holy day thy beloved Son arose in triumph from the grave,—that angels descended upon the earth, to roll away the stone from the place where he was laid,—and that he who had been dead came forth as the conqueror of death,—and beheld, while the morning light was yet dawning upon the earth, the renovated glory of the world he had redeemed.

We look back with delight to that glorious day, when he who thus arose went up in triumph to thy right hand. Blessed be thy name, that the path has thus been pointed out by which all his disciples are finally to be taken into thy kingdom,—and that, even while we tabernacle upon this earth, we can be cheered with the assurance, that we have a great Mediator, who is passed into the heavens, and through whom our prayers may find acceptance at thy throne of grace.

For his sake, O heavenly Father, accept the thanksgivings which we now offer unto thee, for thy creating and providential love,—for having given us our place in this magnificent world,—and having set before us a manifestation of thine eternal power and godhead in the works which thou hast made.

Accept also, O Lord, our thanksgivings for the many peculiar blessings by which thou hast enriched our lot, for the good instruction which we early received, for the good example that was set before us,—for the ardent prayers that were offered for our welfare,—and for every mean which in thy providence has been employed for guiding our feet into the way of peace, and making us avoid the way that leadeth to destruction.

Especially, O God, accept our fervent thankfulness, that this short-lived existence is not all that thou hast ordained for us,-but that there are many mansions in thy heavenly kingdom, where those who have done well their part in time shall receive a portion suited to their attainments, and where they shall live for ever in thy beatific presence.

Enable us all, O Lord, to keep habitually in mind our latter end. May we never forget that in a very short time we shall be called hence;-and may we now, therefore, lay up for ourselves a treasure of good hope for the evil day.

Thou knowest, O God, through how many snares the steps of all that live must pass,-and thou also knowest how frail and fallible are our best resolu

tions. Yes, O our God, thou knowest our frame; thou rememberest that we are but dust. Adapt, we beseech thee, the dispensations of thy grace to our many wants, and prepare us for passing through all our trials, with the high spirit and undefiled garments of heirs of immortality.

Enable us, for this purpose, to set the example of our Redeemer continually before us. Like him, may we delight to do the will of God,-not shunning any labour or privation, that we may be instrumental in promoting the happiness of our brethren,-and thinking it, at all times, our highest honour to be fellow-workers with God for the welfare of his crea

tures.

Like him, also, may we be meek, and patient, and full of resignation,-disposed to say, amidst all our sufferings, Lord, not my will, but thine be done, —and careful, that whatever sorrows may befall us, none of them may be the fruits of our own misdeeds.

Like our blessed Lord, may we be full of all pure, elevated, and heavenly thoughts,—looking habitually to that final rest, in which we are to receive the reward of our labours, and so doing the part

assigned us, that at last we may be taken with him into his Father's kingdom.

For these purposes, bless to us, O Lord, all the

means of grace. May thy word be a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path; may the ordinances of thy grace be the means of enlightening our minds and elevating our affections, and of gradually training us up for the services of the sanctuary that is on high; and may all the events of life, whether prosperous or adverse, be so sanctified to us, that we may be daily growing in a resemblance of thine image, and have the earnest in ourselves, that we have begun that good course in which we are to proceed throughout eternity.

Keep the young, amidst the snares and dangers of that world on which they are entering. Imbue them early with thy fear; and, O! for our Redeemer's sake, let not the deceitfulness of sin, nor the influence of bad example, nor the violence of temptation, so far prevail over any of those who now bow before thee, as to induce them to give up, for the vain and degrading enjoyments of vice, that eternal inheritance of which thou hast called them to be heirs.

Forgive the many sins that have been committed by those who are advanced in life. May a review of thy wonderful mercy towards them make them earnestly desirous of doing thy will while time is yet left for amendment; and may the last days of those who are bowed down be blessed with the calm assurance of thy favour, as an earnest of that eternal rest which awaits in heaven the pure in heart.

Bless all our friends, and forgive all our enemies; and make us all faithful, affectionate, and forgiving. And to thy name, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be ascribed all glory and honour, dominion and praise, world without end. Amen.