A Prayer,

To be used at the death of a Friend, or of any member of the Family.

O LORD OUR GOD, we would now approach thee in humility and prayer, under the bereavement which thou hast called us to sustain. We pray thee, O God, to look down upon us in mercy, and grant us grace duly to improve this trying dispensation. Enable us to say, without a murmur or complaint, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

Let this afflictive event have its proper influence upon all our hearts. May it wean us from this present world, and lead us to seek our rest and comforts in thee. Grant that it

may cause us to feel that we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, and that in the midst of life we are in death. O prepare us to meet thee,

our God. Grant that we may see and feel the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and come to thee weary and heavy laden, that we may find rest. O suffer none of us to continue in a state of danger and condemnation under thy wrath, but bring us to that repentance which is unto life. Visit us with thy salvation, and renew us in the spirit of our minds, and give us peace. We know, O Lord, that thou wilt bring us to death, and to the house appointed for all living; for our life is even as a vapour, which appeareth but for a little time and then vanisheth away. May we henceforth attend to thy command, "Be ye also ready;" and, whenever the period of our departure shall arrive, may we die the death of the righteous. In the full prospect of eternity enable us to say: though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort

me.

O Lord, we look unto thee; thou art our Father, may we be thy reconciled children in

Christ Jesus. Suffer us not to stray into the paths of sin, or to grieve thy Holy Spirit, lest thou sware in thy wrath that we shall not enter into thy rest. Do thou, of thy goodness, enable us to watch and pray; and so to pass through things temporal, that we may at length attain to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Christmas Day.

O ALMIGHTY and merciful Lord God, we would approach thee in unfeigned thankfulness, while we reflect upon the exceeding riches of thy grace, in thy kindness towards us by Christ Jesus. Thou hast so loved the world as to give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We were guilty and miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death. We have turned to our own way, and have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Enable us to draw near to thee by faith in thy beloved Son, who became incarnate to be the propitiation for our sins. Grant that we may receive him as the Lord our righteousness, with adoring gratitude; and may he purify us unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

O blessed Jesus, we praise thee that thou didst become God manifest in the flesh, to be the Saviour of the world. Save us from our sins we humbly beseech thee; and enable us to walk in newness of life. "Thou art the king of glory, O Christ, thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the virgin's womb." O may our souls magnify thee, and our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour. Be thou our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Enable us daily to depend upon thee for all we need ; and to receive out of thy fulness grace and strength to live to thee. May we look to thee as the consolation of Israel, and love thee with all our hearts; and may we rejoice in thee with a joy that is unspeakable, and full of glory.

"We believe that thou wilt come to be our Judge." Grant that we may be cleansed by thy blood, sanctified by thy Spirit, and daily prepared to meet thee, that when thou who