messages of love melt our obdurate hearts; may the two-edged sword of Thy truth divide the true from the false, and by the wounds made in our self-love, may there be an application of the leaves of the tree of life, so that we may die unto sin and live unto righteousness.
From the Church in our house may we proceed to the more open services of the sanctuary. May we rejoice at the summons which calls us to go up to the house of the Lord.
Be with Thy servants, Thy ministers, that they may set forth Thy truth with power, that they may instruct men how to subdue the enemies of their own souls—those enemies that lurk within; that they may assist in pulling down the strongholds of spiritual wickedness in the high places of man's selfishness. Assist them, Lord, to disseminate Thy Word in its purity. May Thy doctrine drop as the rain, Thy speech distil as the dew, and may many souls be this day drawn unto Thee through the united labour of the teachers of Thy truth. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
SABBATH EVENING.
O LORD Jesus Christ, we beseech Thee let Thy divine blessing rest upon the labours of this day. Bless Thou all who in Thy name minister unto us. Looking to Thee for help, opening their hearts to Thy love, and their understandings to Thy truth, may Thy ministers be filled with Thy spirit, and deal out Thy Word of truth to their hearers with fervour and with power. May they be instrumental in strenethening the weak, in comforting the afflicted, in opening the mental sight of the darkened mind, and in raising the souls deeply immersed in evil to repentance and newness of life; and may all their teachings be animated by that spirit of love, which by tenderness and forbearance makes the deepest impression on the soul. O may Thine own words influence all Thy ministers: "Love one another as I have loved you."
Lord, surround the teachers in Sunday-schools with the sanctifying sphere of affection. May the children who await their instruction be docile and teachable, and may the instruction of all teachers be filled with an earnest desire so to train up their young charge that they may acquit themseves in Thy sight, always depending on Thine aid, as humble servitors feeding the lambs of Thy flock.
Thus may we all wait upon Thee, to hear what Thou, through Thy Word, shalt say to us. Thus may ministers and people, teachers and children, be individually and collectively blessed, and filled this day with the bread which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
MONDAY MORNING.
O LORD Jesus Christ, who art good to all, and whose tender mercies are over all Thy works, assist us, we beseech Thee, to acquire that heavenly goodness and purity which is the essence and source of true wisdom. As without holiness no man can see the Lord, so without that
