Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/337

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FORTY-PIFTH WEEK. 325


that we may " stand upon our watch and sit upon our tower," carefully observing all who may approach, and contending against every evil, that as an enemy may infest, or seek to enter and destroy the fruits of our vineyard. Give unto us just powers of discrimination, that we may not be imposed upon by the fallacies of pretended teachers, but in all things suffer oursolves to be guided by the light of Thy truth. O heavenly Father, hold Thou us up, and we shall be safo. Into Thy hands we commend our spirits. Amen. Onr Father, ete.


SATURDAY MORNING.

() LORD Jesus Christ, let Thy trath enter our minds, and remove the darkness under which they may hitherto have laboured. We feel more and more the necessity of the power of Thy truth, of that power which shall not only discover the ovils lurking in the secrct places of our wills, but which shall contend against them and cast them out,

By the power of Thy truth © fortify us against the attacks of our spiritual enemies; by the power of Thy trath enable us to resist the ininmating pleadings of our own evils, "May we heware of those wolves in sheep's clothing, which would tempé us to gratify our corrupt inclinations, under the plea thet they were given us that we might indulge them.

"Phese specions pleadings, proceeding from the desire of the sensual principle for indulgence. O Lord, grant us Thy grace to resist. Support us under every trial, eomfort us in every ailliction, and carry us safely throngh this and every day of our existence. And help us, 0 Lord, to be mindful of our brethren, as well thoge of our own kindred aa of Thy Charoh. Bring bnek the erring. Hen) the sick and broken-hearted, and amooth the last hour of those who are passing from a natural into a spiritual state; and O hasten the time when all men shall know and worship Theo, from the least evon unto the greatest. Amen,

Our Father, etc,


SATURDAY EVENING.

O LORD Jesus Christ, Thou hast given us the assurance that "where Thou art, there also shall Thy servent be." May this cheering promise raise our souls above the fear of death. Assist us, O Lord, so to live that, whether called upon by night or day, suddenly or slowly, to relinquish our natural body, we may be in such a state of resignation to Thy will, as to be enabled to say, "Behold Thy servant, 0 Lord; be it unto him according as Thon wilt." We see our days shortening, we know that here we have no abiding city, and our obvious duty is to keep ourselves in a constant state of preparation. We can do this, 0 Lord, only by Thy divine assistance. Help us, then, to subject every thought and every affection to Thy divine control. If affliction come upon us, may it be instrumental in promoting our purification; and if permitted to pursue our course in health and strength, may we employ both in active works of charity and usefulness. And now, O Lord, we beg Thy gracious protection this night. Watch over us, preserve us from our spiritual enemies, and give us sound and