A PRAYER For Grace tO DO MY DUTY TO MY NEIGHBOUR. O EVERLASTING GOD, who hast promised help to the weak, power to the faint, and an increase of strength to them that have no might, I beseech thee to fulfil thy promise in me, by enabling me to perform conscientiously the duty I owe to my fellow creatures, in all the relations of life. Qualify me particularly, by thy aid and strength, to do my duty toward my neighbour, in the practical exercise of every christian grace; that I may love him as myself, and do unto all men, as I would they should do unto me; that I may love, honour, and succour my father and mother, and both honour and obey the king and all that are put in authority under him that I may submit myself to all my governors, teachers, spiritual pastors, and masters; that I may order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters, and hurt no body by word or deed; may be true and just in all my dealings, and bear no malice nor hatred in my heart; that I may keep my hands from picking and stealing, my tongue from evil speaking, lying, and slandering, and my body in temperance, soberness, and chastity; and that I may neither covet nor desire other men's goods, but may learn and labour truly to get my own living, and to do my duty in that state of life unto which it may please thee to call me.—Thus may I walk all the days of my life, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; and whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, may they be found in me, for Jesus Christ's sake, in whose most holy name and words, I further call upon thee. Our Father, &c. The grace of our &c. The young person is truly and properly told, in the Church Catechism, that he cannot perform his duty either to God or man, without the special aid of divine grace, which he is therefore directed to learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer. This may be an apology, if one be necessary, for having turned the duty we owe to God and our neighbour, as well as the baptismal vow, into forms of prayer for young persons, as they are at once supplied with suitable words, and conducted to the source from whence their help must come. THE LORD'S PRAYER EXPRESSED ACCORDING TO THE EXPLANATION IN THE CHURCH CATÉCHISM. MY LORD AND HEAVENLY FATHER, who art the giver of all goodness, I humbly desire thee to send thy grace unto me, and to all people, that I may worship thee, serve thee, and obey thee as I ought to do. And I pray unto thee that thou wouldst send me all things that be needful both for my soul and my body, and that thou wouldst be merciful unto me, and forgive me my sins; and that it may please thee to save and defend me in all dangers; that I may be kept from all sin and wickedness, from my spiritual enemy the devil, and from everlasting death. And all this I trust thou wilt do of thy mercy and goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FOR A BLESSING UPON READING THE SCRIPTURES. BLESSED LORD, who hast given thy word, and declared thy will to the world in the scriptures of truth, and hast caused them to be written for all our learning, give me grace to receive them, not as the word of man, but, as they are in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in all that believe; let me see it to be my duty to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them: open my understanding, that I may know the meaning of what is there written, and be guided into all necessary truth, especially of my fall in Adam, my redemption by Christ, and my need of divine teaching. Incline me to receive the doctrines, and practice the duties of thy holy word; and may I believe thy promises, |