O God, grant that I may practise such temperance in Meat, Drink, and Sleep, and all bodily enjoyments, as may fit me for the duties to which thou shalt call me, and by thy blessing procure me freedom of thought and quietness of mind, that I may so serve Thee in this short and frail life, that I may be received by Thee at my death to everlasting happiness. Take not O Lord thy Holy Spirit from me, deliver me not up to vain fears, but have mercy on me, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God who desirest not the Death, &c.
O Lord grant us encrease
O God, pardon and Peace.
God who knowest our necessities x . Our Father.
71.
Oct. 1 8, 1767, Sunday.
Yesterday, Oct. 17, at about ten in the morning I took my leave for ever 2 of my dear old friend Catherine Chambers, who came to live with my mother about 1724, and has been but little parted from us since. She buried my Father, my Brother, and my Mother. She is now fifty-eight years old.
1 desired all to withdraw, then told her that we were to part for ever, that as Christians we should part with prayer, and that I would, if she was willing say a short prayer beside her. She expressed great desire to hear me, held up her poor hands, as she lay in bed, with great fervour, while I prayed kneeling by her, nearly in the following words :
Almighty and most merciful Father, whose loving-kindness is over all thy works, behold, visit, and relieve this thy Servant, who is grieved with sickness. Grant that the sense of her weak ness may add strength to her faith, and seriousness to her Repentance. And grant that by the help of thy Holy Spirit after the pains and labours of this short life, we may all obtain
1 He has apparently in mind the the Book of Common Prayer. Absolution and the Collects for the 2 He was returning to London, fourteenth and twenty-first Sundays whence he dates a letter on Oct. 24. after Trinity and the last Collect but Life, ii. 30. one in the Communion Service in
everlasting
�� �
