hardness of our hearts to live in disobedience and sin. Suffer us not to pursue that broad way which leadeth to destruction. Let no fatal delusion turn our attention from the gracious call of mercy and goodness; let no false promises of the pleasures of the world cause us to neglect the unspeakable gift which Thou hast presented to keep us from the evil in the world. Too much reason have we to be deeply humbled before thee, when we think of our duties, and the imperfect manner in which they have been performed; when we reflect how insensible we have often been to thy goodness; how little we have improved our advantages: and wert Thou strict to mark iniquity, we know and confess that none could stand before thee. But though we are weak and sinful, Thou art merciful and forgiving; and if we sincerely repent, Thou wilt pardon and save us. Grant us thy salvation. Perfect thy strength in our weakness; and may our hope and trust be always in thee. Let the direct and natural consequences of all sinful habits appear to us as they really are, the misery and guilt which are the wages of sin; and let the awful threatenings of thy divine displeasure cause us to flee from the wrath to come. And let thy great goodness, thine infinite condescension and love melt our hearts and attract our best affections to thee. With holy pleasure may we trace thy perfections in him who was the brightness of thy glory and the express image of thy person. May Christ be in us in all

the powerful influence of his divine instruction, of his perfect example. Called to follow him, may we willingly take up the cross, and glory if we are counted worthy to suffer for his name's sake. May it be our determination, in all that concerns our religious faith, in all that regards our moral improvement, in our conduct in this life, and our gradual preparation for a better, to know nothing but him crucified, and raised again from the dead, and thus exhibited to a believing world the power of God and the wisdom of God. And O! grant that our lives may adorn our profession; that we may never act unworthy our Christian vocation; that we may not, by growing weary of well-doing, fall away, and thus "crucify the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." When we faint in the way, may we call upon thee to renew our strength, and may we ask in faith, believing that Thou wilt hear and answer.

For all our mercies

Thou suppliest our

we would devoutly bless thee. wants, Thou givest all things needful, many things most grateful; the outward blessings of our lot we owe to thee; and all the spiritual blessings which make life most valuable, and sweeten all the intercourse which these advantages sanctify, and which gradually prepare us to resign this life with hope of a resurrection to eternal life. These are thy gift, and for these we will bless and praise thee the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, both now and evermore. Amen.

12.

PRAYER FOR PROPER SENTIMENTS AND PURPOSES IN CONTEMPLATING THE PROVIDENCE AND GOODNESS OF GOD.

Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down to hear our humble but earnest supplications at thy footstool. Thou art every where present in thy boundless agency, and. in thine universal knowledge; be not far from us when we attempt the pious duty of holy communion with thee. May our faith confide in thy promised blessing to the diligent use of all means of self-improvement, and especially to this exercise in which we cast our care upon thee, for Thou carest for us; in which we acknowledge our entire dependence upon thee, for without thee we can do nothing; in which we, by prayer and supplication, make known our requests unto thee. May a just estimate of our condition in this life, a careful consideration of the dangers to which we are exposed, a proper knowledge of our powers and capacities, at once rouse our personal exertions and increase our pious depend

ence.

While circumstances are beyond our controul, how thankful should we be that their influence upon our character is in some degree in our own power! While we are always exposed to temptation, how much cause have we to bless thee for the security we can find in resisting the temptation, and in confirming by caution and effort the

good purpose which temptation in vain assails. While we have many outward advantages, how grateful should we be that we can avoid their conversi o ninto dangerous snares, by considering thee the Giver of all this good! While we are liable to innumerable troubles and afflictions, and live in a world where grief and care and sorrow abound, we discern thy benevolence in the good effects of all these evils, when they are sanctified in the heart which they for a season distress. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof. We will rejoice in thee the God of our salvation. We will bless thee for thine overruling providence; we will adore thee for thy condescending grace. For all we have in this life we will praise thy bounty, we will trust in thee who hast fixed the bounds of our habitations; for all the means of improvement we will acknowledge thy goodness; for all Thou hast given, for all Thou hast promised; for the light which nature spreads; for the cheering views which revelation unfolds; for the display of thy providence in time, and for the promises of thy mercy and goodness to all eternity -our souls shall magnify the Lord. May the exalted hopes we have always influence the exertions we make. May the abundance we have received, prompt an eager disposition to do good in our day and generation. May the means of improvement which Thou hast graciously furnished exalt the attainments which we will aim to reach,

and may we aim to be perfect as Thou, our Father in heaven, art perfect. Governing our hearts and affections, may nothing remain in us to destroy our peace of mind, to fill us with discontent, to leave us a prey to evil passions, to expose us to the controul and dominion of sin. May our social intercourse be improving and useful, and as far as our influence can extend, may we be a blessing to others. Let the same mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; in which love to mankind constantly prevailed, and led him to devote all the exalted powers he had to promote their salvation and happiness. Let our lives serve thee in doing good to our fellow-creatures, in active benevolence, in the improvement of all our advantages, and especially in embracing those views of divine truth which the Scriptures teach, and being spent under their sanctifying influence at all times. Our imperfections and sins do Thou mercifully forgive. And suffer us not to presume upon thy forbearance and tender mercy, but may thy long-suffering lead us and all mankind to repentance. Leave us not, nor forsake us in the time of trouble, sickness, and of death, but underneath us place thine everlasting arm for our support; and when time shall be no more, may we exist to bless thee, and to be happy in thy presence for ever. Through Jesus Christ we ascribe to thee all glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.