166 TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.
TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.—SABBATH MORNING.
LORD. Thou hast made the Sabbath for man; and hast clothed
the world with beauty, that he may admire it, and make it the model wherewith to beautify his own mind. How gloriously hast Thou diversified the earth; how many are the mediums through which Thou speakest to our souls! The loveliness of flowers, their fragrance, which constitute their use, their almost infinitude of form, and the short-lived existence of all of them, remind us of the truth of Thy word, that man that is born of 8 woman is of few days; he cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down." And how frequently are we instructed by observation, that the more beautiful a flower is, the more brief is its existence. O how instructive is the lesson which the brevity of the life of flowers and the decay of their exquisite beauty reads to us. The grass withercth, the flower fadeth; but the goodness of the Lord endureth for ever."
May we, therefore, not consider the casket, beautiful though it be, of any other value than as enshrouding the jewel of the soul; may we remember that all external endowments and external beauty are perishable; and may we so live that when the body shall return to the dust as it was," the soul" may be prepared "to return to God who gave it." O heavenly Father, to Thee we look for protection and guidance through this day. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
SABBATH EVENING.
O LORD, we desire to thank Thee that, while Thou hast instructed us through the medium of Thy Word, and by the harmony of sweet sounds delighted our ear, Thou hast also opened before us the beautiful book of creation, and strengthened and invigorated the eye by observing the glorious work of Thy hands. Thus, through our varied senses, hast Thou taught us to reverence and adore Thee. And so mindful hast Thou been of us, that the earth is adorned with beauty which fatigues not the sight, but which discloses new tints of ever-living green, and which, by their varying shades, adapt themselves to the sight, and fall upon the eye with all the freshness and novelty of never ending variety. O how marvellously hast Thou formed the earth and the world! Heaven and earth is full of the majesty of Thy glory. None of Thy creatures are unprovided for. With what tenderness and foresight hast Thou provided for man and beast. How bountifully dost Thou vary the seasons; and we see a fulfilment of Thy promise, that while the earth abideth, summer and winter, spring-time and harvest, day and night cease not. The plants which nourish us, the grain which produceth bread for man, the rest which we enjoy, the labour which tends to invigorate and strengthen us,—all remind us of the superintending power of Thy providence, and call for our gratitude and adoration. For all these blessings, O Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and Regenerator, we bless and praise Thy holy name, now and for evermore. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
