into my closet, to shut the door behind me, and to pray to my Father, who seeth in secret, and who, by his beloved Son, has promised that he will reward those who thus call on him. Enable me to regard such exercises, not only as a duty, but as an honour and a happiness,-and from them may I derive that strength, amidst the toils, and sorrows, and temptations of this world, which will enable me at last to appear before thee in thy heavenly kingdom.

I thank thee, heavenly Father, for the solemn services of thy house of prayer. It is a good and a pleasant thing to go up with the multitudes who keep thy Sabbaths,-to offer up united prayers and praises to him who dwelleth in the high and holy place, but who dwelleth also with those who are humble and of a contrite heart. It is a good and a pleasant thing to hear thy blessed word; and, amidst the many sins of this life, to be assured that these all may be forgiven for Christ's sake, and that the services of our earthly sanctuaries are, to those who improve them, an earnest of that greater service which awaits the just in the temple that is above.

Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for the opportunity which has this day been afforded me of appearing in thy house. How merciful, O Lord, art thou, in not having cut me off from the land of the living, and assigned me my portion with those who have rebelled against thee; how great is thy mercy, in still permitting me to hear the joyful sound, and to know that the promise of eternal life is still held out to me, if I forsake my sins, and employ well the days that may yet be granted to me! Impress upon my mind every valuable instruction or admonition which I have this day received, and grant that the sense I have had of the high capacities of my nature, and the perception I have gained of the course which I ought to pursue, may be so confirmed to me, that when I mingle with the world, I may still retain the marks of one who has been in high communion with the Father of his spirit.

I thank thee, O Father, for the high privilege of thy blessed word,-for that book which speaks of all thy wonderful dispensations towards the children of men,-in which the mystery of thy providence is revealed,—and light is shed on all that darkness, which, to the eyes of many wise and good

men, concealed the plans of thine everlasting mercy. May thy word and law be my meditation by night and by day; and from it, as from a pure fountain, may I draw that refreshment in the wilderness of life, which may enable me to pursue my journey with gladness unto the end.

May its admonitions and precepts,—its blessed representations of the joy that is laid up for the just,-its consolations amidst the sorrows and difficulties of life, and the cheering light with which it has illumined the grave,—all have their proper effect upon my mind,-may they mingle with and sanctify all the knowledge I may acquire from other sources,—and be in me as a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Let thy word have free course and be glorified. May the day-spring from on high speedily arise upon those lands which now lie in darkness and in the shadow of death. May faithful and able men be sent into all lands upon this high mission, and may men of all regions speedily perceive, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth glad tidings,-that publisheth peace,

that saith unto the inhabitants of the earth, Behold your God.

Bless and prosper the church which thou hast planted in this land. Clothe her priests with salvation, and make thy saints to shout aloud for joy. May the people of all ranks and denominations be united in the bonds of Christian charity,—and may this land ever be distinguished for the prevalence of liberal knowledge,—and of just maxims of morality among all its inhabitants.

Bless all ranks of men among us, from the king on the throne to the meanest of his subjects. May the king's reign be long and happy, and may he, above all things, ever seek thy honour and glory, and the good of the people over whom thou hast set him.

Raise up able and conscientious and enlightened men to guide the councils of the nation, and may all classes be animated with the desire of making the power and the resources of this great and favoured land rather subservient to the promotion of sound knowledge, and of just measures of policy among mankind, than conducive to any selfish

schemes which have no relation to the welfare of

the world.

Increase, O Lord, the number of those in all ranks, who have the prosperity of religion and the advancement of morality and of knowledge sincerely at heart. Blessed be thy name, that such men are still to be found among us. Give efficacy to their labours, and by their example may the same spirit be more generally diffused.

Look in mercy upon the multitudes who devour all manner of iniquity with greediness,-upon the young, who are running thoughtlessly in the way of ruin,—on the depraved, who have set all thy counsels at nought, and on those whose delight it is to lead others into the ways of vice. O God, turn their hearts, and forgive their sins, and even them may among there be many who shall be monuments of thy redeeming love.

Bless all my friends, and forgive all mine enemies, -be very gracious to all who live in this house,and grant, that when we are called from the fellowship of this earthly scene, it may be to enjoy the far higher fellowship of thy heavenly kingdom. In this blessed hope, I now resign myself to thy