they lead to, but thyself alone, be the de sire of my heart. i velk

Yd For those who live by Gain.sterebb

O GOD, who in punishment of sin hast commanded us to labour for an ho nest livelihood, grant a blessing to my endeavours, that what I undertake this day may be attended with success, and may thy grace so direct me, as to do nothing unlawful, though the prospect of gain thereby be never so great. May D be faithful in whatever I undertake in behalf of my neighbour; perform exactly all contracts and covenants with him; and never contrive ways to increase his charges, or become a gainer by his loss. May I never defraud, nor seek to overreach or do wrong to any one, nor use any means whatever which may lead to deceit. I know the unjust shall never possess the kingdom of God. I know that he that doth wrong shall be accountable for the wrong he has done, and that with thee there is no respect of persons.) Ah! what will it avail me, to gain the whole world, and lose my soul?

Let me do to others as I would be done by. Let neither example, authority, custom, nor a general practice, prevail with me to violate thy law, O God, for nothing can make that lawful which thou hast forbid they are only pretexts, to

serve the turn of those who are willing to be deceived. May I forego all worldly advantages, rather than seek them by unjusto ways. May I be content with a moderate gain, a strait fortune, and nar、 row circumstances, nay with bankruptcy itself, rather than strive to better my condition by unlawful means, for securing myself against these inconveniences.

1 Deliver me, therefore, I beseech thee, O God, from all ways of injustice, and suffer me never to proceed further in any worldly concern than thy law permits. Let not the most favourable opportuni ties of injustice tempt me to violate my duty, but rather let me always hunger and thirst after justice, in order to obtain thy blessing in this life, and that everlasting crown of glory which will be its unquestionable reward in the next.

An Oblation which may be made to Almighty God every Morning and Evening."

Most merciful Lord, and ever living God! behold I, a wretched and ungrate ful sinner, prostrate, adore and worship thee, offering up in all humility, immor tal praise and thanksgiving for all thy blessings, especially for that unspeakable charity which induced thee to send down thy only begotten Son into this vale of tears, for the work of our redemption.

630 Eternal Lord of heaven and earth!

I praise and magnify thy ever glorious name, for thy Son's most holy incarna tion and nativity; for his poverty, innocent life, and conversation; for his hea venly doctrine and miracles; for his death and passion; his resurrection and

ascension.

I yield thee all possible thanks for the divine mystery of his precious body and blood in the venerable sacrament of the eucharist, wherewith we are nourished, cleansed, and sanctified, and our souls made partakers of all heavenly graces, and spiritual benedictions.

I give thee most humble and hearty thanks, that out of a handful of dust thou wert pleased to make me according to thy own image and likeness, rendering me capable of eternal glory, for the obtaining of which thou didst vouchsafe first to wash me with the laver of baptism, for the remission of that original corruption, which was contracted by my first parents; and afterwards bring me to the profession and practice of the Catholic faith, not ceasing daily to increase the same in me, by the doctrine and instruction of thy Church.

I most humbly thank thee also, that thou hast nourished and clothed me from my cradle, supplying me with all necessaries for the relief and maintenance of my frail body.

I evermore extol and magnify thy holy name, for having, in thy great mercy, hitherto spared, and patiently expected me, till, by thy grace, I might be awakened from the sleep of sin, and reclaimed from my vanities and wicked courses. For hadst thou dealt with me according to my demerits, my soul (being oppressed with innumerable sins) had long since been plunged into eternal perdition.

In consideration of all these thy mercies and blessings, I most humbly desire that my heart may every day enlarge itself, that it may still render thee a more ample tribute of praise and thanksgiving than it has hitherto paid thee.

O my Lord God! and most merciful Father! never abandon me to myself, but let thy holy fear be ever present in my thoughts, to curb and restrain me within the bounds of obedience to thy law, that I may dread nothing so much in this world, as, by a violation of the least of thy precepts, to offend thee. Let thy holy love temper all the trials and temptations which may befall me, in such a manner, that none of them may at any time overcome me; for thou knowest that of myself I have not strength to resist them.

I moreover beseech thee, most merciful Father, by the profound humility of

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thy only Son Jesus Christ, that thou wouldst preserve me from all pride, selflove, vain-glory, obstinacy, and dis obedience. Cast out of my heart, I beseech thee, the spirit of gluttony and uncleanness; the spirit of sloth and indevotion; the spirit of malice and envy; the spirit of hatred and disdain; that I' may never despise the meanest of thy crea tures, nor proudly prefer myself before others, but always seem little in my own eyes; inclining to think the best of others, and judge the worst of myself.

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Clothe me, O most holy Father, with the wedding garment of thy beloved Son, the supernatural virtue of heavenly cha rity, that I may love thee, my Lord God, with my whole heart, my wholel soul, and with all my strength, that neither life nor death, prosperity nor adver-" sity, nor any thing else, may ever sepa-o rate me from thy love. Grant, that all! inordinate affections to the transitory things of this world may daily decrease in me, that thou only mayest be the en tertainment and delight of my soul. zlozzib

O most gracious God, grant thy ser vant an humble, contrite, and obedient heart: an understanding always employed in honest and pious thoughts; a wil tractable, and ever inclined to do good w affections calm and moderate; a watchus