while we are grateful for the high and rich blessings of the gospel, our hearts may be subdued to its dominion and sanctified by its influences, that we may live in the purity of christian faith, and die in the joy of christian hope. Father in heaven, we beseech thee to be with us, and bless us this day, and prepare our hearts for thy service. O send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead us, let them bring us to thy holy place. In thine earthly temple, may we this day meet around thine altar, and there put away all our earth-born passions, our distracting cares, our vain and frivolous thoughts, and offer to thee that homage of the soul which thou wilt not despise. May we enter thy gates with thanksgiving, and thy courts with praise, there to pour out our hearts to thee in the voice of prayer, and to seek some good instruction, some purifying, sanctifying influences from thy holy word. O save us from a careless, formal, hypocritical worship, and when we receive good impressions, let them not be as the morning cloud and the early dew. We lament before thee, that we have so often forgotten thy goodness and violated thy laws, and that our souls have been so much estranged from thee, and from pure and holy things. We pray that this day and during the whole of our lives we may

love thee more and serve thee better than ever yet we have done. May we leave behind our follies and our sins, and press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. May the virtues and graces of the gospel be the ornaments of our lives and characters. May we seek to imitate the example of our Saviour, and to transcribe into our own souls something of his meekness and humility, his fervent piety and patient resignation, his enlarged benevolence, his generous and holy zeal in doing good. Knowing that there is coming a day, in which thou wilt render unto every one according to his works, may we be as those who live for eternity. We pray for thy servant, who ministers in sacred things to the society, of which we are members. Bless his labours in the cause of Christ, and make him the instrument of turning many to righteousness. Let thy blessing rest on all the ministers of the gospel; may they be animated, faithful, zealous, and successful in the office of imparting and enforcing the truths, the warnings, and the hopes of our holy religion. We pray that thy presence and blessing may be with all the assemblies of thy worshipping people this day,—and may the efficacy of thy word be displayed in turning men from the error of their

ways unto thee, the living and true God. Grant, O God, that the kingdom of thy Son may be more widely diffused and more firmly established, and that all the nations of the earth may come to the knowledge and worship of thee, through Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. In his name we offer our prayer, and ascribe unto thee all power and glory forever. Amen.

SUNDAY EVENING.

FATHER of lights! Eternal God! At the close of this thy holy day we would assemble around the family-altar, to remember thy rich mercies to us. We would feel sympathy with the holy calmness of this hour; and come to thee as becomes those, who have learned of Christ; who have drank deep of the spirit of Jesus; whose communion hath been with God, and who have been called to glory and immortality. With ready steps and with cheerful minds, have we joined our Christian brethren, who keep this day holy to the Lord; and may the affections, which have been called out by the services of this day, now accompany our devotions, and go with us through the week.

Father of mercies! when we hear of thy rich provisions for our spiritual welfare, our souls would kindle into the highest praise.

Glory be to thee, that when all flesh had corrupted its way and the world was dead in trespasses and sins, without the knowledge of thee, thine eye beheld man in pity, and thine arm was outstretched for his deliverance. Glory be to thee, that in the fulness of time, thou didst send thy well-beloved Son, not that he should be the messenger of woe, not that he should condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Glory be to thee, that of God he is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Glory be to thee, for his precious discoveries and doctrines, for his astonishing works, and for his spotless example. Glory be to thee, that he was made perfect through sufferings; that he humbled himself and became obedient to the death of the cross; that he is set forth to be a mercy-seat through faith in him, and that he saves us from future misery, by affording us the means of escape. Glory be to thee, that by his death he has destroyed the terrors of the grave; that he is exalted above principalities and powers; that a name is given him which is above every name; that he is able to save to the

uttermost all those who come unto thee through him, and that he has entered into heaven as our Captain and Forerunner.

Glory be to thee, that means and opportunities are afforded us for strengthening our affection to thy Son, and for imbibing his holy temper and disposition. We thank thee for what our eyes have seen and our ears have heard this day. This day reminds us that Jesus Christ burst the gates of the grave and led captivity captive. He now lives with thee in heaven. O grant that we may obtain all the benefits which flow from his death, his resurrection, and his glory. We presume not to come to thine altar trusting in our own righteousness, but in thine infinite compassion and unmerited kindness in Jesus Christ. Pardon our sins, according to the gracious covenant thou hast made with thy people through him. We desire to renounce every passion and pursuit, inconsistent with thy service and with the gratitude we owe to our great Deliverer. And now we implore thy gracious assistance, O God, that we may be crucified unto the world, and that we may hereafter live by the faith of thy Son, who loved us and gave himself for us. In all the circumstances of this mortal life, may we tread in his footsteps with increasing fidelity