Imatges de pàgina
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wandered from the way of thy commandments times and ways without number.

I confess my sins with a contrite and humble spirit. Forgive, O my Father, forgive, for Christ's sake, my manifold iniquities. If my lips have ever spoken that which I knew to be false, purge my conscience from this great sin, and put a right and true heart within me. If I have ever indulged an impure or an unbecoming thought, O wash away mine iniquities, and give me that clean and purified spirit, on which only thou, who hatest all sin, canst look without abhorrence. If I have cherished any angry, or revengeful, or uncharitable thought, forgive my wickedness, and soften my heart by the operation of thy good spirit; and grant, that as thou art daily loading me with thy benefits, though

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am rebelling against thee, I also may be kind and charitable to all men.

In particular, O God, enable me to do my duty faithfully and tenderly, and as becomes a Christian, towards those who are connected with me in the relations of life. Enable me in all things to be an example to them; and, actuated at all times by the spirit of my Redeemer, may I exhibit in my life

and conversation an instructive model of the things that are honourable, and lovely, and pure, and of good report.

Grant that I may do my duty in the sphere in which thou hast placed me, with ability, with zeal, with honesty, and with good intention. Enable me to be sincere and upright in all my transactions, faithful in all my promises and engagements, steadfast to those who have reposed confidence in me, and acting at all times as a person who knows that the eye of God is observing all his ways, and that he will at last call me into judgment.

Help me at all times to remember, that I have voluntarily taken upon myself the name and profession of a Christian; and that having ratified the engagements entered into by my parents when they offered me to be baptized, by swearing over the symbols of the body and blood of my Redeemer to be his true disciple, it is my duty to keep his law and his example perpetually in my view.

May that heavenly influence, which has been promised to the faithful, rest upon my heart, and purify all my intentions. May it strengthen me for all duty, and console me under all trials; may it

enable me to act at all times as I ought to act; and by its operation may I be gradually prepared in time for the fellowship of the just.

O Father of my spirit, who didst at first breathe into me the breath of life, and by whose merciful care I am daily preserved, leave me not to the temptations either of my own heart or of this evil world, but so surround me with thine everlasting arms, that when I am called to leave this world, in which I am to sojourn for a season, it may be to enter into that better country which all the patriarchs desired and have obtained.

Be, especially, with me through all the labours and trials of this day. If prosperity is to follow me, may I be humble and thankful, always recollecting, that whatever is good or happy in life is from thy hand; and that thou, who causest sunshine and gladness to brighten the path of life, canst also hide thy countenance, and try sorely the heart of man for his manifold transgressions.

If I am this day to be exposed to sorrows and distresses, O help me to bear them as appointments of thy fatherly wisdom; forbid that I should ever murmur or repine at the dispensations of thy pro

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vidence; but may it be my sole desire to derive good from all thy chastisements, and to meet equally the prosperous and the adverse events of time, under the belief, that, if I am properly exercised thereby, they may all be made subservient to my final welfare.

And now, O heavenly Father, I commit myself to the protection of thy providence throughout this day. I am not able to guide my own ways; and I feel, that, unless thine everlasting arms are around me, I may fall into sin, and be exposed to misery. But blessed be thy name, that thou lookest with a sleepless eye upon all the paths of this mortal life, and that thou hast promised that thou wilt never leave nor forsake those who trust in thee. Be it unto me, O Lord, according to thy word. Forgive my wandering thoughts and cold affections, even during the act of imploring thy mercy; and grant that my course in the path of duty may be like that of the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. I go forth in thy strength. O cover me with the shield of thy favour, for Christ's sake. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER FOR MONDAY.

PSALM xcii. 1, 2. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:

To show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

BLESS the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all mine iniquities, who healeth all my diseases, who redeemeth my life from destruction, who crowneth me with loving-kindness and with tender mercy.

What shall I render unto thee, O Lord, for all thy goodness! Thou didst at first call me into the light of life, and gavest me my place among thy rational offspring; thou hast furnished my mind with those varied and wonderful powers by which I am made a son of God and a fellow-servant of those ministering spirits who for ever surround thy

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