning sinners from death unto life. \n\nLord, bless those societies, in our own and other \ncountries, which have undertaken to promote, in this \nway, the welfare of thy kingdom. Give them wis- \ndom and grace in all their measures. May they be \nsustained by the prayers, and gifts, and labours of \nthy people. O that all the children of Zion would \nfeelingly understand the power of the press, in fur- \nnishing these leaves for the healing of the nations. \nI thank thee for the influence which has been given \nto them in heathen lands, and for the rich promises \nwhich the signs of the times afford, as to their \nfuture usefulness, both at home and abroad. I pray \nthee, multiply their number, and send them to all \nthe dark places of the, earth, as winged messengers, \nproclaiming the everlasting gospel. \n\n\n\n287 \n\nLord, extend and bless their circulation in our \nown land. Grant thy rich favour to the monthly \ndistribution, wherever it is sustained ; and do thou \ncause it to be established in every community in our \ncountry. May all who have undertaken that plan \nof benevolence, connect with it personal efforts for \nthe conversion of souls. While they supply the \ntemporal wants of the poor, and give the Bible to the \ndestitute, and gather neglected children into Sunday- \nschools, and seek to stay the desolations of intem- \nperance, O may they realize that their great work, \nin connexion with their tract distribution, is to labour \npersonally and faithfully, for the salvation of those \nwith whom they are thus brought in contact. Sanc- \ntion abundantly, all such efforts, by the enlightening, \nconvincing, and converting power of the Holy \nSpirit. \n\nTRAVELLING. \n\nO thou that directest the steps of men, preserve \nme from accident, sickness, and death, when I am \nabsent from home ; and restore me to its comforts \nand privileges, refreshed and strengthened for all \nits various duties. I beseech thee especially, that \nthou wouldst warn me against the spiritual dangers \nto which I am exposed in such seasons ; and do \nthou enable me to escape them, and gather profit \nto myself, and do good to others, in all my journey- \nings. Suffer me not to neglect secret prayer, nor \nthe reading of thy word, nor the study of my heart. \nLet not my mind be dissipated by idleness, nor my \nsoul be corrupted by pleasure. Permit not my cha- \nracter to take its colour from every object it meets. \nIf I must mingle with the wicked, allow me to have \nno fellowship with their works of darkness, but \n\n\n\n288 \n\nrather to reprove them. Let me not profane thy holy \nSabbath by continuing to travel on it ; nor refrain \nfrom its services, when I rest through its sacred \nhours. And suffer me not to do\'any thing which I \nwould avoid amid the restraints of the family, or \namong those that know me. \xe2\x80\x94 May I make the Bible \nmy companion, and the throne of grace my home, \nin all my travels. Give me courage and grace to \ndefend the truth, and to do good, as I have oppor- \ntunity. Make me realize that wherever I go, thine \neye is upon me ; and let this impression make the \nstate of my heart, and the tenor of my life, such as \nbecome a profession of godliness. \xe2\x80\x94 O may I say, \nat the outset of every journey^ with thy servant of \nold, " Lord, if thy presence go not with me, carry \nme not up hence." \n\nTRINITY. \n\nGreat God, cause my understanding to acknow- \nledge, and my heart to adore, the mystery of the \nFather, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are the same in \nsubstance, equal in power and glory, and who con- \nstitute the infinite, eternal, and unchangeable God- \nhead. Lord, let not my feeble and erring judgment \nstagger at nor exalt itself against the testimony of \nthy word : but what thou hast revealed, that may \nI receive with a willing mind. O do thou enable \nme to receive the Father, in all the fulness of his \nlove \xe2\x80\x94 the Son, in all the riches of his atonement \n\xe2\x80\x94 and the Spirit, in all the sanctifying power of his \ngrace. \n\nGod of Truth, banish that heresy, which, in the \npride of human reason, would vainly seek to pervert \nthe doctrine of the Unity of the Godhead, so as to \ndestroy the belief of the glorious Trinity. May all \n\n\n\n289 \n\nmen learn that there are three that bear record in \nheaven, and that these three are one. May they \nhonour the Son, even as they honour the Father ; \nand worship that Spirit, whose ministrations are life \nbecause of righteousness * \n\nTrust. \xe2\x80\x94 See Confidence. \n\nTRUTH. \n\nHeavenly Father, dispel every form of error, by \nthe power of uncorrupted truth. Lord, thy word is \ntruth. Give it, therefore, free course, that it may \nbe glorified in redeeming the corrupt and wandering \nminds of men, from the deceptions of prejudice and \nerror. Bring all mankind to a knowledge of it, \n*and especially of the truth as it is in Jesus, which \nonly is able to make them wise unto salvation. In- \nstruct them in that mystery, which was hid from \nages and from generations, but now is made mani- \nfest to the saints ; which is Christ, in them, the \nhope of glory. \n\nLord, assist me to love thy truth, and to seek its \npromotion, even though it may cover me with re- \nbuke and shame. May it turn me from every refuge \nof lies, and bring me to trust in thee with all my \nheart. May sincerity dwell in my soul, and truth \nhave its image in my heart, and verity be found on \nmy lips. Teach me to abhor deceit in every pos- \nsible form. May I remember that nothing can enter \nthe holy city that maketh or loveth a lie ; and that \nthe lip of truth shall be established forever. \xe2\x80\x94 [_See \nFalsehood.] \n\nGreat God, thou art the fountain of untarnished \ntruth, and with thee there is no variableness, nor \nshadow of turning. No form of deceit has ever \n25 \n\n\n\n2% \n\njast a stain on the purity of thy purposes and deal- \nings. Though the mountains depart, and the hills \nbe removed, thy kindness doth not depart from \nthee ; neither is the covenant of thy peace removed. \nThy word is the counsels of faithfulness ; thy pro- \nmises are all Yea and Amen ; and thy threatenings, \nthough they be not speedily executed, shall be ful- \nfilled in righteousness. O Lord, give me such a \npersuasion of thy faithfulness, as shall encourage \nand strengthen my heart in every endurance of trial, \nand in every performance of duty. Help me to \ncommit the keeping of my soul unto thee, in well- \ndoing, as unto a faithful Creator. \n\nUNBELIEF. \n\nAdorable Jehovah, I beseech thee, let there not* \nbe in me an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from \nthe living God. May I ever regard it as the parent \nof all iniquity : for if faith were perfect, there would \nbe no transgression. Assist me to know and feel \nthat this sin dishonours thy glorious name, thy pre- \ncious word, and thy righteous providence. Make \nme feel that it shuts out the light of thy counte- \nnance, and brings the darkness of spiritual ignorance \nand death over my soul. O may I reflect on the \ndoom of him that believeth not, and is condemned \nalready. Enable me to watch unto prayer, against \nthis destroying evil. Protect me from the influ- \nences which lead to it \xe2\x80\x94 from Satan, from ignorance, \nfrom pride, and from sensuality. Lord, redeem me \nfrom its power, by the teachings of thy word and \nSpirit. Rebuke it by the example of thine ancient \nsaints, who all died in faith, not having received the \npromises ; but having seen them afar ofl", were per- \nsuaded of them, and embraced them. Give my \n\n\n\n291 \n\njudgment a clear perception of truth, and bring my \naffections into submission to thy will : and then, \nthanks be to thy name, I shall believe with my \nheart unto righteousness, and praise tliee in the \nobedience of faith. Lord, I would believe ; help \nthou mine unbelief. \xe2\x80\x94 [_See Faith.] \n\nUNDERSTANDING. \n\nOmniscient Jehovah, I thank thee for the gift of \nmy understanding, by which I may acquire know- \nledge, and without which I should be ignorant of thy \nlaw, and should live as the brutes that perish. I \npray thee, in the name of the Heavenly Advocate, \nthat thou wouldst make me feel the solemn re- \nsponsibilities which belong to the noble faculty of \nreason. Let not ignorance, nor prejudice, nor de- \npravity control its exercises. Preserve it from error, \nand guide it into the knowledge of truth. Make it \na storehouse of useful knowledge. Direct its en- \nergies chiefly towards that wisdom which is from \nabove. Grant me enlarged and discriminating views \nof thy character, works, and will. Dispose me, \ngreat God, to submit my judgment to the tokens \nof thy mind, in all things ; for thine understanding \nUB infinite. \n\nUNION. \n\nShepherd of Israel, teach thy people how good \nand pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell to- \ngether in unity. It is as the dew that descended on \nthe mountains of Zion ; there the Lord commanded \nthe blessing, even life for evermore. May they \nmourn over the unkindness and strife that so often \nprevail among those who bear the same party name. \nMay they lament over the sectional feelings which \n\n\n\n292 \n\nalienate the members of different communions, and \nforbid the universal fellowship of saints. God of \nPeace, let not Ephraim envy Judah, nor Judah vex \nEphraim. \n\nO Lord, why should there be any other test of \nbrotherhood than that of union to Christ ? Why \nshould the children of adoption treat each other as \nstrangers and foreigners ? Why should those who \nexpect to be joint-heirs of the inheritance of heaven, \nrefuse fellowship with each other on earth ? O \nGod of Love, rebuke every spirit of dissension. \nBring together all the scattered fragments of thy \nchurch, and bind them by that charity which is the \nbond of perfectness. As there is but one Shepherd, \nso let there be but one fold. As there is but one \nKing, so let there be but one dominion. Let the \nheritage of God be a household of faith, that shall \nstand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving to- \ngether for the faith of the gospel. Lord, cause the \nunity of the spirit to bring together all thy followers \nin the bond of peace ; that they may be one, even \nas the Father and Son are One ! \n\nUSEFULNESS. \n\nGod of Salvation, I would ask thee in the name \nof thy dear Son, to dispose me to do good as 1 have \nopportunity ; for with such sacrifices thou art well \npleased. May I remember that every tree that \nbringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and \ncast into the fire. Thou hast placed me in the gar- \nden of thy providence, not merely that I should ga- \nther fruit for myself, but for others also. Thou hast \nput me into the fruitful field of thy grace, not that I \nmight obtain food for myself only, but also that I \nmight give the bread of life to others. Christ has \n\n\n\n293 \n\nnot died for me that I should live unto myself, but \nunto him, in the spirit of his gospel ; which is good- \nwill toward men. Teach me, O Lord, that life \ndoes not consist so much in length of days, as in \nthe multitude of our acts of justice and mercy to \nmankind. I pray thee, direct me to such means \nand objects of good- will, as shall qualify me to be \na follower of Jesus, who went about doing good. \nKeep m\xc2\xa9 from weariness in well-doing. Lead me \nto supply the wants of the needy, to comfort the \ndistresses of the afflicted, and to remove the causes \nof misfortune and guilt. Enable me to instruct the \nignorant, to reprove the wicked, to strengthen the \ngood, and to win souls from the mazes of error and \nsin, to the ways of truth and holiness, \n\nWAR. \n\nGod of Peace, give me^a heart to mourn over the \ntemporal and spiritual woes that have been inflicted \non our guilty race by war. For from the days of \nungodly Cain, contention and carnage have filled \nup the measure of every generation ; and thou hast \nwritten the proof of human depravity, in the whole \nhistory of the world ; every page of which is red \nwith the blood of man. \n\nLord, instruct all men in relation to the evils and \nremedies of war. Show them that it involves na- \ntions in oppressive debt, cripples the productive in- \ndustry of countries, and spreads poverty and de- \nsolation over the homes of plenty and comfort. Let \ntheir sympathies follow its ravages, where it makes \nthe parent childless, the wife a widow, the child an \norphan, and the sister brotherless. May they dwell \non the bleeding wounds, and the dying strife of the \nbattle-field, where untold millions have been cut off \n25* \n\n\n\n294 \n\nin the midst of health and life. And O, let theii \ndeep compassions pursue its havoc into that land of \nsouls, where these crowds of immortal spirits have \nbeen driven ; alas, how seldom with any hope of \nsalvation ! \n\nI bless thee, gracious God, that the thoughts of \nthe humane and good have been directed to this sub- \nject, in the hope of lessening and banishing its evils ; \nand that a public sentiment is forming, which ac- \nknowledges its woes, and seeks its suppression* \nDo thou reconcile, upon the basis of truth, every \ndiscordant opinion and measure for its extirpation. \nUnite for this object, the desires and efforts of the \nbenevolent and pious in every land. Let thy \nblessed gospel, which is peace on earth, supplant \neverywhere that selfishness and revenge, which \nare the fruitful sources of national strife. O God, \nbreak the bow ; burn the chariot in the fire ; beat \nthe sword into a ploughshare, and the spear into a \npruninghook ; and make wars to cease unto the end \nof the earth I \n\nWATCHFULNESS. \n\nLord, instruct me in the nature of the spiritual \ndangers by which I am beset, and make me ever \nwatchful against their open or secret influences. \nMake me vigilant against the corruptions of my \nown heart \xe2\x80\x94 its love of indulgence, of riches, and ol \ndisplay. Inspire me with carefulness in my inter- \ncourse with the world, lest it draw me aside into \nthe paths of vanity and sin. Enable me to watch \nagainst the temptations of Satan, who is the adver- \nsary of the soul, and seeks its destruction by count- \nless stratagems. Let the memory of my past falls \nand backslidings, make me heedful lest I become \n\n\n\n295 \n\nentangled in like snares. May my loins be girt \nabout, and my light be burning ; and may I receive \nthe blessing of those servants, whom, when the \nLord Cometh, he shall find watching. \n\nWIDOWHOOD. \n\nLord, regard in mercy her from whom thou hast \ntaken her earthly stay and comfort. Thou hast \nindeed stricken her in her dearest and tenderest ties \nThe light of her eyes, the counsellor of her mind, \nthe helper of her weakness, the soother of her sor- \nrows, the partner of her joys \xe2\x80\x94 thou hast removed, \nwithout the hope of return. But thou art the hus- \nband of the widow, and the father of the fatherless. \nO may her desolate heart trust in thee above every \nhuman refuge, and realize that thou art able by thy \npower, and willing in thy mercy, to heal her griefs, \nand supply her need. Pour thou the oil of conso- \nlation into her bereaved and aching bosom, and \ncause her heart to sing for joy, because of thy com- \nforts. Raise up for her those whose sympathies \nwill cheer her wounded spirit, whose counsels will \nencourage her sinking hopes, and whose help \nwill assist her in struggling with a selfish and \nunfeeling world. Protect her from unkindness and \noppression. Open up for her a pathway of peace \nand plenty. \n\nBlessed Jesus, make her thine in the espousals \nof thy love. Thou canst be more unto her than he \nwhose cherished presence and affection she has lost. \nThou art able to turn her darkness into light, her \ngrief into joy, and her want into abundance. Thou \ncanst teach her, in the day of her afllicting visita- \ntion, the things which belong to her peace, and \nmake the time of her earthly loss, the season of \n\n\n\n296 \n\nher eternal gain. Be thou unto her the chief \namong ten thousand, and one altogether lovely. Say \nunto her, "Fear not, I am with thee ; I, even I, am \nhe that comforteth thee : thy Maker is thy hus- \nband." \n\nWILL. \n\nSovereign of the Universe, sanctify my will. \nGive it grace always to choose that which is good, \nand to reject that which is evil. I would lament \nbefore thee its proneness to forsake thy holy law, \nand to follow after selfish pleasure. That faculty \nwhich thou didst put within me, to guide me to \nrighteous obedience, alas ! how often does it urge \nme on to unholy rebellion. Lord, restore it to that \nstrength and purity, which it enjoyed when thou \ndidst first send forth man from thy creating power, \nin thine own blessed image. O let me not choose \nany thing that is opposed to thy holy will. Cleanse \nthou the fountain of my desires, and make it as. a \nwell of living water, springing up into everlasting \nlife. \n\nWill of God. \xe2\x80\x94 See Obedience, Submission, \n\nWINTER. \n\nLord, who can stand before thy cold ? Thou giv- \nest snow like wool, and scatterest the hoar-frost \nlike ashes. By thy breath the breadth of the waters \nis straitened. The singing of birds has yielded to \nthe sighing of winds, and the howling of tempests. \nThe trees which once hung out their garments of \nverdure, and ornaments of fruit, to please the eye, \nand regale the taste of man, now spread their naked \nand unsightly limbs over a barren landscape ; and \nthe earth that lately teemed with the beauty and \n\n\n\n297 \n\nabundance of life, is now wrapped in the cold wind- \ningsheei of nature ! \n\nYet, O Lord, let me not be heedless of thy mercy \nand wisdom, in the arrangements of even these \ngloomy months. In the midst of all this barrenness, \nthou preservest the life of man and beast. Behold \nthe fowls of the air, which neither sow, nor reap, \nnor gather into barns ; yet our Heavenly Father \nfeedeth them. These seeming desolations are the \nrepose of nature ; and thou art keeping in safety be- \nneath them, the germs of seedtime and the promise \nof harvest. In due time thou wilt bring forth, re- \nfreshed and renewed by the sleep of Winter, the \ngreen herb, the waving leaf, the smiling flower, and \nthe rushing waters, to cheer and bless the heart of \nman, and praise and magnify the greatness of \nGod. \n\nMerciful Father, I thank thee for the abundant \nfood, the convenient raiment, and the protecting \nhome I enjoy, in the inclemency that surrounds me. \nMay the rigours of the season be strong and unfailing \nmotives for gratitude to God, and mercy to man. \nCause my heart to abound with pity to the destitute. \nLet me not say to them, with heartless charity, \n"Be ye warmed and filled ;" and notwithstanding, \ngive them not those things which are needful for \nthe body. Dispose me to open my hand to the \nneedy \xe2\x80\x94 remembering that thou hast said, "Blessed \nis he that considereth the poor." \n\nLord, may I regard this season as the emblem of \nadversity. Life is indeed not all sunshine, and plea- \nsure, and plenty. It has its days and months of \ndarkness, and sorrow, and want. O prepare me, \nby the grace that is derived through Jesus, for its \nseverest vicissitudes. Make me feel that I deserve \n\n\n\n298 \n\nto have my joys withered, and my hopes blasted; \nand that thou wilt be fulfilling only the dictates of \nmerciful justice, if thou shouldst at times withhold \nthy favour, and visit me with thy frown, in this \nworld, that thou mayest save me from destruction, \nin the world to come. \n\nTeach me to look on Winter as the type of the \ngrave. As thou buriest the beauty and excellence \nof the earth in its icy shroud, so thou hidest the \ngenerations of men beneath the clods of the valley. \nAnd as thou wilt bring forth from this tomb of the \nyear, the fertile beauty of the spring; so thou wilt \nbring up from the long desolation of death, that \nwhich was sown in dishonour, that it may be raised \nin glory ! Lord, grant that in the renewing power \nof that great day, I may share in the resurrection \nof the just, and enjoy the light of thy countenance, \nand the bliss of thy love, forever ! \n\nWISDOM. \n\nLord, thou hast said that if any man lack wisdom \nlet him ask of thee, and it shall be given him. I \nwould come before thee. Merciful Father, feeling \nthe weakness of my judgment, and its unfitness, \nwithout strength from thee, to enable me to discharge \naright the various duties of life. I pray thee, keep \nmy understanding from error, fill it with knowledge, \nand govern it by prudence. Especially do thou \ngive me that wisdom that is from above, which is \nfirst pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreat- \ned, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, \nand without hypocrisy. Vouchsafe unto me the \nspirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge \nof Jesus, that the eyes of my understanding being \nenlightened, I may know what is the hope of his \n\n\n\n299 \n\ncalling, and what the riches of the glory of his in- \nheritance in the saints. And grant me, the blessed- \nness of knowing, by my own experience, that he \nthat winneth souls is wise. \n\nWISDOM OF GOD, \n\nGreat God, who hath been thy counsellor, or \nwho hath directed thy judgment ? Lo, thou work- \nest all things according to the counsels of thine own \nwill. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ; in \nwisdom thou hast made them alL. Thy discerning \nand directing mind is seen everywhere in the \nworks of thy hands, in the ways of thy providence, \nand in the government of thy creatures. Thou \nchoosest thine ends, and framest all thy means ac- \ncording to knowledge. Thy counsels are steadfast, \nthy thoughts are deep, and thine understanding is \ninfinite. \n\nO Lord, thou hast gathered, as into a radiant \nfocus, the power and glory of thy wisdom, in the \nwork of redemption. Into this the angels desire \nto look ; but they cannot measure its matchless \nstrength and fulness. Herein are those mysteries \nof thy grace \xe2\x80\x94 God manifest in the fiesh \xe2\x80\x94 he who \nknew no sin was made sin for us \xe2\x80\x94 while we were \nsinners Christ died for us \xe2\x80\x94 thou canst he jiist^ \nand still be the justifier of him that believeth in \nJesus! O, the depth of the riches both of the wis- \ndom and knowledge of God : how unsearchable are \nhis judgments and his ways p-ast finding out ! \n\nOmniscient Jehovah, I desire to put all my ti*ust \nm thee ; for thou knowest both how to provide and \nto deliver. I would acknowledge thee with prayer \nin all my ways ; for thou only canst direct my steps. \nI would submit to thy will, which is the perfection \n\n\n\n300 \n\nof reason. And I would adore thee, because thou \nart infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in thy wis- \ndom ! \n\nWORLD. \n\nLord, keep me from conformity to the world. \nMay I use it, as not abusing it ; having my affec- \ntions set on things above, and not on things on the \nearth. Show me that its pleasures are few in num- \nber, brief in existence, unsatisfying in their nature, \nand corrupting in their influence. Let me not seek \nto unite the service of God and mammon. Lord, \nI would love and hold to thee, and hate and despise \nthe other. O, what is a man profited, if he should \ngain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? As- \nsist me, I pray thee, to pass the time of my sojourn- \nmg here in fear, knowing that it is a sphere of dan- \nger, in which my heart is tempted to wander from \nGod, to forget eternity, to neglect my noblest duties, \nand to live in sense and sin. I cannot, and indeed \n1 should not desire to, withdraw from the business \nof the world, and from intercourse with worldly \nmen ; but I beseech thee, Lord, that thou wouldsJ \nabide with me on all those occasions which require \nme to mingle with such scenes and companions. \nTeach me thy way, and lead me in a plain path, \nfor the sake of my own purity, and the welfare of \nthem that observe me. Let me not pollute my own \nsoul, by being a partaker of ungodliness. Make \nme an epistle of Christ, known and read of all men. \nMay my words be fitly spoken, and my conduct be \naccording to godliness. Give me grace to walk in \nwisdom to them that are without, persuading them \nto taste and see that the Lord is good, and teaching \nthem that religion\'s ways are ways of pleasantness, \nand that all her paths are peace. \n\n\n\n301 \n\nGracious God, open my eyes to the moral condi \ntion of this world, that lieth in wickedness. Un \nfold to me its Pagan idolatry and Mahommedan \ndelusion ; its Jewish unbelief and Papal corrup- \ntions ; its religious heresies and infidel deceptions ; \nits bloody wars and cruel oppressions ; its open \nwickedness and secret abominations. O that pity, \nand grief, and zeal might fill my soul as it dwells on \nthese works of evil. Lord, cast them out, and let \ntruth, love, and holiness fill the earth, as the watera \ncover the sea. \n\nWORSHIP. \n\nAdorable Jehovah, thou art exalted above princi \npalities and powers, that at thy name every knee \nshould bow, and every tongue confess. All thy \nworks praise thee. Bestow on me, in the name of \nJesus, that grace which will qualify me to worship \nthee in spirit and in truth. Let me not seek to draw \nhigh to thee with my lips, while my heart is far \nfrom thee ; nor take the attitude of devotion, while \nmy thoughts wander among the cares and pleasures \nof life. If the language of insincerity be oflfensive \nwhen ofifered to a fellow-being, how much more \nwhen it is presented to the God of Truth ! May \nstrong convictions of thy greatness and presence rest \nupon me, and make me suitably afraid. Make me \nfeel that I am unworthy of the least of thy mercies, \nand that if thou wert strict to mark iniquity, I dare \nnot come before thee, but should take up my abode \nwhere there is no mercy-seat, and no answer of \npeace to the cry of despairing want. \n\nGracious God, let all my approaches to thee be \nin humble reliance upon the merits of Christ. Give \nme such an impression of thy goodness, in the boun \n26 \n\n\n\n302 \n\nties of thy providence and the covenant of thy grace, \nthat I shall go to thee with the love and confidence \nof a chikl to its father ; for if earthly parents know \nliow to give good gifts to their children, much more \nwill our Heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to \nthem that ask him. Lord, grant me such views of \nthy character, and of my own wants and those of \nmankind, as shall dispose me to magnify thy name, \nwith an adoring and grateful spirit, and lead me to \nseek thy favour by fervent and believing supplication. \nLord, bless the assen^blies of thy saints. May \nreverence, love, and faith, animate their devotions. \nMay thy praise be sung with holy affections ; thy \nfavour be sought with believing hearts ; thy word \nbe preached in the demonstration of the Spirit, and \nbe heard as a message of divine wisdom and mercy. \nBring into thy sanctuaries those who neglect thy \nworship ; and fill thy courts with such as live re- \ngardless of thy statutes. Grant, O Lord, that all \nthe solemn feasts of thy house may be seasons of re- \nfreshing from thy presence, in which saints shall \ngrow in grace, and many prodigals be brought into \nthe adoption of the sons of God ; to the glory \nof thy mercy in Jesus, both now and forever. \n\nYOUNG CONVERTS. \n\nGracious God, behold in special mercy, those \nwho have been recently born again, and who are \nstill in the infancy of spiritual life. Chase away \nforever the cloud of condemnation that has so long \nhung over them, and on its retiring darkness, cast \nthy bow of promise, speaking peace to their souls. \nLet Jesus be the abiding and absorbing centre of \ntheir hopes ; and may they cheerfully profess his \nname before men. May they strive to make holi- \n\n\n\n303 \n\nness the law of all their conduct. Let thy spirit \nsanctify their hearts from every corruption, and lead \nthem into the knowledge and love of every truth. \nPreserve their pliant mmds from the reception of \nthose errors, which pervert the judgment and ob- \nscure the piety of so many in the church. Animate \nthem by a pure, and wise, and steadfast zeal to pro- \nmote thy cause, in the salvation of sinners ; and \nlet them regard no sacrifice too expensive, no labour \ntoo toilsome, and no suffering too severe, which \nthou mayest demand of them, in building up thy \nkingdom on earth. \n\nLord, cause the honour of thy name to be the \nleading impulse of their lives. Make thy word \ntheir daily counsel. May they live at the throne \nof grace. Let self-examination keep its constant \nwatch over their hearts. Permit them not to tam- \nper with temptation. Keep them from conformity \nto the world. Suffer them not to decline from their \nfirst love ; but cause it to grow stronger and strong- \ner. \xe2\x80\x94 Lord give completeness to their Christian cha- \nracter. Do thou blend in them zeal with depend- \nence, confidence with humility, and joy with obe- \ndience. Write thy will upon every rising desire, \nand let every action be moulded according to thy \ngood pleasure. Bring them speedily, O God, unto \nthe measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ ! \n\nYOUTH. \n\nHeavenly Father, bless our youth. Preserve them \nfrom the corrupting dangers which so easily affect \nand control their forming characters. Keep their \nhopes, and judgments, and affections from pursuing \nthe things which bring ruin on the soul. Incline \nthem now to seek thy service, ere the cares of this \n\n\n\n304 \n\nworld, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of \nthe flesh, harden their hearts, stifle their conscien- \nces, and cause them to turn a deaf ear to the calls \nof mercy. Sufler them nof to put off the claims of \nreligion to what they vainly think a more conven\'ent \nseason. May they learn that youth is the time to \nserve the Lord ; that now is their accepted time and \nday of salvation : while, if they put ofl\' repentance \nand faith, sin will gather fearful strength in their \nsouls, and make their redemption more and more \nhopeless. Lord, may they remember that the ten- \nderest tokens of ihy love have been directed towards \nthe young. Thou hast urged them with the most \npersuasive entreaties, to give thee their hearts, and \nhast promised that those who seek thee early shall \nfind thee, and rejoice in thee all their days. But \nO, if such will continue to refuse instruction, and \ndespise reproof, they shall eat of the fruit of their \nown ways, and be filled with their own devices. \n\nMerciful God, restore every wandering prodigal. \n-\xe2\x80\x94Watch over all who are absent from the whole- \nsome restraints of home. Let them not walk in the \ncounsel of the ungodly. May they shun, as they \nwould the pestilence, the dwelling of the syren, the \ntable of the gamester, the seat of the playhouse, \nand the cup of the drunkard. \xe2\x80\x94 Cause the memory \nof parental toil, and love, and hope, to turn them \nback from the way of sinners. Throw around them \nthe protecting shelter of morality, and put within \nthem the controlling power of grace. \n\nLord, thou knowest that our youth are the ex- \npectation of the church, and the hope of our race. \nThe history of the world in future ages, will be de- \ntermined by the character of those who are now \ntraining for the responsibilities of life. If they shall \n\n\n\n305 \n\nbe nurtured in righteousness, then humanity and \npiety shall rejoice in their labours : but if they shall \nbe tutored in the lessons of vice, then the precious \ninterests of mankind shall mourn because of them. \nO do thou make the rising generation the instru- \nments of introducing the blessings of the Millen- \nnium, and not the means of tlirusting back into \nfuture ages, that latter-day glory. Bring multitudes \nof them into the household of faith. Enlist their \nwarm feelings and self-denying zeal, in behalf of \nreligious enterprises. May they enter with glad- \nness and energy, into those fields that lie fallow \xe2\x80\x94 \nor those that grow ripe for the harvest \xe2\x80\x94 and gather \nfruit abundantly, for the garners of eternal life. \xe2\x80\x94 \n[_See Children, and Early Piety.] \n\nZEAL. \n\nO thou that lovest them that obey thee, make me \nzealous of good works Grant me that zeal which \nis according to wisdom, love, and holiness. Reprove \nmy lukewarmness, lU) jruubility, and my back- \nsliding. Let not my pursuits of earthly things, \nwhich perish in the using, excite me to more ener- \ngy and perseverance, than the strong and urgent \nclaims of obedience to thy commands. Lead me \nto inquire diligently, what thou wilt have me to do ; \nfor I am bound to glorify thee in my body and spirit \nwhich are thine. May I hear the language of thy \nword, and the voice of thy providence, calling me \nto gird up my loins in thy service. Stimulate my \ndiligence by the records of thy saints, who have \ndevoted their lives and their all, to doing good. \nFix in my memory, I pray thee, the noble example \nof Christ, who took upon himself the form of a \nservant, and became obedient unto death, even the \n26* \n\n\n\n306 \n\ndeath of the cross, that the culprits of heavenly jus- \ntice might be saved from their condemnation. \xe2\x80\x94 O \nLord, enable me to realize the unspeakable value of \nreligious duties, undertaken in thy strength, in \'hav- \ning souls from death, in comforting and strengthen- \ning my own heart, and in procuring, through thy \nmercy in Christ, thy favour in this world, and thy \nblessedness in that which is to come. What my \nhand findeth to do, may I do it with my might. \nHeavenly Father, make me fervent in spirit, serving \nthe Lord. And while the blessing of my zeal in \nthy service shall be mine, the praise of it sliaU be \nthine Father, Son, and Spirit, forever. Amen^ \n\n\n\nTtt# Mn. \n\n\n\nDeacidified using the Bookkeeper process. \nNeutralizing agent: Magnesiunfi Oxide \nTreatment Date: August 2005 \n\nPreservationTechnologies \n\nA WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION \n\n1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive \nCranberry Township. PA 16086 \n\n(724)779-2111 \n\n\n\nLIBRARY OF CONGRESS \n\n\n\n\n014 626 615 \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n\n\n^ ^i \n\n\n\n\'k#-"^S,> \n\n\n\n\xc2\xbb-f*& \n\n\n\n\xe2\x96\xa0M \n\n\n\n\n\n\n^\xe2\x96\xa0\'^, \n\n\n\n\n\n\xe2\x96\xa0v<^^l \n\n\n\n\n\xe2\x96\xa0\xe2\x99\xa6:,\xe2\x80\xa2 \n\n\ntf^^ \n\n\n\';^^<|j|^^^^^^, - \n\n\nysr^\'fe \n\n\n^^m \n\n\n^ -\'\'"\xe2\x96\xa0\'\'\'.\' \n\n\nk ^^V^^^EiF^I \n\n\nW>^I^ \n\n\n^ \n\n\n\n\n\n\nM;\'\'-i \n\n\n\n\n\n'