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No. 6.

GLORIFY Thee, O Lord, for the great privilege which Thou hast lovingly conferred upon me by planting me in this home, and surrounding me with an atmosphere of godliness.

I heartily thank Thee for having so far taken me out of the difficulties and dangers of the world, for withdrawing me from many evil influences of company and conversation, for preserving me from the contagion of a worldly tone of thought and standard of life.

Oh, make me to realize the responsibilities of this blessing. I desire to show Thee how I value this peace by striving to maintain it outwardly and inwardly, by yielding myself to the spiritual atmosphere around me.

Help me, O Lord, never to mar the harmony of pious life here. Grant that it may so influence and mould my own character that I may myself contribute to the edification of others, and that we may be throughout a holy company, acceptable unto Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

No. 7.

ETERNAL God, our heavenly Father,

mind in a house, give me grace to order my life in lowliness and reverence to those above me, in kindness and gentleness to those beneath me, in godly love towards all, that ever esteeming others better than myself, I may dwell here in perpetual peace and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O

No. 8.

LORD, Who by Thy providence didst bring me into this community, assist me, I pray Thee, to observe its rules faithfully, and incline me always to give myself willingly and thoroughly to any work which shall be appointed

to me.

O Lord, I thank Thee with my whole heart for the kindness and sympathy of my sisters, which have soothed and refreshed me when fatigued, and cheered me when disheartened, and so often comforted and consoled me. Enable me to make a worthy return of loving gratitude towards them. I now implore Thy blessing on this community, and on all belonging to it, and on all in any way connected with it. I beseech Thee to renew my strength to serve Thee effectively, and to do my duty to my companions in all possible love, and gentleness, and sympathy, even for Thy love, O Lord, Who didst love us to the bitter Cross and the dark grave. Amen.

O

No. 9.

LORD God, Who hast commanded us all to love one another, I feel that Thou must surely expect those whom Thou hast called together to live in this community to be singular examples of forbearance and love to each other. Oh, let me not fail in my part! Thou knowest my difficulties! But do Thou guide me and strengthen me to attain such gentleness and humility that I may really think others better than myself, and conciliate even those who are unwilling to be conciliated.

Give

me the disposition to take a lenient and charitable view of my sisters' defects, and to turn my. eyes from them as much as possible. Be it far from me to direct attention to them, or to join in observing them sharply, still less to exaggerate them. Give me the spirit to put the best construction on my sisters' actions, entirely to abstain from harsh judgments, from impatience and irritability of temper. I know, O Lord, that they have much to overlook in myself! Wherefore I desire the power of governing my tongue carefully, of saying and doing as far as possible such things as may please them. I would fain be a bond of union between opposite temperaments. Wherefore, O Lord, give me a strong sense of gratitude to each of them for many a kindness bestowed upon me; and an earnest desire to requite them, and honour Thee, by loving them sincerely, so that we may set forth an example of harmony and mutual love in this Thy house; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Anticipation of joining a Religious Community of Women.

LORD God, I most humbly beseech Thee to bless this design of giving myself to live and work with this community. I acknowledge my unfitness, and the greatness of the duties which I undertake. I throw myself, as Thy child, upon Thee for guidance, and even now beseech Thee not to let me join this community unless it be to Thy glory and my own salvation. But if Thou dost call me, O Lord, as I believe, I come to Thee obediently, confessing all my defects and disqualifications, which Thou, O Lord, knowest right well. I

acknowledge and confess unto Thee especially I pray Thee that the remaining time of my probation may suffice to enable me to eradicate all tendency to these. I prostrate myself before Thee, and cry to Thee for all that I require-even obedience to my superiors-sisterly love to my equals—steadfastness and perseverance in my work and my purposes-good temper, and courtesy to all-and an earnest, deep-seated humility and tenderness, so that I may never stand upon my dignity, or hesitate to set an example of womanly usefulness on all occasions. Finally, O Lord, I entreat that my joining this community may be the happiness of all its members; and lastly, that I may confidently rejoice in obeying Thy calling herein; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Special Occasions of Church
Work.

For a Woman engaged in helping Missionary Work Abroad.

No. I.

LORD Jesus Christ, Who hast committed unto me, Thy unworthy servant, a share in the work of making Thee known to the heathen; give me strength, and courage, and all other necessary graces for so great and loving a work. Give me first a lifelong repentance of my own sins, and cherish in me a continual growth in holiness, not only for my own sake, but for the sake of the heathen who see me; that the working of Thy Spirit may appear in me, in my life and example; that I may be transparent with the Light of the world shining forth in me, and from me. Give me zeal and discretion to set forth Thee and Thy Gospel to all men who come in contact with me. Give me humility and obedience to be duly subordinate to the clergy whom I help. And may I do something, O Lord, for Thee, especially among those of my own sex, to allure them unto Thee, Who art graciously waiting to receive them, that they may be gathered into Thy fold, and acknowledge Thee as their God and Saviour. For Thine own sake, O Lord, I ask this with all my heart. Amen.

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