Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/296

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well as to the mind diseased; and may we freely deal out our bread to the hungry, and cover the naked with a garment, wheresoever we possess the opportunity and the means.

Help us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to give due diligence to the conduct of our affairs, and in whatsoever state Thy providence has placed us may we learn therewith to be content. And now, O Lord, we desire to commit ourselves to Thy divine guidance, as we go forth to the various duties devolving upon us in our respective spheres of life. While the concerns of this world occupy our attention, suffer not our thoughts to be so exclusively fixed upon them as to withdraw us entirely from the consideration of heavenly things. But may the prospect of eternity and its joys only make us more faithful and just in the performance of the duties of time, so that, as the world and its concerns recedes from our view, there may be opened before us a prospect of those glorious realities which await the just made perfect, when their probation here is ended. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


SATURDAY EVENING.

GRACIOUS Lord and merciful Saviour, another week has run its course, and brought us nearer to the confines of eternity; but how has it prepared us for the important change which must speedily come upon us?

We come into Thy presence this evening deeply impressed with Thy goodness, and by a sense of our own unworthiness, and of the impending judgment hanging over our heads if we repent not. Repentance! Time to repent! O how important the work, how short the time to perform it! O "teach us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Looking back upon the past week, and noting the actions by which it has been distinguished, how frivolous have been many of the pursuits in which we have indulged. As though we were to dwell in this world for ever, with what avidity have we engaged in its pursuit, and with what diligence have we laboured after the bread which perisheth; and we are constrained to acknowledge, but for the intervention of the Sabbath we should rise early, sit up late, and eat the bread of carefulness, as though eternity was never to have a beginning. O Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him? Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels; Thou hast crowned his life with goodness. Help us, O Lord our Saviour, to repent, and prepare to meet thee, our God. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


FORTIETH WEEK.—SABBATH MORNING.

O LORD God Almighty, from whom cometh our help. Thou who hast exhorted us to seek Thy face, and graciously assured all who seek that they shall find, we come before Thee this morning. O may we find Thee present in our devotions in this Thy temple, and experience that happiness which Thy presence alone can bestow; for in Thy presence is fulness of joy, at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. But to