Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/248

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hast conducted us; and while the declining sun admonishes us that our race is nearly run, it still assures us that, if we have followed Thee in the course of our natural existence, we shall enter upon a new and glorious period, where age cannot approach, but where eternal youth shall endure.

O Lord, we praise Thee. Thou art the preserver of our souls; we give Thee thanks, Thou hast abundantly supplied us with good. Let Thy goodness and mercy continue to follow us all the days of our life, and when this our natural existence is ended, receive us, of Thy mercy, into Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


SATURDAY EVENING.

O LORD Almighty, our heavenly Father, assist us to acquire grateful hearts, that the position which Thou hast placed us in, in this world, may be filled without murmuring, and that we may faithfully do our duty without envying the lot of others. We have great cause to adore Thy goodness for the blessings we enjoy, for Thou hast withheld no good thing from us; Thy goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life.

And now, O Lord, that Thou hast brought us to the eve of another Sabbath, help us to prepare for entering upon the duties of its solemnity. May the words of Thy truth, which we have heard or read during the week, furnish us with themes for spizitual reflection; and may the privileges which the Sabbath brings with it impart unto us those feelings of spiritual joy and rest which are the accompaniments of the eternal world. As a family we unitedly express in Thy presence our sense of Thy loving-kindness and mercy, and in prospect of the enjoyment of the day of rest, we surrender our souls to Thy gracious keeping. Defend us throngh the night season, we beseech Thee, from the assaults of our spiritual enemies. Lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us. May we lay ourselves down in peace, and sleep, under the devout conviction that Thou, O Lord, wilt sustain us. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


THIRTY-THIRD WEEK.—SABBATH MORNING.

O LORD Almighty, our heavenly Father, as the word of Thy truth, in the letter, which we have read, is the means of access to Thy higher glories, and as we can only enter into the inmost of Thy temple by first going through Thy courts, may Thy holy Word be unto us as the introductory medium which shall conduct us to Thy mercy seat.

Write Thy law on our inward parts, we beseech Thee: grant that it may be unto us as our great teacher—our spiritual Moses—to guide us through the wilderness of sin, and bring us safely to the land of promise.

Lord, be with us as we enter the public courts of Thy sanctuary this day. Assist us devotedly and unreservedly to dedicate our whole souls to Thy service. Once entered into thy house, may all thoughts of the world be banished; and, falling on our knees, may we, by prayer and supplication, prepare for participation in those holy services in which