our heavenly Father, by bearing much fruit. Unto thee, O God, who art the Author of our condition, and the Foundation of our hopes, be praises everlasting. Amen.

Summer.

ETERNAL God, the Creator of the world, whose almighty power and continual agency are seen by the things which are made! We beseech thee to enable us to derive instruction from the prospects of the present season. We would raise our thoughts to thee, by whom the sun rises in his strength, and in his daily course diffuses light and heat over the world; by whom the earth is overspread with trees, and herbs, and flowers; who art the Father of the former and latter rain, and nightly begettest the drops of the dew. We adore thee in all the various productions of the earth, which thou art now causing to advance to maturity for the support, comfort, and delight of thy creatures. We desire never to forget thine hand in the glorious scenes by which we are surrounded, or cease to receive all the moral lessons thy works convey. While we gratefully adore thy goodness in the present circumstances

of this life, teach us to trust in thy mercy and deliverance when adversity shall overtake us. May we preserve on our minds an affecting sense of this truth, that all flesh is grass, and the glory of man, as the flower of grass. Having been planted in thy vineyard, may we bring forth much good fruit, so that we may finally be numbered among those who are not cumberers of the ground. May our faith increase continually. O grant, that by the milk of thy word we may grow up unto him in all things who is the head, even Christ. Make our souls as a well watered garden, and may the soil, by divine cultivation, yield all the peaceable fruits of righteousness.

We bless thee, whose works as well as words speak thy will, for the confirmation which the season affords to our religious faith. The corn of wheat, that was cast into the ground, has resumed the body that pleased thee. We will inquire no more,-How are the dead raised up, and with what bodies do they come? We rejoice in the prospect of the peaceful bow in the clouds, the early pledge of thine inviolable fidelity, and repose ourselves under the shadow of the Almighty.

O that man would praise the Lord for his goodness and wonderful works to the children

of men! Blessed be the Lord God, from everlasting to everlasting, and let all the people say, Amen.

Autumn.

O THOU, who art giving us all things richly to enjoy! Bountiful Father, we bless thee for the rich provision which thou hast made for our bodily sustenance. Although we have not walked in thy statutes, and kept thy commandments as we ought, yet, by thy mercy, the land has yielded her increase and the trees their fruit. We praise thee for the blessings of the harvest, which have been so abundant, and beseech thee to direct us in the temperate and frugal use of thy various bounties. O may we not expose ourselves to the accusation of wasting thy goods, nor abuse them in riotous living. With humble thanks we would receive and enjoy thy gifts, acknowledging at the same time, that we are not worthy of the rich fruits of thy providence.

Grant, O Father, that our souls may be impressed with divine lessons from the prospects of the season. We have been planted in thy vineyard; we have been united to a choice vine;

but alas! we confess with shame, that we have not brought forth grapes that are good, but wild grapes; and thou mightest in just judgment have taken away the hedge, broken down the wall, trodden under foot thy vineyard, and commanded the clouds no more to rain upon it. But we are witnesses of the divine patience and forbearance. Spare us of thy grace, and grant us a further season to bring forth fruit. When thy love does not constrain obedience, may thy terrors persuade; and by the expectation of the harvest in the end of the world, may we be awakened to sobriety, diligence, and watchfulness. O may we all, at this season, receive the joyful assurance, that the wise' and worthy shall reap in due time, if they faint not. Assist us, O God, while we are amidst the rich favours of thy providence, to live to thy praise. We offer our prayers through him in whom we have a hope full of immortality; and in his name be glory to thee forever. Amen.

Winter.

SUPREMELY great and glorious Lord our God! Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever

thou hadst formed the earth or the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. The things which our eyes behold shall perish, but thou shalt endure ;-they shall be changed, but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. Thou art calling us, at this time, to witness the periodical decay of nature; yet not without a hope, from the immutability of thy character and laws, that there will be a renovation.

In the order of thy works thou art now giving snow like wool, scattering the hoar-frost like ashes, and sending thy cold, before which none can stand. With devout gratitude we retire to our warm habitations, and solace ourselves with the unity and love of our domestic retreats. We would be particularly mindful of our brethren, who may inhabit the cheerless house of want. O may not our hearts be cold, when we see the naked, nor our hands be shut against the hungry. May the poor every where have occasion to bless the rich, and may prayers, thanksgivings, and alms, unitedly ascend to thee. Appear, O Father, for the protection of those, who are coming on our seacoast at this dangerous season; when they are tossed and afflicted, do thou deliver them, and bring them to their destined haven.

O thou who rulest the year! May our reflections on the season carry religious lessons to our