Jesus, it is declared to him, upon Divine authority, that he shall sleep with it, and awake with it, and rise with it, and rejoice with it throughout eternity. Thus does our holy religion contribute to soften the severity of domestic affliction in every mind that is habitually open to its influence. Nor does it even rest here. It should enable us not merely to bear our calamities with composure, but so to sanctify our sorrows as to convert them into substantial and permanent blessings. It teaches us to employ our heaviest afflictions as a means of spiritualizing the heart, of deepening our impressions of the comparative vanity of earthly things, and of the transitory nature of all human happiness, and of thus fixing our affections so firmly upon a happier and more lasting state of existence, as to make it the leading object of the remainder of our lives to qualify ourselves for the attainment of it. The true Christian will feel disposed to acknowledge with gratitude, that affliction subjects his mind to a most salutary moral discipline; that it teaches him to feel the value, and supplies him with a means of estimating the strength of a faith which, during a course of uninterrupted prosperity, he is apt to hold too carelessly; and that, by presenting him with opportunities of exercising resignation and confidence in God, however painful at the time, it

may be the means of infusing new health and vigour into his whole moral constitution. With feelings such as these, he will know how to "rejoice even in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, even that hope which maketh not ashamed."

FORM OF PRAYER.

INTRODUCTORY PRAYER.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, we are met together, in the name of Jesus Christ, thy wellbeloved son, our Lord and Saviour, to unite in the performance of our weekly act of public and social worship. Be thou, O God, we beseech thee, in the midst of us at this time, and bless these solemn exercises to our spiritual improvement. Enable us to withdraw our thoughts, as much as possible, from the world and its cares; to dwell with holy rapture on the contemplation of thy glorious perfections; to consider seriously the things that concern our own everlasting peace, and with grateful and humble hearts to imbibe those refreshing and salutary supplies of strength which thou hast mercifully promised to all who ask for them with sincerity, and which, by the constitution of our nature, thou hast inseparably connected with the faithful improvement of religious ordiEnable us, we beseech thee, to offer up this day upon thine altar a pure and spiritual

nances.

sacrifice. May the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Animated by that spirit of expansive benevolence which the gospel breathes, we implore thy Divine blessing, O thou universal parent, upon all professing followers of thy Son, however distinguished from each other, who may this day be employed in thy service. Lord lift upon the churches the light of thy countenance, and impart unto every humble and contrite spirit peace, and consolation, and hope, and joy. Mercifully forgive the imperfections which thy pure and searching eye may discern in the religious services of thy people; and grant, of thine infinite goodness, that by the devotional exercises and public instructions of this day, the moral empire of Jesus may be widely extended, and the temporal and eternal interests of man effectually served. We ask it as disciples of Jesus, ascribing unto thee the kingdom, power and glory for ever. Amen.

PRAYER BEFORE SERMON.

O God, whose throne is in the highest heavens, and whose empire extends throughout creation, permit us, with becoming reverence and humi

lity, again to enter upon the delightful and dignified employment of worshipping and praising thee. We are sensible, O God, how infinitely thou art exalted above the praises of men and of angels. Glorious art thou in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders. We know that the homage of a universe, created by thy power and preserved by thy providence, cannot add to thine underived and essential felicity. Yet, blessed be thy name, thou hast not only made thy rational offspring capable of raising their thoughts to thee, and of forming some imperfect conception of thy nature and attributes, but hast graciously conferred upon them the high privilege of holding mental intercourse with thee, their God and Father, and hast promised that thou wilt hear their prayers. Make us duly sensible of the value of this privilege. May we feel the pleasure as well as the improvement resulting from such holy exercises; and in the spirit of love to thee and to every member of thy human family, and with filial confidence in thy wisdom and goodness, and with profound submission to the arrangements of thy providence, may we be enabled, at this time, with united hearts, to bow down before thine eternal throne.

It becomes us, O God, whilst we are thus publicly assembled before thee, to call to mind, with