WE approach thee, O Lord, through the sacrifice which was offered on Calvary. Oh help us to call to mind the sufferings he endured who was wounded for our iniquities, and on whom the chastisement of our peace was laid. We remember his submission, his willingness to die, and his confidence that the great design of his death should be accomplished. Help us, as we think of the cross to-night, to regard promises and predictions as fulfilled, types and ceremonies as answered, sin as discovered in its true character, justice satisfied, and grace honoured. We trust our sin was expiated on the tree. We receive the life Christ procured by his death. Forbid it that we should think of any other confidence. Let us not by indulging in sin crucify him afresh. Make the cross the ground of our hopes, the centre of our desire, our solace in affliction, our life in death, and our joy for ever. We behold now the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world; hereafter may we see him-the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and praise him for ever. And let the ministers of thy word determine to know nothing but the cross. Oh let the preaching of Christ crucified enlighten a dark world, and bring hope to myriads who are ready to perish. Let Jew and Gentile meet around the cross, and all make their boast of him. Take away from men all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be saved, becoming one fold under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.

EASTER SUNDAY.-THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

WE thank thee, O our God, that we are permitted to think of Christ as a risen Saviour. The grave could not retain him, for that by his sacrifice he satisfied justice and vindicated thine own government and law. We would rise with him to newness of life. We would know the power of his resurrection, as giving us hope and leading our thoughts beyond death and the grave. God of peace, thou who didst bring again from the dead the Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever.

Help us to think of death as a vanquished foe. As Christ rose, his followers shall rise to everlasting life. When we commit to the tomb those whom we love, may we never weep without hope. Let us not anticipate our own death with terror, but may we rejoice in prospect of being raised in the image of Christ at the last day. Risen with him now, may we seek the things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

And let the gospel of life, which tells of Christ's triumph over death, have free course and be glorified. Let all nations be made acquainted with his work of mercy. Give to him the kingdom, who must reign till all enemies shall be subdued under his feet. Crown the preaching of Christ to-day with great success, for thine own name's sake.

WHIT-SUNDAY.-THE DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT.

THE

WE desire, this day, O our God, to call to mind the pouring out of thine Holy Spirit on the men selected to bear Christ's name to all nations; and we supplicate the descent of thy Spirit on our souls, that we may know the truth and feel its power. We do not look for miracles, but thou hast taught us to look for thy Spirit to instruct, to sustain, and to sanctify us. We want to be strengthened by him in our inner man. We pray for his merciful guidance in difficulty. Let him take up his abode in us, making us temples of God. May he teach us how to pray, helping over against our infirmities. May we bear witness with our spirits that we are children of God. Let him dwell in us and walk in us, that we may be thy people, and thou our God; and through his all-powerful operation, may the word and ordinances with which we are favoured be increasingly useful to us. Spirit of the living God, dwell in the heart of every member of our family.

Nor let these blessings be confined to us. May all around us be quickened by thy power. Grant to the ministers of the everlasting gospel, a knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, and make their ministrations effectual, so that many may be pricked in their hearts, and cry out, Men and brethren, what must we do. Let sinners be directed to the Saviour. Give us pentecostal times. Revive thy work in the earth, O Lord, and make thy gospel effectual, that every knee may bow to Christ, and every tongue may confess that he is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

MORNING. THE INCARNATION
OF CHRIST.

O LORD, we adore the love which devised the method of salvation. We thank thee that Christ came into our world in the likeness of human flesh. Thou hast visited thy people, and hast fulfilled the prophecies which told of the coming of Christ. We commemorate gratefully this thy exceeding grace. We turn aside to see the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh. We adore him who was a babe in Bethlehem, but who now liveth and reigneth with thee. We rest our hope on him; we draw nigh to thee in his name; we think of his course on earth, and would imitate it; we fall before him, and beseech thee for his sake to accept our homage and our supplications. And help us, as God hath thus loved us, and given his Son for us, to love one another for his sake. Fill our hearts with kindness, and may we reckon that we are not our own, but his who hath redeemed us. All that we have, and all we are, we consecrate to him. Gracious Saviour, accept our consecration, and help us ever to praise and honour thee.

And, O our God, may the advent of Christ be regarded with joy by every member of our family, by all our friends, and relations, and acquaintances. May it gladden every heart. Let all who regard this day, regard it joyfully as to the Lord. Let none of those works of the devil which Christ came to destroy be encouraged. May men in every land speedily be brought to rejoice in Christ Jesus, and to triumph in

his salvation.

CHRISTMAS DAY. EVENING.

Let us not profess to thank

THOU, O Lord, in thy mercy hast given light to them that sat in darkness, and by the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ, hast provided for the restoration of our feet to the way of peace. We would never forget thine unspeakable love. May we not only think of Christ as thy gift to our world, but may we receive him into our own hearts. thee for Christ while we live without him. We would yield to his rule, confide in his sacrifice, and tread in his footsteps. Blessed Jesus, smile on us in thy love, sanctify us by thy Spirit, and save us by thy grace. Through all changing scenes, and amid all the anxieties which the consciousness of sin awakens, may we ever cling to thee. Suffer us not to betake ourselves to an arm of flesh, for thou only art our salvation. And let the voice of joy and thanksgiving be heard to-night in many a house, that there was born to us a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Hosanna! blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Let the music of thy name resound in every language and through every land, and in this land especially, a land professedly Christian, may the good news of thine incarnation be received by all, and may peace and good will be brought home to every bosom. Oh that our people may praise thee, and may all nations call thee blessed. Let princes throng to do thee homage; let the wise and the great honour thee. Gracious Saviour, in thee let all kindreds of the earth glory, for thou art their Redeemer, and their all.