Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/286

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our spiritual duties can only carry Thy blessing with them, as our temporal duties become sanctified by Thy love, and filled with Thy goodness. There is no place in which Thou art not to be found; there are no duties in which we engage, but thoughts of Thee may enable us to perform with greater efficiency. Help us then to set Thee continually before our eyes. Wherever we are called upon to labour, still may we behold Thee. In the arduous duties of bodily toil, may the power of Thy Spirit become the arm of our strength. In the season of refreshment may there be always a portion of the true bread set before us. In the hour of amusement, may we rejoice with trembling; in the trials we are called upon to endure, may we submit to the refining fire which purifies. And whether health or sickness, prosperity or adversity, life or death be our portion this day, still may we remember that infinite Wisdom directs our journey, and will be our guide even unto death. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


WEDNESDAY EVENING. LORD Jesus Christ, help us, we bereech Thee, to be obedient to all which Thou hast commanded. Thou. O Lord, didst not only instrnet us-by precept, but by example also, and hast left ue Thy command to be in all things like unto Thyself. Thou art the true light, that lighteth every one that cometh into the world. Thou art the Sun of righteousness, and ail that has a tendency to render man wise and intelligent has its origin in Thee. Ever may our minds be kept open to receive Thy truth, and grant us Thy grace, that when it is received we may ¢o let our ant shine, that onr good works may be scen, and our heavenly Father glorified.

Lord, we are now again about to reek our pillows; we know not whether our labour on earth is ended, or whether there is still work for us to do in this world; but our times are in Thy hand, and Thou knowest best the period when we are most fitted to bo removed. May we, therefore, 50 live that, when called, we may with humility surrender our apirits into Thy hand. May we consider our latter end, and dio daily unto sin, that we may live unto Thee our Lord and Saviour; and, whenever the summone shall come which calls us into Thy presence, may we be found with our loina girded and our lamps burning, ready to enter into the matriage aupper of the Lamb. Amen.

Our Father, ete.

THURSDAY MORNING.

O LORD our heavenly Father, we acknowledge with gratitude that, as we sincerely look unto Thee, so do we find the accomplishment of Thy gracious words: "The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth; He turneth to the prayer of the destitute, and despiseth not their prayer. He bindeth up the broken-hearted, and comforteth those that mourn. He dwelleth with those who are of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." O Lord, how numerous are He consolations of Thy Word, offered unto us in the hour of our extremity.