its Author and Father; from whom all souls proceeded, and in whom they live, the Giver of every good gift. We rejoice that thou art the rock higher than we, in whose shadow we may rest; and that now, shut out from all human eyes, we may gather ourselves together under the covert of thy wings, and beneath thy sheltering care.

And now, as another day is added to our existence, may we remember who it is that lengthens out our days. Let not the continual reception of thy sure mercies render us insensible or unthankful. Rather let it excite in us profoundest gratitude, and deepest sense of obligation and responsibility to him by whom they are bestowed.

We lament our past insensibility to thy goodness, and all in thought, feeling, word or deed, that was inconsistent with our relation to thee, unworthy the natures made in thine own image, and opposed to the excellence after which we were formed to aspire. From the depths of our souls do we lift the prayer, God be merciful to us sinners, and lead us to newness of life, and to the practice of every virtue, of purity, self-denial, active benevolence, enlightened and exalted faith, fervent and living piety.

May the members of this household be drawn nearer continually to each other by the cords of a tender sympathy and affection, at the same time that they are brought nearer to thee. After they shall have accomplished their respective courses on earth, may

they be reunited in a heavenly home. We pray for all thy children. For them and for ourselves would we offer the all-comprehending petition, "Thy will, O Father, be done!" And to thy holy name, through Jesus Christ, be the glory and the praise forever. Amen.

XVII.

Evening Sacrifice.

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

The Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, by whose kind providence we have been guided and preserved this day, unto thee would we return our thanksgiving for all thy mercies, and from thee beseech protection and defence this night. Let our prayer come before thee. If we have this day offended against thy holy laws, and been filled with any other spirit than that

of Christ our Master, show us, O Father, our sin, and lead us to a heart-felt repentance. As we now, in silence, recall our actions during the day, may thy Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, helping us to judge soberly of ourselves, that we may see our sins, and gain wisdom and strength even from our failures.

[Here let there be a few moments of silence.]

Blessed Lord, who dost freely offer forgiveness to the penitent, and newness of life to them that believe in Jesus, accept our confessions, and heal ùs from our sins. Let the word of Christ be our consolation and our strength, and in him lead us hereafter to a better life, to the glory of thy holy name.

We give thee thanks, O Father, for the mercies of the past day, and we give thee thanks for the blessings of the night; for the rest which thou dost daily grant us; rest from labor of the hands, and rest from cares and anxiety of spirit. We thank thee that after the toils and trials of the day we have the privilege of coming, in the quiet hours of evening, to cast our cares upon thee, and to put our trust and confidence in thy mercy. Our souls shall speak the praise of the Lord, and bless his holy name for ever and ever. Thus, O Father, would we now come; forgive our sins, pardon our follies, dispel our fears, fill us with joy and peace in believing, and grant us such quiet and refreshing sleep that we may gain new strength to serve thee acceptably in whatever way thou shalt appoint.

"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

XVIII.

All from God.

The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of

men.

From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy ;

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

OUR FATHER who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Another day thou hast added to our lives. Its rapidly passing hours have come and gone, freighted with blessings from thee. Through its seen and unseen perils thou hast safely borne us. Under the burden of its trial and discipline thou hast been near us, and under the pressure of its responsibilities and constantly recurring duties thou hast helped us. For what we have this day enjoyed, for the boundless entertainments of thy providence, for the blessed light of the sun on which we have looked, the healthful air that we have breathed, the habitations that have sheltered, the food that has nourished, and the garments that have covered us, for these renewed opportunities for the exercise and improvement of our talents, the success which has attended our labors, the pleasures of our social intercourse, and the delights of our home, here, in the midst of that home which thou hast spared to us, would we pour out our hearty gratitude to thee. How can we number one

in a thousand of those mercies which thou hast showered upon us! We have been out, and we have come in, and thou hast been doing us good continually. Impress upon our hearts a deep sense of thine unbounded goodness; and if we have ever forgotten thee, pardon our weakness and folly, and, for thy mercy's sake, do thou not forget us.