profitable account of the day when we look back upon it at its close.

O, Thou who art the ever-present witness and the unerring judge of human conduct, may our chief care be to do what is right in thine eyes, and to escape the condemnation of unfaithfulness to thee. To this end we pray for more courage; for resolution and constancy in resisting what is wrong, and cleaving to that which is good; for a heart too pure to desire anything which God has forbidden. Keep and defend, counsel and guide us, O God, and unto thee be all praise forever. Amen.

IX.

Joy and Peace.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.

O, GOD of the morning, at thy voice creation awakes. Thou kindlest the beams of the rising sun, and causest him to come forth from his chamber in the east, and spreadest the gladness and the glory which we behold. Arise, O Lord, and let there be reverence and gladness in our hearts. We would rejoice in thee always. While we have slept, thou hast guarded our rest, setting thy watch around our lowly habitations, and keeping our souls in their mysterious release from the control of the body; and now when we awake thou art still with us, sending new tokens of thy love, calling us to new duties, and new acknowledgments of thy gracious providence.

Father of the families of the earth, what are we that thou shouldst be mindful of and shouldst visit us, we the weak, and thou the mighty, we the ignorant, and thou the all-wise,-- we the sinful, and thou the all-perfect? Yet thou art pleased to be near while we bow at this domestic altar, and would breathe into thine ear our gratitude for mercies so free, yet so undeserved. Thou hast even invited us to make our requests known unto thee. It is thou who hast provided for us our home, its shelter, its sanctities and endearments. Bless us, and all who dwell under our roof. Let thy dwelling-place be in our souls. Give us trust and peace. As there is one Lord, one faith,

one baptism, may there be only one heart among us; and may the tie which binds us be hallowed by the more sacred tie which should bind all hearts to thee.

We pray for the children whom thou hast given us; that thy most gracious influence may descend upon them; that they may grow up as tender and beautiful plants by our side, full of truth, and gentleness and sweet humility. We pray not that thou wouldst take them out of the world, but spare them and keep them from the evil that is in it; feed their minds with pure and holy thoughts; make them a blessing and ornament in their day, and sharers of thine everlasting favor. So may we be an united, prospered and happy family, on this earth. May we go forth this day in thy strength, and cheerfully do and bear what thou appointest; and at last may we find a home in the heavens from which we shall go out no more forever. And And may the peace of God, which passeth understanding, keep our minds and hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

X.

Watchfulness.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my word shall not pass away.

But of that day, and that hour, knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye, therefore; for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning :

Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, we arise from the deathlike insensibility of sleep, to consecrate anew to thee the faculties which thou hast preserved and restored. Thou hast dispersed the shades of night; we pray thee that every shadow of error and unbelief may pass from our minds. We behold the light of a new morning; it is sweet and pleasant to our eyes. Let the light of thy truth shine in upon us, and let there be within us no darkness at all. We feel in our souls and bodies the refreshing influence of our nightly rest. We breathe anew the fresh air of the morning; we are warmed by the beams of the returning sun; may our bosoms glow with a renewed sense of thy love, and our hearts be enkindled with adoring gratitude and affection.

All-merciful Father, we know not what the day may bring forth, but thou seest the beginning and the end. Prepare us, we beseech thee, for the unknown events of thy providence. Watchful at our posts of duty, may we have thee before us all the day

long; and whatever thou dost ordain let us receive as from thee, fountain of wisdom and goodness. Prosper us in our lawful pursuits. If success attends our labors, not unto us, but unto thy name, be the praise; if disappointment and calamity overtake us, let us not be cast down nor discomfited, but cheerfully acquiesce, trusting that thou art doing better for us than we can ask or think. Prepare us for life's great changes, and hold us as in the hollow of thy hand. Save us in the hour of sudden temptation; and in the hour of our self-forgetfulness, which, watch as we may, will at times overtake us, do not thou, O God, forsake us. Let no press of business, no fear of loss, no hope of gain, induce us to swerve from thee, our highest good. Under all circumstances of trial let us maintain our integrity, and keep thou our souls in innocency and peace.

We pray for the household into which thou hast gathered us, and the kindred and friends whom thou hast raised up around us; for thy favor to the community in which we live, and thy blessing upon all good enterprises undertaken for the spread of truth and righteousness, and the final welfare of man. With shoes on our feet, and the pilgrim's staff in our hand, with loving words on our lips, and tender sympathies in our hearts, as strangers and sojourners here, knowing not when the Son of man cometh, may we this day press forward towards our final rest and reward, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.