PRAYER. [In the hand-writing of Mr. Larned.) ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD: The heavens declare Thy praise, and the earth is filled and animated with Thy glory. All the works of creation, all the events of Providence, all the exhibitions of grace, conspire to exalt our conceptions of Thy character and to exact our acknowledgments of Thy beneficence and love. But on such a day as this, commemorating the amazing mysteries of redemption, we desire especially to approach and adore Thee as the Saviour of sinners-the Justifier of him that believeth-the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We bless Thy name, that when the apostacy had blasted all our hopes when sin had defaced the Divine image in our hearts-even then it was a time of compassion in Heaven. We thank Thee that a plan of mercy has been devised which preserves the majesty of Thy perfections, while it proffers pardon to the guilty, consolation to the desponding, and salvation to a perishing world. We bring to Thee the tribute of our united thanksgivings, that the Son of Thy bosom is one day to see of the travail of His soul and to be satisfied that the period is to arrive when the Heathen shall be given Him for an inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession. And while we confess with gratitude that every age of the Church has testified to the faithfulness of Thy promise, we implore Thee to hasten the time for its complete and universal fulfilment. May the intelligence of life and immortality brought to light in the Gospel be conveyed to the most distant and destiute parts of the world. May the poor, the ignorant, the degraded, be taught the precious news of redeeming love and trained for the glories and triumphs of immortality. Adjust, we pray Thee, the dispensations of Thy Providence in such a manner, that the day of prophecy and prayer may speedily comethat the supplications of Thy people may be heard and their exertions rewarded-that soon Thy word may be read in every language and Thy love felt in every heart that the knowledge of the Lord may rapidly be diffused so as to fill the earth as the waters cover the seas. Look down in mercy on this favored land, to which Thou hast already extended so much kindness and care. Dwell in our public councils. May the Congress of these United States, now assembled, be directed to such measures as Thou shalt own and bless. May all our civil and religious privileges be secured. May every form of infidelity, vice, and error be done away. May we cherish a lively sense of Thy rich and bountiful blessings which we enjoy, while so many other countries are consigned to ignorance, to oppression, or to captivity. May we witness the universal effusion of Thy Spirit, and the multiplied trophies of Thy grace and mercy, till we can confidently appropriate the benediction of that happy people whose God is the Lord. Especially, O our heavenly Father, do we implore Thy smiles on this city. Here, may the Redeemer appear in the greatness of his power, and gather many sons and daughters unto glory. Here, may the Holy One of Israel be seen repairing the desolations of Zion, and visiting Jerusalem with peace. Here, may that religion be revived which Jesus Christ has given to men as the medium of forgiveness and joy to all who are governed by its principles. Pour out Thy Spirit, we beseech Thee, on Thy servants in this place, who are appointed to proclaim the truth and dispense the consolations of the Gospel. May their responsibility be faithfully discharged. May their labors be rewarded in the efficacy and success in which Thou art able, amidst all their trials, to make them rejoice. Smile, we pray Thee, on the children of Thy grace, and strengthen them to perform the duties of their profession. O may they feel, in all its emphasis, the impressive declaration of Thy word, that they are as a city set on an hill, that by their fidelity and exertions, and prayers, the visitations of mercy in this place may be |