Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/234

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O Lord, enable us to look back upon the past week, to bring our actions to the bar of our own consciences. What have we done? in what have we transgressed? what good have we shown unto our fellow-creatures? what is the evil which has most retarded our progress in the regeneration? Help us to take a strict account of our lives, that we may know in what we have sinned, and what are the steps we ought to take that we may be preserved from the commission of evil for the future.

There is nothing in which we have engaged but that seems to partake of the infirmity of our nature. The law of self rules in our members, and we acknowledge that we have transgressed against Thee. O Lord, pardon our infirmities, and help us to serve Thee more faithfully for the future. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


THIRTY-FIRST WEEK.—SABBATH MORNING.

MOST merciful Redeemer and Saviour, we adore Thee; we praise Thy holy name for all the wonders of Thy redeeming love. The Sabbath brings to our remembrance the period when, having overcome our spiritnal enemies, Thou hadst also overcome death and the grave, bursting the bonds of the one and overcoming the other by Thy omnipotence, and giving us the assurance, by Thy resurrection, that we also should rise to newness of life.

O how deep are the obligations we are under towards Thee! May our hearts be filled with adoring love and gratitude, and may we strive with greater faithfulness to do Thy will, O God.

The gracions Word of Thy truth has been again read in our ears; it has made known to us Thy will, it has pointed out Thy kingdom, and counselled us so to live that its beatific delights may hereafter be enjoyed by us. O Lord, we pray Thee give us understanding, that what we read may be comprehended by us, and that all the holy requirements of Thy law may be obeyed, from a conviction that obedience to them brings peace and tranquillity of soul. Through Thy precepts do we get understanding; in keeping of them there is great reward. O help us to shun every evil way, that we may bring our lives entirely under the government of Thy divine truth, and that we may find rest to our souls. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


SABBATH EVENING.

0 LORD Jesus Christ, the light of another Sabbath has risen and se}

upon us. Lord, grant thatin Thy love and fear it may have been apent. Be near us. O Lord. Let the promptings of Thy good Spirit so influence us that whatever our actions may be, they may tend to Thy glory. Blesa Thou the labours of all who thia day engage especially in Thy service. To the parents, be Thy goodness the soul of their instractions to their children. Filt their hearts with Thy love, that they, feeling its potency, may communicate to their offepring instructions for the faithful performance of their duties, beseeching them by the love and tenderness of Thee their God and Seviour. To teachers of Sunday-achools extend Thy especial grace and influence, that the children intrnated to their gnidance