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here to live, that, when they come to an end, our spirits may be ready, and may depart in peace, and find forgiveness of sin, and grace with thee, through thine infinite mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XXXIV.

Against Worldliness.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil; which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession,

That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OUR Father in heaven, we thank thee that thou hast watched over us during the past night, and that

we are preserved to behold the light of another morning, and to enter upon the duties of another day, in circumstances so encouraging to our hearts, so full of promise and hope. May we feel that this great blessing of continued life is thy gift; that the strength which we have derived from sleep is thy bestowment. Fill our hearts with gratitude, that we have slept in peace and safety; that no peril has overtaken us; that no harm has come nigh our home; and that with the morning there have come to us means of usefulness and growth in goodness. We pray, our Father, that these means of improving ourselves and of helping others may be so used by us, that when the day shall close we can look back upon its hours with satisfaction, and look up to thee with thankfulness. O, may not our hearts be pierced with many sorrows by the consciousness of having neglected or misused these precious opportunities of being co-workers with thee in doing good. May the law of love abide in our hearts, and words of kindness be upon our lips, this day. As parents and children, as brothers and sisters, as members of one household, may we be mindful of each other's wants, careful not to wound each other's feelings, and rejoice to make each other happy. May we strive to lead each other to love thee, our Father, who hast made us capable of so tenderly loving each other.

We pray that we may carry this spirit of love and good will into all our intercourse with those around

us. May we seek to promote kindness, forbearance, forgiveness, among our companions and friends. May we seek opportunities of doing good. May we feel that there are none so young that they cannot be useful and good, and make others happy; that none are so old that they may not make life attractive by patience and gentleness; that none are so strong that they do not need sympathy and the help of others. Wherever we are, and whatever we do, may we feel that thou art with us, and may this sense of thy presence keep us from sin, and inspire us to faithfulness. May we not be eager for worldly things, for honor, and fame, and riches; but, having food and raiment, may we be content, seeking to do well what we find to do, to provide for our temporal comfort without show and excess, to guard against foolish and hurtful lusts, and to follow after righteousness and godliness, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus may we witness a good profession, and fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life.

Father, we pray that thou wilt bless our kindred and friends from whom we are separated. If they are sick, heal them; if they are in trouble, deliver them; if they are needy, supply their wants; if they are prospering, fill their hearts with gratitude, and a sense of their dependence upon thee.

We pray not for these alone. Our Father, we seek thy blessing for all men, our brethren. May

the ignorant be enlightened; the sinful, converted; the oppressed, liberated; till everywhere, all over the earth, thy children shall know thee and love thee, Fountain of all good, Giver of all blessings, to whom be thanksgiving forever through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

XXXV.

For Diligence.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Ye are all children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunken, are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

OUR FATHER who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on

name.

earth as it is in heaven.

Thanks we give to thee for the sleep and rest of the past night. Filled with new vigor, we rejoice in the waking hour; and with the return of consciousness we would recognize thee ever present and blessing us. The world is filled with thy glory; and the great providence is the manifestation of thy goodness; and here at the family altar, here especially, would we render to thee unfeigned thanks for thy care of each one of us. Impress us with the thought of our entire dependence upon thee. Every pulsation of our hearts, every thought of our minds, every feeling of our souls, every breath and sensation, are so many witnesses to thy quickening Spirit. We live, and move, and have our being, in thee.

O God, help us to understand the great significance of life; created in thine image, and called to be fellow-laborers with thee, and taught to aspire to glory, honor and immortality, aid us, we beseech thee, to comprehend such a privilege and destiny, and to press forward to it with the awakened and resolute powers of our souls. This day may we be wise, sober, and diligent. May the powers of the world to come touch the springs of present action. O, may we make no work for repentance, ever mindful that as we sow we must reap. Warned of sin and its dreadful consequences, may we abhor evil and cleave to that which is good, looking with prayerful hope to the open heavens, and arming ourselves to engage with vigor in thy service.

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