Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/304

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292 FORITT-PIRST WERK.


dom see fit to remove one source of joy, or to withdraw one comfort, ita place is supplied by another better suited to promote our regeneration. Whether, therefore. Thou bestowest, or whether Thou withholdest, we cannot but acknowledge that Thon makest all things work together for good to them that fear Thee; for though the world may forsake. Thon art still onr friend, and Thy meroy endureth for ever. =

Our humble and earnest prayer to Thee is, that we may enjoy the blessing of spiritual health; and that whatever may be our atate. Thon wilt be pleased to bestow upon us prosperity of soul; for we fool that the prosperity of the earth is as the reed that groweth up in the miro; it appears to flourish for a time, but its feeble stalk soon bends before the blast, and its head ia laid low in the dust. Such is the prosperity of them that forget Thee. O Lord, and with spiritual disease in the soul thus their hopes perish. Bnt they who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, that abideth for ever. Amen.

Our Father, ete.


SABBATH EVENING. Aunoart and most merciful Lord, we approach Thee this evening with reverence and thankfniness. The blessings of another Sabbath have been bestowed upon us, and the spiritual privileges in which we have participated press upon us the duty of doing all in our power to promote the interests of our Redoemer's kingdom, by engaging in every act of use that comes within the compass of our ability. Sad thors & not one of us, how poor soever he may be, bué bas the power to assist in the work of purification, and- of being blessed by the divine commendation of doing what he oan. © may we, with Thine apostle, in whatever state we are, learn therewith to be content. Are we poor? may we feel it a privilege as well aa 8 daty to be constantly engaged in the effort of enlarging the bordera of the Holy Jerusalem according to our ability. While thus engaged in our several duties, beholding the contingencies which in our progress beset us; while in our most exalted states of fancied security we are liable to be broken down by the casualties that stop us in our natural progress. O suffer us not to forget that purity of soul can support us and alone enable us to meet our troubles with calmness; and O may a humble assuzance of Thy overruling providence teach us to be resigned and content under every trial and privation! For this temper and this spirit, wo pray. O Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Our Father, eto.


MONDAY MORNING.

O MERCIFUL God and Saviour, we approach Thee this morning impressed with a sense of Thy continued goodness. The repose of the night has invigorated our bodies, and our minds and all our faculties seem quickened by new intelligence. We are rendered strong to labour, and we approach Thee this morning to implore Thy blessing upon our