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 Barnes, Albert, 1798-1870 
 
 A manual of prayer 
 
MANUAL OF PRAY 
 
 DESIGNED TO ( QCT 2 ^-'33 
 
 ASSIST YOUNG CHRIS'rb^4aM?^k§2i^ 
 
 tN LEARNING THE 
 
 SUBJECTS AND MODES OF DEVOTION. 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION 
 
 BY REV. A. BARNES. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 HENRY PERKINS, 134 CHESTNUT STREET. 
 PERKINS & MARVIN, BOSTON. 
 
 1838. 
 
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1837, by 
 Henry Perkins, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 I. ASHMEAD AND CO. PRINTERS. 
 
WILLIAM B. TAPPAN, 
 
 TO WHOSE DEVOTIONAL POETRY 
 
 THE CHURCH OF GOD 
 
 HAS BEEN GREATLY INDEBTED, 
 
 AND AT WHOSE KEaUEST 
 
 THE FOLLOWING WORK ON PRAYE 
 
 WAS TJITDEBTAKEN ; 
 
 IT IS NOW AFFECTIONATELY INSCEIBED, BY 
 
 THE AUTHOB. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The following work on Prayer was submitted to 
 me in manuscript by the Author for my perusal, 
 before it was committed to the press. It may be 
 proper to slate that the Author is a layman, and that 
 the work has been prepared amidst the duties of a 
 laborious calling, demanding necessarily nearly the 
 entire hours of the day. This work has been writ- 
 ten during the intervals which could be secured from 
 active duties; and by practising much self-denial. 
 It may be proper, also, further to state, that this is 
 the first appearance of the Author before the public 
 as the writer of a book ; and on this account, he has 
 felt reluctant that his name should be at present 
 known to the public. 
 
 I have examined the work in manuscript, and as 
 it has passed through the press, with deep and 
 growing interest, and with increasingly augmented 
 convictions of its utility, and of the ability with 
 
IV 
 
 which it is written. Some of the characteristics of 
 the work, I think, will be found to be the following. 
 1. It is designed to be an outline of the subjects 
 of prayer. It is not intended to be used as a fornn of 
 devotion ; but to contain the leading sentiments on the 
 various topics of prayer, which it might be desirable 
 to employ. It had its origin in the Author's own 
 sense of the need of such a work wlien he became a 
 professor of religion. In his private devotions, as 
 well as in his public prayers, he deeply felt then the 
 desirableness of some such manual that would sug- 
 gest the appropriate language, and the appropriate 
 trains of thought on the various topics of prayer. 
 This deeply -felt necessity in his own case, suggested 
 to him the idea that such a work might be de- 
 manded also by the embarrassments of others. It 
 was supposed by him — as is undoubtedly the case — 
 that many others may have similar difficulties 
 when they at first make a profession of religion ; 
 and that they would be materially benefited by 
 some such aid as this volume is designed to furnish. 
 Probably in all our churches there are many, par- 
 ticularly among the young, who experience much 
 embarrassment when called to ofier prayer in public, 
 
and who would be materially aided by some such 
 work as this, suggesting the appropriate language, 
 and appropriate Scripture passages on the various 
 topics of prayer. — There is no work, it is believed, 
 which meets this deficiency ; or which will serve to 
 relieve the embarrassment which is so often felt. 
 Unless I am deceived, this work will, therefore, oc- 
 cupy a place which is filled by no other, and will 
 be found to be a very material aid, particularly to 
 the younger members of the churches. 
 
 2. The style is uncommonly pure, simple, chaste, 
 and remarkably adapted to the subjects. It abounds 
 with Scripture phrases and with passages happily 
 introduced and pertinent to the subject. It is elegant 
 and finished, without any improper attempt at orna- 
 ment, and yet with as much ornament as is proper 
 in public prayer. It is always serious and solemn ; 
 always breathes a spirit of true devotion ; and such 
 as will express the feelings of elevated piety in an 
 address to God. It is such as would be prompted 
 by a well disciplined mind, a cultivated intellect, 
 and a pure heart ; a spirit chaste, and refined, and 
 impressed with a sense of the divine presence, and of 
 the importance of the service of prayer, when deeply 
 
VI 
 
 conscious of addressing the Great and Eternal God. 
 In some of the prayers, there is uncommon beauty 
 of language ; and if such language should become 
 common, even in the pulpit, it would materially 
 conduce to the interest which is felt in this part of 
 public worship. Indeed, I know of no book, except 
 the Bible, by familiarity with whose modes of ex- 
 pression, even the ministers of the gospel would be 
 more directly benefited than this little volume. 
 The more it is examined, I think, the more will the 
 beauty of the language be appreciated and felt. 
 
 3. The sentiments are scriptural. The great 
 truths of evangelical Christianity are presented, 
 while at the same time there is, probably, no senti- 
 ment advanced which could not be uttered, and 
 which is not constantly uttered in prayer, by the 
 great body of Christians of all denominations. The 
 doctrines of the fall and ruin of man ; of the depra- 
 vity of the heart ; of its deep pollutions and evil 
 tendencies ; of the divinity and incarnation of the 
 Redeemer ; of his atoning sacrifice ; of justification 
 by his merits ; of the agency of the Holy Spirit in 
 renewin^r and sanctifvins the soul ; of the eternal 
 
vu 
 
 rewards of the righteous, and the eternal condemna- 
 tion of the wicked ; and the obhgation to a holy life, 
 will be found to prevail every where in the work. 
 At the same time, it is imbued with a large and 
 catholic spirit. It breathes benevolence towards all. 
 It utters the language of supplication for all. And 
 it would tend to promote a liberal and large spirit 
 among all who should use it. 
 
 4. It is a work adapted to the times in which we 
 live. It is fitted to direct the mind and the heart 
 more and more towards the plans of Christian be- 
 nevolence, and to foster a love for the institutions 
 which contemplate the salvation of the world. Its 
 constant use would make a Christian more and 
 more the friend of Sabbath-schools ; of the poor ; of 
 the afflicted ; and of the institutions for the transla- 
 tion and spread of the Bible, and for spreading the 
 gospel around the world. Prayer, formed after the 
 models here presented, would breathe always the 
 benevolent spirit of the gospel, and would be fitted 
 to foster in the hearts of Christians, elevated views 
 of devotion, and Christian benevolence, and at the 
 same time, tend to secure the divine co-operation 
 
viii 
 
 and blessing on the great enterprises for the conver- 
 sion of this whole world to Christ. 
 
 With these characteristics, this book will do good, 
 in my humble judgment, wherever it is used. It 
 will be found a material and very valuable aid in 
 the devotions of the young ; and will tend to pro- 
 mote a spirit of self-denial and of benevolence ; and 
 to diffuse among the followers of the Redeemer, 
 more ardent wishes for the conversion of all man- 
 kind to God. 
 
 Albert Barnes^ 
 
 Philadelphia, Nov. 29, 1837. 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 It might be reasonably presumed by any one who 
 did not know the contrary, that every Christian is 
 acquainted with all the items of the long catalogue of 
 his wants in the sight of God ; and that he is able to 
 spread them before the Throne of Grace in appropri- 
 ate language. Yet every person, at all intimate with 
 church members, and especially with those who are 
 young in the christian life, has had abundant oppor- 
 tunity to observe, that most of them know but few of 
 their religious necessities, as subjects of prayer; and 
 that they are in consequence without definite feelings 
 respecting them, and adequate words to express them. 
 
 The influence of prayer, in forming private piety, 
 and in giving tone to the character and success to the 
 efforts of the church, is fully acknowledged by all. 
 Indeed the theory of all God's people is, that without 
 this instrumentality religion would die as surely and 
 as speedily as the panting animal in an exhausted 
 receiver. And their views are equally positive, that 
 with this means of grace, used in its fullest power, a 
 mental and moral renovation would take place through 
 all the earth's inhabitants that would be almost as 
 complete and blessed in its kind as that creation of a 
 2 
 
14 
 
 new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righte- 
 ousness. 
 
 It is moreover a conceded fact that the devotional 
 character of Christians by no means keeps pace with 
 their religious activities. Action, action, is the watch- 
 word of their present history: and it is surely a re- 
 quisite of obedience to God. But without prayer it 
 becomes a mere lifeless apparatus. Nor will it be 
 regarded as uncharitable to say, that a large amount 
 of their efforts, in each of the various departments of 
 benevolent enterprize, is deficient in this vitality; and 
 that in this defectiveness we find the explanation 
 why their success is so utterly disproportioned to 
 their exertions. 
 
 Yet notwithstanding these correct opinions so gen- 
 erally entertained, it is still a melancholy truth that 
 but {ew professing Christians carry them out into prac- 
 tice. Individual piety, except in comparatively few 
 instances, still lingers in its infancy. The church of 
 Christ is still feeble in her energies, and limited in her 
 triumphs ; and the latter day glory which might even 
 now, so far as human agency is concerned, be pour- 
 ing the full blaze of its meridian splendours over a 
 regenerated world, is only dimly seen in the distant 
 sky, breaking the outline of darkness with the faint 
 promise of future light. 
 
 The inquiry naturally arises — " Why have not 
 Christians used this power of prayer?" The answer 
 
15 
 
 submitted here is, that a principal reason is to be 
 found in the fact that, as a body, they have never 
 made its various topics matters of close and heart- 
 felt familiarity and suitable expression, in their pri- 
 vate devotions. They have not furnished their un- 
 derstandings with a particular knowledge of the 
 things they need, nor exercised their affections by the 
 frequent presentation of them before God, in all their 
 particularity, and in language that will at once ex- 
 press and excite the feelings suitable to such an im- 
 portant service. 
 
 The following work has been humbly undertaken 
 with the view of furnishing Christians, and especially 
 young converts, vv^ith a manual of the subjects and 
 modes of prayer; and thus of pointing out (if not of 
 supplying to some extent) the means of remedying 
 the deficiencies noticed above. The author is fully 
 aware that his effort is a feeble one. His^path was 
 untrodden and difficult; and it ought not to be wonder- 
 ed at, if he has cast up a highway which the traveller 
 will not find to be level and direct in all its length. 
 Moreover, the peculiar character of the undertaking 
 has forbidden the use of such ornaments of style as 
 are permitted in almost every other composition; and 
 it has thus been lefl almost destitute of literary in- 
 terest. 
 
 This volume should not be regarded merely as a 
 book of forms. It has not been the intention of the 
 
16 
 
 writer to furnish a complete prayer under each topic; 
 but to offer the leading ideas which would seem to 
 belong to each, to arrange them in some order, and 
 to give them a scriptural and evangelical expression. 
 The proper use of the book, it is hoped, will store the 
 reader's memory with a vocabulary of his wants, 
 supply his understanding with a train of thought 
 suitable to them, and give his heart an intelligent and 
 fervent habit of stated and ejaculatory devotion. 
 
 It may be considered a serious defect by many de- 
 vout persons, that these topics are not severally clos- 
 ed by the invocation of a blessing through the Media- 
 tor, or an ascription of praise to God. They do not, 
 however, appear justly liable to this charge, inasmuch 
 as they are intended only as parts of prayer, which, 
 except in special cases, are to be employed in various 
 combinations with other parts, at the user's pleasure. 
 The important and essential feature of a distinct re- 
 ference to the merits of the Saviour will, it is expected, 
 be found in sufficient frequency throughout the body 
 of the work; and it is presumed, that every Christian 
 is competent and mindful, in closing his petitions, to 
 supply that part of the exercise which is technically 
 called the " blessing." 
 
 As some may be disappointed in not finding par- 
 ticular points more copiously expressed, it may be 
 remarked that this apparent deficiency will, in most 
 cases be found supplied under other heads, the Ian- 
 
17 
 
 guage of which could not be used at the points that 
 may be noticed as defective, without unpleasant and 
 unnecessary repetition. 
 
 Others may think that there is too great a dispro- 
 portion between the personal and intercessory suppli- 
 cations. The mode pursued has been intentionally 
 adopted, so as to give a greater degree of unity to the 
 work. Although intercessory prayer is introduced in 
 lesser proportions than might seem consonant with 
 the petitioner's strong yearnings of heart for the best 
 welfare of mankind, yet it was known that the mere 
 substitution of pronouns would make nearly t?ie whole 
 language of the book available in supplicating bless- 
 ings on others. 
 
 It has been a sedulous desire throughout these 
 pages to keep them free from sectarian peculiarities, 
 and to furnish a volume which would (without offence 
 to any) contribute to the devotion of every evangelic 
 cal denomination. If any bias should be discovered 
 in it, the reader may be assured that it was wholly 
 unintentional. 
 
 This work is principally designed to furnish an as- 
 sistant to closet devotion. But the plan it suggests 
 is not intended to end with this advantage. It is well 
 known that the business of leading in public prayer 
 is limited to a few who are gifted with more courage, 
 capacity or zeal, than the large majority of the church, 
 which is thus left without employment in that particu- 
 lar sphere of Christian duty. 
 
18 
 
 The hope is entertained that the system of devo- 
 tional thought presented in these pages will assist in 
 bringing out into this service some who, having been 
 intimidated by its difficulties, are now relying supinely 
 on the gifts of their more favoured brethren. It should 
 be a prominent object with every church to have a 
 numerous band, who are able intelligently and fer- 
 vently to lead its devotions: but the great body of 
 church-members will not be able to discharge this im- 
 portant duty without diligent attention to the gifts and 
 graces of supplication. 
 
 It should not be understood that the author regards 
 the machinery of prayer as possessing more value 
 than its spirit. Far, very far otherwise. It would 
 be infinitely better to employ the broken and disjoint- 
 ed sentences of untutored but craving religious want, 
 than to use with heartless formality the most finished 
 liturgy. Still it is true, on the whole, that the excel- 
 lency and efficacy of prayer will depend very much 
 on our knowing definitely and thoroughly what we 
 want, and how to express our desires. 
 
 The Author. 
 October, 1837. 
 
MANUAL OF PRAYER. 
 
 ACCOUNTABILITY. 
 
 O THOU Judge of the quick and the dead, make 
 me reahze that I am responsible to thee for all my 
 thoughts, words, and actions ; and in all my duties 
 and privileges. Thou searchest my heart and triest 
 my reins : thou knowest all the thoughts of my mind, 
 with all the works of my life ; and thou makest record 
 of them : — and for all these thou wilt bring me into 
 judgment, whether they be good or evil. Then there 
 shall be nothing that now is covered that shall not be 
 revealed ; and hid that shall not be made known : 
 and it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomor- 
 rah than for my soul, if I fail to serve thee now in 
 reverence and godly fear. O let not my stewardship 
 of thy mercies be one of wilful sin, of abused privi- 
 leges, and neglected duties ; but grant that in all things 
 I may strive, in the grace of Christ, to work out my 
 salvation with fear and trembling. 
 
 But, O Lord, let not my anxiety for my own sal- 
 vation blind my eyes to my duties to my fellow men. 
 Excite me to diligent labour on behalf of thy church 
 and of sinners. May I feel that I am bound to do 
 good as I have opportunity ; looking diligently to the 
 judgment of that day when the unprofitable servant 
 shall be cast into outer darkness, while he that has 
 been faithful shall enter, through the atonement of 
 Christ, into the joy of his Lord. And unto him that 
 
20 
 
 is able to keep me from falling, and to present me 
 faultless before the presence of his glory with exceed- 
 ing joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory 
 and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for 
 ever. 
 
 ADOPTION. 
 
 Lord, wilt thou give me the spirit of adoption, by 
 which I may cry " Abba, Father?" I am indeed 
 thine offspring by creation : may I be thine by 
 adoption, and be thou my parent in that nobler 
 relation of a reconciled God and Father in the 
 Lord Jesus. Make me one of the number and give 
 me, through the merits of Christ, a title to the privi- 
 leges of thy dear children. Behold! what manner 
 of love the Father hath bestowed on them, that they 
 should be called the sons of God. O grant that in in- 
 dulging this hope, I may purify myself, even as thou 
 art pure. Make it a spirit of tenderness and reverence, 
 of gratitude and love, of obedience and zeal. May it 
 give me access to thy throne with an humble confi- 
 dence in the faith of Christ, of whom the whole family 
 in heaven and earth is named. May it enable me in 
 all the vicissitudes of life to look up to thee as infi- 
 nitely able and willing to bless me with thy paternal 
 gifts : for if earthly parents know how to give good 
 gifts to their children, much more will our Heavenly 
 Father give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him. 
 Grant that thy Spirit may bear witness with mine 
 that I am thy child ; and if a child, then an heir, and 
 a joint-heir with Christ, In that inheritance which fad- 
 eth not away. 
 
 Look in mercy, O God, on thy children by nature, 
 who are wandering as prodigals from their home, 
 and are living without God in the world. Touch 
 
21 
 
 their hearts with a feeling of their wants and their 
 apostacy ; and do thou bring many back, who shall 
 say they have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, 
 and are not worthy to be called thy children. Estab- 
 lish them in the fellowship of thy saints, and make 
 them heirs of the grace of life, through the Lord Je- 
 sus Christ. 
 
 ADORATION. 
 
 O Most High, thou dwellest in light that is inac- 
 cessible and full of glory. Thou art infinite, eternal, 
 and unchangeable in thy being, wisdom, power, holi- 
 ness, justice, goodness and truth. Thou art not wor- 
 shipped as though thou needest any thing ; for thou 
 givest unto all, life, and breath, and all things. Yet 
 thou art exalted above principalities and powers, that 
 at thy name every knee should bow, and every 
 tongue confess. O, thou art infinitely worthy of 
 the everlasting adoration of all thy rational creatures. 
 Thou art glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing 
 wonders. In thee I live, and move, and have my be- 
 ing. From thee 1 derive every good and perfect gift. 
 It was thy power which created me ; it is thy wisdom 
 that governs me ; thy goodness that provides for me ; 
 and thy grace that saves me. O help me, adorable 
 Jehovah, to feel and express the infinite excellencies 
 of thy character, and to bow before thee as over all, 
 God, blessed for ever. — [See Praise, and the various 
 Atti'ibutes.] 
 
 AFFLICTION. 
 
 Prepare me, O Lord, for meeting and bearing all 
 the adversities of life. Support or deliver me in pov- 
 erty, in sickness, in pain, in bereavement, in persecu- 
 tion, in sorrow, in rq) roach. Let the trial of my 
 faith in all these work patience and holiness. May 
 
22 
 
 I endure as seeing him who is invisible; and so repose 
 on thy wisdom and goodness, that I may say — " Thy 
 will be done — do with me as seemeth good in thy 
 sight — ;hou givest and takest away; blessed be the 
 name of the Lord." Though thy judgments are un- 
 searchable and thy ways past finding out, I know 
 that thou art too wise to err; for thine understanding 
 is infinite. Thou art too good to be unkind; for thou 
 dost not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of 
 men ; yea, whom thou lovest thou chastenest, and 
 scourgest every child whom thou receivest, 
 
 O Shepherd of Israel, cause my every adversity to 
 be sanctified to me. Lead me to acknowledge thy 
 hand in it ; to feel that my sins have far more than 
 deserved it; and to be willing that thy justice may 
 be exalted at my expense, and that I may be brought 
 to say, " I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are 
 right, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me." 
 Show me that my cup has been mingled with mer- 
 cies ; for the days of my comforts have far outnum- 
 bered the hours of my sorrows — that my griefs are 
 not peculiar to me; for they are the lot of humanity 
 — that they are not the accidents of life ; for thou 
 doest all these things — and that I am not called to suf- 
 fer them alone, for thou hast said, " I will never leave 
 nor forsake thee ; and my rod and staff they shall 
 comfort and support thee, even in the valley and sha- 
 dow of death." 
 
 Lord, grant that thy grace may be peculiarly dear 
 to me in the hour of trial. Enable me to say with 
 thy servant, " Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; 
 but now I have kept thy word." May that grace 
 strengthen me, that I may glory in tribulation, know- 
 ing that tribulation workelh patience, and patience a 
 liope that maketh not ashamed. Lead me closer to 
 
23 
 
 thy throne, as the only place where I may find abid- 
 ing help in every hour of need. Grant, merciful 
 Father, that my troubles may lead me to sympathize 
 with all who suffer in mind, body, or estate; remem- 
 bering them that are in bonds, as being bound with 
 them ; and them that suffer adversity, as being myself 
 also in the body. Lord, cause my sorrows, which 
 indeed are but for a moment, to wean me from the 
 vanities and wickedness of earth, to prepare me for 
 eternity, and to work out for me an eternal weight of 
 glory : and vouchsafe to me, in all of them, the con- 
 soling thought, that though the earthly house of this 
 tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building of God, a 
 house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 
 Grant, O Lord, that the impenitent, when they 
 suffer affliction, may be so influenced by it as after- 
 wards to reap the peaceable fruits of righteousness. 
 Let them not despise thy chastenings, nor faint when 
 they are rebuked of thee. Convince them of sin, of 
 righteousness, and of judgment. Lead them to re- 
 pent and forsake the error of their ways, and to turn 
 unto him who maketh all things work together for 
 good to them that love him. 
 
 These prayers I offer through the prevailing name 
 of Jesus ; to whom, with the Father and Spirit, be all 
 honour and rule for ever. 
 
 ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD. 
 
 Sovereign of the Universe, thou art the infinite 
 source of blessedness. Giving doth not impoverish 
 thee, neither doth withholding make thee rich. It is 
 in thee that my weakness is made strength, and the 
 iniquities of my heart removed. O Lord, let a full 
 persuasion of thy boundless sufficiency fill my heart, 
 that I may forsake the broken cisterns of human hap- 
 
24 
 
 piness, and go to the fountain of living waters. May 
 I commit all my wants and trials to thee ; may I be 
 encouraged in the midst of danger and distress ; be 
 persuaded that infinite wisdom and goodness govern 
 all thy dealings ; and be led to persevere in faith and 
 prayer, until the vision of hope be exchanged for thine 
 open presence, where there is fulness of joy and 
 pleasures for evermore. 
 
 ANGER. 
 
 Lord, strengthen me by thy grace, that I may re- 
 strain and conquer my propensities to unholy anger. 
 Let it not cloud my brow, nor envenom my tongue, 
 nor vex my heart. Teach me that he who ruleth his 
 own spirit is greater than he who taketh a city ; and 
 that he who is hasty of spirit exalteth folly, and shall 
 suffer punishment. He that soweth to the wind shall 
 reap the whirlwind ; but the fruit of righteousness is 
 sown in peace of them that make peace. — May I con- 
 sider him who endured the contradiction of sinners, 
 and seek not to avenge myself, but rather give place 
 to wrath. Let me do nothing in rashness and strife. 
 Enable me, in the exercise of candour, forbearance, 
 meekness, and forgiveness, to disarm every tempta- 
 tion to sinful passion, and to cause the wrath of my 
 adversaries to praise thee. 
 
 ASSURANCE. 
 
 Lord, grant me a well-grounded assurance of a 
 personal interest in thy favour. Comfort me by the 
 persuasion that my many offences have been remitted. 
 Enable me to gather satisfactory evidence from my 
 feelings and conduct that I have passed from death 
 unto life ; and may thy Spirit bear witness with mine 
 that I am numbered with thy children. Give me the 
 spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of 
 
25 
 
 Christ, that I may know what is the hope of his call- 
 ing, and what the riches of the glory of his inheri- 
 tance in the saints. Cause me to feel that it is my 
 duty to aim at the attainment of this grace, and my 
 privilege to enjoy it, in the exercise of faith, prayer, 
 and zeal. Blessed God, grant me the full assurance 
 of hope unto the end : — a hope that I am accepted be- 
 fore thee for the merits of Christ ; and that though 
 worms may devour this body, yet in my flesh I shall 
 see thee, and be satisfied when I awake in thy like- 
 ness. 
 
 ATONEMENT. 
 
 God of Salvation, I thank and adore thee that in 
 the counsels of eternity thou didst devise a plan by 
 which rebellious, guilty, and hell-deserving man 
 might receive thy forgiveness, be reconciled to thee, 
 and enjoy thy favour — and that in the fulness of time 
 thou didst finish thy decree of mercy, by sending 
 thine only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on 
 him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. O, 
 it was matchless compassion that made the ruins of 
 our apostacy the theatre on which to display the won- 
 ders of redeeming love. When we lay in the open 
 field, and were polluted in our own blood, thou didst 
 bid us live : yea, thou didst bid us live ! Scarcely for 
 a righteous man would one die; peradventure for a 
 good man some would even dare to die ; but thou 
 hast commended thy love to us, in that while we were 
 sinners Christ died for us. Thou didst set him forth 
 to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, for the 
 remission of sins, in order that thou mightest be just, 
 and be the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. 
 Lord, may I have an ever-present conviction that 
 there is no other name by which I can be saved. 
 3 
 
26 
 
 May I seek redemption only through his blood, the 
 remission of sins according to the riches of his grace. 
 Purge thou my conscience from dead works to serve 
 the living God ; and may I thus judge, that if Christ 
 has died for me, I should henceforth live not unto my- 
 self, but unto him. O Lord, grant that at last I may 
 be found among those that have washed their robes 
 and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
 
 O may there be many who shall go into all the 
 world and preach this blessed gospel to every crea- 
 ture. May men every where learn their guilt and 
 danger, and see the fitness of the Saviour thou hast 
 provided for them. May multitudes thirst after righte- 
 ousness, and be led to that fountain which has been 
 opened in the house of David, where whosoever will, 
 may take of the waters of life freely. Grant, in thy 
 mercy, that all the ends of the earth may look unto 
 Christ and be saved. — [<See Jesus Christ.] 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 O thou that makest the seasons, and crownest them 
 with thy goodness, give ear to the thanksgivings and 
 entreaties which I now offer thee in the name of Jesus. 
 I praise thee that thou hast preserved me amid the 
 heat and diseases of the past summer. I thank thee 
 for the fruits of the earth which have already been 
 gathered, and for those which still burden the fields 
 with the promise of plenty. The whole face of nature 
 speaks thy praise, and bears witness to thy bounty. 
 
 Lord, what is man, that thou hast been thus mind- 
 ful of him ; or the son of man, that thou visilest him? 
 Instead of continuing health and sparing life, thou 
 mightest have brought over us the pestilence that 
 walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wast- 
 eth at noonday. Instead of making the earth to bring 
 
27 
 
 forth and bud, that it might give seed to the sower 
 and bread to the eater, thou couldst have made it 
 more desolate than the wilderness, until the land had 
 fainted by reason of the famine. It is of thy mercies 
 that we are not consumed : for thou art slow to anger 
 and full of compassion ; and thy tender mercies are 
 over all thy works. — O God, incline me to be merci- 
 ful to others, even as thou hast been merciful to me. 
 Dispose me, in my enjoyment of the abundance of 
 the earth, to pity and relieve the wants of the needy ; 
 and deeply impress on my heart the lesson of grati- 
 tude which thou hast been striving to teach me by thy 
 goodness. 
 
 Whilst thou art now changing the face of the de- 
 clining year, and bringing over it the tokens of decay 
 and death, O teach me that such are earthly hopes 
 and human life. The fashion of this world passeth 
 away ; and we all do fade as a leaf. The grass with- 
 ereth, and the flower fadeth ; and all flesh is as grass, 
 and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field. 
 May these waning scenes lead me to seek that in- 
 heritance in light where no sorrow shall wither, and 
 no sin shall blast the fruit of the tree of life, which is 
 in the midst of the paradise of God ! 
 
 Lord, instruct me that he who soweth sparingly 
 shall reap also sparingly ; and that he who soweth 
 bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let my chris- 
 tian experience be like the fruit of the earth, which 
 bringeth forth first the blade, then the ear, and after 
 that the full corn in the ear : and then, O Lord, when 
 thy harvest is come, put in thy sickle, and gather me, 
 as a shock of corn cometh in his season, into thy 
 heavenly garner. And the praise of my salvation 
 shall be unto the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost forever. 
 
28 
 
 BACKSLIDING. 
 
 O thou, who through Christ, art rich in mercy to all 
 who call upon thee, preserve me, I pray thee, against 
 backsliding from the ways of grace. Let not my in- 
 firmities and corruptions lead me back to the love of 
 the world. Suffer not the temptations by which I am 
 surrounded to draw me away from my love and alle- 
 giance to thee. Teach me to avoid the appearance 
 of evil, and to watch against the earliest and least en- 
 croachments of sin, both in the heart and in the life. 
 Let me not fall into the occasional nor habitual neglect 
 of public or private duties. Permit me not to sub- 
 stitute formality for the spirit of devotion ; nor insin- 
 cerity for truth of heart ; nor vainglory for good will 
 to man ; nor error for the truth of God. Keep me, O 
 Lord, from open transgression, and from degrading 
 thy cause in the eyes of a gainsaying world, by an 
 unholy walk and conversation. And grant, merciful 
 Father, that when my feet fall into snares, and slide 
 in the way of evil, thy grace may be sufficient for 
 that hour of need. Bring me back from all my wan- 
 derings, and may the memory of them make me hum- 
 ble and watchful. Forgive my backslidings, restore 
 me to thy favour, set my feet upon the rock, estab- 
 lish my goings in thy strength, and dispose me to 
 press on towards the mark, for the prize of my high 
 calling. Lord, let me not be of those that draw back 
 unto perdition, but of them that believe unto the sav- 
 ing of the soul. 
 
 BENEVOLENCE. 
 
 Father of mercies, fill my heart with ever-living 
 sympathies for the wants and woes of all my fellow 
 creatures. Make me merciful even as thou. Heavenly 
 Father, art merciful. May I desire more the blessing 
 
29 
 
 of them that are ready to perish than the favour of 
 the wise and rich, and mighty. Make me the stew- 
 ard of thy bounty, for with such sacrifices thou art 
 well pleased ; and grant that I may experience the 
 truth of thy word, that it is more blessed to give than 
 to receive. Lord, thou lovest a cheerful giver. May 
 I remember that whoso hath this world's goods and 
 seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bow- 
 els of compassion from him, the love of God dwell- 
 eth not in him. 
 
 Dispose me to do good, as I have opportunity, in 
 all the relations of hfe. May I be eyes to the blind, 
 feet to the lame, health to the sick, strength to the 
 feeble, help to the needy, and comfort to the mourn- 
 er. But above all, may my desires and zeal go forth 
 for the spiritual wants of mankind. Let not indolence, 
 selfishness, nor unbelief steel my heart against the 
 claims of those who live regardless of thy will, and of 
 those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. Lord, 
 make me an humble yet honoured instrument in thy 
 hand of spreading the knowledge of thy truth, and of 
 turning sinners from the error of their ways unto the 
 wisdom of the just. 
 
 Bible. — See Scriptures. 
 
 BIRTH-DAY. 
 
 O thou Giver and Preserver of Being, I would lift 
 up my thanksgivings to thee for having continued 
 and blessed my life through another year. Here I 
 would raise my Ebenezer, and say, " Hitherto hath 
 the Lord helped me." I would look back with 
 mingled feelings of wonder and love on the way in 
 which thou hast led me, ever since the dawn of my 
 existence. If thou hadst measured unto me accord- 
 
30 
 
 ing to my deserts, my days of probation would long 
 ago have been ended, and I should now be reaping 
 the fruits of sin in the world of despair. But, thanks 
 be unto thee, thy mercy rejoiced against judgment ; 
 and I, who might have been a monument of thy jus- 
 tice, am a witness that thou art long-suffering and 
 abundant in goodness. 
 
 Lord, accept my gratitude for the many tokens of 
 thy favour which I have enjoyed since my last birth- 
 day. I thank thee for my food and raiment, my 
 home and friends, my health and my countless com- 
 forts. I praise thee that the means of grace — the 
 institution of prayer, the worship of thy sanctuary, 
 the oracles of truth, the fellowship of saints — havedl 
 been continued unto me. And to all these thou hast 
 added the teaching, and sanctifying, and rejoicing 
 influences of thy Holy Spirit. Lord, thou hast 
 crowned my year with thy goodness, and thy paths 
 in it have dropped fatness. 
 
 O God, help me to ponder and fulfil the duties of 
 heart and action which lie before me in the untra- 
 velled and uncertain, but important period of time 
 on which I am now entering. I may have numbered 
 the last year of my existence ; and ere the present 
 one shall have finished its brief circle, time may be 
 to me no more, and the state of my soul be unalter- 
 ably fixed. Make me thoughtful of death and eter- 
 nity ; and yet suffer me not to forget, that while it is 
 still day, and before the night comcth, in which no 
 man can work, thou hast appointed unto me spheres 
 of duty, which thou requirest me to occupy until thy 
 coming. Give me, I beseech thee, in Christ Jesus, 
 an eye of wisdom to discern, and a heart of love to 
 do, all the requirements of thy blessed will. And if 
 it be thy pleasure to prolong my years, may I look 
 
31 
 
 back on them as spent in thy service, and say, " For 
 me to Jive is Christ !" But if thou wilt bring my 
 season of trial to an end, O grant that I may be 
 able to say, with exuhing joy, " For me to die is 
 gain !" 
 
 BIGOTRY. 
 
 God of Truth, preserve my understanding and 
 heart from the influence of bigotry. While I am not 
 permitted to tolerate dangerous error, nor connive at 
 heresy, keep me from ignorant perversity and bh'nd 
 obstinacy in defending my own opinions ; and from 
 unkindness and intolerance towards those from whom 
 I differ in sentiment. Suffer me not to mistake pre- 
 judice for the love of truth, nor malice for true zeal. 
 May I sincerely desire the success of all who labour 
 for the glory of God and the welfare of souls. Re- 
 store, O Lord, the spirit of harmony in all the divi- 
 sions of the household of faith; so that thy watch- 
 men may see eye to eye, and thy saints, of every 
 name, dwell in the unity of the Spirit. 
 
 BLESSING OF GOD. 
 
 Great God, I desire to feel that without thy bless- 
 ing, all that I now possess, and all 1 hope to enjoy, 
 will be barren and worthless. Thou only canst 
 make my possessions and pursuits answer the pur- 
 poses of wisdom and goodness. Lord, bless thou 
 my waking and sleeping hours ; my seasons of re- 
 tirem.ent and intercourse ; my daily food and daily 
 duties; my joys and sorrows; my prosperity and 
 adversity ; my rest and labour ; my praises and 
 prayers ; my thoughts, words, and actions ; my 
 hopes ; my all. Whatsoever thou mayest deny me, 
 grant me thy favour which is life, and thy loving 
 
32 
 
 kindness which is better than life. Let me not un- 
 dertake nor prosecute any thing on which I cannot 
 ask thee to set the seal of thine approbation. May 
 I turn away from every thing which I may judge to 
 be repugnant to thy will. Especially may 1 feel, in 
 my religious duties, that neither is he that planteth 
 any thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth 
 the increase. If thou vouchsafe not thy favour, the 
 heaven that is over my head shall be as brass, and 
 the earth that is under my feet shall be as iron. 
 Without thee I can do nothing ; for in myself my 
 strength is weakness, my wisdom is folly, and my 
 goodness is as the morning cloud and the early dew. 
 But I praise thee that my sufficiency is of God, and 
 that I can do all things through Christ strengthening 
 me. Endue me, I beseech thee, with power from 
 on high ; and make thy strength perfect in my weak- 
 ness. 
 
 O Lord, bestow thine abiding sanction and thy 
 richest blessing upon the various efforts of thy 
 church. Give them abundant success. Make them 
 all works of faith and labours of love. Let "Glory 
 to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will 
 to men," be inscribed on every motive and every 
 exertion of christian zeal. Cast down every obsta- 
 cle and subdue every enemy. O, do thou remove all 
 the woes and vices that afflict humanity ; and in their 
 stead, bring thou the peace and purity of the precious 
 gospel, which are the sure and satisfying tokens of 
 that holy blessedness which fills the courts of thine 
 upper sanctuary. Lord, give these petitions gra- 
 cious audience through Christ the Saviour; and dis- 
 pose me to ascribe unto the King, immortal, eternal, 
 and invisible, all the praise and dominion, now, 
 henceforth, and for ever. 
 
33 
 
 BROTHERLY LOVE. 
 
 O thou who art the Fountain of Love, fill my 
 heart with strong affections for all that are of the 
 household of faith. May I keep that message that 
 we had from the beginning — that we should love 
 one another. He who doeth this abideth in light, 
 and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. May 
 I regard thy people as lively stones of thy spiritual 
 house; as partners with me in the trials of hfe, and 
 in the grace of God ; as members of thy family on 
 earth, and of thy heritage in heaven. Lord, grant 
 me that testimony of having passed from death unto 
 life, which flows from love to the brethren. 
 
 Lord of Hosts, may all thy saints love each other, 
 not in word nor in tongue only, but in deed and in 
 truth. M:iy they be kind one to another, forgiving 
 one another, even as God tor Christ's sake hath for- 
 given them. May brotherly love continue, through 
 evil report as well as good report. Dispose them to 
 suffer long, to hope all things, to believe all things. 
 Show them, O Lord, that the success of thy king- 
 dom among the ungodly, the peace and joy of the 
 fold of Christ, and the enduring favour of Jehovah, 
 depend on their loving one another out of pure hearts, 
 fervently. 
 
 BUSINESS. 
 
 Lord, dispose me to act according to thy will, and 
 in reference to thy glory, in all my worldly business. 
 I thank thee for that law of my nature by which 
 thou hast connected my happiness and usefulness 
 with the employment of my body and mind in the 
 duties of life. O let not mere selfishness be the 
 motive nor end of my labour. May I desire to fulfil 
 
34 
 
 in myself the benevolent purposes of thy providence 
 in giving me an active nature, and to make my em- 
 ployments promote the temporal and spiritual inter- 
 ests of mankind. Make me diligent in business, 
 fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ; so that whether 
 I eat, or drink, or whatever I do, I may do it for thy 
 glory. 
 
 CENSORIOUSNESS. 
 
 Lord, preserve me from the spirit of censorious- 
 ness. Guard me against an intermeddling, rash, or 
 uncharitable judgment on the conduct of my fellow- 
 creatures. May I do unto others in this matter, as I 
 would they should do unto me. May I remember 
 that with what measure I mete, it shall be measured 
 to me again. Let me not judge according to appear- 
 ance, but judge righteous judgment. Whenever I 
 am tempted to behold the mote that is in my brother's 
 eye, may I consider the beam that is in mine own 
 eye. Show me my own weakness and sinfulness. 
 Dispose me to think no evil of any, and to maintain 
 a good opinion of all, until I have proved all things. 
 And when it becomes my duty to censure others, 
 may I do it, not in anger nor pride of heart, but in 
 sorrow, and with a desire to do good. 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 Giver of all Good, grant me that fruit of the Spirit 
 which is love. May this be the element where my 
 soul will live, and move, and have its being. O, may 
 I feel that if I could speak with the tongues of men 
 and angels, and have not charity, I am become as 
 sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal : though I should 
 bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and give my 
 
35 
 
 body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth 
 me nothing. 
 
 Lord, grant that thy holy commandment, and the 
 countless examples of thy good will, and the various 
 wants of my fellow beings, may be heart-stirring 
 motives to this law of kindness. And especially 
 may the love of Christ constrain me to love my 
 neighbour as myself. May this grace preserve me 
 from envy, censoriousness, and ill-will, and so mould 
 my temper and character, that I shall be meek and 
 forbearing, disinterested and self-denying, and stead- 
 fast and kind, in all my intercourse with mankind. 
 Blessed God, let it not be bounded by narrow limits, 
 but be as expansive as the length and breadth of the 
 world, and take into the bosom of its sympathies the 
 whole family of man. 
 
 O ihou Sovereign of Destinies, hasten that time 
 when charity shall fill the hearts and control the 
 conduct of all men ; when anger, and malice, and 
 revenge shall have fled away for ever ; when nations 
 shall learn war no more, and Jesus, the Prince of 
 Peace, shall reign over an undisturbed empire of 
 love. 
 
 CHASTITY. 
 
 Preserve me, O Holy One, from impurity in 
 thought, in word, and in action. Grant that a sense 
 of thy holiness and thine omniscience may so rest 
 upon me, that I may walk in the Spirit, and not ful- 
 fil the lusts of the flesh. May I set a watch upon my 
 lips, that no corrupt communication may proceed out 
 of my mouth — and make a covenant with my eyes, 
 that they may not pamper forbidden wishes — and 
 throw a guard around my heart, that it may not 
 devise wicked imaginations. Enable me to put 
 
36 
 
 away all uncleanness, and to glorify thee in my 
 body and spirit, which are thine. 
 
 God of Justice, enter not into judgment with our 
 land for the foul impurity which covers it. If thou 
 wert strict to mark its iniquity, thou wouldst bring 
 over it the besom of desolation, and make it a monu- 
 ment of reproach. O lead us, in thy mercy, to the 
 use of such measures as shall subvert the dominion 
 of licentiousness, and establish purity of heart, 
 speech, and conduct. Lord, thou knowest whether 
 the means which have been employed, by social and 
 open action, for the suppression of that destroying 
 vice, are according to thy holy will. If they are, 
 O give them abundant success. But if they are not, 
 cause them to be laid aside, and teach thy people 
 what they m.ay do that will secure thy blessing. 
 Correct, elevate, and inform public opinion in rela- 
 tion to the destroying evils of lewdness. Make the 
 libertine a scorn and reproach in every society. O 
 preserve those that are still pure ; and let them not 
 go down the pathways of disgrace and destruction. 
 Cleanse our land and the world from this vile leprosy 
 which destroys health, and happiness, and virtue : 
 and bring over it a reformation that shall be total 
 abstinence from impurity of every name. 
 
 CHILDREN. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee that thou dost suffer little chil- 
 dren to come unto thee, and that thou dost perfect 
 praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. I 
 would praise thee that thy saving truth, while it is 
 fitted to fill the minds of angels with the most exalted 
 knowledge, can be learned, and understood, and felt 
 by children ; and that many such have known its 
 power, and have spoken in their feeble accents of its 
 
37 
 
 excellence in their life and death, and are now enjoy- 
 ing the fruits of its redemption in the courts above. 
 Lord, for the sake of the compassionate and prevail- 
 ing Redeemer, increase that cloud of witnesses. 
 May many remember their Creator in the days of 
 their youth, and increase in wisdom and in favour 
 with God. Be thou the guide of their youth, and 
 satisfy them early with thy mercies, that they may 
 rejoice and be glad all the days of their lives. 
 
 God of Grace, I would praise thee for what thou 
 hast done and art doing, through the labours of thy 
 people, for the rising generation. Multiply the num- 
 ber and increase the efficacy of these efforts. Ena- 
 ble parents to make an unreserved dedication of 
 their offspring to the Lord, and train them up in the 
 way they should go, that when they are old, they 
 shall not depart from it. May all who have any in- 
 fluence over youth, devote their most zealous labours 
 that they may be made wise unto salvation, through 
 the faith which is in Christ Jesus. And grant, I 
 pray thee, that thy Church may regard them as the 
 hope of the world, and bend all her energies of 
 faith, and love, and zeal, that the rising generation 
 may be brought up in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord. 
 
 Heavenly Father, incline the hearts of children to 
 fulfil their duties to their parents. Teach them that 
 they are bound by the laws of natural affection, and 
 the ties of gratitude, to honour their father and mo- 
 ther — which is also the will of God, and the first 
 commandment with promise. O, how often are the 
 authority and peace of parents disregarded or violated 
 by those for whom they have spent their property, 
 and time, and anxieties; and to whom they have 
 looked for comfort and support in declining age. 
 4 
 
38 
 
 Lord, do thou make every child feel its obHgations to 
 keeps its father's commandment, and to forsake not 
 the law of its mother ; but to bind them continually 
 upon the heart, and to obey them in reverence and 
 love. — [^See Early Piety, Sabbath Schools, 
 
 YOUTH.J 
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, assist me to exercise those feel- 
 ings of grateful devotion which are suitable to this 
 day which has been set apart by so many of thy fol- 
 lowers, in memory of the birth of thy well beloved 
 Son. Grant me enlarged and soul moving views of 
 all that relates to the glorious plan of salvation 
 through a Redeemer. 
 
 Unfold to my mind, I beseech thee, the deep de- 
 pravity and lost estate into which our guilty race had 
 fallen. The whole head was sick, and the whole 
 heart faint: and from the sole of the foot even unto 
 the head, there was no moral soundness in it ; but 
 wounds and bruises and putrefying sores ! All flesh 
 had corrupted its way upon the earth ; and the whole 
 world was guilty before God. Lord, thou wast angry 
 with the wicked every day : thy curse was in their 
 house ; and thy wrath treasured up for them perdi- 
 tion in the day of thy wrath. O, if thou hadst not 
 laid help upon one mighty to save, all men would 
 have had their part in the lake that burneth with fire 
 and brimstone, which is the second death. 
 
 Gracious God, make me sensible of that love 
 whereby thou didst give thine only begotten Son, that 
 whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but 
 have everlasting life — and which thou hast commend- 
 ed to us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died 
 for us. Though thou hast shown thy loving kindness 
 
39 
 
 in the works of creation and in the developments of 
 providence, in this thou hast gathered as into a bright 
 and burning centre, the matchless proof of thy good 
 will to man. O, the breadth and length and depth 
 and height of the love of Christ, which passeth know- 
 ledge. 
 
 Lord, make me to know the excellencies of Christ's 
 glory, and the depths of his humiliation. Though he 
 dwelt in the bosom of the Father and inhabited the 
 praises of eternity, and exercised the powers of the 
 Godhead, yet he took upon him our sinful nature, 
 was born in a low condition, made under the law, 
 undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, 
 and the cursed death of the cross; and was buried, and 
 continued under the power of death for a time. Teach 
 me that he was thus made sin for me, that I might 
 be made the righteousness of God in him. 
 
 O God, show me that though he thus gave his life 
 a ransom for many, still there is none who can have 
 redemption through his blood without the convinc- 
 ing, renewing and sanctifying power of thy grace. 
 Lord, make me know my sin a/id my need of a Sa- 
 viour, dispose me to turn away from all my trans- 
 gressions, and to lay hold of the hope set before me 
 in the gospel. 
 
 Lord, impress on my heart the features of Christ's 
 lovely and perfect character. May I learn of him 
 who was meek and lowly, kind and patient, obedient 
 and forgiving, wise and holy. Let the same mind 
 which was in him be also in me. Show me that he 
 is glorified in the bodies and spirits of them whom 
 thou has given to him ; and that if any man have not 
 the spirit of Christ he is none of his. May the grace 
 which has brought salvation, teach me to deny un- 
 godliness and to work righteousness, that his image, 
 
40 
 
 destroyed by the fall, may be renewed in me, and 
 that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in 
 my mortal flesh. 
 
 God of Grace, excite my faith in this blessed Sa- 
 viour by clear visions of that heavenly glory which 
 he has prepared for those that love him. O, thanks 
 be unto thy name, thou hast not only redeemed thy 
 saints from the fearful penalties of guilt and the 
 wretched dominion of sin, but thou hast given them 
 thine unfailing promise, that they shall go into life 
 eternal, and dwell before thy throne, and serve thee 
 day and night in thy temple. Lord, grant that 
 through his merits, an entrance may be ministered 
 unto me abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of 
 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 Merciful Father, persuade the ungodly, who are 
 rejecting the Saviour, that without his atoning righte- 
 ousness their souls must endure the perdition of eter- 
 nal death ; while through his blood they may have 
 remission of sins, and an inheritance among them 
 that are sanctified. Reconcile them unto thyself 
 through him, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 
 O dispose them to join with fulness of heart, that 
 heavenly anthem which heralded his birth in our na- 
 ture — " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 
 peace, good-will toward men." 
 
 CHURCH. 
 
 Great Shepherd of Israel, I thank thee that thou 
 hast established thy church on the earth, and hast 
 put the seal of thy redeeming grace on it, and hast 
 promised that the gales of hell shall not prevail 
 against it. I would praise thee that he who is thy 
 fulness, has been made head over all things to his 
 church, which is his body, and which he has re- 
 
41 
 
 deemed by his blood out of every kindred, and 
 tongue, and people, and nation. 
 
 Lord, dispose me to sustain all the relations which 
 I bear to thy heritage. Suffer me not to withdraw, 
 in any degree, from the fellowship of the saints, in 
 their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus. Thou 
 hast commanded that fellowship ; thou hast adapted 
 it to our social nature; thou hast made it the stream 
 of our consolation, the wall of our safety, and the 
 field of our usefulness. — May I love to seek thy face 
 in the tabernacles of the righteous, and worship thee 
 there in spirit and in truth. May I cherish the repu- 
 tation, and welcome the instructions, and encourage 
 the labours of those whom thou hast set to minister 
 in holy things. Lead me, O Lord, to seek the 
 interest of thy church in its purity, peace, knowledge, 
 and universal dominion. 
 
 Lord, cause all thy people to strive for the welfare 
 of Zion. May they mourn over her desolations, and 
 rejoice when her righteousness goes forth as bright- 
 ness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. 
 May they feel deeply humbled at their want of per- 
 sonal holiness, and at their neglect in extending the 
 blessings of salvation to a perishing world. Let 
 every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart 
 from iniquity. May the sons of God be blameless, 
 and harmless, and without rebuke, in the midst of a 
 crooked and perverse generation ; among whom may 
 they shine, as lights in the world, holding forth the 
 word of life. Make them a peculiar people, zealous 
 of good works. May they have the pleasure of see- 
 ing thy work prospering in their hands, and multi- 
 tudes added to their number, of such as shall be 
 saved. Arise, and have mercy on Zion : let the time 
 to favour her, yea, the set time come. O, King of 
 4* 
 
42 
 
 Kings, do thou marshal, and discipline, and sti-ength- 
 en, and multiply the sacramental host, and lead it on 
 conquering and to conquer, until the kingdoms of 
 this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord 
 and" his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
 COMMUNION WITH GOD. 
 
 Gracious God, grant that I may hold communion 
 of spirit with thee the Father of Spirits. As the 
 hart panteth after the water brooks, so may my 
 soul pant after thee. Draw near to me, in thy 
 mercy, while I attempt to approach thee; and do 
 thou manifest thyself unto me, as thou dost not unto 
 the world. Cause me to walk with thee, as did thy 
 saints of old ; and for this end teach me thy will, that 
 I may acquaint myself with thee, and be at peace. 
 Shed thy grace upon my heart, and cause my affec- 
 tions to be fixed on thee, as the highest and noblest 
 object of love. May thy works, and thy word, and 
 all the means of grace, be always channels of thy 
 blessings to me, and motives for gratitude and obe- 
 dience unto thee. — Lord, lift thou the light of thy 
 countenance upon me. Make thine abode with me; 
 and let my heart be a temple of the Holy Ghost. 
 Give me that spirit of adoption by which I may cry, 
 *' Abba, Father." May I be persuaded that neither 
 death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor 
 powers, nor any other creature, shall be able to sepa- 
 rate me from thy love which is in Christ Jesus. 
 Give me such a sense of pardoned sin, as shall fill 
 me with holy joys and strong purposes of new obe- 
 dience to thy will. Grant me in these seasons of 
 sweet converse with thee, those blessings which are 
 spiritual in their nature, satisfying in their posses- 
 sion, and eternal irj their continuance. 
 
43 
 
 Lord, vouchsafe that my fellowship with thee may 
 be sought only through him who is the way, the 
 truth, and the life ; for no man cometh unto the Fa- 
 ther but by him. Let the communion of thy Holy 
 Spirit rest upon me, and abide within me, now, 
 henceforth, and for ever. 
 
 COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, dispose me, in gladness and sin- 
 gleness of heart, to keep the fellowship of the saints. 
 May I have more relish for their company, though 
 they may be poor and unhonoured, than for fellow- 
 ship with those who are lovers of pleasure more than 
 lovers of God. Make my communion with them, 
 pleasant and profitable to my soul. May I feel that 
 we are all children of the same parent ; brethren of 
 the same family ; subjects of the same discipline of 
 trials and duties ; and heirs of the same inheritance 
 beyond the grave. Incline me to love their persons, 
 their character, and their interests — rejoicing with 
 them that do rejoice, and weeping with them that 
 weep — ministering to their necessities — holding con- 
 verse with them in the grace of God — seeking not to 
 please myself, but bearing their infirmities and bur- 
 dens — and so fulfilling the law of Christ, who hath 
 given us a new commandment, that we love one 
 another. 
 
 COMPANY. 
 
 Lord, teach me that my habits of life and my 
 reputation will be determined by the company I 
 keep. Make me ever mindful that evil communica- 
 tions are full of corruption, and that the companion 
 of fools shall be destroyed. Make me holy, harm- 
 less, undefiled, and separate from sinners. O let me 
 
44 
 
 not enter the path of tlie wicked, nor follow a multi- 
 tude to do evil. But when I am called, in the exer- 
 cise of social or religious duties, among the impeni- 
 tent, enable me to seek by kindness, and persuasion, 
 and example, to win them to the obedience of faith. 
 Make me, O Lord, a companion of them that fear 
 thee and keep thy precepts. May I desire more the 
 fellowship of ihem that are lowly and poor in spirit, 
 than of those who are rich in this world's goods, 
 while their hearts are strangers to the love of God. 
 Preserve me, I pray thee, from every unholy associa- 
 tion, and lead me to seek the communion of thy 
 saints, that we may be comforted together by our 
 mutual faith. 
 
 C0?»DESCE?fSI0N OF GOD. 
 
 Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him ; 
 or the son of man, that thou visitest him ? Thou art 
 infinite in all thy perfections, and needest not our 
 praises nor services to increase thy happiness and 
 glory. If our guilty race had continued even as 
 thou didst create it, (but a little lower than the 
 angels,) we must have praised thee foi» thy conde- 
 scension in nourishing and governing us,; but now, 
 that we have lifted the arm of rebelhon against thee, 
 and have steeped our souls in transgression, how 
 greatly is thy condescension magnilied in pursuing 
 us with thy mercies, in providing for our wants, in 
 protecting and delivering us from evil ; and above all, 
 in offering to redeem us from our lost estate by the 
 sacrifice of thy Son. He, who knew no sin, was 
 made sin for us, that we might be made the right- 
 eousness of God in him. He, who was rich, yet for 
 our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty 
 might be made rich. He, who from eternity knew 
 
45 
 
 no pain, sweat great drops of blood and suffered un- 
 speakable agony, that we might escape the wrath to 
 come — the worm that never dieth, and the fire that 
 is never quenched. O help me, God of Grace, to 
 acknowledge thine undeserved and astonishing mer- 
 cy. May it draw me closer to thee in the bonds 
 of love and confidence, and seal me for thy service, 
 in a covenant never to be forsaken. 
 
 CONFESSION. 
 
 Holy One of Israel, help me, I beseech thee, to 
 confess before thee my unworthiness and ill-desert. 
 To whom but to thee should I go with the recital of 
 my transgressions ; for it is against thee, thee only, 
 I have sinned. Thou hast said that he who covereth 
 his sins shall not prosper ; while he who confesseth 
 and forsaketh them shall find mercy. If I say, " I 
 have no sin," I deceive myself, and the truth is not 
 in me ; but if I confess my sins, thou art faithful and 
 just to forgive them, and to cleanse me from all un- 
 righteousness. 
 
 O Lord, I hav6 sinned against thee in doing what 
 thou hast forbidden, and in leaving undone what thou 
 hast commanded. I have transgressed thy law and 
 gospel, in thought, word, and deed. I have sinned 
 in childhood, in youth, and in riper years. I would 
 acknowledge with shame and sorrow, my vanity 
 and selfishness, my pride and hypocrisy, my impa- 
 tience and unbelief, my self-indulgence and self- 
 righteousness, my neglect of thy service and glory, 
 and my living to myself, and not unto thee. How 
 often has my heart rebelled against thy wholesome 
 discipline in affliction, or impiously forgotten thy 
 dispensing hand in the enjoyment of mercies. O, I 
 have in countless instances, backslidden from thy 
 
46 
 
 love, broken my covenants with thee, and brought 
 dishonour on thy name. And yet such has been the 
 hardness of my heart, that I have mourned but little 
 over such transgressions. 
 
 O Lord, these my sins have been protracted 
 through long years which thou hast crowned with 
 forbearance and mercy. They are heavy and black 
 with enormous guilt, because they were committed 
 in the midst of light and knowledge. My transgres- 
 sions are more numerous than the hairs of my head ; 
 and if thou wert strict to mark one in a thousand of 
 them, I could not stand before thee. My iniquities 
 are increased over my head, and my trespasses are 
 grown up to the heavens. Lord, I am vile ; what 
 shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my 
 mouth, and put my mouth in the dust, if so be there 
 may be hope. God be merciful to me a sinner. 
 
 CONFIDENCE IN GOD. 
 
 O Lord, Jehovah, thou art the strength of all that 
 put their trust in thee. Thou art boundless in wis- 
 dom, omnipotent in power, and infinite in goodness. 
 Thou dost not withhold any good thing from him 
 that walketh uprightly. Thou wilt keep him in per- 
 fect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he 
 trusteth in thee. He shall be like a tree planted by 
 the rivers of water ; that bringeth forth his fruit in 
 his season ; his leaf also shall not wither. Whatso- 
 ever he doeth shall prosper ; and the end of that man 
 is peace. 
 
 Lord, if thou art my light and salvation, whom 
 shall I fear? If thou art my strength, of whom shall 
 I be afraid ? Enable me, I pray thee, to trust in 
 thee with all my heart ; and keep me from leaning on 
 my own understanding. May I cast all my cares 
 
47 
 
 upon thee in perils, in wants, in losses, in griefs, in 
 sickness, and in death. Cause me to hear thy voice 
 in every variety of tribulation, saying unto me, 
 *' What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt 
 know hereafter." I would remember that oft when 
 I said, " My foot slippeth," thy mercy, O Lord, held 
 me up. In the day when I cried, thou didst answer 
 and strengthen me. May the memory of thy past 
 goodness, the possession of present joys, and the tes- 
 timonies of thy promises persuade me, that though 
 the mountains depart and the hills be removed, thy 
 kindness doth not depart from thee, neither is the 
 covenant of thy peace removed. 
 
 God of Israel, inspire thy people with unlimited 
 and unwavering reliance on thy character, dealings, 
 and purposes. May they learn that the word of the 
 Lord endureth for ever. Let them not cast away 
 their confidence, which hath great recompense of re- 
 ward. As thou didst not withhold thine own Son, 
 but didst deliver him up for them, O cause them to 
 hope that with him thou wilt freely give them all 
 things. Lord, let them never forget that thou 
 makest all things work together for good to them 
 that love thee. Although the fig-tree may not blos- 
 som, neither fruit be in the vines ; the labour of the 
 olive fail, and the fields yield no meat ; the flock be 
 cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the 
 stalls — yet may they rejoice in the Lord, and joy in 
 the God of their salvation. 
 
 CONSCIENCE. 
 
 God of Judgment, I thank thee that thou hast 
 given me an inward monitor, to warn me against 
 iniquity, and to smite me when I transgress. Ena- 
 ble me, I pray thee, to nourish and culture this plant 
 
48 
 
 of thy hand. Show me that my happiness and wel- 
 fare, and the enjoyment of thy Hfe-giving counte- 
 nance, will depend on the activity, strength, and 
 purity of my conscience. May thy will, as exhibited 
 in thy word, be the supreme rule of its actings. May 
 thy Spirit cleanse it from error and sin, and animate it 
 with right knowledge and holy power. Lord, give it 
 peace through the justifying merits of Jesus Christ, 
 and purge it from dead works to serve the living God. 
 Make it tender and watchful, and a faithful index of 
 thy sovereign will, that it may be void of offence 
 towards God and man. 
 
 Lord, stimulate and give a wholesome vigour to 
 the conscience of all men. May it exercise a con- 
 trolling and righteous influence over their inmost 
 thoughts and their outward actions. Teach them 
 that though they may turn away from its testimonies, 
 and stifle its chidings, yet there is a day coming 
 when, if they continue impenitent, it will rise up in 
 judgment against them ; when he that sitteth upon the 
 throne will confirm its testimony, by pronouncing 
 the verdict " Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, 
 prepared for the devil and his angels." 
 
 CONSISTENCY. 
 
 Enable me, O Lord, through the grace of Jesus, 
 to follow thee fully. May I act in all things, worthy 
 of the vocation wherewith 1 am called, and strive to 
 be of those who by patient continuance in well-doing 
 seek eternal life. Thou art entitled to my full- 
 hearted and consistent obedience. O may that 
 obedience be without reserve and without hypocrisy. 
 Let me not call thee " Lord, Lord," and yet do not 
 the things which thou sayest. Make my walk the 
 index of my heart, and make my heart right in thy 
 
49 
 
 sight. Give me oil for my lamp, that when the 
 Bridegroom cometh, I may go forth in joy to meet 
 him. May I remember that he who gathereth not 
 with thee, scattereth abroad. Let me never do evil 
 that good may come. When I would do good, let 
 not evil be present with me: let not the law in my 
 members war against the law of my mind, and 
 bring me into captivity to the law of sin. I beseech 
 thee to give me strength to cleave to thy service stead- 
 fastly in penury and in plenty, in persecution and in 
 peace. May my light shine in evil report and in 
 good report. And, O Lord, let it be as the path of 
 the just which shineth more and more unto the per- 
 fect day. 
 
 CONTENTMENT. 
 
 Great Sovereign of heaven and earth, thou art 
 infinitely wise and good in all the allotments of thy 
 providence. I pray thee teach me in whatever state 
 I am therewith to be content. Keep me, O Lord, 
 from envy, from avarice, from ambition, from 
 anxiety, and from murmuring. May I remember 
 it was discontent that brought death into the world, 
 and all its woes. Make me content with such things 
 as I have ; for thou hast said thou wilt never leave 
 nor forsake me, if I put my trust in thee. May mine 
 be the prayer of Agur — " Give me neither poverty 
 nor riches ; lest I be fiill, and deny thee ; or be poor, 
 and steal, and take thy name in vain." Let me not 
 forget that the love of money is the root of evil. 
 They who will be rich fall into many foolish and 
 hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and 
 perdition. Make my soul satisfied in the midst of 
 losses and afflictions. May I be ever ready to say — 
 5 
 
50 
 
 " The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away : blessed 
 be the name of the Lord." 
 
 Heavenly Father, discipline me so by thy grace, 
 that I shall be careful for nothing, but in all things, 
 by prayer and supplication, make known my re- 
 quests unto thee. Let me not trust in uncertain 
 riches, but in the living God, who giveth me all 
 things richly to enjoy. Show me that human hap- 
 piness consists not in the abundance of worldly trea- 
 sure, but in godliness, which with contentment is 
 great gain. I am not worthy of the least of thy 
 mercies ; wherefore then should 1 complain ? I 
 brought nothing into the world, and I can carry 
 nothing out ; let me therefore look not at things 
 which are seen and temporal, but at things which 
 are not seen and that are eternal. May thy great 
 and precious promises give me more comfort than 
 the wicked have when their corn and wine do most 
 abound. Induce me, O Lord, to seek my portion 
 where the righteous obtain joy and gladness, and 
 where murmuring and sorrow shall flee away for 
 ever. 
 
 CONTRITION. 
 
 O thou that hearest and answerest prayer, grant 
 me, for Chri^;l's sal<e, that contrite heart, which in 
 thy sight is of ii,reat price. Show me my guilt, as 
 committed against thee, my Maker, Governor, and 
 Benefactor. Lead me to abhor myself, and to re- 
 pent in dust and ashes. May I look on him whom 
 I have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness. 
 Lord, I would acknowledge my transgressions : O 
 may my sins be ever before me. I thank thee for thy 
 promise, that thou wilt dwell with him that is of an 
 humble and contrite heart. Prepare my heart for 
 
51 
 
 lliine abode. According unto the multitude of thy 
 tender mercies, blot out all my transgressions. Cre- 
 ate within me a clean heart, and renew a right 
 spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy 
 salvation, and uphold me by thy free Spirit : then 
 will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners 
 shall be converted unto thee. 
 
 CoNVEKSATioN. — See Tongue, 
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 Lord, I would come to thee, in the name of Christ, 
 that I may learn the necessity, the nature, and the 
 fruits of regeneration. O wilt thou fasten on my 
 mind, abiding convictions that the carnal mind is at 
 enmity against thee, and that all mankind are by 
 nature the children of wrath, and receive not the 
 things of the Spirit, for they are foolishness to them ; 
 neither can they learn them, for they are spiritually 
 discerned. Except a man be born again, he cannot 
 see the kingdom of God. 
 
 Show me, O Lord, that if any man be in Christ 
 Jesus he is a new creature : old things are passed 
 away ; all things are become new. He has put on 
 the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after 
 the image of him who created him, in righteousness 
 and true holiness. It is thou, God of Mercy, who 
 workest in such to will and to do, of thine own good 
 pleasure; not by works which they have done, but 
 according to thy mercy, by the washing of regenera- 
 tion, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. They 
 are born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of 
 God, who only giveth repentance unto life, and the 
 earnest of that Spirit whereby they are sealed until 
 the day of redemption. 
 
52 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, that they who have been born 
 from above bring forth fruits, meet for repentance : 
 that they add to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, 
 patience, godh'ness, brotherly kindness, and charity : 
 and that these, abounding in them, cause them that 
 they be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge 
 of the Saviour. They are made free from sin, and 
 have become servants unto God, having their fruit 
 unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 
 
 Blessed Saviour, give me evidence in my heart and 
 conduct, that I have passed from death unto life ; that 
 having been convinced of my sin and misery, I have 
 had my mind enlightened in the knowledge of thee, 
 my will renewed, and have been persuaded and ena- 
 bled to embrace thee, as thou art freely offered in the 
 Gospel. Let me not be satisfied with the form of 
 godliness, without its life-giving power. Search me, 
 
 Lord, and try me ; and see if there be any evil 
 way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Cre- 
 ate in me a new heart and renew a right spirit within 
 me. Grant me forgiveness of sins, and enable me 
 to look forward with a rejoicing hope to an inheri- 
 tance among them that are sanctified. Vouchsafe 
 unto me, I pray thee, the testimony of thy Spirit, that 
 
 1 have been redeemed by thy grace. O, if thou hast 
 begun a good work in me, continue it unto the end ; 
 and let thy grace be in me as a well of living water, 
 springing up into everlasting life. 
 
 Lord, convince the impenitent of sin, of righteous- 
 ness and of judgment. Thou hast no pleasure in the 
 death of him that dieth, and thou art not willing that 
 any should perish, but that all should come to re- 
 pentance. O lead many to inquire what they must 
 do to be saved. May thy law be a schoolmaster to 
 bring them to Christ, that they may be justified by 
 
5:i 
 
 faith. Persuade them to believe in that only name 
 by which sinners can be saved. May they be born 
 again, notofcorruptible seed, butofincorruptible ; by 
 the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 
 
 COURAGE. 
 
 Lord, enable me to add to faith christian fortitude. 
 May T endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus 
 Christ. Give me grace to encounter and subdue the 
 corruptions of my own heart ; and in that conflict be- 
 tween the flesh and the spirit, may I come off more 
 than conqueror through him that hath loved me. — 
 Strengthen me that I may resist the allurements of a 
 world lying in iniquity, and that I may strive against 
 the fear of man ; remembering that whosoever will 
 deny Jesus before men, shall be denied by him before 
 the Father in heaven. May I always be ready to 
 answer every man that asketh me a reason of the 
 hope that is in me. — Make me strong in the power of 
 thy might; fori am not called to wrestle against flesh 
 and blood merely, but against principalities and pow- 
 ers, against spiritual wickednesses in high places. 
 Great Captain of Salvation, give me the girdle of truth, 
 the breast-plate of righteousness, the shield of faith, 
 the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit; 
 and having thus the whole armour of God, may I be 
 able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all 
 to stand. 
 
 COVENANT. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, I would praise thee that, in thy 
 sovereign mercy, thou didst from eternity enter into 
 a covenant of grace, to deliver men out of their estate 
 of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate 
 of salvation by a Redeemer. Lord, make with me 
 5* 
 
64 
 
 this everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of 
 David. Call me with a holy calling ; not according 
 to works, but according to thy purpose, which was 
 given in Christ Jesus before the world beo;an ; but 
 has now been made manifest by his appearing, who 
 hath brought life and immortality to light through 
 thy gospel : and in whom we have redemption, 
 through his blood. O bind me to thee in the adop- 
 tion of thy children, wherein thou makest them ac- 
 cepted in the Beloved. Put thy law into my mind, 
 and write it in my heart ; and be my God, that I may 
 be of thy people, chosen according to thy covenant 
 of grace. Make my heart and life abundant in the 
 fruits of that holy relation. Let me not forsake thy 
 love, nor turn from thy ways, but press on towards 
 the mark for the prize of that high calling which is 
 in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Merciful God, regard with compassion those who 
 are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and 
 strangers to the covenants of promise. Make them 
 feel the deep and radical depravity of their hearts. 
 Convince them of sin, as committed against a holy 
 God. Show them the danger to which they are ex- 
 posed while they rellise to forsake their transgressions. 
 Exhibit to them Christ crucified, as him by whom 
 alone they can escape from the dominion, the guilt 
 and the retribution of their sins. O may thy Spirit 
 give them grace to receive and rest upon him for par- 
 don and acceptance. And grant that they may enjoy 
 a union with him as close and fruittlil as the branch 
 which abideth in the vine. 
 
 COVETOUSNESS. 
 
 Preserve me, Great Helper, from the vice of covet- 
 ousness, which is idolatry. O let me not worship 
 
55 
 
 filthy lucre instead of the living God. May I remem- 
 ber the judgment of the valley of Achor, on him who 
 coveted forbidden spoil ; and the swift destruction of 
 them that kept back part of the price, and agreed to- 
 gether to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. Let me not 
 dishonour my faith in thee, nor blight my spiritual 
 comlbrt, nor bring disgrace on thy cause in the eyes 
 of the world by indulging in this wickedness. Give 
 me full contentment with my own condition, and a 
 right and charitable frame of spirit towards my 
 neighbour and all that is his. Banish from my mind 
 all discontentment with my own estate; all envying 
 and grieving at the good of my neighbour, and all in- 
 ordinate emotions and affections to any thing that is 
 his. 
 
 Help me, O Lord, to overcome the love of the 
 world. May I seek thy favour as the chief good of 
 life, and say in my heart — " there is none on earth I 
 desire beside thee." Lead me to look with the eye 
 of benevolence on the wants of my fellow creatures ; 
 and in supplying them, as thou hast prospered me, to 
 find that it is more blessed to give than to receive. 
 Let me not seek to lay up treasures on earth, but in 
 heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, and 
 where thieves cannot break through and steal. 
 
 Lord, redeem thy church from this vice, which has 
 spotted her garments and tainted her blood and crip- 
 pled her energies. How long. Blessed Saviour, shall 
 Ihey who have covenanted to be thine, bow the knee 
 at the golden shrine of mammon? Show them that 
 covetousness degrades their immortal nature, breaks 
 thy holy law, and is the fruitful source of manifold 
 iniquity. Keep them from those graspings of ava- 
 rice, those daring speculations and greedy monopolies 
 which are the offspring of pride and the fountains of 
 
56 
 
 misery. May they thus judge, that if Christ has 
 bought them by his own precious blood, they should 
 not live for themselves, but for him. Excite thy peo- 
 ple, O Lord, to active and unwearying benevolence. 
 As thou hast made them the stewards of thy multi- 
 plied mercies, let none forget to do good and to com- 
 municate ; for with such sacrifices thou art well pleas- 
 ed. May they cease to do evil and learn to do well ,* 
 and labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for 
 that which endureth unto everlasting life. 
 
 CREATION. 
 
 Great Builder of the Universe, in the beginning thou 
 didst make the heaven and the earth ; and by thee 
 were all things created, that are in heaven and earth, 
 whether they be thronfis or dominions, or principali- 
 ties, or powers. Thou didst speak, and it was done : 
 thou didst command, and it stood fast. — Lord, thou 
 didst make man in thine own image, in knowledge, 
 righteousness and holiness, with dominion over the 
 creatures. But man being in honour abode not. He 
 fell from that holy and happy estate, in which he was 
 created, by sinning against God ; and now all that 
 dwell upon the face of the earth are by nature the 
 children of wrath: yea, the whole creation groaneth 
 and travaileth in pain because of transgression. O 
 God,redeemthe works of thy power from their degene- 
 racy. May this earth be renewed with the beauty of 
 Eden. Breathe thou into man the breath of life, and 
 make him a new creature in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Lord, assist me to acknowledge thy power, wis- 
 dom and goodness as they are shown in the works of 
 thy hands. Day unto day utterclh speech concerning 
 thee, and night unto night bringeth forth knowledge 
 of thee : yea, all thy works praise thee. O let my 
 
57 
 
 tongue and my soul join the chorus of creation, and 
 praise thee in songs of rejoicing and in newness of 
 life. 
 
 Blessed Lord, make me ever mindful of the truth, 
 that it is appointed unto all men once to die. Thou 
 canst wound and kill, and there is none to deliver 
 out of thy hand. Thou hast determined our days, 
 and appointed the bounds of our habitations. O lead 
 me to consider my latter end, and teach me to num- 
 ber my days, that I may apply my heart unto wis- 
 dom. Make me to know my end, and the measure of 
 my days, that I may learn how frail I am. Lord, 
 what is my life? It is a vapour that appeareth for a 
 little while, and then vanisheth away. 
 
 Teach me, thou source of wisdom, that death is the 
 great crisis of my being, which will determine my 
 destiny for ever. He whom it finds unjust and filthy, 
 shall be unjust and filthy still : and he whom it finds 
 righteous and holy shall be righteous and holy still. 
 Lord, let me pass the time of my sojourning here in 
 fear, seeking to be ready for its solemn message ; 
 for in such an hour as we think not, the Son of Man 
 Cometh. Whatsoever, therefore, my hand findeth to 
 do, may I do it with my might ; since there is no 
 work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the 
 grave whither I go. Let me not fear them that can 
 kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul ; but 
 rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and 
 body in hell, which is the second death. 
 
 Lord, train me to such habits of obedience to thy 
 will, and trust in thy dealings, and faith in thy prom- 
 ises, that while I look upon the earthly house of this 
 tabernacle as one that must be dissolved, I may re«. 
 
58 
 
 joice in the hope, that I shall have a building of God, 
 a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 When I am called to walk through the valley of 
 the shadow of death, be thou my rod and staff to com- 
 fort me : and when my heart and flesh fail, be thou 
 the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 
 Lord, let me die the death of the righteous, and let 
 my last end be like his. 
 
 Look in mercy, I pray thee, on those who are en- 
 compassed by the sorrows of death. Prepare them 
 for their solemn and awful change. If they have 
 made their peace with thee, through the blood of 
 Christ, comfort them and give them blessed foretastes 
 of thy heavenly kingdom. But if they have not, O 
 bring them by thy saving power into thy covenant of 
 grace. 
 
 O thou who didst weep at the tomb of Lazarus, 
 comfort those who mourn for the loss of cherished 
 friends. May they kiss thy rod ; and if it be consist- 
 ent with the life or death of the departed, let them 
 not sorrow as those who have no hope, but look for- 
 ward to that hour, when the hand that now has riven 
 will restore their fellowship, and make it pure as the 
 light and lasting as the days of heaven. 
 
 DECISION. 
 
 Almighty God, help me to resolve to be thine, 
 wholly thine, in the bonds of an everlasting covenant. 
 Let me not halt between two opinions, but choose 
 now to serve the living and true God, with all my 
 heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. O let me 
 not harden my heart, nor provoke thy wrath, by put- 
 ting off to a more convenient season the things which 
 belong to my everlasting peace. May 1 learn that 
 now is thine accepted time for the discharge of duty, 
 
59 
 
 and this the day of that salvation which makes thy 
 saints willing subjects of thy power. There are no 
 neutrals in thy dominion : he who is not with thee is 
 against thee. Lord, make me not only almost, but 
 altogether a christian. May thy word and provi- 
 dence and Spirit inspire me with energy of purpose 
 to do thy pleasure. Whatsoever I do may I do it 
 heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men. O make 
 me steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the 
 work of the Lord ; for we know that our labour is 
 not in vain in the Lord. 
 
 DEPENDENCE. 
 
 My soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my ex- 
 pectation is from him. Teach me. Giver of Mercies, 
 my absolute and continual dependence on thee for life, 
 and breath, and all things. Thou didst make me by 
 the word of thy power, and I live every moment at 
 the expense of thy bounty. I am full of wants, with- 
 out any ability in myself to supply them. I am a 
 creature of yesterday; my breath is in my nostrils ; 
 and I am crushed before the moth. I know not what 
 a day may bring forth : I cannot add one cubit to my 
 stature ; nor make one hair of my head white or 
 black. Grant me, I pray thee, such an abiding con- 
 viction of my subjection to thee as shall keep me 
 from resting on an arm of flesh, and lead me to trust 
 in the living God. Li the hour of prosperity let me 
 not forget that thou art the giver of every good and 
 perfect gift: and in the season of affliction show me 
 that thou canst comfort me on every side — canst 
 make my wilderness as Eden, and my desert as the 
 garden of the Lord. Make me realize that in all my 
 efforts to do good, either to myself or others, I must 
 depend on thee. Thou only givest the increase. But 
 
60 
 
 blessed be thy name, thy Spirit helpeth my infirmi- 
 ties ; and thy strength is made perfect in my weak- 
 ness. 
 
 Assist me by thy grace, in all the vicissitudes of 
 life, to feel that thou art a present help in every hour 
 of need. When toil and care, fears and trials en- 
 compass me, lead me to thee with whom alone dwell- 
 eth that peace which passeth understanding ; and do 
 thou guide me into green pastures and beside still 
 waters ; and let thy banner over me be love. And 
 grant, O Lord, that when 1 am called to struggle 
 with the king of terrors, thy grace may be sufficient 
 for me, and that I may be made glad in the hope of 
 eternal life. 
 
 Depravity. — See Human Depravity. 
 
 DILIGENCE. 
 
 Lord, quicken thou me in thy way. Make me 
 diligent in thy work, continuing instant in prayer, re- 
 deeming the time, because the days are evil. Grant, 
 that in every duty I may be active, watchful and 
 persevering ; for no man having put his hand to the 
 plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of 
 God. Let not mine be the doom of that servant who 
 hid his master's talent in the earth : let me not be 
 slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the 
 Lord. Suffer me not to rely on the memory of past 
 experience, nor on the hope of future obedience ; but 
 whatsoever my hand findeth to do, give me zeal to do 
 it with my might. O give me the spirit of diligence 
 in every work of faith and labour of love ; remember- 
 ing my accountability to thee, the importance of the 
 trusts thou hast reposed in me, the shortness of hu- 
 man life, and the abundant rewards thou hast promis- 
 
61 
 
 ed to them who are faithful in thy service. Lord, 
 enable me to lay aside every weight, and the sin 
 which doth so easily beset me, and rmi with patience 
 the race that is set before me ; looking unto Jesus, 
 the author and finisher of faith, and pressing toward 
 the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God, 
 which is in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Lord, rebuke the sloth of thy covenant-people. 
 Give them a spirit of active energy in all that relates 
 to the sanctification of their own hearts, the saving 
 health of thy church, and the conversion of sinners. 
 Yet do thou make them feel that while they strive 
 with all their vigour in the obedience of faith, it is 
 thou that workest all in all. 
 
 DOUBTS. 
 
 Merciful Father, preserve me from a doubtful 
 mind. Let not disease of body, nor affliction of 
 mind, disquiet my soul within me. Let not igno- 
 rance nor error intrude on my comfort in the hope 
 of the gospel. Let not Satan unsettle my trust in 
 thy covenant of mercy. And O, suflier not sin, in 
 any form, to bring a cloud over the light of thy 
 countenance and the joys of thy salvation. — O thou 
 that givest rest to the weary and heavy-laden, show 
 me that thy mercy endureth for ever. Teach me 
 that thou art merciful and gracious, long-suffering 
 and abundant in goodness. Lead me, I pray thee, 
 in every feeling of despondency, to that throne from 
 which thou givest grace to help in every season of 
 trial. Dissipate my fears, and give me an assurance 
 of an interest in thy favour, and of acceptance in 
 thy sight, through the righteousness of Christ. 
 Grant me thy blessed Comforter, that I may have 
 joy in the Holy Ghost. Cheer me by thy gracious 
 6 
 
62 
 
 promises, which are Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus, 
 Give me, O Lord, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for 
 mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit 
 of heaviness. Let my Hght rise in my obscurity, 
 and my darkness be as the noon day. Cause thy 
 righteousness to go before me, and thy glory to be 
 my rereward. 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 Eternal God, O may my daily and hourly inquiry 
 be, " What wilt thou have me to do ?" Instruct me 
 that the duty which thou requirest of me is obedience 
 to thy revealed will. Help me, I pray thee, to dis- 
 charge all my obligations to thee, to myself and to 
 my fellow creatures. 
 
 May I love thee with all my soul, and mind, and 
 strength, and heart. Dispose me to submit to thy 
 will; to love thy character; to trust in thy name; 
 and to fear thine excellent greatness. May I regard 
 thee as, through Christ, the object of prayer, and 
 the rewarder of them who diligently seek thee. Help 
 me, I pray thee, to worship thee, who art a Spirit, 
 in spirit and in truth. 
 
 Lord, enable me, by thy Spirit, to do my duty to 
 myself. May I exercise faith in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and repentance unto life ; and make a diligent 
 use of all the outward and ordinary means whereby 
 Christ communicates unto us the benefits of redemp- 
 tion. May I work out my salvation with fear and 
 trembling, knowing that it is God that worketh in 
 me, to will and to do of his own good pleasure. 
 
 Assist me, O Lord, to perform all the duties, 
 social, civil, and religious, which I owe to my fellow 
 creatures. May my conduct to them be governed 
 by that spirit of charity which excludes anger, re- 
 
63 
 
 venge, censoriousness, prejudice, injury, and oppres- 
 sion. Make me averse to injure the feelings, per- 
 sons, property and character of any. May 1 delight 
 in the happiness of others. Make my heart a well- 
 spring of sympathy, compassion and liberality ; and 
 lead me to spend cheerfully my property, my time, 
 and, if needs be, my life, in works of mercy and jus- 
 tice. Enable me to fulfil all my relations as a supe- 
 ror, an inferior, and an equal. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee for the encouragements thou 
 art giving, in the course of thy providence, to reli- 
 gious effort, by making rich with thy blessing those 
 who are diligent in thy cause. Yet, I would feel 
 that while these things are to be remembered with 
 thankfulness, they increase my obligation to labour 
 that I may return thine own to thee with abundant 
 usury. — Strengthen me, I pray thee, to do thy will, 
 while it is called to-day — to do it with my might, 
 and with perseverance therein to the end — even as 
 thine angels do it in heaven. 
 
 Lord, I would offer these and all other petitions 
 through him who is the Prophet, Priest and King of 
 the whole Israel of God, and without whose merits 
 and intercessions, all my services would be without 
 hope or profit. — [^See Obedience.] 
 
 EARLY PIETY. 
 
 Heavenly Father, I thank thee for the evidence 
 which thy word and the history of thy church give 
 us, that children and youth may be taught to love 
 thy name and do thy will. Whilst thou hast hid 
 these things from the wise and prudent, thou hast 
 revealed them unto babes. Thou hast told such to 
 remember thee; and hast given thy promise that 
 those who seek thee early shall find thee. Our bless- 
 
64 
 
 ed Saviour said, " Suffer little children to come unto 
 me :" and he took them in his arms and blessed 
 them, saying, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." 
 Lord, thy church, in every age, but especially in our 
 own, has raised up many witnesses that thou canst 
 satisfy the children of men early with thy mercy, 
 that they may rejoice and be glad all their days. 
 
 Lord, increase and greatly multiply the instances 
 of early piety. May multitudes of children feel and 
 act from the motives which should lead them to do 
 that which is well-pleasing in the sight of the Lord. 
 Convince them that they are sinners, exposed to thy 
 wrath, walking in rebellion against their heavenly- 
 Father, and yet receiving the most tender offers of 
 mercy through Christ the Saviour. Make them feel 
 that christian friends and happy spirits, holy angels 
 and Jesus Christ, desire their salvation. Make them 
 understand something of the worth of the soul ; 
 something of death and judgment, heaven and hell. 
 O lead them, through repentance and faith in Jesus, 
 to remember and serve thee in the days of their 
 youth. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, rebuke the unbelief of thy 
 church respecting the conversion of children, even 
 as thou didst rebuke thy disciples when they would 
 have hindered such from coming to thee. Let none 
 despise these little ones ; for thou hast warned us 
 that their angels do always behold the face of their 
 Father in heaven. O may thy saints on earth be 
 instruments of leading them to Christ, and training 
 them as plants of righteousness, whose leaf shall not 
 wither, and who will bring forth the fruits of grace. 
 Bless, I beseech thee, the various means which are 
 now used to fill the minds of children with religious 
 truth. Let not this condemnation come upon them, 
 
65 
 
 that they knew thy will, but did it not. O may their 
 privileges be to them as the small rain upon the ten- 
 der herb, and as showers that water the earth, and 
 which cause it to bring forth beauty, and verdure, 
 and fruit. — \^See Sabbath Schools.] 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 God of Wisdom, I thank thee that thou hast given 
 me a rational mind and an immortal soul, capable of 
 being trained to the highest and noblest exercises of 
 thought and feeling. Teach me that thou hast put 
 on me the responsibility of training these powers in 
 wisdom and holiness, that 1 may glorify God, do 
 good unto others, and fill up the measure of my 
 everlasting happiness and welfare. Let me not, I 
 beseech thee, by any neglect or perversion of my 
 rational and immortal faculties, defeat thy benevo- 
 lence in placing me so far above the brutes that 
 perish. O lead my understanding into useful know- 
 ledge, and my heart into redeeming grace. 
 
 Lord, bless the useful discoveries and efforts that 
 have been made, and are now making, for the spread 
 of education. O diffuse and increase them, every- 
 where, until every human mind will know its pow- 
 ers, and exercise them in such spheres as will make 
 them a blessing to itself, to its country, and to the 
 world. Assist those who would scatter, by the 
 light of truth, the mists of ignorance and error that 
 hancr over the minds of the o;reat mass of mankind : 
 but suffer them not to forget that righteousness is the 
 stability of truth, and holiness the safeguard of 
 knowledge. Make all our schools and seminaries 
 nurseries of piety as well as of learning. Cast the 
 healing salt of thy grace into all the fountains of 
 knowledge, and cause them to send forth copious 
 6* 
 
66 
 
 and unfailing streams that will make glad the city 
 of our God. 
 
 ENVY. 
 
 Father in Heaven, preserve my heart from the 
 baneful dominion of envy. Teach me its exceeding 
 sinfulness, and show me that if I indulge in it, it will 
 be a fountain of unhappiness to myself and of mis- 
 chief to my fellows, while it will bring down on me 
 thy heavy displeasure. Lord, let me not be envious 
 of the gifts, or advantages, or success of others. 
 May I feel that I am not worthy of the least of the 
 mercies thou hast already given me ; and teach me 
 that thou hast not, in caprice, withheld from me, 
 and bestowed on others, the things which seem good 
 in my eyes. Lord, make me content with thy will ; 
 and so shall my heart rejoice in thy ways for ever- 
 more. 
 
 ERROR. 
 
 Lord, I would come to thee in the worthy name of 
 Jesus, to implore thee to shield my judgment and 
 heart from the influence of error. Give me sound 
 knowledge and right feelings. Make me quick to 
 discern that which is right, and to reject that which 
 is wrong. Lead me to do thy will, that 1 may know 
 of every doctrine whether it be of God. O let not 
 ignorance cloud my understanding; nor prejudice 
 warp my judgment ; nor interest stifle my conscience; 
 nor sin fetter my will : but do thou enable me to de- 
 tect, and hate, and shun what is false, and to know, 
 and love, and follow the truth, through evil and 
 good report. 
 
 Lord, subdue and scatter every form of error in 
 thy church, and throughout the world. Remove 
 
67 
 
 from the household of faith, every thing that exalts 
 itself against thy word, and perverts the right ways 
 of the Lord. Bring thy people of every name, into 
 the unity of the Spirit. — Almighty God, cast down 
 the Man of Sin ; overthrow the False Prophet; scatter 
 the temples of Idolatry ; and overturn, and overturn, 
 and overturn, until the Prince of Truth shall have 
 the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. 
 
 ETERNITY. 
 
 O God, help me to dwell by faith and prayer, on 
 the solemn realities of the world to conne. Thou 
 hast made me in the image of thine own eternity, 
 with powers that are capable of eternal progress in 
 holiness, knowledge, and happiness — or in sin, error, 
 and v/o : and thou has filled my soul with hopes and 
 fears that travel far beyond the narrow limits of this 
 life, and find their home in the future state of 
 endless being. My condition will be fixed either 
 in heaven or hell — enjoying the light of thy 
 countenance, or cast out from thy presence for 
 ever — rejoicing in the company of the good, or en- 
 during the fellowship of the wicked — bathing in the 
 fountain of eternal bliss, or plunging in the burning 
 lake of undying wo. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee that thou hast revealed eternal 
 things to me, and hast shown me how I may escape 
 everlasting death, and obtain eternal life. Give me 
 a firm belief of their reality, and a deep conviction 
 of their importance. Teach me, O God of Mercy, 
 that life, and time, and means are given me to pre- 
 pare for eternity — that there is but a step between 
 me and death — and that according to my character 
 then, will be my destiny for ever. O seal me now 
 by thy Spirit until the day of redemption ; and then 
 
let an entrance be ministered unto me abundantly 
 into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, where my tongue shall utter a ceaseless 
 anthem of praise, my understanding enjoy an un- 
 clouded knowledge of truth, and my soul delight in 
 a perpetual feast of love. — [6'ee Heaven, Hell, 
 Soul.] 
 
 eternity of god. 
 
 From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 
 The number of thy years cannot be searched out ; 
 for thou hast no beginning of days, nor end of years. 
 Thou art Alpha and Omega ; the beginning and 
 ending ; which was, and is, and is to come ; with 
 whom the past, the present, and the future are 
 one eternal now. Thou hast life in thyself; and all 
 thy creatures have their being in thee. Heaven 
 and earth shall perish, but thou shalt endure : they 
 shall wax old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou 
 change them, and they shall be changed ; but thou 
 art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 
 
 Lord, may the solemn truth that thou art eternal, 
 suitably affect my heart and control my conduct. 
 Thou hast undying power, to make me happy or 
 wretched for ever. Throughout the ceaseless ages of 
 eternity, thy hand will be on me for weal or wo. O 
 do thou enable me to shun the wrath to come, and 
 to lay hold on eternal life. Make with me now thine 
 everlasting covenant; and be the strength of my 
 heart, and my portion for ever. 
 
 EVIL. 
 
 Great Sovereign, it has pleased thee, in the un- 
 searchable purposes of thy wisdom, to suffer sick- 
 ness and pain, misfortune and misery, death and 
 
69 
 
 sin, to dwell on earth, and turn its gardens into de- 
 serts, its joys into sorrows, and thy subjects into 
 rebels against thy mercy and justice. It is even so, 
 Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight. 
 Yet, I know thou hast taught the whole intelligent 
 universe, by the history of man's fall, the bitter 
 fruits of transgression : and I rejoice that in due 
 time, thou didst commend thy love to us, in that 
 while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, that 
 where sin and its fruits have abounded, grace and 
 its blessings may much more abound. Father in 
 Heaven, restore, I pray thee, this earth to the hap- 
 piness and purity of its first creation. Remove 
 every thing that would mar the peace and holiness 
 of mankind : and grant that as sin has reigned unto 
 death, even so may grace reign, through righteous- 
 ness, unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our 
 Lord. 
 
 EXAMPLE. 
 
 Lord, make me understand the good and evil 
 influences I may exert in the world by my example. 
 Let me not dishonour thy name, nor cast shame on 
 thy church, nor throw a stumbling-block in the way 
 of sinners, by a careless or unholy walk : but may 
 my light so shine before men, that they may see my 
 good works, and glorify thee. May I walk as the 
 children of light, and have no fellowship with the un- 
 fruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 
 Enable me by well-doing, to put to silence the 
 ignorance of foolish men. Make me blameless and 
 without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and per- 
 verse people ; holding forth the word of life, that I 
 may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not 
 laboured in vain. Blessed Lord, grant me, for 
 
70 
 
 Christ's sake, a name and a place among thy pecu- 
 liar people, whom thou hast chosen to show forth thy 
 praises. Make me a guide to the blind, a light to 
 them that walk in darkness, and a living epistle of 
 good works, known and read of all men. Enable 
 me to hold fast the profession of my faith, without 
 wavering, that men may take knowledge of me that 
 I have been with Jesus. O God, restore thy salva- 
 tion unto me, and uphold me by thy free Spirit ; so 
 shall I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners 
 shall be converted unto thee. 
 
 EXISTENCE OF GOD. 
 
 Thou, Jehovah, art the only living and true God. 
 My reason tells me that thou art — my conscience 
 warns me of thy being — thou art known by thy 
 judgments, and art proclaimed by thy mercies. 
 Wherever I go, I see the proofs of thine existence; 
 for the whole universe is a magazine of reference to 
 thee, as over all, God, blessed for ever. Lord, let 
 not my heart ever say with the fool, " there is no 
 God ;" nor my conduct show that I have forgotten 
 or denied thee. Grant that I may not only believe 
 that thou art, but that thou art the rewarder of them 
 that diligently seek thee. O teach me out of the 
 book of nature and the volume of thy word, thy 
 being, and character, and will ; and may all I learn 
 of thee, lead me to worship and serve thee in Spirit 
 and in truth. 
 
 FAITH. 
 
 Lord, I would believe ; help thou mine unbelief. 
 Enable me to have faith towards thee, as infinite, 
 eternal, and unchangeable in all thine attributes. 
 May I believe with my heart unto righteousness, in 
 
71 
 
 all thy purposes and dealings towards the creatures 
 thou hast made. Be thou, O Lord, the strength of 
 my heart and the portion of my hope for ever. 
 
 Let me not stagger at thy word through unbelief; 
 for without faith it is impossible to please thee* 
 May I trust thee in all thou hast spoken, as well 
 as in all thou hast done. Let me not hold thy truth 
 in unrighteousness ; but do thou make it profitable 
 to me for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and 
 for instruction in righteousness ; that thereby I may 
 be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. 
 Teach me to confide in its precious promises, to 
 heed its solemn warnings, to follow its sacred exam- 
 ples, and to obey its holy precepts. 
 
 Lead me, blessed God, to look unto Jesus, the 
 author and finisher of faith. To him give all the 
 prophets witness, that through him, whosoever be- 
 lieveth on his name, shall have remission of sins : 
 while he that believeth not shall be damned. O 
 may he be my Teacher, my Saviour and my Ruler ; 
 and may I receive and rest upon him alone for sal- 
 vation, as he is offered in the gospel. 
 
 Lord, enable me to exercise faith in prayer. 
 Give me an abiding conviction, that thou art the re- 
 warder of all that diligently seek thee. May I ask 
 of thee the things that are according to thy will, 
 trusting that I shall receive them. May I knock at 
 the door of thy mercy, believing that thou wilt open 
 unto me. O grant me access with confidence to the 
 throne of thy grace, in the strength of Christ's 
 merits, and of that intercession which he ever liveth 
 to make for those that come unto thee by him. 
 
 Lord, give me grace to show my faith by my 
 works, without which it would be dead, being alone. 
 May I add to it virtue, knowledge, temperance, pa- 
 
72 
 
 tience, godliness, brotherly-kindness, and charity. 
 May it so work by love, that I may realize the 
 iniquity and danger of those who are strangers to 
 thy covenant of promise, and have the energies of 
 my soul and body stirred up to pluck them as brands 
 from the burning. 
 
 Heavenly Father, give me the evidence of things 
 not seen, and the substance of things hoped for. 
 May I live by faith, and not by sight ; looking not at 
 the things which are seen and temporal, but at those 
 that are not seen, and are eternal. O may it 
 please thee to give me that victory which over- 
 cometh the world ; and to grant that in all the trials 
 of life, and amid the struggles of death, I may come 
 oft' more than conqueror, through him who is the 
 end of the law for righteousness to all that believe 
 on him. 
 
 FALSEHOOD. 
 
 Lord, preserve me from falsehood. Teach me 
 that it degrades character, injures peace of con- 
 science, subverts the welfare of society, and incurs 
 thy hot displeasure. O make my conscience tender 
 with regard to every violation of truth. Let me not 
 utter falsehood in jest ; for thou hast said that for 
 every idle word that men shall speak, they shall 
 give account in the day of judgment. Let me 
 not depart from truth, for the love of gain ; for the 
 wages of sin is death. Let me not practice deceit, 
 through the fear or favour of man ; for his breath is 
 in his nostrils. And, O Lord, let me not be false, 
 with the plea of doing good ; for we may not do 
 evil that good may come. Keep me, I pray thee, 
 from every thing which is prejudicial to truth, or in- 
 jurious to my own or my neighbour's good name. 
 
73 
 
 Suffer me not to think, nor act, nor speak deceitfully 
 in any thing. 
 
 O Lord, make me, above all, sincere towards 
 thee. Let me not attempt to draw nigh to thee with 
 a lip-service, while my heart is far from thee. 
 Thou searchest the heart, and triest the reins : thou 
 art not deceived, and thou canst not be mocked. May 
 all my homage before thee, spring from a control- 
 ling desire to do thy will, which requires truth in 
 the inward parts. 
 
 FASTING. 
 
 Assist me, O Lord, to set my face unto thee, to 
 seek by prayer and supplication, with fasting. Lead 
 me at suitable times, to deny my appetites, out of 
 religious principle, and with a view to spiritual bene- 
 fits on myself and others. Teach me that thou hast 
 commanded this duty ; that thy saints in all ages 
 have fulfilled it ; and that in doing so, they have en- 
 joyed thy favour. Lord, make it the intelligent ser- 
 vice of my heart. May I resort to it as a means of 
 crucifying the flesh, of mortifying the deeds of the 
 body, and of bringing it into subjection to the im- 
 mortal interests of the soul. Enable me to offer it 
 in penitence before thee, as the expression of a sense 
 of my sinfulness. Do thou make its every exercise 
 conducive to the health of my body, and the clear- 
 ness and vigour of my mind ; and render it an in- 
 strument of leading me to forsake selfishness and 
 iniquity, and to serve thee with a pure-hearted and 
 an increasing devotion. 
 
 Lord, bless the appointed fasts of thy churches. 
 May these solemn seasons be accompanied by peni- 
 tence for transgression, abandonment of sin, conse- 
 cration to thy service, and revivals of pure and 
 7 
 
74 
 
 imdefiled religion, which shall pervade all the courts 
 of Zion, and be the means of adding to her many of 
 such as shall be saved. 
 
 FEAR. 
 
 Lord, grant that my heart may always be influ- 
 enced by that fear of thee, which is the beginning of 
 wisdom, and is a fountain of life that is clean, en- 
 during for ever. Let not my fear of thee be the 
 dread of a slave, nor the terror of a criminal ; but 
 the awe of a servant mingled with the confidence of 
 a child. May it lead me to avoid thy displeasure — 
 to desire thy favour — to hate evil — and to do thy 
 pleasure in all the walks of life. 
 
 Lord, cause the dread of thy judgments to rest on 
 the wicked. Make them feel that thy presence is 
 continually about them, and that thy knowledge 
 maketh record of all their transgressions. May they 
 understand thy power and justice, and be convinced 
 that these attributes are pledged to destroy the finally 
 impenitent. Cause them to kiss the Son, lest he be 
 angry, and they perish from the way, when his 
 wrath is kindled but a little. Show them that thy 
 mercy is upon all that fear thee, from generation to 
 generation. 
 
 Keep me, O Lord, from the fear of man that 
 bringeth a snare. If thou art for me, who can be 
 against me? Who is he that will harm me, if I am 
 a follower of that which is good ? Grant me cour- 
 age to speak of thy testimonies, and not be ashamed. 
 Though the proud have me in derision, let me not 
 decline from thy law. Help me to despise the 
 shame of a gainsaying world, lest the Son of Man 
 be ashamed of me when he cometh in the glory of 
 the Father, with his holy angels. 
 
75 
 
 Fellowship. — See Communion. 
 
 FORBEARANCE. 
 
 Vouchsafe unto me, O Lord, that spirit which is 
 not easily provoked ; but that beareth all things, and 
 endureth all things ; that sufTereth long, and is still 
 kind. Fix permanently in my mind, the example of 
 Christ who also suffered for us, that we should fol- 
 low in his steps. And thou hast said that when we 
 do well and suffer for it, yet take it patiently, this is 
 acceptable with God. Show me that the discretion 
 of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to 
 pass over a transgression. May I consider my own 
 proneness to trespass upon the rights of others, lest 
 I also be tempted, and need the forbearance of my 
 fellows. Let me recompense to no man evil for 
 evil ; nor avenge myself; but rather give place to 
 wrath : for vengeance is thine, and thou wilt repay. 
 Dispose me, O Lord, to love my enemies ; and O let 
 me not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with 
 good. 
 
 FORBEARANCE OF GOD. 
 
 Heavenly Father, assist me to contemplate the 
 riches of thy forbearance and long suffering. I 
 am not deserving of the least of thy mercies. Hadst 
 thou been strict to mark mine iniquities, I had long 
 ere this been reaping the endless retributions of sin. 
 My whole life has been a witness for thee, that thou 
 wilt have mercy, and not sacrifice : and I enjoy now 
 the privilege of approaching thy mercy-seat, because 
 thy mercy rejoiceth against thy judgment. O I 
 am not worthy to come into thy presence, nor to lifl 
 up mine eyes to the place where thine honour 
 dwelleth. Lord, let me not vex thine enduring 
 goodness by continued sin, lest thou say in thy 
 
76 
 
 wrath, *' Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him 
 alone." Let me not weary thy patience with un- 
 fruitfulness; lest thou pronounce thy judgment, "Cut 
 him down : why cumbereth he the ground?" Mer- 
 ciful Father, grant that thy forbearance may lead 
 me to the humility of penitence, and the obedience 
 of faith. 
 
 Lord, let not sinners despise nor presume on the 
 riches of thy long-suffering. Suffer not their hearts 
 to be set in them to do evil, because sentence 
 against an evil work is not executed speedily. Show 
 them that thou givest thy mercy, that they may 
 have space for repentance; or, that if they turn not 
 from their evil ways, thou mayest display thy holy 
 justice in their condemnation. O grant. Lord, that 
 thy forbearance may lead them to repent, and to 
 learn, in the day of their merciful visitation, the 
 things which belong to their peace. 
 
 FOREKNOWLEDGE. 
 
 God of Wisdom, how infinite is the contrast be- 
 tween thine omniscience and our imperfect know- 
 ledge. We know not what a day may bring forth ; 
 but thou knowest the end from the beginning. 
 There is none that has been thy counsellor : thine 
 eye alone searches the secrets of futurity. A thou- 
 sand years are with thee as but one day ; and 
 among the infinite series of events that lie through- 
 out the eternity to come, there is not one, of which 
 thou dost not know the time and the manner of its 
 coming. 
 
 Lord, I would praise thee for those fruits of thy 
 foreknowledge which thou hast given us in thy pro- 
 phecies and promises. I thank thee that thou hast 
 granted us these testimonials of thy wisdom, to con- 
 
77 
 
 firm our faith in thy word, and to strengthen our 
 hope in thy mercy. O grant that the foretell ings 
 of thy knowledge, which are registered in thy word, 
 may convince the infidel, that the Bible is everlast- 
 ing truth. And may all that love thee thank God, 
 and take courage from these seals of thy testimo- 
 nies. 
 
 FORGIVENESS. 
 
 Almighty God, do thou so control and discipline 
 my heart, that I shall be ever ready to exercise the 
 virtue of forgiveness. Thouo-h mv motives and 
 character be slandered, and my property and person 
 injured, let me not return railing for railing, nor in- 
 jury for injury. May I remember thine example of 
 long suffering and great mercy, in which thou dost 
 not avenge thyself of thine adversaries ; and art not 
 willing that any should perish, but that all should 
 come to repentance. May I consider how long thou 
 didst bear with my own disregard of thy rights, and 
 disobedience to thy law, until thou didst at last 
 move me to repentance and faith, and didst crown 
 me, as I trust, with undeserved forgiveness of my 
 sins. 
 
 Lord, make me realize the condition of that 
 prayer, " forgive us our debts as we forgive our 
 debtors." O let me not, by a vindictive spirit, 
 seal up the fountains of thy pardon ; for thou hast 
 said that if we do not forgive men their trespasses, 
 neither will our Father in heaven forgive us our 
 trespasses. — Lord, incline me, moreover, to a mer- 
 ciful spirit by the reflection, that I ofien commit 
 oflfences against the rights of others. May I there- 
 fore do unto them as I would have them do unto me. 
 Make me willing to seek forgiveness of any whom I 
 7# 
 
78 
 
 may offend or injure. Permit not false shame nor 
 pride to keep me from acknowledging my errors 
 and transgressions. May 1 feel that there is more 
 honour in confessing and repairing a sin against my 
 neighbour, than in covering it up and refusing to 
 render him justice. — Lord, dispose me to love my 
 enemies, to bless them that curse me, and to do good 
 to them that hate me. — [See Pardon.] 
 
 FRUGALITY. 
 
 Make me frugal, O Lord, in my habits of life. 
 Let me not be anxious as to what I shall eat, or 
 drink, or wherewithal I shall be clothed; nor seek to 
 make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. 
 Persuade me that I have no right to decorate my 
 person, my family, my house, or my table, with un- 
 becoming, or dishonest, or luxurious expenditure. 
 Convince me that an immoderate use of thy bounties 
 is inconsistent with peace of mind, health of body, 
 and enjoyment of thy favour. May I gather up my 
 fragments of time and property, and use them in thy 
 service. Lord, dispose me to use economy and 
 prudence in my expenses, that I may thus be fur- 
 nished with additional means of supplying the wants 
 of the destitute, and contributing to those objects of 
 benevolence which promote the welfare of man and 
 display thy glory. 
 
 GENTLENESS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, bestow on me that fruit of thy 
 Spirit which is gentleness. Impress on my mind, 
 that the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be 
 gentle unto all men. May I remember him who 
 was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and like a sheep 
 dumb before his shearer, opened not his mouth : 
 
79 
 
 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his 
 mouth : who when he suffered threatened not, but 
 committed himself to him that judgeth righteously — 
 leaving us an example, that we should follow in his 
 steps. Blessed Jesus, thou pattern of meekness, 
 preserve my temper and conduct from unkindness 
 and violence. May a holy calm pervade my heart 
 in all the changes and trials I may encounter — and 
 manifest itself in kindness and good will, in all the 
 relations of life. fill my heart with that wisdom 
 from above, which is gentle, easy to be entreated, 
 and full of mercy and good fruits. 
 
 GLORY OF GOD. 
 
 Lord God Almighty, thou art glorious in the infi- 
 nite excellencies of thy character. Thou art ever- 
 lasting in being, almighty in power, infinite in wisdom, 
 inflexible in justice, eternal in truth, spotless in holi- 
 ness, and boundless in mercy. Great and marvel- 
 lous are thy works, just and true are thy ways, thou 
 King of Saints. Who will not fear and glorify thy 
 name ? The heavens declare thy glory, and the firma- 
 ment exhibiteth thy handy work : day unto day utter- 
 eth speech concerning thee, and night unto night 
 shovveth knowledge of thee. All thy works praise 
 thee. But it is in the person and work of our blessed 
 Saviour that thou hast chiefly shown the perfection 
 of thy character, for the adoration and homage of 
 thine intelligent creation. There thou didst make 
 thy richest display of might and knowledge, right- 
 eousness and goodness. O, thou art worthy to be 
 held in everlasting honour, that he who was the 
 brightness of the Father's glory, and the express im- 
 age of his person, was made flesh, and dwelt with us, 
 being in all points tempted as we are ; and when he 
 
80 
 
 had filled up the measure of his reproach and perse- 
 cution, gave himself up to an ignominious death, that 
 we might have redemption through his blood, even 
 the remission of sins. 
 
 Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. O help 
 me to honour thee whenever I contemplate thy works, 
 or thy word, or thy providence. Shine into my heart 
 to give me the light of the knowledge of thy glory 
 in the face of Jesus Christ. May I praise thee in my 
 thoughts, and Avith rny lips, and by my life: and 
 whether I eat or drink, or whatsoever I do, may 1 do 
 all to the glory of God. 
 
 Lord, let all thy saints bless thee. Instruct them 
 that their chief end is to glorify thee. May they me- 
 ditate on thy greatness, ^and talk of thy wondrous 
 works, and honour thy will by acts of holy obedi- 
 ence. May Christ be fully formed in their hearts 
 the hope of glory. Make them the blessed instru- 
 ments of leading multitudes, who now cast dishonour 
 on thy mercy, to witness and magnify the riches of 
 thy grace. 
 
 Father, glorify thy name in turning the wicked 
 from the error of their ways unto the wisdom of the 
 just. O fulfil in all their power and efficacy the 
 messages of the gospel, which are glory to God in the 
 highest ; peace on earth, and good-will to men. 
 
 God. — See Jldoration^ Existence^ Omnipresence^ (Sfc, 
 
 GODLINESS. 
 
 O Lord, vouchsafe to me, through the merit and 
 intercession of Jesus, that godliness which is profita- 
 ble unto all things, having the promise of the life that 
 now is, and of that which is to come. Lead me to 
 reverence thy name ; for thou art God, and beside 
 
81 
 
 thee there is none other. Incline me to love thy 
 character, which is the perfection of excellency. 
 Learn me thy testimonies, which are sure, making 
 wise the simple. Lead me to suhmit willingly to all 
 thy dispensations ; for they are of the Lord ; let him 
 do what seemeth good in his sight. May I depend 
 on thee with a confiding heart, for every bless- 
 ing ; for thou hast said that as my day is so shall my 
 strength be. Excite me, O Lord, to praise thy good- 
 ness ; for thou art merciful and gracious, long-suffer- 
 ing and abundant in goodness. Build thou my hopes 
 of thy favour on the precious merits of Jesus, besides 
 whose name there is no other given by which I may 
 be saved. And, O Lord, assist me by thy grace to 
 obey all thy law; for not every one that saith, "Lord, 
 Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that 
 doeth the will of our Father in heaven. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, bless the fold of Christ. Let 
 none who have the form of godliness deny the power 
 thereof. Give thy people wisdom, love, zeal, and 
 influence. May their lives be hid with Christ in God, 
 so that when Christ, who is their life, shall appear, 
 they also shall appear with him in glory. And grant, 
 most merciful God, that all men may learn that mys- 
 tery of godliness, God manifest in the fiesh, justified 
 in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gen- 
 tiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 
 
 GOOD WORKS. 
 
 Blessed God, make me understand the imperfec- 
 tion of human obedience. There is not a just man 
 on earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Even 
 when I most fulfil thy will, I am an unprofitable ser- 
 vant. Lord, keep me from thoughts and boastings 
 of merit : for it is not by works of righteousness, I 
 
82 
 
 have done, that I shall be justified, but by thy grace, 
 through Jesus Christ, the Saviour. And yet, O Lord, 
 do thou make me careful to maintain good works : 
 for thou rcquirest me to work that which is well pleas- 
 ing in thy sight ; and thou hast an infinite right to 
 my service, as m}'- Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer. 
 Create me, therefore, in Christ Jesus, unto good works, 
 and make me as the branch which abideth in the 
 vine, bearing fruit. May thy word be in my heart ; 
 as good seed, which springeth up, and beareth an 
 hundred fold. May I do thy will with a heart of love, 
 with faith unfeigned, and with desire that all I do 
 may be for thy glory. Grant me the renewing of the 
 Holy Spirit, and that faith which works by love, 
 and is accepted by thee, in Christ's name, for right- 
 eousness. Teach me, O Lord, that whatsoever a 
 man soweth that shall he also reap. If he sow to the 
 flesh, he shall of the flesh reap corruption : but if he 
 sow to the Spirit, he shall of the Spirit reap life ever- 
 lasting. I pray thee, therefore, let me not be weary 
 in well-doing; for in due season I shall reap, if I 
 faint not. — [See Duty and Usefulness.] 
 
 GOODNESS OF GOD. 
 
 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his 
 benefits ; for God is love. Thou art good, O Lord, 
 in giving, preserving, and blessing the lives of thy 
 creatures. They are thine offspring, and have their 
 being in thy mercy. The eyes of all are unto thee, 
 and thou givest them their meat in due season : thou 
 openest thy hand, and satisfiest the desires of every 
 living thing. Thou crownest the year with thy good- 
 ness, and thy paths drop fatness. — Thou hast shown 
 thy mercy in thy forbearance; for if thou didst mark 
 iniquity, who could stand? Yea, thou art long-suffering, 
 
83 
 
 and art not willing that any should perish, but that 
 all should come to repentance. — But thou hast exhib- 
 ited thy goodness, above all, in the gift of thy Son. 
 Thou didst so love the world, as to give him, that 
 whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but 
 have everlasting life : and thou didst commend thy 
 love to us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died 
 for us. Though we had turned every one to his own 
 way, the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all. — 
 Blessed God, thou art merciful in the gift of the holy 
 scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto sal- 
 vation — and in the bestowment of that Comforter, 
 whose ministrations are life because of righteousness. 
 — Even thine afflictions have been blessings in dis- 
 guise : for thou hast chastened us for our profit, that 
 we might be partakers of thy holiness : and though 
 thy chastenings seemed not to be joyous, but griev- 
 ous, yet afterwards they worked the peaceable fruits 
 of righteousness. — Lo ! thou hast made even the sins 
 of thy creatures to work together for good : thou hast 
 made the wrath of man to praise thee : and where 
 sin hath abounded, grace did much more abound. — 
 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even 
 he shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. 
 
 Heavenly Father, make me feel that I am not 
 worthy of the least of thy mercies, and that I have 
 deserved thy wrath instead of thy kindness. Bind 
 me, I beseech thee, to thee and thy cause by a strong 
 and an abiding gratitude. Permit me not to forget 
 nor abuse thy mercies. Let them not rise up in 
 judgment against me, either in this world, or in that 
 which is to come. Do thou lead me, Lord, to imi- 
 tate thy goodness, by labours of love, and by seek- 
 ing occasions to do good in all the relations of life. 
 
 Lord, draw all men unto thee by the cords of thy 
 
84 
 
 love. May thy kindness lead them to repentance and 
 to devotion to thy cause. O that men would praise 
 the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful 
 ■works to the children of men. His goodness endur- 
 eth continually, and his mercy is everlasting. 
 
 GOSPEL. 
 
 Gracious Jehovah, assist me to understand, and 
 love, and obey the gospel of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. I would magnify the riches of thy 
 mercy which devised these glad tidings of great joy for 
 all people. I would praise thee that thou didst send 
 it in due time, in all its fulness of grace and truth, 
 life and immortality. It was not because we de- 
 served thy favour, or sought thy mercy ; but because 
 thou didst pity our lost condition, and didst enter 
 into a covenant of grace, to bring us out of an estate 
 of sin and misery into an estate of salvation, by a 
 Redeemer. Lord, 1 would praise thee that this 
 word is offered without money and without price ; 
 and that whosoever will may take of the waters of 
 life freely. Thou hast made the plan of redemption 
 commensurate with the wants and sins of our ruined 
 race, and with the claims of thy holy and inflexible 
 justice. 
 
 Lord, help me to lay hold upon the hope set be- 
 fore me in the gospel. May I receive it as the only 
 savour of life unto life. Let me not be ashamed of 
 the gospel of Jesus Christ ; but may I glory in it as 
 the power of God, unto salvation, to every one that 
 believeth. May it teach me to deny ungodliness, 
 and to live righteously in thy sight. Make it the 
 instrument of building me up in saving knowledge, 
 holy love, and willing obedience, to the praise of 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
85 
 
 God, make the impenitent feel that they cannot 
 escape thy wrath, if they neglect this great salva- 
 tion. May it bring them, from being strangers and 
 foreigners, to be fellow-citizens of the household of 
 faith. May it turn their carnal minds from their en- 
 mity unto peace with God, and release them, being 
 justified by faith, from that wrath of God which 
 now abideth on them. Blessed Saviour, call them 
 from darkness into marvellous light : free them from 
 the bondage of sin, and cause them to stand fast in 
 the liberty wherewith thou makest thy servants free. 
 
 Lord, may the kingdom of thy gospel come, and 
 thy will be done on earth as in heaven. Multiply 
 the number of those who shall run to and fro, in- 
 creasing knowledge. Make the reading, but espe- 
 cially the preaching of thy word, an effectual means 
 of convincino; and converting; sinners. — Strensrthen 
 
 o o o 
 
 the minds, and sanctify the wills, and increase the 
 zeal of thy people. Send the rod of thy strength 
 out of Zion, and make thy people wilhng in the day 
 of thy power : and may converts be multiplied to 
 them as drops of dew in the morning. O God, re- 
 deem thy promise, that at the name of Jesus every 
 knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that he is 
 Lord, to the praise of God, the Father. 
 
 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 King of Kings and Lord of Lords, dispose me to 
 pray for all that are in authority, that we may lead a 
 quiet and peaceable life, in all honesty and godliness. 
 May I remember that the powers that be are ordain- 
 ed of God, and that by thee kings reign and princes 
 decree justice. Make me grateful to thee that thou 
 hast put the restraints of law upon mankind. O do 
 thou make every rule of administration throughout 
 8 
 
86 
 
 the world, conform to thy benevolent will. Make 
 those that bear the sword a terror to evil-doers, and 
 a praise to them that do well. Make our officers 
 peace, and our exactors righteousness. Let our 
 law-givers be men tiiat fear God and hale covetous- 
 ness. Though thou canst make the wrath of tyrants 
 to praise thee; yet do thou so order the means and 
 objects of human government, that thy glory may be 
 advanced by the holiness and happiness of rulers 
 and people. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee for that form of government 
 which has been, under thy hand, a protection and 
 blessing to this nation. Reform its evils, and spread 
 its blessings, until every country shall rejoice in the 
 sovereignty of useful and just laws. But, O Lord, 
 may we not forget that it is righteousness which ex- 
 alteth a nation ; while sin is a reproach to any peo- 
 ple. Deal not with us according to our transgres- 
 sions. Say not in thy wrath, that thy kingdom 
 shall be taken from us, and given to a nation bring- 
 ing forth the fruits thereof. Make this land Imma- 
 nuel's land, where peace will have her dwelling, 
 liberty her home, and piety her abode, until this 
 world and all the works therein shall be burned up, 
 and there be a new heaven and a new earth, 
 wherein dwclleth righteousness. 
 
 GRACE. 
 
 Lord, enable me through the adorable Redeemer, 
 to know, and value, and possess the exceeding riches 
 of thy grace. It is rich in its source ; for it is the 
 fulness of him that filleth all in all. It is rich in 
 its abundance; since it is given to us for help in 
 every time of need. And, O, it is rich in its un- 
 speakable blessings ; for it brings the forgiveness of 
 
87 
 
 sins — gives us the washing of regeneration — unites 
 us to Christ by a living faith — ^justifies us by his 
 merits — bestows on us the witness of the Spirit — 
 gives us the victory over the world and the grave — 
 makes us heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, 
 in the enjoyments of heaven lor ever. Show me, O 
 Lord, that Jesus is the mediator of this blessing : it 
 is he that maketh peace through the blood of his 
 cross : he giveth repentance and remission of sins : 
 and he seals the redeemed soul by the Spirit, through 
 sanctification, unto eternal life. — Lord, thou couldst 
 have glorified thyself in the destruction of thy rebel 
 creatures ; but thou hast chosen, in thy mercy, to 
 win them back to thee by love, that thou mightest 
 glorify thyself in their newness of life on earth, and 
 their eternal bliss in heaven. 
 
 Merciful God, enable me, by thy blessing, to 
 grow in grace. May I hunger and thirst after 
 righteousness, and desire the sincere milk of the 
 word, that I may grow thereby. May I seek to give 
 strength to every godly principle within me, by ha- 
 bitual industry in thy service ; by exercising myself 
 unto godliness, and always abounding in the work 
 of the Lord. Be pleased to order thy dispensations, 
 whether of prosperity or adversity, so that they may 
 promote my spiritual good. Build me on the founda- 
 tion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being 
 the chief corner-stone. May I in all things by 
 prayer and supplication, make known my requests 
 unto thee. And, O, grant me thy Holy Spirit, to 
 sanctify my affections, and to assist me in giving all 
 diligence to make my calling and election sure. 
 
 Heavenly Father, transform me by the renewing 
 of my mind, that I may know what is thy good, and 
 perfect and acceptable will. Enable me to go from 
 
88 
 
 strength to strength ; and do thou change me from 
 glory to glory. Animate my heart with supreme 
 love to God, and impartial love to man. Give me 
 an increasing purity of motive, strength of principle, 
 self-abasement, and loathing of sin. Let me not 
 love the world, nor the things that are in the world. 
 May I cherish the fellowship of thy saints ; and seek 
 the welfare of thy kingdom, by gifts, by labour, and 
 by supplication. Blessed Lord, make me holy, 
 harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, cause thy grace to dwell 
 richly in the hearts of all thy people. May they 
 watch unto prayer against anger, pride, and covet- 
 ousness ; against ambition, censoriousness, and im- 
 purity. May they look diligently, lest any fail of 
 the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness spring- 
 ing up, trouble them, and thereby many be defiled. 
 Make their christian character as the light of heaven, 
 which shineth more and more, unto the perfect day. 
 
 Lord, exert the power of thy grace on the hearts 
 of the impenitent. Convince them of their guilt and 
 danger ; persuade them to accept of thy mercy in 
 Jesus; renew their wills and sanctify their feelings; 
 lead them to pant after thee, as the hart panteth 
 after the water-brook, and to run willingly in all 
 the ways of thy commandments. O grant that 
 where sin hath abounded, grace may much more 
 abound. And to God, only wise, be glory through 
 Jesus Christ, for ever. 
 
 GRATITUDE. 
 
 Lord Jehovah, thou art good, and lovest to do 
 good. Thou art the giver of every good and perfect 
 gift. My whole life has been a living record of thy 
 mercy. Thou hast given mc the blessings of health 
 
89 
 
 and peace, food and clothing, home and friends, 
 protection and happiness. Yet all these are but as 
 the small dust of the balance compared with thy 
 mercy in Christ Jesus. Though the creatures thou 
 hadst made to be the subjects of thy bounty, had 
 all rebelled against thy law, thou didst so love 
 them as to give thy Son for them, to bring them 
 back with an everlasting redemption. And because 
 they still, notwithstanding this matchless offer of 
 compassion, would not come unto thee, that they 
 might have life, thou hast given them the influences 
 of thy Holy Spirit, to persuade them to accept of 
 mercy. And to as many as thou hast given power 
 to become the sons of God, thou hast vouchsafed 
 such measures of thy grace, that they shall be able 
 to persevere in obedience, through faith, unto com- 
 plete salvation. 
 
 O Lord, cause my gratitude to bear some propor- 
 tion to thy goodness. Let me not forget thy bene- 
 fits, nor think that my own hand has wrought any 
 of them. Incline me to look back often, with min- 
 gled feelings of wonder and love, on the way in which 
 thou hast led me by thy providence and grace. Give 
 me such views of thy loving-kindness, and of my 
 own utter unworthiness, as shall lead me to magnify 
 continually the richness of thy goodness. Induce 
 me to love thee because thou hast first loved me. 
 Make my enjoyment of thy mercies a motive to obe- 
 dience. Especially may the love of Christ constrain 
 me to do thy will. O may I desire to show my 
 sense of obligation to thee by always seeking to do 
 what is well -pleasing in thy sight. 
 
 Great God, cause thine unnumbered mercies to- 
 wards guilty men, to melt the hardness of their 
 hearts, to subdue their rebellious wills, and to lead 
 8* 
 
90 
 
 them by the allurements of thy love, to a godly sor- 
 row for sin, a cordial faith in the atonement, and a 
 grateful devotion to thy cause. Make the multitudes 
 who are children of disobedience, the sons of adop- 
 tion, to the praise of the fulness of thy grace. 
 
 O Lord, permit me not to be ungrateful to my fel- 
 low creatures. Thou hast been pleased so to consti- 
 tute our social relations, that each is dependent on 
 others for kindness and favour. Thou hast made 
 many of them the almoners of thy bounty to me. 
 Make my heart sensible of every benefit I receive 
 from them : and while my affections abound towards 
 those who do me good, lead me, O Lord, to do good 
 to all men. — Promote, I beseech thee, the prevalence 
 of acts of good will among all thy creatures, until 
 envy, ingratitude, and hatred shall be banished from 
 the world, and all men abound in love to God and to 
 each other. 
 
 GRAVE. 
 
 Great God, teach me that I am dust, and must 
 return to dust. May I often and habitually look for- 
 ward to the grave, that narrow house appointed for 
 all the living. Lead me to regard it as the monu- 
 ment of human guilt ; for if there had been no sin, 
 there had been no grave : the wages of sin is death. 
 O may every mound that marks the last dwelling- 
 place of a human being, be a witness that sin has 
 entered into the world, and death by sin. May I 
 learn from it, the vanity of earthly good — we bring 
 nothing into the world, and we can carry nothing 
 out — we must say to corruption, " Thou art my fa- 
 ther ;" and to tlie worm, " Thou art my mother and 
 my sister." Lord, this wide world is one vast 
 burial-place ; and we plant our feet daily on some spot 
 
91 
 
 that has been the charnel-house of mortality. Alas, 
 death dwells every where, but in the giddy thoughts 
 of men. 
 
 But I thank thee, O Lord, that amid all its gloom, 
 the grave has its consolations. Jesus, our Saviour, 
 has been there, and has sanctified the tomb as the 
 resting place of his people's dust. There the weary 
 are at rest. Though the body shall turn to dust, the 
 spirit will return to God who gave it : and while thy 
 saints are absent from the body, they are present 
 with the Lord. Nor shall our sleep be eternal : the 
 earth shall cast out her dead — this mortal shall put 
 on immortality, and that which was sown in dishon- 
 our, shall be raised in glory. — Lord, grant that when 
 the dead come forth at thy voice, mine may be the 
 resurrection of life; that so I may be openly acknow- 
 ledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and be 
 made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God 
 to all eternity. 
 
 Heavenly Father, for Christ's sake, grant that 
 every tomlD may be a convincing and persuading 
 preacher to the impenitent. May they learn and act 
 upon the truth, that it is appointed unto all men once 
 to die. Show them that after death cometh the 
 judgment, when they who have done evil, shall come 
 forth to the resurrection of damnation. O may ma- 
 ny now lay to heart the things that belong to their 
 eternal peace : and then, when Christ shall appear, 
 they also shall appear with him, who is the resur- 
 rection and the life, blessed for ever. 
 
 GRIEF. 
 
 Compassionate Jehovah, thou knowest all the 
 sources of my griefs — the afflictions of my body — 
 the weakness and ignorance of my mind — the loss 
 
92 
 
 of cherished objects — and the miseries of my sinful- 
 ness. When I look back upon my past life, how do 
 slighted mercy, neglected grace, and sinful rebellion 
 rise up to confound me with sorrow. — When I look 
 within me, and examine my present state, I find that 
 when I would delight in the law of the Lord after 
 the inward man, there is a law in my members war- 
 ring against the law of my mind, and bringing me 
 into captivity to the law of sin : so that I am con- 
 strained to say, " O wretched man that I am ; who 
 shall deliver me from the body of this death ?" — 
 When my thoughts go forth into the unknown future, 
 I have reason to pass the time of my sojourning here 
 in fear, lest, being led away by the corruption of my 
 heart, the error of the wicked, and the deceit of Sa- 
 tan, I may fall from my steadfastness. — When I look 
 around me, I find sources of grief every where; for 
 the ways of Zion mourn, and my heart is faint 
 within me: I behold the transgressors, and am 
 grieved: rivers of waters should run down mine 
 eyes, because men keep not thy law. — O God, it 
 behooves me also to mourn when thou dost, for any 
 reason, hide thy face from me — when the heavens 
 above me are as brass, and my trembling heart 
 would surmise that even God had forgotten to be 
 gracious. 
 
 But, O Lord, thou knowest all my griefs; and 
 thou canst sanctify them to me. I pray ihee, soothe 
 and bless my sorrows. Recompense me in all of 
 them, by the light of thy countenance. Give me the 
 blessedness of them that mourn with a godly sor- 
 row ; for they shall be comforted. Restore unto me 
 the joys of thy salvation, and uphold me by thy free 
 Spirit. Let not m.y soul be cast down, nor grow 
 weary of life, nor rebel against thy will. Make me 
 
93 
 
 to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou 
 hast broken may rejoice. When thou hast wrought 
 the purposes of thy sovereignty, O give me beauty 
 for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the gar- 
 ments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 
 
 HAPPINESS. 
 
 Blessed God, T thank thee for that impulse of my 
 nature, by which I am led to pursue happiness. 
 Without its refreshing influence, life would be but a 
 barren desert. Yet, O how has my evil heart cor- 
 rupted this law of thy benevolence. Whilst thou 
 hast given me faculties and aspirings for commu- 
 nion with God, and heaven, and holiness, I have 
 sought my joys in sense, and earth, and sin. Lord, 
 help me to overcome this corruption of my nature. 
 May I make my happiness subordinate to tiiy glory, 
 and in unison with my duty. Dispose me, I pray 
 thee, to use the lawful pleasures of life temperately, 
 and with submission to thy will. Let not my soul 
 find its portion in this world's pleasures, honours, or 
 riches. Lead me to seek first the kingdom of right- 
 eousness, and all that I need for my comfort shall be 
 added to it. Give me the blessedness of the poor in 
 spirit and the mourners for sin ; of the meek and 
 those that hunger and thirst after righteousness; of 
 the merciful and the pure in heart; of the peace- 
 makers, and those who are reviled and persecuted 
 for Christ's sake. May I seek thy favour, as the 
 source and liCe of every joy. Comfort me, I pray 
 thee, with a sense of thy forgiving mercy in Jesus ; 
 and O, he thou in him my reconciled God and Fa- 
 ther. Vouchsafe unto me the joys of holy commu- 
 nion with the triune God, and of faith in thy charac- 
 ter, word, and providence. Grant me the delights 
 
94 
 
 of thy rich, distinguishing, and unmerited grace, and 
 of an humble but blessed instrumentality in doing 
 good. 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, that it is not the lot of even 
 the best of the righteous, to enjoy undisturbed bliss 
 in this vale of tears. The deceptions of sin within 
 and without, the malice of the wicked, and the as- 
 saults of satan, often bring anguish on the hearts of 
 thy people. Incline me, therefore, to look at those 
 things which are unseen and eternal, and to lay up 
 treasures where there is no sin nor sorrow, but ful- 
 ness of joy and pleasures for evermore. 
 
 Lord, lead those who are seeking their happiness 
 in the perishing and corrupting pleasures of the 
 world, to feel their folly and guilt. Show them the 
 excellency and stability of the joys of thy service 
 and salvation ; and enable them by thy grace in 
 Christ, to make thee the strength of their hearts and 
 their portion for ever. Happy are the people whose 
 God is the Lord. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 I thank thee, O Lord, for the comfortable degree 
 of health I have been permitted to enjoy. I bless 
 thee that thou hast healed my sicknesses, and that 
 thou hast made their seasons short and few, com- 
 pared with those in which I have been free from dis- 
 ease and pain. Lord, grant me the healthful exer- 
 cise of all the powers of my mind and body. Lead 
 me to know and follow those physical and moral laws 
 within and around me, disobedience to which, will 
 disorder this structure which thou hast so fearfully 
 and wonderfully made; but which, if obeyed, will 
 tend to promote my personal comfort and soundness. 
 May I make the pursuit of health, the means ofenQ- 
 
95 
 
 bling me to grow in grace, to do good, and to ad- 
 vance the glory ot" God. 
 
 Blessed Lord, be thou the Physician of my soul.— 
 Heal my heart when it is broken with sorrow; bind 
 up my conscience when it is wounded by transgres 
 sion. Cleanse my mind from error, and my spirit 
 from sin ; and do thou bring over my soul the reno- 
 vating and strengthening joys of thy saving health. 
 
 HEART. 
 
 O God, assist me to keep my heart with all dili- 
 gence ; for out of it are the issues of life. May I re- 
 member that it is by nature deceitful above all things, 
 and desperately wicked ; and that none but God can 
 bring a clean thing out of this unclean. Dispose me, 
 I pray thee, to watch over it, lest I fall into tempta- 
 tion ; to be humble and mournful for its hardness 
 and sinfulness ; and to seek earnestly for grace to 
 cleanse me from its secret faults and presumptuous 
 sins. May I ever feel, O Lord, that thou searchest 
 the heart, and knowest it altogether. Help me, I 
 beseech thee, to make thee the object of its sincere, 
 unchanging, and unreserved love. 
 
 Great and Merciful God, guide and govern my af- 
 fections, so that they shall promote thy glory, show 
 forth the beauty of holiness, and impart to me peace 
 of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, fulness of 
 grace, and steadfastness, through faith, unto com- 
 plete redemption. O do thou give strength to my 
 heart in all the exigencies of life — in the days of 
 prosperity and the hours of affliction — in Zion's 
 troubles and joys — in rejoicing and sorrow — in duty 
 and temptation — in doubts and fears — in sickness 
 and death. Give me an inward propensity to holi- 
 ness. Help me to keep the avenues of my soul — 
 
96 
 
 my eye, that it may not lust after evil — my ear, that 
 it may be open to God, and shut to sin — and my 
 thoughts, that they may not be vain and unholy. 
 Lord, dispose me to watch unto prayer ; to ponder 
 the path of my feet ; to search the Scriptures ; and to 
 rely on thy Spirit to cleanse m.e from all that is evil, 
 and to strengthen me in all that is good. 
 
 Mercillil Father, persuade impenitent sinners to 
 give their hearts to thee. Make them feel that thou 
 hast created them for thine own ; that thou hast pur- 
 chased them day by day, by thy common mercies ; 
 and that Christ died that they might love thee. 
 Make them realize, in some degree, what it is to be 
 cast off from thy love for ever. O lead them by the 
 terrors of the Lord, and by the cords of love, to give 
 ■thee their affections without reserve, whilst thou art 
 waiting to be gracious. Whilst thou art calling, 
 " To-day," O may they hear thy voice, and harden 
 not their hearts ; but open their consciences to con- 
 viction of sin, and their souls to the renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost; so that they may be able to say, 
 " Whom have we in heaven but thee, and there is 
 none on earth that we desire beside thee." 
 
 HEATHEN. 
 
 Blessed God, I thank thee for the rich and various 
 blessings of thy gospel which I am permitted to en« 
 joy. O may the possession of them remind me that 
 there are millions of my fellow-creatures, as good by 
 nature as I am, to whom they are denied. Give me, 
 I pray thee, such a sense of these mercies, that my 
 gratitude to thee shall constantly urge me to strive 
 to extend them to the benighted nations of the earth. 
 Make my heart a fountain of compassion for the 
 wants and woes of the heathen ; and lead my feel- 
 
97 
 
 ings into such actions as shall make me an instru- 
 ment of giving them the blessings of salvation. 
 Make my conscience and heart feel the command 
 thou hast given thy people, to preach the gospel to 
 every creature. O Lord, lead me to obey it accord- 
 ing to the dictates of thy Spirit, and the openings of 
 thy providence. Grant that I may regard it as an 
 incumbent duty and a blessed privilege, lo contribute 
 of my substance, my labours, and my prayers, for 
 the conversion of the world. 
 
 Lord, I would praise thee for what thou hast in- 
 clined thy chosen generation to do, in these days, 
 for the heathen world. O strengthen and bless all 
 their efforts which are founded on obedience and 
 love ; and do thou lead them to devise and execute 
 every measure which will secure thy favour. Im- 
 part to all thy churches a holy and fervent missiona- 
 ry spirit ; and cheer them by frequent tidings, that 
 thou art granting to the Gentiles, repentance unto 
 hfe. Grant that every attempt which is made to 
 spread thy gospel abroad, may result in the revival 
 of pure religion at home. — O do thou give wisdom 
 and energy to those societies and organizations 
 which devise and direct missionary efforts. May 
 they be composed of men of wisdom, faithfulness, 
 and prayer ; who shall have the confidence of thy 
 people, and the favour of God in their undertak- 
 ings. — Be pleased, Jehovah, to raise up and quali- 
 fy many, who shall go forth to the benighted, to 
 preach the everlasting gospel. Make them men of 
 clean hands, holy hearts, and self-denying labour. — 
 Lord, dispense thy choicest and fullest mercies on 
 those who are now labouring among the heathen. 
 Animate them with zeal, courage, prayer, and hope. 
 Be thou a glory in the midst of them, and a defence 
 9 
 
98 
 
 round about them. Give success to their plans of 
 education, especially among the rising generation. 
 Grant them access to the affections, judgments, and 
 consciences of those whom they instruct in temporal 
 and spiritual knowledge ; and give them the pleasure 
 of seeing thy work prospering in their hands. — 
 Lord, look in mercy on those who are the objects of 
 the missionary enterprise. Stay their hands from 
 cruelty to those who are sent to them with the gos- 
 pel message. Break down every barrier of law, of 
 prejudice, and of enmity ; and cause the heathen to 
 receive the missionary with kindness and gladness of 
 heart. Incline their ears and open their hearts to 
 receive that truth which is able to make them wise 
 unto salvation ; and grant that Christ may speedily 
 have the heathen for his inheritance, and the utter- 
 most parts of the earth for his possession. 
 
 HEAVEN. 
 
 O God, Most High, assist my feeble powers to 
 contemplate the bliss of heaven. In that blest land 
 the righteous shall hunger no more ; neither thirst 
 any more ; and God shall wipe away all tears from 
 their eyes. There they shall understand all myste- 
 ries and all knowledge. Now they see through a glass 
 darkly ; but then they shall see face to face — now they 
 know but in part ; but then they shall know even as 
 they are known. There they shall dwell in the city 
 of the living God, the New Jerusalem, with an innu- 
 merable company of angels and spirits of just men 
 made perfect; and shall sing, with unwearied 
 tongues, the new song of praise to the Lamb, who 
 has redeemed them to God by his blood, out of every 
 kindred and tongue, and people and nation. There 
 they shall serve God with fulness of joy, holiness of 
 
99 
 
 heart, and obedience of will : and he that sittelh on 
 the throne shall dwell among them, the Lamb shall 
 feed them, and lead them to living fountains of 
 waters : and thus they shall be for ever with the Lord. 
 
 I thank thee, O God, that thou hast made known 
 to us the glories of the heavenly state, and that thou 
 hast taught us how we may obtain them. Life and 
 immortality have been brought to light by the gos- 
 pel ; and though the carnal eye halh not seen, nor 
 the ear heard, nor have entered into such heart, the 
 things which thou hast prepared for them that love 
 thee ; yet thou hast revealed them to thy children, 
 by thy Spirit, as a foretaste of that glory which shall 
 be made known in the eternal life. — O Lord, shall I 
 be a partaker of that blessedness ? Grant that the 
 contemplation of it may make me feel the vanity of 
 earthly things, and lead me to set my affections on 
 things that are heavenly and divine. May I follow 
 after holiness, without which no man shall see the 
 Lord ; and seek a building of God, a house not made 
 with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 
 Lord, grant that visions of heavenly glory may 
 quicken the hopes, and purify the hearts, and ani- 
 mate the zeal of thy chosen people. May they have 
 thy grace in them, as a rich prelude to the joys of 
 everlasting life. May they show by their lives, that 
 here they have no abiding place, no continuing city; 
 but that they seek a better, even a heavenly. — 
 Lead them, O Lord, while they strive to work out 
 their own salvation, to seek to bring others into the 
 path of eternal life. Make them feel that their own 
 happiness and glory in the future state, will be 
 greatly increased by here turning souls unto righte- 
 ousness : for then they shall shine as the brightness 
 
100 
 
 of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and 
 ever. 
 
 Blessed Lord, convince the worldly minded and 
 sinful, of the perishing and depraving nature of tem- 
 poral things ; and of the exalted and eternal treasures 
 thou hast laid up in the home of the righteous. In- 
 duce them, by thy Spirit, to renounce the world, the 
 flesh, and the devil ; and to seek that faith in Christ, 
 that purity of heart, and that compliance with thy 
 will, by which they shall be made meet for the in- 
 heritance of the saints in light. And to thy name, 
 Father, Son, and Spirit, shall be the glory of their 
 salvation for ever. 
 
 HELL. 
 
 O Lord, give me a deep conviction of the awful 
 truth, that thou hast ordained and fixed a place of 
 torment for all the finally impenitent — a bottomless 
 pit, where there is the blackness of darkness — a pri- 
 son, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth — 
 a lake of fire, where the smoke of their torment 
 ascendeth for ever. There they will remember their 
 ungodly deeds ; their multiplied mercies ; the riches 
 of thy long-suffering which they despised ; the in- 
 struction they hated ; and their hardness and impeni- 
 tence of heart, whereby they treasured unto them- 
 selves wrath against the day of wrath. There they 
 shall have cruel fellowship with the devil and his 
 angels : hatred and malice, and every evil passion, 
 shall vex their souls ; while around, and above, and 
 beneath them, will be indignation and wrath, tribu- 
 lation and anguish. 
 
 Lord, let not my heart ever rebel against the wis- 
 dom and righteousness of thy punitive justice. Just 
 and true are all thy ways, thou King of Saints. 
 
101 
 
 Teach me, O God, by the deep damnation of the 
 wicked, that thou hatest sin, and lovest holiness; 
 and that thou art thus promoting the obedience and 
 welfare of the universe, and sustaining thy character 
 as the moral Governor of creation. 
 
 Assist me, God of Grace, to flee from the wrath 
 to come, and to lay hold of eternal life, through the 
 Saviour. But O, let me not be satisfied with my 
 own safety. May I seek the salvation of those that 
 are in the broad way of ruin. Impel me by keen 
 sympathy for their danger, and love for their happi- 
 ness, to put forth such efforts of prayer and labour, 
 as shall be the means of saving some that are 
 ready to perish. 
 
 O do thou arouse the church to a conviction of her 
 duty to a perishing world. Let none of thy people 
 dishonour their calling, by carelessness about the 
 eternal welfare of the impenitent. May each one 
 feel the powers of the world to come ; and by earnest 
 supplication, and by fervent action, strive for the 
 blessedness of converting sinners from their danger- 
 ous ways, and of saving souls from the second 
 death. 
 
 Lord, I beseech thee, give the wicked such views 
 of the everlasting destruction awaiting the unrepent- 
 ing sinner, as shall lead them to consider the mercy 
 that has provided a way of escape from perdition. 
 Persuade them by thy terrors, to be reconciled to 
 thee by the blood of the everlasting covenant. O 
 make many, who now seem to be vessels of wrath, 
 fitting for destruction, to be vessels of mercy, pre- 
 paring for glory ; who shall be kept by thy power 
 through faith, unto final salvation; where the grace 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and 
 9* 
 
102 
 
 the communion of the Holy Ghost, which are begun 
 on e^rth, shall be perfected for ever. 
 
 HOLINESS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me the spirit of holiness. 
 O restore me to thy blessed image, and transform 
 me by the renewing of my mind, that I may know 
 thy will, and present myself a living sacrifice, holy 
 and acceptable, which is my reasonable service. 
 Mould my character by thy word, and lead me to 
 obey that form of doctrine which thou hast delivered 
 to me. Make me spiritually minded, which is life and 
 peace. O enable me to say, " Behold, old things 
 are passed away ; all things are become new." 
 
 Lord, make me a partaker of thy holiness, and 
 lead me in the paths of righteousness, for thy name's «. 
 sake. But let me not forget that this great work iair*' 
 not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the 
 will of man, but of God. My heart is by nature 
 desperately wicked ; and unless thou give me the 
 sanctifying power of thy Spirit, I shall remain dead 
 in trespasses and sins. Renew me, I beseech thee, 
 in the spirit of my mind, turn me from darkness unto 
 light, and put on me the new man, which after God 
 is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
 
 Blessed Lord, let me not regard iniquity in my 
 heart, nor roll sin as a sweet morsel under my 
 tongue. Make me feel all the motives that should 
 deter me from transgression. — Teach me to be holy, 
 because thou art holy. — Grant me such views of the 
 cross of Christ, as shall lead me to hate and forsake 
 sin. Thou didst choose thy saints in Christ, before 
 the foundation of the world, that they should be holy 
 and without blame before thee in love: and he gave 
 himself for them that he might redeem them from all 
 
103 
 
 iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people.— 
 O may the hope of his salvation, prompt me to pu- 
 rify myself even as he is pure. Make me feel the 
 guilt, misery, and danger of sin. — Assist me to 
 mortify the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof, 
 that I may live in thy favour. — May I remember 
 that the eyes of men are upon me ; let me not cause 
 thy name to be blasphemed through my transgres- 
 sions. — Instruct me that thy glory requires me to 
 hate evil ; for thou hast made thy people a holy na- 
 tion, to show forth the praises of him who has called 
 them from darkness into light. — O God, make me 
 pure in heart ; for without holiness no man shall see 
 the Lord ; and there shall in no wise enter into hea- 
 ven, any thing that defileth. 
 
 Lord, assist me, J beseech thee, in this great duty 
 of personal sanclificalion. Let thy grace be in me 
 as a perpetual fountain of godliness. May I go from 
 strength to strength, and may my path be as the 
 shining hght, which shineth more and more, unto 
 the perfect day. O fill me with the fruits of righte- 
 ousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory 
 and praise of God. 
 
 HOLINESS OF GOD. 
 
 Lord, thou art glorious in holiness. There is no 
 stain on thy will, and no spot on thy character: the 
 righteous Lord loveth righteousness. Just, and true, 
 and pure are all thy thoughts, purposes, and doings. 
 Thou art of purer eyes than to countenance evil in 
 others ; and thou canst not look on sin without ab- 
 horrence. Thou art angry with the wicked every 
 day, and wilt cast them, unless they repent, into 
 everlasting destruction. Even the heavens are not 
 
104 
 
 clean in thy sight ; and thou chargest thine angels 
 with folly. 
 
 Blessed God, teach me the beauty of thy holiness. 
 0,it is the life and perfection of thy cliaracter. Thou 
 hast shown it in all thy ways — in the works of cre- 
 ation, which were all very good — in thy providence, 
 by which thou hast sought to make us partakers of 
 thy holiness — in thy grace, which teaches us to deny 
 ungodliness and worldly lusts — in the gift of Jesus, 
 who came to save us from the guilt and dominion of 
 sin — in thy truth, by which we are sanctified : — and 
 thou wilt show it in the awful decisions of the last 
 day, when the wicked shall go away into everlast- 
 ing punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. 
 
 O Lord, may a sense of thy holiness awe and 
 control my spirit. May it dispose me to walk hum- 
 bly in thy sight : for if the holy ones of heaven veil 
 their faces before thee, it becomes me to lie in the 
 dust, and to cry, " Guilty; unclean : God be merci- 
 ful to me a sinner." Teach me that there is no com- 
 munion between God and unholy spirits ; and that 
 none but the pure in heart can enjoy thy favour, or 
 see thy face in righteousness. May I learn more 
 and more the excellence of the Saviour whom thou 
 hast provided for sinners: for if we were not ac- 
 cepted in the Beloved, none could be justified in thy 
 sight. Cause a conviction of thy sinless perfection 
 to fill me with reverence in all my approaches to 
 thee ; and suffer me not to forget that if I regard 
 iniquity in my heart, thou wilt not hear my suppli- 
 cations. O give me such contemplations of thy ho- 
 liness as shall cause me to die unto sin and live 
 unto righteousness. And may J, beholding as in a 
 glass its glory, be changed into the same image, 
 from glory to glory. 
 
105 
 
 HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 Blessed and Triune God, enable me to understand 
 the character and offices of the Holy Ghost. Thou 
 hast revealed him to us as a partner of the deity, 
 who exercises the attributes of the Most High, and 
 does the works of the Almighty. O may my 
 thoughts of him be such as become me when I me- 
 ditate on the name of God. I thank thee that thou 
 hast sent that Spirit to convince the world of sin, of 
 righteousness, and of judgment. Grant, O Lord, 
 that I may share in all his blessed influences, and 
 that they may be in me as a well of water spring- 
 ing up into everlasting life. May they be as show- 
 ers that water the earth, imparting to my soul 
 growth, beauty, and fruitfulness, and giving me fa- 
 vour in the sight of God and man. 
 
 Blessed Spirit, show me my sinfulness, apply to 
 me the redemption purchased by Christ, mortify the 
 deeds of the body, and renew me day by day in thy 
 holy image. O do thou lead me into the knowledge 
 of truth, make intercession within me in prayer, bear 
 witness with my spirit that lama child of God, and 
 seal me with that promise which is an earnest until 
 the redemption of the purchased possession. Be 
 thou my comforter in sorrow, my strength in weak- 
 ness, my shield in temptation, my teacher in igno- 
 rance, my security in joy, my leader in the laby- 
 rinths of life, and my consolation in the hour of 
 death. 
 
 Lord, pour out thy Spirit on all thy servants. 
 May they enjoy, in the fullest measure, those fruits 
 which are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, 
 meekness, gentleness, temperance, faith. Persuade 
 them to set a high value on these things, and to seek 
 
106 
 
 them by fervent and believing prayer. Cause them 
 to live in continual dependence on divine influence, 
 and to walk worthy of the character of that Holy 
 Agent. Make them his living temples, where there 
 shall be the incense of prayer, praise, and holy obe- 
 dience. May he sanctify their hearts, bind them 
 closer by faith to Christ, make them wise unto sal- 
 vation, and prepare them for their eternal weight of 
 glory. 
 
 Lord, I would praise thy name for the power 
 which the Holy Ghost has exerted over the con- 
 sciences and wills of sinners, in leading them to feel 
 their guilt and danger, and in persuading and ena- 
 bling them to accept the plan of salvation. O con- 
 tinue and increase these manifestations of thy mer- 
 cy. Let not the ungodly grieve thy Spirit, and be 
 left to ripen for perdition. Let none wrest to their 
 own destruction the truth, that they must be born 
 again by the Holy Ghost : but may they make it 
 the anchor of their hope, and receive with gladness 
 those ministrations which are life because ot righte- 
 ousness. O do thou convince, convert, and sanctify 
 multitudes who now live after the flesh ; and do 
 thou lead them, in the exercises of a spiritual life, to 
 glorify thy grace on earth, and enjoy the fellowship 
 of the Father, Son, and Spirit in heaven. 
 
 Lord, grant me a good hope through grace. May 
 it be the fruit of thy Spirit, and be rooted and ground- 
 ed in that faith by which we receive the atonement 
 of the Messiah ; for other foundation can no man 
 lay than that which is laid in Jesus Christ. May it 
 be a hope that maketh not ashamed ; that purifleth 
 the heart ; that is a helmet of salvation ; and an an- 
 
107 
 
 chor of Ihe soul, both sure and steadfast, which en- 
 ters into that within the veil, and rejoices in the 
 expectation of the glory of God. O may it prompt 
 me to seek to bring others into the same fellowship of 
 joy, that we together may share the promise of life. 
 Teach the wicked, O God, that a door of hope 
 has been opened for the chief of sinners : — a way of 
 access to pardon, in which thou canst be just, and 
 still be the juslifier of them that believe in Jesus. 
 Show ihem that the expectation of the wicked shall 
 perish, and that the trust of the hypocrite shall be 
 as the spider's web : while the hope of the righte- 
 ous shall be gladness and assurance for ever. I pray 
 thee bring many sinners to the footstool of thy 
 throne, to learn the blessedness of putting their con- 
 fidence in the blood of the everlasting covenant ; 
 from which only can they receive the promise of 
 the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 
 
 HOSPITALITY. 
 
 Lord, give me the spirit of hospitality. Grant 
 me a heart of generosity, that will take pleasure in 
 reciprocating the kindness of domestic life, and in 
 supplying the wants of the stranger and the desti- 
 tute. May I remember that some, in so doing, have 
 entertained angels unawares ; and that thou hast 
 said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. Thou 
 hast commanded us to use hospitality, without grudg- 
 ing ; and hast promised that those who do so shall 
 be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 
 
 Lord, thou art good to all : thy tender mercies 
 are over all thy works. Even thine enemies share 
 richly in thy bounty. Incline me, therefore, to be 
 merciful, even as thou art merciful. Lead me to do 
 good, and to communicate ; for with such sacrifices 
 
108 
 
 thou art well pleased. Dispose me to be an almo- 
 ner of thy bounty. As I have freely received, so 
 may I freely give. * 
 
 HUMAN DEPRAVITY. 
 
 Lord, thou didst create man, after thine own im- 
 age, in knowledge and holiness ; but he fell from 
 the estate wherein he was created, by sinning against 
 God ; and now, by his fall, all mankind have lost 
 communion with God, are under thy wrath and 
 curse, and are made liable to all the miseries of this 
 life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. 
 Thou didst indeed make man upright ; but he has 
 sought out many inventions. His gold has become 
 dim, and his most fine gold is changed. And now 
 the heart of the sons of men is full of evil : the car- 
 nal mind is enmity against God : they are all gone 
 out of the way : there is none righteous ; no, not 
 one. O Lord, every where I behold the records of 
 human depravity. The pages of history, the ex- 
 perience of my own heart, the witness of my eyes, 
 and the news brought on every breeze, tell me that 
 man is a sinner. And yet for every spark of sin in 
 the outward life of every man, there has been a 
 raging flame of transgression in his hidden nature. 
 O let not my mind be swayed from this truth, be- 
 cause there are some, who in their natural and un- 
 redeemed state, seem to be not far from the king- 
 dom of God : for if thou hadst not controlled their 
 characters and shaped their destinies, they also had 
 been the vilest of the vile. Suffer me not, in my 
 intercourse with children, to suppose, from their 
 comparative innocence and docility, that they are 
 not depraved : for O, thy testimony against them is, 
 
109 
 
 that they go astray from the womb ; and that folly 
 is bound up in their hearts. 
 
 Lord, give me an ever-present conviction of this 
 solemn doctrine, that I may watch and pray against 
 the evil tendencies of my own heart, and also look 
 with earnest anxiety on the condition of those who 
 have not been brought to know and forsake their 
 iniquities. Enable me to realize its nature and ex- 
 tent — to understand that the most unsanctified sel- 
 fishness has usurped the sceptre which God should 
 sway in the heart ; and that all men are, in their na- 
 tural character, utterly destitute of holiness, and en- 
 tirely sinful. Lord, permit not my thoughts to im- 
 peach thy wisdom, or justice, or holiness, when I 
 meditate on this truth ; for thou hast laid no stern 
 necessity on us that we should sin; and we, we only, 
 are guilty before thee in our transgressions. O God, 
 subdue the corruption of my nature, and make me a 
 new creature in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Blessed Lord, convince the wicked of their deep- 
 rooted depravity ; and that unless they are born 
 again, they must be shut out of the kingdom of 
 God. Show them that they have destroyed them- 
 selves; while in thee only is their help. Teach 
 them that thou hast sought their repentance by the 
 every-day mercies of life ; by the offers of pardon, 
 and by the threats of vengeance : and yet they have 
 abused thy gifts, and turned a deaf ear to thine en- 
 treaties and warnings. Show them that the way of 
 the wicked is darkness, and the end thereof eternal 
 death : while the path of the just is as the shining 
 light, and his reward a blissful eternity. Whilst 
 thou art revealing to them the enormity of their guilt, 
 show them the surpassing extent of the redemption 
 thou hast provided for it. O may thy Spirit trans- 
 10 
 
110 
 
 form their corrupt wills, and renew their depraved 
 affections. Save them by the washing of regene- 
 ration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost ; that 
 being sanctified by grace, they shall be made par- 
 takers of thy holiness, and heirs of eternal life. 
 
 HUMILITY. 
 
 Heavenly Father, give me such views of thine 
 infinite excellence and of my unworthiness, as shall 
 humble me in the dust before thee. Thou art the 
 infinite, eternal, and unchangeable Jehovah ; and all 
 thine attributes and works are excellent and glo- 
 rious. But as for us, we dwell on the footstool of 
 thy dominion, and live every moment at the expense 
 of thy goodness. We are ignorant ; not knowing 
 what a day may bring forth. We are helpless ; not 
 being able to make one hair white or black. We 
 are by nature the children of wrath ; and even in 
 our best estate, when thy Spirit has wrought upon 
 our hearts, it becomes us to say, " God be merciful 
 to us sinners." Lord, what is man, that thou art 
 mindful of him ; or the son of man, that thou visit- 
 est him ? 
 
 Lord, I would remember that he who was the 
 brightness of his Father's glory abased himself, and 
 led a life of trial and reproach, and suffered a death 
 of cruelty and shame. O God, make me a follower 
 of him who was thus meek and lowly. Lo, the an- 
 gels of heaven veil their faces before thee, in ex- 
 pressive token of inferiority and unworthiness. How 
 much more should I humble myself in thy holy pre- 
 sence. Thanks be to thy name, this which is my 
 duty, is also my privilege. Thou hast given thy 
 promise to humility ; saying, that he who humbleth 
 himself shall be exalted. Thou hast been pleased to 
 
Ill 
 
 put matchless and unspeakable honour in it, by mak- 
 ing the contrite heart thy dwelling place. O may 
 this grace control my life. May it dwell in my 
 heart, teacliing me my proper character. May it 
 pervade my walk, leading me to meekness of speech 
 and action, and controlling my spirit both in pros- 
 perity and adversity. May it fit me for doing thy 
 holy will in all things. 
 
 Lord, clothe all thy followers with humility. 
 Make them feel their infinite disparity with thee. 
 May they, in lowliness of mind, esteem others better 
 than themselves. Let them not be high-minded, but 
 fear : and while they think they stand, may they 
 take heed lest they fall. May they look back to the 
 hole of the pit whence they were digged. Teach 
 them that thou hatest the pride of man ; and that 
 thou wilt give the kingdom of heaven to them only 
 who are poor in spirit. 
 
 HYPOCRISY. 
 
 God of Truth, let a sense of thy presence, and a 
 regard for thy will, preserve me from the odious sin 
 of hypocrisy. Let me not insult thee with a lip ser- 
 vice, while my heart is far from thee : nor with a 
 form of compliance with thy law, while my soul 
 pursues the carnal pleasures of earth. Thou art 
 not deceived, and thou canst not be mocked ; be- 
 cause thou searchest all hearts, and understandest 
 all the imaginations of the thoughts. O make me 
 feel both the folly and vileness of this transgression. 
 Thou hast said that the hope of the hypocrite shall 
 perish, and that his trust shall be as the spider's 
 web. Thou hatest them that cover up their wick- 
 edness ; who are like whited sepulchres, which in- 
 deed appear beautiful outward, but within are full of 
 
112 
 
 dead men's bones and all manner of uncleanness. 
 God forbid that I should have only the name with- 
 out the character of godliness. Makn thou my hfe 
 the symbol of my heart, and my heart the living 
 record of thy commandments. 
 
 Keep me, O God, from hypocrisy towards my 
 fellow creatures. Restrain me from desiring or at- 
 tempting to make any deceptive impression on them. 
 Let no guile be found in my tongue, nor affectation 
 of righteousness in my walk. Let me not outwardly 
 appear righteous to men, while within I am full of 
 hypocrisy and iniquity. Keep me from a double 
 mind and flattering lips, and from all disposition to 
 make or love a lie. Let not my heart be set on the 
 applause or patronage of men ; but on the favour 
 of God, and on that final plaudit : " Well done, 
 good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of 
 thy Lord." 
 
 IDOLATRY. 
 
 Great God, look in mercy on those who are bow- 
 ing down to gods which their own hands have made, 
 or worshipping the things thou hast created, and 
 which are dependent on thee for their being. O Lord, 
 further every effort that is made to spread light 
 among the dark places of the earth. May bright- 
 ness spring up to them that sit in the region and 
 shadow of^ death. Cause the isles to wait for thy 
 law, and the gentiles to come to thy light. Bring 
 many from the east and the west, who shall sit 
 down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, in the 
 kingdom of heaven. Make the wilderness and so- 
 litary place to be glad ; and the desert to rejoice and 
 blossom as the rose. Say to the north, " Give up," 
 and to the south, " Hold not back." Bring thy sons 
 
113 
 
 from afar, and thy daughters from the ends of the 
 earth. Lord, grant that the heathen may learn the 
 folly and wickedness of their worship, and casting 
 Iheir idols to the moles and the bats, honour and 
 serve the living God. Lord, thou seest that this har- 
 vest is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Send 
 forth labourers into it, who shall be the means of 
 dispelling every form of superstition, and spreading 
 the day-spring of thy gospel : until every heart 
 shall be an altar, and every tongue a voice of praise, 
 unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the 
 Lamb, for ever. 
 
 Blessed Lord, keep my own heart from idolatry. 
 Thou art God ; and beside thee there is none other. 
 Suffer me not to idolize the world, nor any thing 
 that is in the world. Let no created good supplant 
 thy dominion over my heart. Let no object of af- 
 fection divert from thee that supreme love which I 
 owe thee, as my Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer. 
 What concord hath Christ with Belial ? what agree- 
 ment should the temple of God have with idols ? Be 
 thou to me my all, and in all. Persuade and con- 
 trol my soul to acknowledge thee as the only true 
 God, and my God ; and to worship and glorify thee 
 accordingly. 
 
 Immortality. — See Eternity, Heaven, Helh 
 
 IMMUTABILITY OF GOD. 
 
 Thou, Lord, in the beginning, hast laid the foun- 
 dation of the earth, and the heavens are the works 
 of thy hands : they shall perish ; but thou remain- 
 est ; and they all shall wax old, as doth a garment; 
 and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they 
 shall be changed : but thou art the same, and thy 
 10^ 
 
114 
 
 years shall not fail. In all the perfections of thy 
 nature there is no variableness, nor shadow of turn- 
 ing. Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 
 Thy promises are Yea and Amen, in Christ Jesus. 
 And thy decrees of salvation, or of condemnation, 
 stand fast for ever. O Lord, make me feel my own 
 fickleness of heart and mind, and my uncertainty of 
 being, that I may be better prepared to adore and 
 trust thee as the unchangeable God. 
 
 INCOMPREHENSIBLENESS OF GOD. 
 
 Who can by searching, find out God ? Thou 
 dwellest in light that no man can approach unto. 
 The knowledge of thee is high as heaven ; deeper 
 than hell — and the measure thereof is longer than 
 the earth, and broader than the sea. The thunder 
 of thy power who can understand ? The number of 
 thy years cannot be searched out. Thine under- 
 standing is infinite. Thou doest great things, past 
 finding out, and wonders without number. Thy way 
 is in the sea, thy path in the great waters, and thy 
 footsteps are not known. But greater than all 
 things else is the mystery of godliness, God mani- 
 fest in the flesh, to reconcile the world unto himself, 
 and make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 
 O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and 
 knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are thy judg- 
 ments, and thy ways past finding out. Great Jeho- 
 vah, help me to bow before thee with mingled sen- 
 sations of adoration, fear, and humility. 
 
 INDEPENDENCY OF GOD. 
 
 Thou art the uncreated, self-existent, indepen- 
 dent Jehovah. Who hath been thy counsellor ; who 
 hath taught thee the path of judgment ; or showed 
 
115 
 
 Ihee the ivay of understanding? — Thou hast stretch- 
 ed forth the heavens alone, and spread the earth by 
 thyself: thou faintest not, neither art weary with 
 labour : thou art everlasting strength. — Thou need- 
 est not the wisdom nor power of any to help thee in 
 the measures of thy government ; for they are all 
 thy creatures, and thy counsel standeth for ever. 
 Thou art not worshipped as though thou needest 
 any thing ; every beast of the forest being thine, with 
 the cattle upon a thousand hills; and thou givest unto 
 all, life, and breath, and all things: yea, thou art 
 exalted above blessing and praise. 
 
 Lord, make me understand that I am dependent 
 on thee for life, for hope, for blessing, for every 
 thing. O dispose me to seek thee, as the source of 
 every right feeling, and the fountain of every pure 
 joy. Of thee, and through thee, and unto thee, are 
 all things ; to whom be glory for ever. 
 
 INFIDELITY. 
 
 God of Light, destroy those various forms of in- 
 fidelity which exalt themselves against God and 
 truth ; and which are gathering snares and destruc- 
 tion upon multitudes of immortal souls. Teach all 
 men that these delusions are the offspring of human 
 depravity, and ignorance, and the fruitful sources of 
 misery, vice, and ruin. They who cherish them 
 love darkness rather than light, because their deeds 
 are evil ; and they choose the fruits of death, rather 
 than come to thee and obtain life. They walk in 
 the vanity of their mind, having the understanding 
 darkened, being alienated from the life of God, 
 through the ignorance that is in them ; because of 
 the blindness of their heart. Religion would have 
 no foes if it were not the enemy of sin. And yet, 
 
116 
 
 O Lord, have not the dissensions and sins of those 
 who profess thy name greatly contributed to in- 
 crease the scepticism of the unbelieving heart? O 
 how has the cause of Christ been wounded in the 
 house of his friends ! Take away, I beseech thee, 
 every root of bitterness from thy church ; and cause 
 thy people so to live, that even the infidel shall be 
 led to glorify our Father in heaven. Blessed God, 
 scatter every mist of error and sin, by the light of 
 truth ; and bring all mankind to submit their judg- 
 ments and bow their wills to the teachings of thy 
 written word. Give it victory over all that pollutes, 
 and degrades, and ruins man — in behalf of all that 
 purifies, exalts, and saves him. May it subdue his 
 understanding to truth, his habits to righteousness, 
 and his heart to a peace which the world can neither 
 give nor take away. 
 
 INaUIRERS. 
 
 Merciful God, dispose many to ask the fearfully 
 solemn and important question, " What must I do to 
 be saved r" Fasten in the minds of such a thorough 
 conviction of the exceeding guilt of sin. May thy 
 Spirit show them its enormity, as committed against 
 the author of their being and the giver of their mer- 
 cies. Make them feel their lost condition, without 
 hope and without God in the world, and thy wrath 
 abiding on them. Show them their own inability 
 to save themselves, and that their every effort, that 
 is not seconded and sanctified by the Spirit, sinks 
 them deeper in their condemnation. Set clearly be- 
 fore their minds the necessity and value of salva- 
 tion through the blood of Jesus : for they that reject 
 It shall perish with an everlasting destruction, while 
 they who accept it shall be redeemed from the domi- 
 
117 
 
 nion and penalty of sin, and be blessed with the fa- 
 vour of a reconciled God for ever. O give them 
 earnest desires for that redemption ; desires that 
 spring from convictions of the worth of the soul — the 
 wrath of an offended Judge — the tender love of a 
 dying and interceding Saviour — the bliss that shall 
 be revealed lo the saints above — and the glory of 
 the Most High, who will cause their salvation to 
 praise him. Lord, make them fearful of grieving 
 away the strivings of thy Spirit. Let them not be 
 deluded by the vain hope of a more convenient sea- 
 son. Impress with a living freshness upon their 
 hearts, that now is the accepted time, and this the 
 day of salvation. Let none of them draw back to 
 perdition. Enable them at once and for ever to re- 
 nounce their transgressions, and to receive and rest 
 upon Jesus alone for salvation. Let the Holy Ghost 
 lead them into the knowledge of truth — preserve 
 them from the power of error — give them peace in 
 believing — and fill them with a holy zeal to ad- 
 vance thy cause and fulfil thy will, in all the duties 
 of religion. 
 
 INTEMPERANCE. 
 
 Lord, be pleased to banish from our land, and 
 from the world, the causes and evils of intemper- 
 ance. Reclaim those that are now wandering in the 
 paths of drunkenness ; recover them whose feet are 
 running in the way of temptation ; and throw thy 
 merciful restraint and protection over those who are 
 yet untainted by this destroying vice. O do thou 
 enlighten mankind as to its nature and remedy ; 
 and bring up to the help of the Lord against the 
 mighty, the good of every name and nation. 
 
 May all men learn that alcohol, the intoxicating 
 
118 
 
 ingredient of spirituous liquors, is not the gift of 
 God, but the product of man's selfishness ; that as a 
 drink it is not needful nor useful, but hurtful and 
 poisonous. Teach them that it diseases the body, 
 weakens and paralyzes the understanding, stupe- 
 fies the conscience, and hardens the heart. O, 
 how has it destroyed property, time, happiness, and 
 life — and filled the world with poverty, misery, and 
 crime — and dragged down to everlasting perdition 
 souls that otherwise might have been brought within 
 the reach of the gospel, and have been made heirs 
 of eternal life ! 
 
 Lord, T thank thee for the efforts which have been 
 made to stay these desolations, and for the success 
 which has thus far crowned the temperance refor- 
 mation. But I would feel that there remaineth yet 
 very much land to be possessed. Alas, there is still 
 a fearful residue of this evil to be removed. O may 
 the zeal of the efforts already put forth in this benevo- 
 lent scheme, be continued and greatly increased. 
 Establish the principle that total abstinence from 
 every thing that can intoxicate, is that alone which, 
 with the blessing of God, will redeem and preserve 
 our race from the fearful evils of intemperance. O 
 do thou remove the causes of this vice ; and let there 
 be none to make, nor sell, nor buy the hurtful 
 poison. Dispose our law-givers to take away the 
 protection and sanction of law from this traffic in the 
 bodies and souls of men ; and to enact such statutes 
 as will dry up these fountains of poverty and wretch- 
 edness, crime and death. Do thou inform and purify 
 public sentiment every where, in relation to the 
 jjreat and vital interests of temperance. Then, O 
 Lord, our hearts will rejoice that the merciless de- 
 stroyer has been banished, to give place to health, 
 
119 
 
 industry, individual and public welfare, and the tri- 
 umphs of the gospel. 
 
 INTERCESSION. 
 
 Heavenly Father, I thank thee that we have an 
 advocate at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 
 even Jesus Christ, the righteous. He hath not en- 
 tered into the holy place made with hands ; but into 
 heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God for 
 us ; where he ever livelh to make intercession for his 
 chosen generation. Blessed Jesus, I rejoice that thou 
 wilt not break the bruised reed, nor quench the 
 smoking flax ; that though Satan hath desired to have 
 thy people, that he might sift them as wheat, yet 
 thou prayest for them that their faith fail not : and 
 that thou art their Mediator, to present their believ- 
 ing prayers, and secure their acceptance, at the 
 throne of the heavenly mercy. 
 
 Lord, lead me, in the faith of that intercession, 
 to the sceptre of thy grace, persuaded that thou art 
 able by thy power, and willing in thy mercy, to sup- 
 ply me with all that I need. Assist me to draw 
 nigh with a true heart, in the full assurance of faith : 
 for we have not an hicrh-priest who cannot be 
 touched with a feeling of our infirmities; but one 
 who was in all points tempted as we are, yet without 
 sin ; and who is able to save unto the uttermost all 
 wbo come unto thee by him. O Jesus, Blessed Me- 
 diator, take my cause into thine own hands. Plead 
 my interests for me, and enable me to rejoice in thy 
 success, and to bless thy holy name for ever. 
 
 Lord, grant me, for Christ's sake, a strong and an 
 abiding spirit of intercessory prayer. Dispose me 
 to make supplication for all men. Make it my privi- 
 lege to commend to thee all that are near and dear 
 
120 
 
 to me ; that thou wouldst guide them by thy counsel, 
 protect them by thy power, and save them by thy 
 grace. Lead me to pray for my enemies, for the 
 needy, the afflicted, the sick, and the dying. Incline 
 me to Hft up earnest supplication on behalf of thy 
 church. Especially, O Lord, may the yearnings of 
 my heart go forth for the impenitent. Make me 
 feel that the triumphs of thy church will depend on 
 the importunity of thy people for mercy on the un- 
 godly. O may I understand their awful condition, 
 and be induced to plead with thee, in the name of 
 Christ, and through the intercessions of thy Spirit, 
 that they may be saved. Give me that degree of 
 confidence in thee, and regard for thy glory, and such 
 earnest longings after their conversion, as thou wilt 
 own and bless by the redemption of souls. 
 
 JEWS. 
 
 Merciful God, seek and save the lost sheep of 
 the house of Israel. Look in mercy on thine ancient 
 covenant people, who are scattered and peeled, and 
 who have become a by-word and a term of reproach 
 amono; the nations of the earth. How loner, O 
 Lord, shall thy goodness delay towards those to 
 whom were once committed the lively oracles of 
 truth ; and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ 
 came? Do thou use such instrumentalities as shall 
 bring them to feel their blindness of mind and hjjrd- 
 ness of heart, in rejecting Jesus; and may they look 
 to him from the ends of the earth, and be saved. 
 Lord, seal the evidences of the truth of the gospel, 
 and glorify thy Son, by bringing them into the bless- 
 ings of the new covenant. For if the fall of them 
 was the riches of the world, and the diminishing of 
 them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more 
 
121 
 
 their fulness. Thou hast not indeed cast away thy 
 people, whom thou didst foreknow* They shall turn 
 to thee when the vail shall be taken away. O 
 Lord, hasten that time, when, through the mercy be- 
 stowed on us, they also shall obtain mercy ; and 
 when, with the fulness of the Gentiles, all Israel shall 
 be saved. 
 
 JESUS CHRIST. 
 
 Blessed Father, teach me thy truth as it is in Je- 
 sus. Grant that I may love it, and feed upon it ; and 
 that I may teach it by my lips, and manifest it by 
 my conduct to others. Alas, our race, which thou 
 didst make but a little lower than the angels, fell 
 from the noble and happy condition in which it was 
 created, by sinning against thee : and when thou 
 didst look from heaven upon the children of men, to 
 see if there were any that did understand, or seek 
 after God ; behold ! they were altogether become 
 filthy : there was none that did good; no, not one. 
 Yet thou didst not cast them off; but in the counsels 
 of thy mercy, didst enter into a covenant of grace, 
 to bring them out of their estate of sin and misery, 
 and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a 
 Redeemer; even the Lord Jesus Christ, who being 
 the eternal Son of God became man, that he might 
 redeem us from the curse of the law, in being made 
 a curse for us; and that we might have salvation 
 through his blood. — -O Lord, we exercised no peni- 
 tence of heart that could have prompted thee to this 
 display of compassion ; and there was nothing in our 
 character which could give thee any delight. It was 
 sovereign, unsearchable, unmerited grace that form- 
 ed and perfected the plan of redemption. Thou did*it 
 11 
 
122 
 
 indeed commend thy love to us, in that while we 
 were sinners, Christ died for us. 
 
 (Deity.) — Great God, enable me to make Christ, 
 and him crucified, the primary object of study and 
 faith. Give me heart-felt and precious views of his 
 character and offices. May I regard him as that 
 Word, which was in the beginning with God, and 
 was GOD ; and which was made flesh, and dwelt 
 on earth, full of grace and truth. O suffer me never 
 to doubt that in him dwells all the fulness of the 
 Godhead bodily. To him belongs eternity ; for he 
 •was before all things. He is the creator ; for with- 
 out him was not any thing made that was made. 
 To him pertains dominion : he upholds all things by 
 the word of his power. He is every where present ; 
 since where two or three are gathered together in his 
 name, he is in the midst of them. His understand- 
 ing is infinite; for he knows the hearts of all men. — 
 Blessed Jesus, if thy followers on earth worshipped 
 thee, as the searcher of hearts and the Saviour of 
 souls — if all the angels of heaven cry unto thee, 
 " Blessing and honour, glory and power" — well may 
 thy creatures on earth acknowledge and proclaim 
 thee as the living and true God. 
 
 {Prophet.) — Lord, assist me to receive Christ as 
 my Teacher. May he reveal to me by his word and 
 Spirit, the will of God for my salvation. May 1 
 learn of him, who spake as never man spake, and 
 who taught as one having authority. Let me re- 
 member that if I hearken not to his words, thou wilt 
 require it of me: for if they escaped not, who refused 
 him that spake on earth, much more shall not I 
 escape, if I turn from him that speaketh from heaven. 
 O put his law into my mind, and write it in my 
 heart. Let its entrance give light and love, zeal 
 
123 
 
 and purity to my soul. Lord, let it not be a savour 
 of death unto death, but of life unto life. 
 
 (Priest.) — Help me, I pray thee, to receive Jesus 
 as the High Priest of my profession. May I look on 
 him as offering up himself a sacrifice, to satisfy di- 
 vine justice, and reconcile us to God ; and as ever 
 living to make intercession for his chosen people. 
 He who was the brightness of the Father's glory, 
 and who thought it not robbery to be equal with 
 God, took upon himself the form of a servant, that 
 he might put away sin, by the sacrifice of himself, in 
 his own body, on the tree. Yea, it pleased thee to 
 bruise him, to put him to grief, to make his soul an 
 offering for sin, that he might justify many, and 
 that the pleasure of the Lord might prosper in his 
 hand. In due time, when we were without strength, 
 Christ died for the ungodly ; taking away the hand- 
 writing of ordinances that was against us; suffering 
 the just for the unjust ; that he might bring us to 
 God. — Lord, I would praise thee that by him we 
 have received the atonement. Thou hast set him 
 forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, 
 for the remission of sins. He hath given his life a 
 ransom for many. He who knew no sin, was made 
 sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness 
 of God in him. 
 
 O Lord, convince me that forgiveness is granted 
 only for his sake : there being no other name given 
 among men whereby they can be saved. Teach me 
 that his costly sacrifice was not needed to make thee 
 willing to be reconciled to us ; for it was the fruit of 
 thy love : but because thou wouldst maintain thy 
 justice, and still be the justifier of him that believeth 
 in Jesus, and his deliverer from the wrath to come. 
 Heavenly Father, show me by this office of Christ's 
 
124 
 
 mission, the lost condition of human nature, and the 
 wonders of thy justice and love. May it be the most 
 cherished object of my contemplation, and fill my 
 spirit with adoration and thanksgiving, love and obe- 
 dience. May I thus judge, that if Christ has died 
 for me, I should henceforth live, not unto myself, 
 but unto him ; and that both living and dying I 
 should be the Lord's. — [^See Intercession.] 
 
 {King.) — Great God, I pray thee, make me wil- 
 ling to receive Christ not only as my Saviour, but as 
 my Sovereign, to subdue me to himself, to rule and 
 defend me, and to restrain and conquer all his and 
 my enemies. O may I regard his service greater 
 riches than the treasures of Egypt. Thou hast set 
 him at thy right hand, that at his name every knee 
 should bow, and every tongue confess ; and hast 
 given unto him the keys of death and hell, with all 
 power in heaven and earth. His throne is for ever 
 and ever. Thou wilt break them with a rod of iron 
 who will not have thy Son to reign over them ; and 
 wilt dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel. Thou 
 wilt make him Governor among the nations, and 
 give him the heathen for his inheritance, and the ut- 
 termost parts of the earth for a possession. O hasten 
 that day. — Lord, lead my thoughts often to that 
 consummation of Christ's sovereignty, when he shall 
 come in his glory, to judge the quick and the dead, 
 O may he then be my Saviour King, and I be a re- 
 deemed vassal of his everlasting kingdom. 
 
 (Exami)le.) — Jehovah God, incline me to make 
 Jesus my example in all the duties of life. May the 
 same mind that was in him be also in me. Lead 
 me to walk even as he walked; for he that followeth 
 not after him is not worthy of him. May 1 look 
 unto him as my pattern of patience and humility, 
 
125 
 
 prayer and faith, long-suffering and benevolence. 
 May I strive to purify myself even as Christ is pure ; 
 and beholding, as in a glass, his glory, be changed 
 into the same image, from glory to glory, by as the 
 Spirit of the Lord. 
 
 {Union.) — Lord, unite me to Christ by a living 
 faith, even as the branch is united to the vine. 
 Make me a new creature in him. May I receive 
 of his fulness, and grace for grace. May he be to 
 me that bread from heaven that giveth eternal life ; 
 and be formed in my heart the hope of glory. Make 
 me a member of that body, of which Christ is the 
 head. Build me upon the foundation of the Apostles 
 and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner- 
 stone, in whom the whole building fitly framed to- 
 gether, groweth unto a holy temple of the Lord. O 
 may my life be hid with Christ in God ; that he may- 
 be made unto me wisdom and righteousness, sancti- 
 fication and redemption. 
 
 Lord, suffer me not to be ashamed of the gospel 
 of Jesus. Teach me to regard it as my highest 
 honour, to have communion with the spirit and fel- 
 lowship in the service of my blessed Saviour. Make 
 him my all and in all : my song in the season of re- 
 joicing, and my hope in the hour of trial. God for- 
 bid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ. 
 
 God of Mercy, do thou present the character and 
 offices of Jesus to the minds of the unconverted, so 
 that they may be convinced that they are transgres- 
 sors, and be persuaded to trust in him for salvation. 
 O may thy Spirit apply to them the redemption pur- 
 chased in him, by convincing them of their sin and 
 misery, enlightening their minds in the knowledge of 
 Christ, renewing their wills, and persuading and 
 11* 
 
120 
 
 enabling them to embrace Jesus, freely offered to 
 them in the gospel. 
 
 JOY. 
 
 Lord of Blessedness, grant me that joy of faith, 
 that rejoicing of hope, which is a fruit of ihy Spirit. 
 Give me a full and rich experience of the sources of 
 this bliss — which indeed are not broken cisterns that 
 can hold no water, but fountains full to overflowing, 
 with the healing streams of life. — Lord, reveal thy- 
 self unto me, as thou dost not unto the world, and fill 
 my heart with pleasure in learning thy character, 
 and communing with thy love. — Enable me to re- 
 joice in Christ, and in the forgiveness of sins through 
 him, with a joy that is unspeakable and full of 
 glory. — Give me that blessed spirit of adoption, by 
 which I may cry "Abba, Father." — May the Holy 
 Ghost give life to my hope and strength to my re- 
 joicing. — Cause me to rejoice in thy word, as one 
 that findeth great spoil. — May I love the habitation 
 of thy house, and find more comfort in thy taberna- 
 cles than in the tents of wickedness. — Let all the 
 means of grace be to my spirit as rain upon the new- 
 mown grass, and as showers that water the earth. — 
 Make it my privilege to verify thy word, that it is 
 more blessed to give than to receive ; for the Lord 
 loveth a cheerful giver, and he that soweth bounti- 
 fully shall also reap bountifully. — Grant me the 
 peace of a conscience that is void of offence towards 
 God and man. — Make the communion of saints an 
 abundant source of refreshment and strength to my 
 christian graces. — May the triumphs of thy gospel 
 give me more pleasure than the wicked have vvhen 
 their carnal luxuries do most abound. — O Lord, 
 comfort and bless my soul by the contemplation of 
 
127 
 
 that exceeding and eternal weight of glory that re- 
 mains for the people of God in heaven. 
 
 Lord, grant that my spiritual enjoyments may 
 excite me to gratitude, and lead me to open my lips, 
 that my mouth may show forth thy praise. May 
 others be led by my cheerful happiness, to taste and 
 see that the Lord is good. When thou enlargest 
 my heart, teach me to run in the way of thy com- 
 mandments. Enable me to say in the hour of trial 
 and suffering — " None of these things move me ; 
 neither count I my life dear, so that I may finish my 
 course with joy." And, O when heart and flesh 
 shall faint and tail, in the struggle of death, may thy 
 rod and staff comfort me : and be thou the strength 
 of my heart, and my portion for ever. 
 
 JUDGMENT. 
 
 Great God, thou hast appointed unto men once to 
 die, and after this the judgment, when every one of 
 us shall give account of himself to God ; and when 
 thou wilt display to an assembled universe, the 
 righteousness of thy justice, and the glory of thy ho- 
 liness. Of that day and that hour knoweth no man ; 
 but it shall be the end of the world, when all the 
 works therein shall be burnt up, the heavens pass 
 away with a great noise, and the elements melt with 
 fervent heat. Lord, make me mindful of that awful 
 day, and of the solemn truths thou hast revealed 
 concerning it. Then the Lord Jesus will come with 
 his holy angels, and sit on his great white throne, 
 and open the books of remembrance — the testimonies 
 of creation, of providence, of scripture, and of con- 
 science. The quick and dead shall stand before 
 him, to be judged out of those things that are writ- 
 ten in the books, according to their works, with eve- 
 
128 
 
 ry secret thing, whether it be good or evil ; and also 
 for every thing which thou didst command to be 
 done, but which they left undone. Lord, make me 
 realize that men will then be judged also for the 
 privileges they have enjoyed ; for of them unto whom 
 much hath been given, much will be required. O, 
 even the best of thy saints will then need the atone- 
 ment of Christ : they could not stand before thee, if 
 thou shouldst mark their iniquities. But, blessed be 
 thy name, there will be no condemnation to them 
 that are in Christ Jesus : they shall receive the pro- 
 mise of a new heaven and a new earth, wherein 
 dwelleth righteousness. But then the judge will say 
 to them on his left hand — "Depart from me, ye 
 cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil 
 and his angels :" and the wicked shall be turned into 
 hell, with all the nations that forget God. O God of 
 infinite compassion, grant that in that fearful day of 
 trial, my name may be found written in the Lamb's 
 book of life, and that my unworthy, hell-deserving 
 spirit may be received, through the merits of Christ, 
 into the habitations of eternal life. 
 
 JUSTICE OF GOD. 
 
 O Most High, a sceptre of righteousness is the 
 sceptre of thy kingdom. Justice and judgment are 
 the habitation of thy throne : just and true are all 
 thy ways, thou King of Saints. Of a truth thou art 
 no respecter of persons : thy law is holy, and thy 
 government upright. The righteousness of the righte- 
 ous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the 
 wicked shall be upon him. — I would adore and praise 
 thee, O Lord, that thou didst maintain and magnify 
 the excellency of thy justice in giving thy Son, to 
 repair by his own blood, the violated law, and thus 
 
129 
 
 make it more honourable by the redemption of 
 the transgressor, than by his hopeless condemna- 
 tion. 
 
 O Lord, show me, in the light of this attribute, the 
 glory of the dispensation of the gospel, in which 
 thou canst be just, and the justifier of even the worst 
 of sinners, who believe in Jesus. But, may I learn 
 from it also, that thou wilt be to the finally impeni- 
 tent, a consuming fire. May the knowledge of it 
 prevent me from neglecting or violating the rights of 
 my fellow-creatures, and lead me to render that 
 which is just and equal, to all men. Let the threat- 
 ened retributions of thy judgment warn me against 
 transgression, and dispose me to seek conformity to 
 thy will. 
 
 Lord, cause a sense of thy justice to alarm the 
 fears of the ungodly. Make them know that they 
 are treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, 
 and righteous revelation of the judgment of God. 
 Lead them now to bow to thy sceptre, which is still 
 the symbol of mercy ; but which ere long may be- 
 come the instrument of destruction. I pray thee, 
 redeem them from the curse of the law, and give 
 them the adoption of sons, through the righteousness 
 of Christ. 
 
 JUSTIFICATION. 
 
 Heavenly Father, justify me freely by thy grace, 
 through the redemption that is in Jesus. Pardon 
 my sins, acquit me from the punishment I deserve 
 for them, and give me a title to those blessings which 
 would have been due by thy law, if I had fulfilled 
 it in sinless obedience. Teach me that by the 
 deeds of the law shall no flesh living be justified ; 
 but only by the faith of Jesus ; in whom thou art 
 
130 
 
 reconciling the world unto thyself, not imputing unto 
 them their trespasses and sins. O give me that faith 
 in him which will be imputed to me for righteous- 
 ness. May I ever be found in him ; not having on 
 my own righteousness, which is of the law; but that 
 which is by the faith of him, unto all and upon all that 
 believe. Show me that this act of thy mercy is the 
 gift of free grace — that by it thou hast condemned 
 sin in the flesh, whilst thou hast magnified thy law 
 and made it honourable — Christ being made the end 
 of the law to every one that believeth. 
 
 Lord, grant that I may have peace with thee, being 
 justified by faith ; and that I may have access to thy 
 throne, with confidence of acceptance in the Beloved. 
 Enable me to know him in whom 1 have believed, as 
 my atoning sacrifice ; and to be persuaded that he is 
 able to keep that which I have committed to him 
 against the great day. And grant, O Lord, that thy 
 work of justification in this life, may result in that 
 open acknowledgment and acquittal in the day of 
 judgment, which shall be followed by everlasting 
 glory. 
 
 Kingdom. — See Gospel, 
 
 KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 Great God, I thank thee for those powers of mind 
 thou hast bestowed on the human race, which raise 
 us so far above the brutes that perish, and which fit 
 us to acquire and use rational knowledge. Lord, 
 make me understand and practice the duties which 
 belong to the possession of these powers. I pray 
 thee, cultivate suitably in me, each of the faculties of 
 my mind. Enlighten my judgment, strengthen my 
 memory, and inform my understanding. Keep me 
 
131 
 
 from error, and guide me into truth. Especially do 
 thou grant me, O Lord, that wisdom which leads to 
 salvation. Instruct me in all the duties I owe to 
 men, to myself, and to thee. While I am careful to 
 educate my faculties, make me mindful of the weak- 
 ness and failings of human judgment. Let me not 
 lean on my own understanding, but trust in the 
 living God. O do thou so discipline my thoughts, 
 that I may be fitted to enjoy the pleasures of know- 
 ledge in that holy region, where there is no cloud 
 of ignorance nor of error, and where the light of truth 
 fills and surrounds all its blessed inhabitants. 
 
 Knowledge of God. — See Omniscience* 
 
 LAAv of god. 
 
 I thank thee. Great God, for that law of nature, 
 impressed on my conscience, by which I am left 
 without excuse in the transgression of thy will. But 
 I would praise thee still more, that thou hast given 
 me the law of thy word, to warn, to restrain, to con- 
 vince me of sin, and to lead me in the ways that are 
 well-pleasing in thy sight. Thy commandment, O 
 Lord, is holy, just, and good. Thou art holy ; and 
 thy law is perfect, converting the soul — thou art 
 just ; wherefore thy judgments are true and righteous 
 altogether — thou art good ; and thy statutes rejoice 
 the heart ; for in keeping them there is great reward. 
 Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall 
 in nowise pass from the law until all be fulfilled. 
 
 Incline me, O Lord, to take heed to my ways, 
 according to thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that 
 I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 
 Make thou thy testimonies my delight and counsel- 
 lors ; my songs in the house of my pilgrimage, and 
 
132 
 
 the daily monitors of my conduct. May I make thy 
 will my meditation by day, and my remembrance in 
 the night. Make it a lamp to my feet, and a light 
 to my path ; and do thou incline my heart to per- 
 form thy statutes always, even to the end. Impress 
 deeply on my mind that solemn truth — whosoever 
 shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one 
 point, is guilty of all. 
 
 Lord, teach me that thy commandment is exceed- 
 ing broad and deep : that it has relation not only to 
 the actions of life, but to the hidden workings of 
 thought and feeling. For though the sound of my 
 lips, and the work of my hands, may be right be- 
 fore men ; yet thy statutes may condemn the 
 thoughts of my heart ; and I may stand more guilty 
 in thy sight for secret sin, than for open violations of 
 thy will. 
 
 Heavenly Father, let not my regard for thy com- 
 mandment create within me a spirit of self-righteous- 
 ness: for in the trial of thy justice, every mouth 
 shall be stopped, and all the world become guilty 
 before God. Make it a schoolmaster to bring me to 
 Christ, as my only hope of justification. May I re- 
 member, that while it is the rule of my obedience, it 
 is not the plan of salvation. He who came to fulfil 
 it, is himself the end of the law for righteousness to 
 every one that believeth. 
 
 O Lord, make thy law the sword of the Spirit in 
 thy dealings with the impenitent. May it awaken 
 and alarm their consciences, enlighten and convince 
 their minds, and persuade and sanctify their wills; 
 so that they may be born, not of corruptible seed, 
 but of incorruptible; by the word of God, which 
 liveth and abidclh for ever. 
 
133 
 
 LEVITY. 
 
 Lord, keep me from levity of spirit and behaviour* 
 Thou knovvest my proneness to this sin, and how 
 ready I am to yield to that frivolity which charac- 
 terizes the careless and unconverted, and which is 
 so inconsistent with the sober realities of the christ- 
 ian life. Help me, I beseech thee, through the Sa- 
 viour, to repent of it, and so to turn away from it in 
 future, as to avoid the appearance of evil. 
 
 Lord, let not my thoughts cherish those subjects 
 which excite levity of speech or action. Assist me 
 to keep my heart with all diligence, that my every 
 thought, and word, and deed may be the sober fruit 
 of a holiness, engraven on my soul and wrought in 
 my life, by the power of the Holy Ghost. I pray 
 thee especially, to lay a restraint on my tongue, 
 that unruly member ; and dispose me to avoid stu- 
 diously saying any thing which may dissipate se- 
 rious impressions, or make me a stumbling block in 
 the path of others, or cause the ways of religion to 
 be despised or reviled. Enable me to attain and cul- 
 tivate that happy medium between moroseness and 
 frivolity, that calm seriousness of mind and holy 
 cheerfulness of life, which will diffuse a savour of 
 piety in all I say and do. 
 
 O let the solemn truth, that thou God seest me, 
 pursue me not only in my seasons of devotion, but 
 in all the hours of my intercourse with mankind. — 
 Make me realize that the eyes of the church and the 
 world are upon me, and that according as I demean 
 myself, so will the cause of religion be advanced or 
 hindered. — Seriously impress on my mind, that a 
 disposition to trifle is a fruitful cause of disquietude 
 in the soul and of delinquency in the life. — Show me 
 12 
 
134 
 
 that the rational faculties, with which thou hast en- 
 dowed me, were given for higher and hoh'er pur- 
 poses, than for indulgence in a light and frivolous 
 demeanour. — Let a sense of thy presence control 
 me to live as becometh one professing godliness. — 
 O incline me, I pray thee, to order all my walk and 
 conversation, so that I may be a living illustration of 
 the sober influences of piety. 
 
 LIBERTY. 
 
 Lord, increase my gratitude to thee for the bless- 
 ings of liberty. While millions of the human race 
 are groaning under the yoke of oppression, thou 
 hast,, in undeserved mercy, given to me the privi- 
 leges of civil and religious freedom. O let me not 
 abuse them, nor deny them to others who are desti- 
 tute of them. Give me strong sympathy for the 
 down-trodden of every name and nation. Dispose 
 me to desire, and pray, and labour for the extension 
 of freedom to all mankind. Enlighten the con- 
 sciences and cleanse the hearts of all men in re- 
 lation to the great doctrines of human rights. Do 
 thou fan, and purify, and spread the fire of truth, 
 until it shall melt off every fetter from every limb — 
 until deliverance shall be preached to all the cap- 
 tives, and liberty be proclaimed to all the oppressed. 
 
 O Lord, release men every where, from the bon- 
 dage of sin. Break the yoke of Satan, of the world, 
 and of selfishness. May thy ISon make mankind 
 free, and they shall be free indeed : so shall they be 
 servants to God only, that their fruit may be holi- 
 ness, and the end everlasting life. 
 
 LIFE. 
 
 Lord, grant, for Christ's sake, that I may feel the 
 
135 
 
 uncertainty and shortness of human life. We are 
 but of yesterday, and our days upon earth are a 
 shadow. Our breath is in our nostrils : it is even a 
 vapour, that appeareth for a Httle time, and then 
 vanisheth away. Teach me that my span of life is 
 given me as my probation for eternity. Grant 
 therefore, that I may walk circumspectly ; redeem- 
 ing the time, because the days are evil. While I 
 grow in age, enable me to grow in grace. While I 
 travel through this wilderness, guide me by the fiery- 
 cloudy pillar, feed my hunger with manna from 
 heaven, and quench my thirst with water from the 
 smitten rock. Lord, let me not be anxious for length 
 of days ; nor grow weary of my season of trial. 
 Make me contented that my limes are in thy hands. 
 Give me, I beseech thee, in all the vicissitudes of life, 
 such preparation of heart, that whether I live, I may 
 live to the Lord ; and whether 1 die, I may die to the 
 Lord : so that whether living or dying, I may be the 
 Lord's. 
 
 Heavenly Father, may the considerations that life 
 is short, and that it involves the destinies of eternity, 
 excite those who are now thoughtless about their 
 eternal peace, to number their days, that they may 
 apply their hearts unto wisdom : even that wisdom 
 which will lead them to live, not unto themselves, 
 but unto him who died for them ; and which will also 
 prepare them to depart, and be with Christ, which is 
 far better. 
 
 Long-suffering. — See Forbearance, 
 
 lord's supper. 
 Compassionate Jehovah, give me lively percep- 
 tions of the nature and uses of that holy Supper, 
 
136 
 
 which thou hast instituted in memory of the dying 
 Saviour. May it always be to the eye of my faith, 
 a token and pledge of a covenant of mercy in the 
 blood of Christ. Let it ever be my Eucharist — my 
 giving of thanks to thee, from a heart overflowing 
 with gratitude, that thou didst recover man from his 
 condition of sin and misery, by the gift of a Redeem- 
 er. Make it my Passover, in which my soul shall 
 be made joyful, in being exempted from the wrath 
 which abideth on the ungodly. O let it be the Sa- 
 crament of that allegiance to thy cause, which will 
 lead me to rejoice when I am counted worthy to 
 suffer shame for thy name's sake ; and to glory in 
 nothing save in the cross of Christ. Make it a Feast, 
 at which he shall sup with me, and 1 with him ; and 
 in which my heart shall be refreshed by his spiritual 
 presence. And O do thou make it a precious season 
 of Communion, wherein I shall hold fellowship with 
 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; and be knit with 
 closer bands of unity lo them that are of the house- 
 hold of faith. 
 
 Lord Jesus, help me to keep this ordinance in re- 
 membrance of thee. Give me knowledge to discern 
 thy body, and faith to feed upon thee. Grant me 
 repentance, love, and new obedience ; lest coming 
 unworthily, I eat and drink judgment to myself. 
 Make me a partaker of thy body and blood, not af- 
 ter a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith ; with 
 all thy benefits, to my spiritual nourishment and 
 growth in grace. Grant me comfort from this feast, 
 when I am wounded by a sense of sin ; for thou 
 wast revealed to take away sin : give me patience in 
 trials and afllictions, by looking at thee, enduring 
 the contradiction of sinners, and the hidings of thy 
 Father's love : and O grant that I may imbibe a 
 
.137 
 
 holy hatred for transgression, when T look at thy 
 body broken and thy blood shed, because I have sin- 
 ned. — Blessed Jesus, crowned in light and glory, 
 dost thou indeed desire us sinners to remennber thee ? 
 O that we should ever forget our Teacher, our 
 Priest, and our King ! O help nae to remember the 
 glory thou didst leave, the flesh thou didst adopt, the 
 reproach thou didst meet, and the sufferings thou 
 didst endure, that 1 might be redeemed from the 
 curse of the law, and be made a partner of thine in- 
 heritance in glory I 
 
 Heavenly Father, make thy people feel their obli- 
 gation to celebrate the Supper of the Lord. Thou 
 hast commanded it, and made it the badge of their 
 discipleship. Thou hast set it forth to be the memo- 
 rial of a Saviour's love, in which they show forth 
 his death, before heaven and earth. And thou hast 
 made it a special season of communion with thee, 
 in thy banqueting-house, when thy banner over 
 them is love. — 6 may they always be prepared 
 for this service, by self examination, by meditation, 
 and prayer : and so let them eat of that bread, and 
 drink of that cup. May they resolve, upon that sa- 
 cred altar, that they will renounce every transgres- 
 sion, and live only for that which is good in thy 
 sight. Give them an affectionate and confiding 
 trust in thy covenant of grace ; and build them up, 
 by means of this ordinance, through faith unto sal- 
 vation. 
 
 Lord, grant that the impenitent my reflect that if 
 they eat not the flesh of the Son of man, and drink not 
 his blood, they shall have no part nor lot in his salva- 
 tion. May thy Spirit reveal Christ to them in the 
 breaking of bread, in all his fulness and willingness 
 as a Saviour. may they be persuaded to make 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 with him a covenant of mercy and obedience, which 
 shall never be revoked nor forsaken. 
 
 These petitions I offer thee, Gracious Father, 
 through him whose blood speaketh belter things 
 than that of Abel ; and who sittelh at thy right 
 hand, to make intercession, and receive the service 
 and adoration of saints and angels for ever. 
 
 LOVE TO GOD. 
 
 Exalted Jehovah, thou art worthy, both by thy 
 nature and dealings, of the strongest love of all thy 
 rational creatures. Thou art perfect in all the attri- 
 butes of thy character. No ignorance impairs thy 
 wisdom ; no error perverts thy justice ; no falsehood 
 clouds thy truth ; no spot stains thy holiness. Thou 
 art moreover, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, 
 and abundant in goodness. O that the language of 
 my heart might always be — " Whom have I in 
 heaven but thee ; and there is none on earth I desire 
 besides thee." Be thou my Alpha and Omega ; my 
 morning praise ; my noon-day thought ; my even- 
 ing prayer ; and my waking meditation. 
 
 Blessed Jesus, help me that I may love thee with 
 all my heart, and soul, and strength, and mind. I 
 desire to cherish the memory of thine example and 
 instructions, thy benevolence and promises, as the 
 dearest objects of thought. O may my affection for 
 thee, urge me to advance thy glory, to desire to be 
 conformed to thine image, to seek communion with 
 thee, and to love thy house, thine ordinances, thy 
 word, and thy people. But let me not think that 
 any strength of attachment can merit thy love to 
 me ; for O thine acceptance of my love is one of the 
 crowniug gifts of undeserved mercy. 
 
 Glorious God, may thy saints bring thee the full 
 
139 
 
 tribute of their hearts. Let the constant bearing of 
 their thoughts be unto thee, and the remembrance of 
 thy name. Fill their hearts with gratitude to thee, 
 and lead them to seek thee with delight in all the 
 exercises of religion. May they rejoice in thy word, 
 as the index of thy will ; and take pleasure in thy 
 people, as the excellent of the earth ; and seek the 
 glory of Christ more than the favour of man, or the 
 love of the world. 
 
 Lord, bring those who are now at enmity with 
 thee, to esteem and desire thee as their chief good. 
 Cast out their selfishness and aversion, and take the 
 dominion of their hearts, that they may be able to 
 say, the Lord is their portion, and his love the ful- 
 ness of their joy. 
 
 LOVE OF GOD. 
 
 God is love. Yes, thou art good, and thou lovest 
 to do good. The eyes of all are unto thee, and thou 
 givest them their meat in due season : thou openest 
 thy hand, and satisfiest the desires of every living 
 thing. Thy tender mercies are over all thy works, 
 and thy goodness is seen in all thy ways. But thou 
 hast most commended thy love to us, in that while 
 we were sinners, Christ died for us. Here it is be- 
 yond parallel; it transcends the strongest effort of 
 thought; and it is above blessing and praise. This 
 is the bright and glorious centre of thy good will to 
 man, around which every other token of thy mercy 
 gathers. — I would praise thee. Lord, for the com- 
 mon and special benefits of thy providence, and for 
 that wise arrangement of the laws of nature, which 
 promotes the happiness and well-being of thy crea- 
 tures : yet I would offer thee louder strains of praise, 
 and stronger feelings of gratitude, for thy compas- 
 
140 
 
 sion to our souls, in revealing thy will, in teaching 
 us the issues of eternity, in giving thy Son to bear 
 our iniquities, and in bestowing thy Spirit, to con- 
 vince us of sin, to enlighten our minds in the know- 
 ledge of truth, and to persuade us to except the plan 
 of salvation. — Forbid it, O God, that I should ever 
 forget or undervalue tiiy favours which are past; or 
 that I should doubt thy suretiship of compassion for 
 the future. Continue to manifest thyself unto me as 
 thou dost not unto the world. Enrich thou my soul 
 with the fulness of thy love, now, henceforth, and 
 for ever. 
 
 O Lord, why should there be any so carnally- 
 minded, as to be at enmity against thee, the God of 
 love? Show them thy rich goodness, and their own 
 dark ingratitude. Make them feel that this world 
 has no charms when compared with that full tide of 
 affection which flows from the heart of God towards 
 them that put their trust in him. O make many 
 such the partners of thy loving-kindness in Jesus, 
 which is unto eternal life. 
 
 LOVE TO MAN. 
 
 Lord, I pray thee, for Christ's sake, to make my 
 heart a well-spring of affection to all mankind. Let 
 no jealousy, nor selfishness, nor anger, nor malice, 
 lead me to forget that every man is my brother. 
 Thou makest thy sun to rise on the evil and on the 
 good ; and sendest rain on the just and on the unjust. 
 Why then should I shut up my compassions from 
 any that are my fellow creatures? O help me to 
 feel for every want, and to sympathize with every 
 wo, that afllicts humanity. And, I pray thee, dis- 
 pose me, in benevolence of heart, to do what I can 
 
141 
 
 to dry up the fountains of human misery, and to 
 muhiply the sources of man's real happiness. 
 
 Lord, incline me to love the souls of men. May 
 I have strong pity for those who are thoughtlessly 
 or wilfully destroying their eternal peace; and may 
 I seek to bring them under the influences of the 
 blessed gospel. Grant me that spirit which seeketh 
 not her own, and is not easily provoked, and that 
 rejoiceth in the truth. Cause me to abound in good 
 will to the brotherhood of faith, and to be kindly af- 
 fectioned towards them in brotherly love. May I 
 seek their company, and be glad in their prosperity, 
 and make common cause with them in all their in- 
 terests. — Lord, give me, I pray thee, the love of 
 benevolence towards every thing that is capable of 
 happiness or misery, and the affection of compla- 
 cency towards every creature possessed of holiness. 
 
 LUKEWARMNESS. 
 
 Lord, I pray thee, through thy grace in Jesus, to 
 preserve me from lukewarmness in my religious du- 
 ties. Make me feel an interest in them proportioned 
 to their unspeakable importance. Let no worldly 
 influence, no allurement of Satan, no selfish de- 
 sires, lower the tone of my religious feeling and 
 activity. How long, O Lord, shall I serve thee with 
 an indifferent heart — thee, who hast infinite claims 
 on my most ardent attachment, and whose service 
 should be my chief delight. O rebuke my apathy, 
 and fill me with a holy zeal. Make me fervent in 
 spirit ; and whatsoever my hand finds to do, dispose 
 me to do it with my might. 
 
 LUXURY. 
 
 Heavenly Father, guard me against indulging in 
 
142 
 
 luxury. Let me not seek to make provision for the 
 flesh, to fulfil the lust of the eye or the pride of Ufe. 
 Let not my desires go out in anxious pursuit of what 
 I shall eat, or drink, or wherewithal I shall be 
 clothed; nor be unduly set on any of the pomps of 
 sense or vanities of life. May I use this world as 
 not abusino; it ; rememberino; that a man's life con- 
 sists not in the abundance of the things he possesses. 
 Teach me that earthly indulgences excite pride and 
 sensuality; and that instead of satisfying the heart, 
 they increase, continually, its restless desires for un- 
 profitable and corrupting enjoyments. Lord, thou 
 wilt require it of the souls of those who lay up trea- 
 sures for themselves, but are not rich towards God. 
 O let me not desire to live in pleasure on the earth, 
 nor nourish my heart as in a day of slaughter. 
 Make me content with a competent portion of the 
 good things of this life, and let me enjoy thy bless- 
 ing with them. Show me that health of body, peace 
 of mind, and ability and willingness to do good to 
 others, will depend on my abstinence from fleshly 
 lusts. — Lord, be thou to me more than all thine 
 other gifts. Incline me to lay up treasure in hea- 
 ven, that there my heart may be also. 
 
 MALICE. 
 
 Lord, keep my heart from the occasional or fre- 
 quent influence of malice. Let no rivalry and no 
 sense of injury, ever excite me to feelings or acts of 
 malignity. O how infinitely is such a temper op- 
 posed to thy holiness ; and how nearly does it 
 approach to the hatred which fills the bosoms of the 
 damned I — Blessed Jesus, bring me into closer like- 
 ness to thy precious example. Thou didst not ren- 
 der railing for railing, nor evil for evil ; but contra-. 
 
143 
 
 riwise, blessing. O give me, I pray thee, that spirit 
 of love which worketh no ill to its neighbour ; and 
 which looks on the earth, in all its length and 
 breadth, as one neighbourhood — and on all its diver- 
 silied races, as one brotherhood of man. 
 
 MARRIAGE. 
 
 Heavenly Parent, thou hast shown both thy wis- 
 dom and goodness in the institution of marriage. 
 Thou hast sought by it to increase the happiness 
 and promote the virtue of mankind. The works of 
 thy creation, though good in thy sight, were unfi- 
 nished while man dwelt alone ; and thy last and best 
 gift to earth was she that should be a fountain of 
 joy, a partner of pleasure, and a solace of sorrow. 
 Lord, teach all men that this relation of Hfe is still 
 (and must be throughout the annals of time,) identi- 
 fied with the comfort and welfare of our race. O 
 let none with ruthless and impious hand, undermine 
 nor overthrow this ordinance of God ; but may all 
 regard and sustain it as the safeguard of purity, the 
 pledge of social bliss, and the bond of public good. 
 
 Lord, reform the opinions and correct the practice 
 of christians in relation to unhallowed marriages. 
 Let none such be unequally yoked with unbeliev- 
 ers. May they marry only in the Lord. Show 
 them that those who ally themselves in sacred ties 
 with the ungodly, rebel against the will of God, cast 
 snares and unhappiness in their way through life, 
 and fearfully hinder the grace of God in their own 
 hearts. 
 
 Lord, govern by the dictates of affection, pru- 
 dence, and piety, those who would enter on the 
 duties and pleasures of matrimony. Bless all who 
 have embarked on them. May their relations be 
 
144 
 
 characterized by mutual love, esteem, forbearance, 
 
 assistance, and sympathy. May the same sincere, 
 ardent, unchangeable, protecting, and providing 
 love, which the Saviour manifests to his spouse, the 
 church, be shown by the husband to his wife. And 
 do thou direct her conduct to him in subjection, 
 reverence, prudence, and love. Lord, make their 
 union conducive to every rational good of human 
 life. Let it be an emblem of the union between 
 Christ and his church ; that they may walk in all 
 the statutes and ordinances of the Lord, blameless, 
 and be made mutual helpers in the fellowship of the 
 gospel of Jesus Christ. 
 
 MASTERS. 
 
 O thou, who art King of Kings and Lord of 
 Lords, bless those who occupy places of authority 
 over their inferiors. Teach them the duties of their 
 stations. Induce masters to give that which is just 
 and equal to their servants, in every thing that re- 
 lates to courtesy, recompense, and good-will. May 
 Ihey forbear threatening, knowing that their master 
 is in heaven, and that with him there is no respect 
 of persons. May they reflect that though their ser- 
 vants are inferior in rank, they are their equals by 
 nature, equals in the grave, and equals at the throne 
 of judgment. — Show them that the labourer is wor- 
 thy of his hire : and let no honest wages be kept 
 back by meanness or fraud ; lest the cry of the hire- 
 ling enter into the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth, 
 and thou render vengeance for unrequited toil. — 
 Lord, incline the hearts of masters to kindness. 
 Make them careful to avoid unjust exaction of la- 
 bour, and every display of the pride of rank and 
 authority. Give them patience under provocation ; 
 
146 
 
 and lead them to seek every reasonable comfort for 
 their domestics. And above all, may they strive to 
 promote their spiritual welfare, by setting them a 
 godly example, by giving them full access to the 
 means of grace, and by personal exertions that they 
 may become the servants of God, and heirs of that 
 recompense of reward which liveth and abideth for 
 ever. 
 
 MEANS OF GRACE. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee for those means of grace 
 which thou hast appointed for the instruction, con- 
 viction, conversion, and sanctification of mankind. 
 O bless me, I pray thee, in the enjoyment of them. 
 Make the holy scriptures profitable to me for doc- 
 trine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righte- 
 ousness. May thy preached gospel bring me glad 
 tidings of good things. Make the holy sacraments 
 means of teaching me the precious love of Christ, 
 and of giving me the washing of regeneration 
 through the Holy Spirit. O cause the exercises of 
 public, social, and private prayer to make me feel my 
 wants, and thine infinite fulness and willingness to 
 supply them. May I sing thy praises with melody 
 of heart. Give me grace to keep the season of fast- 
 ing or of thanksgiving, so that it may be a time of 
 refreshing from thy presence. Grant me the sanc- 
 tified use of meditation and self-examination ; and 
 lead me to such fellowship with thy saints, as will 
 strengthen my heart and encourage my zeal in the 
 chrisiian race. 
 
 Blessed God, I humbly pray thee, that I may use 
 these privileges only as the means, and not as the 
 end, of religion. Make me regard them as the chan- 
 nels through which thou dost vouchsafe to pour the 
 13 
 
146 
 
 l-efreshing streams of thy grace. It is the Spirit 
 which gives efficacy to all the appointments of thy 
 mercy. O Lord, make me understand that while I 
 work out my salvation with fear and trembling, it 
 is thou who workest in me both to will and to do, of 
 thine own good pleasure. 
 
 MEDIATOR. 
 
 Heavenly Father, I would praise and magnify thy 
 name, that thou hast laid help upon one who is 
 mighty to save unto the uttermost, all who come 
 unto thee by him. Though the human race was at 
 enmity with thee, and lay exposed to thy curse, thou 
 didst, in infinite mercy, appoint an Interposer be- 
 tween thee and us, that we, who were alienated and 
 enemies by wicked works, might be reconciled in 
 the body of his flesh, through death. We thank 
 thee that we are not called to that mountain which 
 burned with fire, and was clouded with darkness and 
 tempest; but to Jesus, the Mediator of the new cove- 
 nant, and to that blood of sprinkling which spcaketh 
 better things than that of Abel. O, it was needful 
 that he should be the Son of God ; for no other 
 sacrifice could satisfy the demands of infinite jus- 
 tice — and he must needs be the Son of Man ; since 
 without the shedding of blood, there is no remission 
 of sins. He who is our eternal Daysman, has infi- 
 nite fitness for his high and holy office: for in him 
 dwells the fulness of power, wisdom, and mercy. 
 
 Blessed Jesus, be thou the propitiation for my sins; 
 and not for mine only, but also for the whole world. 
 O thou who didst become the High Priest of thine 
 own sacrifice, to make reconciliation for the sins of 
 the people, do thou blot out the hand- writing of ordi- 
 nances that was recorded against me for my trans- 
 
147 
 
 gressions — procure for me by thine intercession, the 
 loving-kindness of Jehovah — and bind all my affec- 
 tions to the throne of grace, by that new, and better, 
 and everlasting covenant, which is the fruit of thy 
 wisdom and mercy, and the work of thy power and 
 grace, unto salvation. — Heavenly Father, make the 
 words of my mouth, and the meditations of my 
 heart, and the service of my life, acceptable to thee, 
 through him who is my Strength and my Redeemer. 
 
 MEDITATION. 
 
 Blessed Jehovah, enable me to withdraw my 
 thoughts and desires, at frequent seasons, from the 
 things that are seen and temporal, and to fix them 
 on those that are unseen and eternal. O may thy 
 character, in all its variety and fulness, be a rich 
 topic of my meditation. Grant me holy and exalted 
 converse with thine attributes, as they are revealed in 
 thy word, and in ihy works of creation, providence, 
 and redemption. — May Jesus be to my soul, the chief 
 among ten thousand, and one altogether lovely. — 
 Draw out my thoughts sweetly and confidingly, to 
 that Holy Spirit, whose work is quietness and assu- 
 rance for ever. — May I love to dwell upon the law 
 of thy mouth ; and do thou make it better to me than 
 thousands of gold and silver. — Teach me in these 
 hours of reflection, my weakness and sinfulness, and 
 the means by which I may grow in grace, and ad- 
 vance the various interests of thy kingdom. — Help 
 me, O Lord, to fix my thoughts on the shortness of 
 time, the certainty of death, and the undying worth 
 of the soul. 
 
 Lord, grant me the presence and blessing of thy 
 Spirit, in these solemn meditations. May the peace 
 of God, which passeth understanding, fill my heart, 
 
148 
 
 and make it a fountain of love to God and good-will 
 to man. May my knowledge be refreshed and en- 
 larged. While I muse on holy things, cause the 
 fire to burn within me, until the dross of sin be con- 
 sumed, and my soul be as gold that has been tried in 
 the furnace. O vouchsafe unto me, rich foretastes 
 of those heavenly contemplations, where no cloud 
 of sense nor of sin shall shut out the light of thy pre- 
 sence, and where there are pleasures for evermore. 
 
 MEEKNESS. 
 
 Merciful God, impart to me the grace of meek- 
 ness. Preserve me from the exercise of a violent 
 and overbearing temper. Break down the native 
 stubbornness and resentment of my heart ; and give 
 me that child-like spirit which knows no will but 
 that of its heavenly Father. Bestow on me that 
 temper of soul which seeketh not its own selfish 
 good ; that is not easily provoked by injury ; and 
 that hopeth all things before it thinketh evil of any 
 one. May this state of mind be the working of thy 
 Spirit, teaching me that I am, in myself, weak and 
 sinful, and that thou requirest meekness of spirit in 
 all that would be followers of Christ : for if any man 
 have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Show 
 me that this grace is an ornament of great price in thy 
 sight ; and that he who ruleth his own spirit is great- 
 er than he who taketh a city ; and that he findeth rest 
 for his soul, in learning of him who was meek and 
 lowly in heart. Lord, excite me to seek this hea- 
 venly mind, by considering the examples of the pa- 
 triarchs and prophets, of the apostles, and Jesus 
 Christ, who manifested it. O grant me the bless- 
 ing of those who inherit the earth ; and whom thou 
 makest the dwelling-place of thy power and mercy. 
 
149 
 
 MEMORY. 
 
 Lord, sanctify and invigorate, for Jesus' sake, all 
 the actings of my memory. O how has this noble 
 faculty been weakened and corrupted by the fall ! 
 But thou canst restore it; and instead of suffering it 
 to run after forbidden and unholy things, thou canst 
 give it exercise on those things which belong to wis- 
 dom and salvation. Lead me, I pray thee, to re- 
 member thee, my Creator, and all thine excellent 
 mercies. May my memory be precious of him who 
 is the way, the truth, and the life. Impress indeli- 
 bly on my thoughts, the doctrines, precepts, warn- 
 ings, and promises of thy word. Make me mindful 
 of my transgressions, and let my sin be ever before 
 me. Enable me to bring up in review, the cove- 
 nants and promises I have made to thee ; and lead 
 me to pay unto thee my vows. 
 
 O Lord, preserve me from every thing, moral or 
 physical, that will weaken or deprave my memory. 
 Lead me to the use of such means as will promote 
 its strength and purity. May I regard and value it 
 as the store-house of knowledge and comfort ; the 
 spring of repentance and hope ; and the monitor of 
 thankfulness and faith. May it retain that which is 
 good, and banish that which is evil. Dispose me to 
 practice every holy thing it remembers ; and grant 
 that I may so use this noble power, that I may glo- 
 rify thee in my body and spirit which are thine. 
 
 MERCY. 
 
 Great Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant 
 me a sanctifying and saving knowledge of thy mer- 
 cy. O thou art good and gracious ; slow to anger, 
 and plenteous in mercy. Yet thou hast a perfect 
 13* 
 
150 
 
 right to withhold it from us — yea, to visit us with 
 unmixed and irretrievable evil : for we are not only 
 unworthy of the least expression of thy goodness, 
 but we have deserved the strong retributions of thy 
 wrath. Nevertheless, thy goodness has pursued us 
 in all the walks of life. It has stayed, or soothed, 
 or healed the inflictions of merited evil ; and it has 
 bestowed on us uncounted tokens of unmerited good. 
 When we have been thoughtless of thee, thou hast been 
 mindful of us : when we have hated thee, thou hast 
 loved us. Verily, thou art long-suffering, and abun- 
 dant in compassion. Thou dost not mete unto man 
 evil for evil ; but dost crown him with loving-kind- 
 ness and tender mercy. 
 
 O that my memory could retain, and that my 
 heart could properly value, the long catalogue of 
 thine affectionate dealings with me. Thou hast 
 watched over me by night, and guarded me by day : 
 thou hast preserved me in health, and healed me in 
 sickness : thou hast chosen for me the changes of 
 life, and hast suited me to them : and more than all 
 things else, thou hast given our race that mercy of 
 Christ, whereby the day-spring from on high hath 
 visited us, with healing in its beams. Lord, enable 
 me to cherish a suitable estimate of thy goodness. 
 May it lead me to love thee, and do thy will — may 
 it succour me when I am tempted, and comfort me 
 when I am grieved. — May it strengthen me in the 
 hour of death, and be the song of my rejoicing 
 throughout the ages of eternity. 
 
 Compassionate Father, deal not in strict justice 
 with those who are now rejecting thy mercy. Say 
 not in thy wrath, that they shall not enter thy rest. 
 Make them hear thy tender and oft-repeated entrea- 
 ties to turn from their wickedness, whilst thou art 
 
]51 
 
 waiting to be gracious. Display to them the riches 
 and fulness of that compassion, which brings the 
 Sovereign of heaven to plead with them, and to pur- 
 sue them in their obstinacy, with so many expres- 
 sions of love. Extend to them thy golden sceptre of 
 grace, that they may touch it and live. O forsake 
 them not ; but multiply thy mercies upon them, un- 
 til their hardness of heart shall be melted down in 
 humble sorrow and love — until their rebellious wills 
 shall be brought to serve the living and true God. 
 
 MILLENNIU3I. 
 
 Great God, rejoice my heart with frequent and 
 thankful contemplations of that millennial glory, 
 when thy name shall be great among the heathen, 
 and when thou wilt give them to thy Son for his in- 
 heritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for 
 his possession. Then thou wilt pour out thy Holy 
 Spirit without measure, and darkness and transgres- 
 sion will be supplanted by light and obedience. 
 Love to God and love to man, will fill the hearts of 
 all the dwellers on earth: they shall beat their 
 swords into ploughshares, and theirs spears into 
 pruning-hooks : nation shall not lift up sword against 
 nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 
 Then there will be no clashing of sects ; for there 
 will be one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The hea- 
 vens shall give their dew ; the earth shall give her 
 increase ; plenty shall fill the basket and the store, 
 and fulness shall satisfy the hearts of the people. 
 The light of the moon shall be as the light of the 
 sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven-fold, as 
 the light of seven days. The mountain of the house 
 of the Lord shall be established in the top of the 
 mountains, and exalted above the hills. O then 
 
152 
 
 there will be great voices in heaven, saying, " The 
 kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of 
 the Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for 
 ever and ever." 
 
 Lord, teach all thy people the duties that belong 
 to them in reference to the coming of that glorious 
 season. May they trim their lamps, and keep their 
 lights burning, and be ready at the advent of their 
 Master. But do thou show them that his glorious 
 appearing will be by the instrumentality of the sanc- 
 tified and intelligent eflbrts of his church. O induce 
 them to desire it ardently, to pray for it fervently, to 
 hope for it believingly, and to labour for it diligently, 
 in all those measures which thou hast been pleased 
 to institute, as the means of accomplishing it. Bless 
 their souls, and bless ail their works of faith, and 
 labours of love. O hasten thy glorious dominion. 
 Spread it from pole to pole, from sea to sea, and 
 from the river unto the ends of the earth; and fill the 
 wide world with thy knowledge, even as the waters 
 cover the sea. 
 
 MI^'ISTRY. 
 
 Great Author and Dispenser of Truth, bless those 
 whom thou hast set to preach the everlasting gospel, 
 and to bring glad tidings of good things. Thou hast 
 not given us the ministry of angels, but of men ; and 
 hast given us this treasure in earthen vessels, that 
 the excellency of the power might be of God. It 
 has pleased thee by that which the world calls the 
 foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. 
 
 Lord of the Vineyai-d, let none take upon them 
 this holy office, who are unfit for its sacred duties, 
 in body, mind, or spirit. Yet do thou call out and 
 prepare many, very many, who thou knowest are 
 
153 
 
 meet for the divine work of saving souls. Qualify 
 those who are now ambassadors for Christ, and enable 
 them to persuade men to be reconciled to God. Make 
 them men of strong and cultivated judgment ; of dili- 
 gent and persevering study ; of zealous and faithful 
 labour ; and of prayerful, fervent, and consistent 
 piety. Make them as the voice of him that cried in 
 the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord; 
 make his paths straight." May they be them- 
 selves instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, and 
 bring forth out of their treasure, things new and old. 
 Let them not confer with flesh and blood. Bestow 
 on them a mouth and wisdom which their enemies 
 shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Give them 
 grace to speak thy word with all boldness ; keeping 
 back nothing that is profitable ; shunning not to de- 
 clare all the counsel of God ; and having this record, 
 that they are pure from the blood of all men. 
 
 O Lord, bring them before their flocks in the ful- 
 ness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. May 
 their preaching be in demonstration of the Spirit and 
 of power. Let thy pleasure prosper in their hands, 
 and thy word have free course and be glorified. 
 May they seek diligently to bring the religion of 
 their people up to the standard of the Bible — to the 
 measure of the faith once delivered to the saints. 
 Give them power to alarm the guilty consciences, 
 and to persuade the stubborn wills of the impenitent. 
 Let them not be compelled to say, " All day long, 
 we have stretched forth our hands unto a disobedient 
 and gainsaying people :" nor to ask in despair, 
 " Who hath beheved our report, and to whom is the 
 arm of the Lord revealed ]" O make them guides 
 of the blind, and lights of them which are in dark- 
 ness. Grant that by their eflJbrts, revivals of pure 
 
154 
 
 and undefiled religion shall prevail, to cleanse thy 
 church and to save perishing sinners. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, incline thy people to discharge 
 the duties they owe to the messengers of thy word. 
 May they remember that the labourer is worthy of 
 his hire, and that they who preach the gospel, should 
 live of the gospel. May they properly appreciate 
 the office of those that are over them in the Lord, 
 and esteem such very highly in love for their works' 
 sake. Make them careful to maintain all the insti- 
 tutions of thy word. May they listen to the preached 
 message with the preparation of heart, the culture of 
 prayer, the hearing of faith, and the purpose of obe- 
 dience : receivinfr with meekness the eno;rafted word, 
 as that which ministers grace to the hearers. Bless- 
 ed Lord, excite them to sustain thy ministering 
 servants by their intercessory prayers, that thou 
 wouldst make them wise as serpents, and harmless as 
 doves-' — that thou wouldst enable them to turn many 
 to righteousness, who shall be as stars in the crowns 
 of their rejoicing at the last day. 
 
 Lord, give to every destitute flock a pastor after 
 thine own heart, who shall go in and out before his 
 people in riijjhteousness and zeal. Send thy messen- 
 gers of mercy to those who are perishing for lack of 
 knowledge. O raise up, and qualify, and send forth 
 those who shall teach all nations, baptizing them in 
 the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and 
 be thou with them alway, even unto the end of the 
 world. 
 
 These mercies, and every thing else which I de- 
 sire, I would humbly ask through the perfect merit 
 and prevailing intercession of Jesus, unto whom 
 with the Father and the Spirit, one God, be eternal 
 praise. 
 
155 
 
 Missions. — See Heathen, Idolatry^ 
 
 MOHAMMEDANS. 
 
 Lord, look in mercy on the followers of the False 
 Prophet, whose system of blood and sensuality has 
 dragged into the net of delusion and death, so many 
 millions of the human family. Thou seest how they 
 have usurped the seats of the early triumphs of the 
 gospel ; and how they are trampling underfoot con- 
 science and liberty, in the scenes where Jesus and 
 his apostles taught, and toiled, and died for the 
 blessed truth of God. O Lord, open a great and 
 effectual door of access to this people, through which 
 the chariot of thy gospel may go forth, conquering 
 and to conquer. Subdue their prejudice and bigotry; 
 destroy their licentiousness and love of carnage ; 
 supplant their pride and superstition : and on the 
 ruins of this dominion of sin, build that kingdom of 
 righteousness, which is peace on earth and good will 
 to men. 
 
 MORNING. 
 
 O God, thou art my God : early will I seek thee* 
 I thank thee for peaceful and refreshing sleep, and 
 for the returning light of the morning. Lift thou on 
 my soul, the light of thy reconciled and life-giving 
 countenance. May my heart rejoice in the daily 
 renewals of thy love, even as the springing grass re- 
 joices in the reviving visits of the morning sun. O 
 cause my first awakings of thought — my earliest 
 desires, to fix on thee and the remembrance of thy 
 name. — Whilst 1 have slept in quiet comfort, many 
 have been racked by pain or disease ; or disturbed 
 by fear or calamity ; or suddenly called to the retri- 
 
156 
 
 butions of eternity. — Grant me grace, for Christ's 
 sake, to meet and discharge the duties of this day. 
 Let me not undertake any thing which is not agreea- 
 ble to thee. Dispose me to follow all my occupa- 
 tions in the world with a heavenly mind. May I 
 use this world as not abusing it; and pass through 
 things temporal, so as not to forget nor forfeit the 
 things eternal. Enable me to make this life my 
 journey to my everlasting home. 
 
 O Lord, let a conviction of thy presence and of 
 my accountability, pursue me in my worldly busi- 
 ness, and render me subservient to thy will. Pro- 
 tect me from folly, error, and sin. Make me kind, 
 forbearing, and just in all my intercourse with man- 
 kind. Preserve me from exercising selfishness, de- 
 ceit, or ill-will, towards any one. Be pleased, 
 Gracious God, to make the allotments of thy pro- 
 vidence towards me this day, such as may not tempt 
 me to evil ; but such as will work together for my 
 good. Guard my thoughts, that they may not tam- 
 per with sin ; and my lips, that 1 oflend not with my 
 tongue ; and my feet, that tbey wander not in forbid- 
 den paths. Grant me disposition and leisure to re- 
 tire from the world, to hold sweet and profitable 
 communion with thee at thy throne of grace. And, 
 O may I find at the close of this day, that while I 
 have been drawn so much nearer eternity, I have 
 been equally advanced in meetness for the inheri- 
 tance of the saints in light. 
 
 MOTIVES. 
 
 Lord, I pray thee, tlirough the merits of Jesus 
 Christ, that thou wouldst sanctify my motives. Let 
 my outward conduct be according to righteousness 
 and mercy ; but O, do thou make my heart pure in 
 
157 
 
 all its promptings towards duty. Dispose me to 
 watch narrowly, lest I make a merit of good works ; 
 or perform them to he seen of men, or to advance 
 my selfish interests. Raise me above the love of 
 self, and the desire of applause. Let not my mo- 
 tives, when they are right, be unsteady; but do thou 
 give them such stability as shall cause me to be 
 steadfast, unmoveable, alwa3^s abounding in the 
 work of the Lord. Teach me that if my purposes 
 are right in thy sight, O Lord, thou wilt bless me, 
 though thou mayst see fit to deny their accomplish- 
 ment. Show me that where there is a will to serve 
 thee, it is accepted according to what a man hath, 
 and not according to what a man hath not ; for even 
 the widow's mite secured a richer meed of favour 
 than the expensive gifts of the wealthy ; and a cup 
 of cold water given to a disciple, out of love to Jesus, 
 shall in no wise lose its reward. Blessed Lord, 
 make mine eye single, and my heart sincere. May 
 I do good, not to be seen of men, but in the spirit of 
 not letting my left hand know what my right hand 
 doeth ; for my Father which seeth in secret, ^ill re- 
 ward me openly. Lord, I would not seek to do thy 
 will merely that I may derive comfort from so doing; 
 but because it is thy pleasure that I should obey thee, 
 and because it should be my own desire that good 
 may be done, for thy glory and human welfare. 
 
 NEW YEAR. 
 
 O thou God of the rolling seasons, assist me to 
 bring before my mind, in solemn review, the trans- 
 actions in which 1 have been engaged during the last 
 year. Although most of them have vanished, or are 
 dimly seen like faint and dying shadows, yet before 
 thee they stand in living freshness. Though the 
 14 
 
158 
 
 record of them is fast wasting away from the treach- 
 erous tablet of my memory, yet they are written, as 
 with a pen of iron, on the books of ihy remembrance, 
 where they will remain until that fearful hour of 
 trial, when the books shall be opened, and all men 
 shall be judged out of the things that are written 
 therein, whether they be good or evil. 
 
 Lord, I desire to acknowledge before thee with 
 godly sorrow, that I have neglected many duties, 
 and abused many privileges, during the past year. 
 My heart, and my lips, and my hands, have often 
 been the agents of transgression. Many of thy mercies 
 have been ungratefully perverted or forgotten ; and 
 thy chastenings have often been despised, or unheed- 
 ed. O, my tongue would grow weary, and my heart 
 would sicken, if I should undertake to recite all my 
 iniquities before thee. Help me, I pray thee, for the 
 sake of our Great Advocate, to repent over them, to 
 loathe and forsake them, and to look to thee for 
 strength, that the time past of my life may suffice to 
 have wrought the deeds of the flesh, and that hence- 
 forth I may live to the will of God. 
 
 O Lord, I desire to enter the coming year, feeling 
 the solemn responsibilities of human life. I know 
 not what a day may bring forth, nor what the ap- 
 proaching months may reveal respecting me : except 
 thai they will bring me so much nearer eternity, and 
 be full of records of my growth in grace, or of my 
 backslidings from thy holy law. Yet I thank thee 
 that my span of life is still lengthened out, and that 
 I am still permitted to enjoy the precious opportuni- 
 ties that have been vouchsafed to me in days past. 
 O God, assist me, I beseech thee, to discharge 
 aright all the duties that lie before me. Make me 
 understand the uncertainty of time, the worth of my 
 
159 
 
 soul, the multiplied interests of my fellow-travellers 
 to eternity, and the righteous claims of thy service. 
 Make me watchful against the many dangers to 
 which I am exposed. Strengthen my love to thee ; 
 deepen my convictions of sin ; animate my desires 
 after hohness ; increase my spirit of prayer ; enlarge 
 my benevolence ; and lead me in thine own way, for 
 thy name's sake. Protect me by thy care ; supply 
 me by thy bounty; and grant me an increasing 
 meetness for that state where these changing seasons 
 will give place to an endless Hfe. 
 
 Lord, make this opening year, a year of the right 
 hand of the Most Fligh. "Pour the healing balm of 
 peace on all the bleeding wounds of thy church. 
 Spread over her the spotless mantle of purity. In- 
 vigorate her by the reviving power of truth. Awa- 
 ken her to renewed efforts in doing good. O may 
 these months stand forth in the history of redemp- 
 tion, as precious seasons of refreshing from thy holy 
 and life-giving presence. 
 
 NIGHT. 
 
 Great God, I thank thee for the light, the com- 
 forts, and the duties of this day. Assist my thoughts 
 now in meditating on its transactions. Bless what- 
 ever thou hast seen in me which has been agreeable 
 to thy will. Grant me repentance and forgiveness 
 for whatever has been sinful in thy sight ; and pre- 
 pare me by godly sorrow, and renewing grace, for 
 better conformity in time to come. As my allotted 
 span of life grows shorter every day, may I make 
 daily, some progress in the way to heaven. 
 
 O Lord, take me into thy keeping during the 
 watches of the night. The darkness and the light 
 are both alike to thee. May thine eye that never 
 
160 
 
 slumbers, keep guard over nie ; and thine arm that 
 is never weary, protect me. May I lie down, having 
 my thoughts directed to thee, and the things that 
 belong to my peace. Teach me to look on sleep as 
 the emblem of death; and to seek that preparation of 
 heart with which I should desire to meet the king of 
 terrors. May the close of each day remind me of 
 that night of death in which no man can work, and 
 urge me to finish every work thou hast given me to 
 do. Preserve me, I pray thee, from fear, from acci- 
 dent, from sickness, and from death. Make my 
 sleep quiet and refreshing. And grant that when I 
 awake in the morning, my thoughts may be full of 
 thankfulness to thee for thy protecting and satisfying 
 goodness. 
 
 OBEDIENCE. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, bestow on me, for the merits 
 of thy Son, the spirit of unreserved and full-hearted 
 obedience to thy law. Thou art entitled to the ser- 
 vice of all thy creatures. Thou didst form man out 
 of the dust of the ground, and didst give him the 
 breath of life, that he should honour and obey thee. 
 Thou hast preserved his being, and gathered around 
 him the comforts of life, that he should show forth 
 thy praise. And he owes thee allegiance, because 
 thou art the Governor of the universe, having a 
 right to do thy pleasure among the arm\ of heaven 
 and the inhabitants of earth ; none of whom can re- 
 sist thy will, but at the risk of thy sore displeasure. 
 But thou hast strengthened infinitely, all these claims 
 on liis service, by the offer of salvation to a perish- 
 ing world. Without this, there had been no hope of 
 escape from the fruits of disobedience, which had 
 treasured up wrath against the day of wrath. Bless- 
 
161 
 
 ed be thy mercy, that with this precious gift, tliou 
 hast not only infinitely increased our obligations, 
 but thou hast actually redeemed unto thyself, a pe- 
 culiar people, who are zealous of good works. 
 Though thy righteous claims of creation, preserva- 
 tion, and benefaction, have been disregarded, thou 
 hast overcome the rebellion of many of thy creatures, 
 by the controlling influence of a Saviour's love ; so 
 that they no longer live unto themselves, but unto 
 him who died for them. 
 
 Lord, enable me to present myself to thee, a living 
 sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is my most 
 reasonable service. Aid me to do thy will in the 
 things which thou hast commanded, and in those 
 which thou hast forbidden. May I fulfil thy com- 
 mandment out of a pure heart, and of a good con- 
 science, and of faith unfeigned. Teach me that 
 whoso keepeth thy word, in him verily is the love of 
 God perfected. O let me not confer with flesh and 
 blood, in reference to the claims of duty. Give me 
 courage to hold forth the word of life in evil report 
 and in good report. O let my obedience have that 
 symmetry and that fulness which are found in adding 
 to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, god- 
 liness, brotherly-kindness, and charity. Give me pa- 
 tient continuance in well-doing ; and cheer me by the 
 hope, that in due season, if I taint not, I shall reap 
 eternal blessedness. 
 
 Blessed Sovereign, may thy chosen generation 
 adorn the doctrine of God, their Saviour, in all 
 things. Enable them by a holy walk, to be the 
 light of the world, and to put to silence the ignorance 
 of foolish men. Make their consciences void of of- 
 fence toward God and man. May they find that 
 thy yoke is easy and thy burden light. Make them 
 14* 
 
162 
 
 fruitful of every good work ; for thou hast ordained 
 them, that they should go and bring forth fruit ; and 
 herein is our Father glorified, that they should bear 
 much fruit. Grant that they may walk worthy of 
 thee, in holiness and righteousness before thee, all 
 the days of their lives. Make them willing, if needs 
 be, to lose life for thy sake and the gospel's ; for 
 then they shall find it in life everlasting ; and the 
 praise of their service, sanctified by Christ's merits, 
 and accepted through his pleadings, shall be thine 
 for ever. 
 
 OMNIPOTENCE. 
 
 Lord, thou art God Almighty. The thunder of 
 thy power, who can understand? Thou hast made, 
 and controlled, and sustained the mighty fabric of 
 nature, by the strength of thy word. The firma- 
 ment, with all its shining garniture of countless 
 worlds, showeth thy handy-work ; the earth, with all 
 its furniture of hills and valleys, rivers and seas, 
 proclaims thy greatness : and in thee all creatures 
 live, and move, and have their being. 
 
 O Lord, give me a realizing sense of the greatness 
 of thy power. Show it to me in the rich and varied 
 works of nature ; and unfold it to me in that crea- 
 tion in the soul of man, in which old things are 
 passed away, and all things are become new. I 
 would adore thee for the strength of thy grace, 
 which breaks the stony heart, and bends the stub- 
 born will, and quickens those that were dead in tres- 
 passes and sins, into newness of life. Thy gospel 
 is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that 
 believeth. O God, I would bless thee that thou hast 
 pledged thy might for the increase of thy kingdom 
 in the world, and hast promised that the gates of hell 
 
163 
 
 shall not prevail against it. O help me to cry, 
 " Alleluia ; for the Lord God Omnipotent reign- 
 eth !" 
 
 Most High and Mighty, incline me to fear thee 
 who art able to destroy both body and soul in hell 
 for ever. Induce me to put my trust in thee ; for if 
 thou art with me, who can be against me 1 May I 
 experience in my heart that working whereby thou 
 art able to subdue all things unto thyself Grant 
 me the succour of him who is mighty to save unto 
 the uttermost, those who come unto thee by him. 
 Keep me by thy power, through faith, unto salva- 
 tion, ready to be revealed in the last time. 
 
 OMNIPRESENCE. 
 
 O God, whither shall I go from thy Spirit ; or 
 where shall I flee from thy presence ? If I ascend 
 lip into heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed 
 in hell, thou art there : if I take the wings of the 
 morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 
 even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right 
 hand shall hold me ! Thou fillest and exceedest the 
 vast amplitude of the universe. 
 
 Lord, help me to understand the purposes of thy 
 universal presence. Thou art bestowing the bless- 
 ings of thy providence, and exerting the righteous- 
 ness of thy government, over all thy creatures. 
 Thou art comforting, protecting, and sanctifying the 
 hearts of thy saints, and bestowing mingled mercy 
 and justice on the earthly probation of the wicked. 
 Thou art pervading heaven with the bliss of eternal 
 life, and filling hell with the anguish of everlasting 
 death. 
 
 O Lord, assist me to profit by the truth, that thou 
 art every where present, at all times. Teach me by 
 
164 
 
 it, that in the infinite contrast with thee, I am but a 
 grain of dust, a point, an atom, or as nothing ! O 
 that it might lead me to be vigilant in doing thy will, 
 and in trusting to thy protecting providence, and re- 
 deeming goodness. Lord, grant me here, I beseech 
 thee, a foretaste of that fulness of joy, which is in 
 thy heavenly presence for evermore. 
 
 OMNISCIENCE. 
 
 Great Fountain of Knowledge, thine understand- 
 ing is infinite. Thou knowest all things ; even the 
 end from the beginning. There is no creature that 
 is not manifest in thy sight. Thou rememberest 
 every thing that has occurred in the history of the 
 wide universe : thou knowest all the open and secret 
 workings of matter and mind, throughout thine un- 
 measured dominion : even a sparrow cannot fall to 
 the ground without thy notice, and the very hairs of 
 our heads are all numbered : and there is nothing in 
 the countless revolutions of eternity, that is not as 
 visible to thine eye as the light of day ! 
 
 Lord, thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up- 
 rising ; thou art acquainted with all my ways ; and 
 thou understandest even my thoughts afar off. If I 
 say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me" — even the 
 nio;ht shall be light about me. O grant me the so- 
 lemn influences of the truth, that thou knowest the 
 hearts of all men : thou hast indeed searched and 
 known me. May it lead me to worshi]) thee in 
 spirit and in truth ; for thou art not deceived, and 
 canst not be mocked. May it restrain me from sin ; 
 because there is no darkness nor shadow of death 
 where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 
 And, 0, may it be a source of comfort and blessing 
 
165 
 
 to me ; for thou knowest all my wants, and canst 
 supply them out of thine abiindant fulness. 
 
 ORPHANAGE. 
 
 Lord, thou art the Helper of the fatherless. Look, 
 I pray thee, in thy tenderest compassion, on those 
 from whom thou hast taken away the natural guides 
 and comforts of their life. Heal the wounded hearts 
 of those who are bleeding under these keen bereave- 
 ments. Assure them that when their father and 
 mother forsake them, then, if they put their trust in 
 thee, the Lord will take them up. 
 
 O God, open fountains of compassion in the hearts 
 of mankind, towards orphans. Raise up for them 
 friends, who shall take the places, and discharge the 
 offices of those whom thou hast, in thy wise pur- 
 poses, taken from them. Make it the business of 
 christian love, to sooth their sorrows, to minister to 
 their wants, and to guide their steps amid the wan- 
 derings of earth. Protect them from the dangers 
 which accompany their exposed condition. Screen 
 them from the oppression with which the selfish so 
 often scourge the destitute. Guard them from the 
 temptations which gather in fearful number and 
 strength around the defenceless. Save them from 
 those indulgences in sin, into which the unrestrained 
 are so prone to fall. Gracious Lord, smooth for 
 them the pathways of life. Even as a tender shep- 
 herd carries the lambs of his flock in his bosom, so do 
 thou shelter them in the covert of thy wings. — 
 Above every other blessing, grant them that of re- 
 garding thee as their reconciled God and Father, in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. Though thou hast hid the 
 desire of their eyes, and the hope of their hearts, in 
 the silence of the grave, yet thou wilt be unto them, 
 
166 
 
 if they confide in thee, a present help and an eternal 
 portion. Lead them to look up unto thee, in their 
 destitution, as their Heavenly Father; and to feel 
 that the most cherished pleasures of earthly paren- 
 tage, fall infinitely below the privileges of being in 
 the adoption of the sons of God. 
 
 OSTENTATION. 
 
 O thou that dwellest in the contrite heart, preserve 
 me, for the Redeemer's sake, from the folly and sin 
 of ostentation, both in the common duties of life and 
 in my religious actions. Teach me that I have 
 nothing that I have not received ; and that thou hast 
 commanded that nothing be done through strife or 
 vainglory. Lord, let me not do my works before 
 men, to be seen of them. Grant that whenever I 
 desire to catch the applause of man, or seek to be 
 thought of others what I am not, I may reflect that 
 all I am and all I do, are naked and open to thine 
 eyes. It is with thee, and not with my fellow-crea- 
 tures, I have to do : for thou art the only true and 
 final umpire of conduct and character. Heavenly 
 Father, do thou so raise me above the fear and love of 
 man, that I may be in all things, and at all times, a 
 servant of Christ, doing the will of God from the 
 heart, as unto the Lord, and not unto men. 
 
 PARDON. 
 
 Great God, I have sinned against thee, times and 
 ways beyond number. If thou shouldst lay righte- 
 ousness to the line, and judgment to the plummet, I 
 should be driven from thy presence. Yea, if thou 
 shouldst deal with me for one of a thousand of my 
 transgressions, I could not appear before thee. Yet 
 I praise thee that there is forgiveness with thee, and 
 
167 
 
 that thou blottest out the transgressions of thy peo- 
 ple. O give me the blessedness of him to whom thou 
 imputest no iniquity ; whose sins, though they be as 
 scarlet, shall be as white as snow ; and though they 
 be red like crimson, shall be as wool. 
 
 Lord, teach me the nature and condition of that 
 pardon which thou art willing and ready to bestow 
 on thy sinful creatures. O, it is sufficient to stay the 
 wrath of thy condemnation, and to take away for 
 ever, the sentence which was written against us. Yet 
 it is not procured by our own works of righteous- 
 ness ; but we have this redemption through the blood 
 of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, according to the 
 riches of his grace. Grant me, I beseech thee, such 
 a conviction of sin, and such a reliance on the atone- 
 ment of Jesus, as will make it consistent with thy 
 love of justice, and with the security of thy moral 
 government, to remember my transgressions no 
 more against me. Keep me from every effort to 
 bring thee a price in my hand for this precious 
 boon. O may I seek it as the gift of thy mercy, 
 purchased By the death of thy Son, and made effec- 
 tual by the application of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 Merciful God, grant me the fruits of thy forgiving 
 love, in peace of conscience, a sense of thy favour, 
 a tender penitence for sin, a feeling of deep and 
 lasting gratitude, and a holy, humble, and confiding 
 access to thy throne of grace. 
 
 Lord, lead multitudes of the impenitent to seek 
 thy forgiving mercy. May they learn the infinite 
 value of that sacrifice by which it was procured, and 
 the tender solicitude and strivings of thy Spirit, that 
 they should embrace it. Show them from what 
 guilt and punishment it redeems, and to what purity 
 and happiness it leads. Enter not now into judg- 
 
168 
 
 ment with them, for in thy sight shall no man living 
 be justified. O do thou excite many to call on thee 
 whilst thou art waiting to be gracious ; and do thou 
 make peace with them through the blood of the 
 cross, and present them holy and unblamable in thy 
 sight. Blot out their iniquities from the book of thy 
 remembrance, and write their names in the Lamb's 
 book of life. 
 
 PARENTS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, enable those to whom thou hast 
 committed the important duties of parents, to dis- 
 charge them according to thy will. Thou hast been 
 pleased, in thy wisdom, to assign to their moulding 
 influence the character and destiny of their children, 
 for time and eternity. O may they have strong im- 
 pressions of the many and weighty responsibilities 
 which rest upon them. Grant that an intelligent 
 spirit of love may govern all their conduct to their 
 offspring. May they seek to fill their minds with 
 useful knowledge, and to bring them up for useful 
 employments. May they strive to cultivate in them 
 habits of industry, frugality, prudence, and generosi- 
 ty. Make them careful to preserve them from un- 
 due or rapacious desires after wealth, honour, or 
 pleasure. Especially may they labour to bring 
 them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 
 O let thy words be in their hearts, that they may 
 teach them diligently to their children, and instruct 
 them thoroughly in the ways of peace — warning and 
 convincing them against that which is evil, and per- 
 suading them to that which is good. Give parents 
 the influence of discreet and persevering discipline. 
 Make their example such as shall be right in thy 
 sight, and adapted to win the confidence, love, and 
 
169 
 
 obedience of their children. Induce them to watch 
 with carefulness and solicitude, over the whole moral 
 and religious character of those whom thou hast com- 
 mitted to their training. And O, may they seal all 
 their anxieties and labours by fervent prayer, with 
 and for their offspring, that thou wouldst help to 
 train them up in the way they should go, and pre- 
 serve them in it unto eternal life. Our Father in 
 Heaven, make the parental relation an honoured 
 instrumentality for bringing back our race from the 
 slavery of sin and Satan, to the liberty of holiness 
 and the sons of God. 
 
 PASSIONS. 
 
 Lord, preserve me from the dominion of my pas- 
 sions. Thou hast given me, in thy wisdom and 
 goodness, the affections of human nature ; but thou 
 hast put them under laws of usefulness and of sub- 
 jection to thy will. Lead me, I pray thee, to consult 
 diligently those laws ; and help me to bring my feel- 
 ings into subjection to them. O let not the things 
 that are sensual and carnal, attract and absorb my 
 desires. Teach rae to abstain from fleshly lusts that 
 destroy the body, that war against the soul, and 
 which bring down the displeasure of God. Lord, 
 keep me from the undue and unholy exercise of my 
 mental passions. Enable me to control and direct 
 them, that they may be the servants of grace, and 
 not the instruments of unrighteousness. 
 
 PATIENCE. 
 
 Lord, I would draw nigh, in the prevailing name 
 
 of Jesus, to ask thee to cause patience to have its 
 
 perfect work in my heart, in all the various trials of 
 
 life. Mav it possess my soul, and suffer no intrusion 
 
 15 
 
170 
 
 there of fretful complaint, nor anxious fear. In sick- 
 ness, in bereavement, in crosses, in provocations, in 
 persecutions, in every thing that clashes with my de 
 sires, grant, T beseech thee, that I may secure and 
 preserve serenity of mind. What is man, that he 
 should complain ? Lo ! thou Jehovah art long-suf- 
 fering even towards the contradiction and rebellion of 
 sinners. May I remember that there is One who 
 was tempted in all points as I am ; and yet never 
 incurred the sin of a vexed spirit — who when he was 
 reviled, reviled not again ; who when he suffered, 
 threatened not, but committed himself to him that 
 judgeth righteously. Teach me that this grace will 
 protect me from much that is evil, and strengthen 
 me in all that is good ; and that it will secure thy 
 favour — for thou hast said that when we do well, 
 and suffer for it, yet lake it patiently, this is accep- 
 table with God. Enable me to run with patience, 
 the race that is set before me. Put my heart at rest in 
 thee ; for he who hatli delivered, will yet deliver. 
 May the thought that the Lord will provide, quell 
 every restless and fearful emotion. O God, make me 
 a steadfast follower of them that through faith and 
 patience, inherit the promises. 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me peace of conscience 
 toward thee, through the atoning blood of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Give me, I pray thee, that holy 
 serenity of mind, which the world can neither give 
 nor take away, and which results from receiving thy 
 love, and from knowing and doing thy will continu- 
 ally. — Enable me to live peaceably with all men — 
 respecting with justice their rights, and not seeking 
 with pertinacity my own — giving place to wrath, and 
 
171 
 
 refraining from an evil tongue, and every thing that 
 stirs up strife. — Lord, give thy churches rest from 
 unholy divisions within, and from wicked assaults 
 without. May the household of faith dwell together 
 in unity ; and then the gates of hell shall not prevail 
 against it. — O God, promote and establish peace be- 
 tween man and man, and between nation and nation, 
 throughout the world. Supplant by the influence 
 of the gospel, that selfishness which is the fruitful 
 source of every form of contention ; and in its place, 
 implant that holy love which worketh no ill to its 
 neighbour, and which leadeth man to regard every 
 human being as a neighbour and a brother. Then 
 shall individuals cease from strife — nations shall 
 learn war no more — and Jesus, the Prince of Peace, 
 shall reign over a dominion where there shall be 
 none to hurt nor destroy — where heart shall beat in 
 harmony with heart — where eye shall speak peace 
 to eye — and where hand shall be to hand the ex- 
 change of good-will to man. 
 
 PEESECUTION. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, I would praise thy name for 
 that comparative exemption from persecution which 
 we enjoy in this highly favoured land. Yet perhaps 
 we owe our peaceful security to our conformity with 
 the world. It becomes us to inquire, whether the 
 world arrays itself not against us, because we have 
 not fcarlessl)'- borne our testimony against it, that its 
 deeds are evil ; or because we have not rebuked its 
 practices by a high standard of holy living. — Lord, 
 let me not desire exemption from the enmity of the 
 wicked, at the expense of duty. Make me willing 
 to suffer persecution for righteousness' sake: yea, 
 thou hast said that they shall suffer it who live godly 
 
172 
 
 in Christ Jesus. If our Blessed Lord was reviled, 
 scourged, and persecuted, and his noble cloud of wit- 
 nesses, of whom the world was not worthy, had trial 
 of cruel mockings, and bonds, and death, why should 
 we hope to escape ? Lord, enable me so to act, that 
 whether men may devise evil or good concerning 
 me, my conscience shall be free from guilt towards 
 thee and all mankind. 
 
 O thou who art a very present help in trouble, 
 remember those who fall into persecution. Overrule 
 the trial of their faith and patience, for their good 
 and thy glory. Abate its severity, or open a door 
 of deliverance from it, or enable them to bear it as 
 good soldiers of Christ. While they suffer accord- 
 jng to thy will, may they commit the keeping of 
 their souls to thee, in well-doing, as unto a faithful 
 Creator. Let them not wonder nor complain, as 
 though some strange thing had happened unto them ; 
 but rejoice inasmuch as they are partakers of 
 Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be 
 revealed, they may be glad also with exceeding joy. 
 
 PERSEVERANCE. 
 
 God of Salvation, let me not be of those that 
 draw back unto perdition, but of ihem that believe 
 unto the saving of the soul. Make me steadfast in 
 the pursuit of knowledge, and performance of duty. 
 Teach me that the race is not to the swift, but to 
 them who cast aside every weight, and the sin that 
 doth so easily beset them, and who look to Jesus, as 
 the Author and Finisher of faith. Blessed be God, the 
 way I am called to run in, is not an unbeaten path ; 
 for thy peoj)le on earth arc now walking in it as the 
 highway to heaven ; the saints in glory have follow- 
 ed it unto life eternal ; yea, even the High Priest of 
 
173 
 
 our profession, Christ the Righteous, hath made it 
 smooth by his glorious footsteps. 
 
 O God, set clearly and strongly before my mind, 
 that exceeding and eternal weight of glory which is 
 laid up for those that endure unto the end. May I 
 so run, that I shall obtain it. Enable me to continue 
 in all things which are written in the book of the 
 law, to do them. O teach me the duty of perseve- 
 rance, by a conviction of the uncertainty of life. 
 Those servants only shall be blessed, whom when the 
 Lord Cometh, he. shall find watching. — Give me, I 
 beseech thee, such views of the foes that are within 
 and around me, as shall lead me to continual depen- 
 dence on thy grace, and unremitted diligence in thy 
 will. Imbue me with courage of mind and strength 
 of heart, to overcome all ihe hinderances which Sa- 
 tan, or the world, or my own passions, may cast in 
 my way. — Heavenly Father, let nothing be able to 
 separate me from thy love in Christ Jesus. O, love 
 me with an everlasting love. May he that is the 
 Ransom of sinners, save me unto the uttermost. 
 May thy Holy Spirit seal me unto the day of redemp- 
 tion, and be my Comforter, to abide with me for ever. 
 And then, in that inheritance which is incorruptible, 
 and that fadeth not away, I will praise thee for the 
 power of thy grace, by which I shall have been 
 kept, through faith, unto salvation. 
 
 PIETY. 
 
 God of Salvation, vouchsafe unto me a spirit of 
 intelligent and devoted piety. Make me a Christian, 
 not only in name but in truth. May I watch dili- 
 gently, lest while I have the form of godliness, I may 
 be destitute of its power. — Lead me, I pray thee, into 
 the constant exercise of repentance towards God, 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Fill my heart 
 with love to thee, thine ordinances, thy service, thy 
 people, and all mankind. Give that love such 
 strength and purity, that it shall fulfil thy law. Make 
 it abound more and more, in knowledge and judg- 
 ment, until I am filled with the fruits of righteous- 
 ness, unto the glory and praise of God. Cleanse 
 thou my heart from evil thoughts, and my life from 
 wicked ways; and enable me to die unto sin, and 
 live unto righteousness. Make me meek and for- 
 giving, sincere and humble. Let consistency, self- 
 denial, and gratitude, pervade all my actions. Make 
 me earnest in prayer, unwavering in faith, and joy- 
 ful in hope. Prepare me for the quiet endurance of 
 every trial, and for the zealous performance of every 
 duty. 
 
 Lord, make me a follower of them who, through 
 faith and patience, inherit the promises. May I so 
 act before the world, that men may take knowledge 
 of me, and be led to glorify our Father in heaven. 
 May the same mind which was in Christ be also in 
 me. As I have borne the image of the earthly, so 
 let me bear the image of the heavenly ; and of his 
 fulness receive, and grace for grace. Blessed Lord, 
 grant that by patient continuance in well-doing, I 
 may seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, 
 where the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in 
 the kingdom of their Father. 
 
 PITY. 
 
 Merciful Father, make my heart sensible to every 
 object of pity. Blessed Jesus, thou hadst compas- 
 sion on every subject of distress and misfortune. 
 Thou didst mourn with them that mourned, and weep 
 with them that wept. It was indeed the tenderness 
 
175 
 
 of thy love which brought thee to this world of wo, 
 that thou mightest bless and save those who were 
 ready to perish. O may the same mind be in me 
 which was in Christ Jesus. Let no form of selfish- 
 ness so harden my heart, that I shall fail to exercise 
 compassion for the wants and woes of thy creatures. 
 Let me not stop my ears to the cry of the needy, 
 nor turn away my eyes from them that are stricken 
 with misery. And let me not pity only in word and 
 in tongue ; but in deed and in truth : for so shall I 
 know that I am of the truth, and assure my heart 
 before thee, whose compassions fail not, else 1 should 
 be consumed in thy presence. 
 
 Lord, grant that my deepest feelings of pity, my 
 strongest yearnings of soul, may be over those who 
 are living heedlessly under the wrath of God. Let it 
 be my heart's desire before thee, that they may be 
 plucked as brands from the burning. O magnify 
 thy goodness in bringing them from the rebellion of 
 sin, into the obedience of faith. 
 
 POPERY. 
 
 God of Truth, destroy the power of popery. Let 
 not the Man of sin, the Son of perdition, continue to 
 rule the nations with his rod of iron. Lord, how 
 long shall men concede to weak mortals, like them- 
 selves, the claims of infallibility and absolution ? 
 How long shall sinful men be permitted to keep the 
 consciences of their fellow-men — to dispense vain 
 indulgences for sin — to blot out the commandments 
 of God — to make thy law void by vain traditions — 
 to prohibit the bread of life — and to exalt the worship 
 of superstition over the services of simplicity and 
 truth? How long, O Lord, shall they impiously ar- 
 rogate to change a corruptible thing into the incor- 
 
176 
 
 ruptible body of Christ ; and to dishonour the atone- 
 ment of Jesus, by claiming for any that have been 
 redeemed by his blood, an excess of obedience beyond 
 the requirements of thy law? O redeem the victims 
 of these delusions. IMay ihey learn that thou only 
 art the object of worship ; that thou only canst for- 
 give sin ; and that the scriptures of truth are the only 
 and all-sufficient rule which thou hast given us, to 
 know how we may glorify and enjoy thee for ever. 
 Lord, cause thy word, tliy Spirit, thy providence, 
 and thy people, to concur mightily in overthrovving 
 this great bulwark of Satan. May the spirit of love 
 govern all thy saints in their efforts to recover the 
 world from papal power. Transform all its temples 
 into sanctuaries of righteousness ; and into every 
 heart that has been a shrine of its corruptions, put 
 thou an altar consecrated to the pure service of the 
 living God. 
 
 POVERTY. 
 
 Merciful Father, if it be thy will, preserve me 
 from poverty. Let not my mind be liarassed by 
 fears as to what I, or those who may be dependent 
 on me, shall eat or drink, or wherewithal we shall 
 be clothed. Bestow on me a moderate compe- 
 tence of the means of support, and grant me thy 
 favour in the enjoyment of it. Make me grate- 
 ful to thee for thy past and present bounties. But, 
 O Lord, if it be thy pleasure to strip me of my 
 worldly comforts, and to bring me into deep and dis- 
 tressing need, let me not rebel against thee, nor 
 complain of thy righteous providence. May I find 
 more joy in trusting to ihce in the midst of adversity, 
 than in all the pleasures which unsanctified wealth 
 could bestow. Even though darkness should gather 
 
177 
 
 with forbidding gloom over all my expectations of 
 worldly comfort, throughout the remainder of my 
 life, let the consolations of thy Spirit be more than 
 enough to satisfy my soul. Make me rich in the 
 hope of a better and a heavenly substance, which 
 corrupts not in the enjoyment, perishes not in the 
 using, but endures for ever. 
 
 Lord, pity the poor. Soothe and relieve their 
 wants. Protect them from oppression, and deliver 
 them from him that spoileth them. Save them from 
 the vices which so often accompany their lot. Raise 
 up friends who shall feel for their wants, and sup- 
 ply their necessities. — Lord, let it be a prominent 
 duty with christians, to minister to those that are in 
 need. May they remember that their Lord and 
 Master had not where to lay his head, and that these 
 stricken ones are his representatives on the earth. 
 Show them that he who hath pity on the poor, 
 lendeth to the Lord, who will pay him again : while 
 he that oppresseth them reproacheth his Maker, and 
 he that stoppeth his ears at their cry, shall also cry 
 himself, and shall not be heard. Enable them to devise 
 such employments for the needy as shall at once 
 confer on them the blessings of industry and self- 
 support. May those who have no silver nor gold to 
 give, bestow their sympathies and counsels, which 
 are often worth more than money. — And above all, 
 may they seek, through thy Spirit, to confer on them 
 that godliness which is profitable unto all things. 
 
 Lord, bless those public charities which are de- 
 signed to relieve the distresses of the destitute. Give 
 minds of discretion, and hearts of pity, to those who 
 control them. As these works of mercy are the 
 fruits of the gospel, so may they be conducted m its 
 spirit, and result in its choicest blessings. Though 
 
178 
 
 thou hast said that the poor shall never cease out of 
 the land, yet do tliou abate the sorrows and remove 
 the evils of their condition, and make multitudes of 
 them rich in faith toward God, and in the hope of 
 salvation. 
 
 PRAISE. 
 
 O thou Most High, I would praise thee for thine 
 excellent greatness. The heaven of heavens cannot 
 contain thee. From everlasting to everlasting thou 
 art God. With thee there is no variableness, neither 
 shadow of turning. Thou art infinitely more exalted 
 above us, than we are above the smallest insect of 
 creation. Lord, thou knowest all things : thou art 
 the only wise God, wonderful in counsel, and infi- 
 nite in knowledge. Thou art able to do, exceeding 
 abundantly, above all that we can think. Thou art 
 of purer eyes, than to behold evil. Justice and 
 judgment are the habitation of thy throne. The 
 works of nature, the movements of providence, and 
 the plan of redemption are full of thy goodness. 
 Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Lo, 
 all thy ways are perfect ! 
 
 Lord, grant me such adoring views of thy cha- 
 racter, as shall be delightful foretastes of that praise 
 which is the incense of thy worship in heaven. May 
 I rejoice that the government of the world and of the 
 universe is in the hands of a perfect being, who will 
 do all things well. Make me esteem thy favour as 
 the highest honour and the most glorious privilege 
 which men or angels can enjoy. O may I often set 
 my feeble and corrupt powers in contrast with thine 
 infinite and spotless perfections, that I may thus at 
 once take my place in the dust before thee, and 
 
179 
 
 magnify thy great and glorious name. — [<See the 
 various Att?'ibutes.^ 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Heavenly Father, teach me to pray, and quicken 
 me b}' thy Spirit, that I may worship thee in spirit 
 and in truth. Give me clear and abiding views of the 
 nature of this solemn act of worship. Grant me a 
 proper estimate of thy character, as infinitely able 
 and willing to bless all who would approach the throne 
 of grace according to thy will. Enable me to make thy 
 glory the ruling object of my desires ; and to present 
 them only in the name of the heavenly Mediator, 
 whom thou always hearest, for in him thou art ever 
 well-pleased. May every supplication be offered in the 
 wish and hope that Jesus will present it, with his pre- 
 vailing intercession, at the throne of grace. Lord, 
 make me feel my entire and continual dependence 
 on thee for all the blessings I possess, or hope to en- 
 joy. O do thou give me such a craving sense of 
 want, such a conviction that there is no other source 
 of relief, and such confidence in thy promises, that 
 supplication shall be the language of my tongue, the 
 thought of my heart, and the food of my soul. 
 
 Great God, thou art, indeed, not worshipped as 
 though thou needest any thing ; for thou givest to all 
 life, and breath, and all things. It is in mercy to us 
 that thou art willing to hear and answer the prayer 
 of penitence and faith. Thou hast moreover com- 
 manded it, as our imperative duty — thus making 
 our privilege and our obligation one and inseparable. 
 
 Infinite Fountain of Blessins;, 2;rant me the influ- 
 ences of thy Spirit, to show me what I should pray 
 for, and the way in which I should draw nigh to the 
 mercy -seat. — Teach me, I pray thee, the various 
 and numerous wants of my dependent nature, until 
 
180 
 
 my thoughts shall grow familiar with them in all 
 their number, and my heart shall be absorbed by 
 convictions of their importance. Lord, dispose me 
 to submit every object of hope and every pursuit of 
 desire, by prayer, to the control of thy will : and do 
 thou turn me away from continuing or completing 
 any thing which has not the sanction of thy favour, 
 and upon which I cannot invoke thy blessing. O 
 Lord, suffer me not to confine my supplications to 
 my own wants ; but do thou give me a spirit of 
 prayer in behalf of others. Make me feelingly 
 alive to all the interests of thy church, and abundant 
 in intercession for her knowledge, purity, and in- 
 crease. O burden my heart with anxious solicitude 
 for the impenitent; and lead my feelings out in 
 earnest and importunate pleadings for their salva- 
 tion. — Lord, suffer me not to approach thee, on any 
 subject, with thoughtlessness or insincerity. Re- 
 strain me from a wandering and corrupted mind. 
 May every petition be the expression of true and 
 anxious feeling. 
 
 Father of Mercy, assist me to bring my desires 
 into conformity to thy will. Let me not ask thee 
 for any thing inconsistent with thy holy and sove- 
 reign pleasure. — Help me to come in the humble 
 boldness of faith to thy throne, that I may obtain 
 mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Thou 
 art indeed more ready to hear than I am to pray ; 
 and more willing to give than I am to ask. Enable 
 me, I pray thee, to come to thee in the confidence 
 with which I would approach an earthly parent : for 
 if such an one knows how to give good gifts to his 
 children, much more will our Heavenly Father give 
 his Holy Spirit to them that ask him. Lord, help 
 thou mine unbelief, and enable me to believe that 
 
181 
 
 thou art the rewarder of them that diHgently seek 
 thee. — Teach me that if I regard iniquity in my 
 heart, thou wilt not hear me. Do thou therefore 
 cleanse my heart, that my desires may go forth un- 
 spotted by sin, and find acceptance in thy sight. 
 Lord, lead me to the thankful acknowledgment of past 
 mercies ; and dispose me to hope from them for the 
 bestowment of future good. — Bring me to thee, O 
 Searcher of hearts, with humble confession of sins ; 
 for it becomes me to say, that instead of having any 
 claim to thine audience and favour, I have only de- 
 served thy displeasure. 
 
 Heavenly Father, dispose me to fulfil every suita- 
 ble occasion of devotional duty. May I love the 
 public and social supplications of thy saints. Let 
 me not withhold the incense from the family al- 
 tar. May I delight to hold converse with thee, 
 where there is no other eye to watch, and no other 
 ear to hear, and where I shall feel that I am alone 
 with God. And give me. Blessed Master, that spirit 
 of ejaciilatory prayer which will purify every current 
 of my thoughts, and sanctify every business of my 
 life. — O Lord, enable me, in all the vicissitudes of life, 
 to watch unto prayer, and to find that it is good for 
 me to draw nigh to God. And may my soul ascribe, 
 in sincerity and love, the praise of all the mercies I 
 derive from thee, to thy matchless grace in the Re- 
 deemer, both now and for ever. Amen. 
 
 PETDE. 
 
 O thou who hast said that no flesh shall glory in 
 thy presence, redeem and preserve me from the 
 spirit of pride. Show me its folly and sinfulness ; 
 and incline me to watch closely against its corrupt- 
 ing influence over my soul. Lord, why should a 
 16 
 
182 
 
 Worm of the dust, a being of weakness, want, and 
 dependence, exalt itself in the vanity of self-suffi- 
 ciency, and ask the tribute of praise or homage from 
 its fellow-creatures? O, thou hatest pride; thou 
 makest it go before destruction, and a haughty spirit 
 before a fall. Lead me, I pray thee, to reflect that 
 this wicked spirit cast out the rebel angels from their 
 first estate, into that fearful darkness, where they 
 are reserved in everlasting chains ; and that by it 
 man was beguiled in the garden of Paradise, into 
 that disobedience which brought death into the 
 world ; and that it has ever since been a fountain of 
 guilt, sending forth innumerable streams of corrup- 
 tion and desolation. Enable me to set this vice in 
 strong contrast with the meekness of Christ, and 
 with that humility by which are riches, and honour, 
 and life. Lord, wherefore should I glory, since all 
 that I am, and all that I have, are the gifts of thine 
 unmerited goodness ? O do thou give me such 
 abiding perceptions of thy greatness and excellency, 
 and of my own weakness and unworthiness — such 
 views of the presumption, sinfulness, and danger of 
 pride, and of the beauty and blessedness of meek- 
 ness — as shall lead me to renounce, at once and for 
 ever, the dominion of a haughty spirit. 
 
 Great God, stain the pride of human glory. May 
 sinners learn the vanity and guilt of every thing that 
 exalts itself against the will of God. Teach them 
 that neither birth, nor learning, nor wealth, nor rank, 
 is noble in thy sight : while the humble and child- 
 like are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. O 
 thou exalted Jehovah, bring all their thoughts into 
 captivity to the obedience of Christ. Let them, that 
 glory, glory in the Lord ; who though he be to car- 
 nal men a stumbling block and foolishness, is yet to 
 
183 
 
 them that are called, the power of God, and the wis- 
 dom of God, unto salvation ! 
 
 Privileges. — See Means of Grace. 
 
 PROCRASTINATION. 
 
 Lord, keep me, for Christ's sake, from that indo- 
 lence of heart, and that aversion to duty, which 
 would lead me to evade or postpone the claims of 
 present obedience. Let me not put off for to-morrow 
 nor futurity, that which ought to be done to-day. 
 Suffer not the hope of a more convenient season to de- 
 fraud thee of that service which thou requirest of me 
 now. O grant me knowledge to discern thine ac- 
 cepted time, and zeal to do at once, and with earnest 
 willingness, what my hand findeth to do. 
 
 O Lord, how many have cheated their consciences 
 and expectations, with intentions of future repen- 
 tance, and are now reaping the bitter fruits of their 
 foolish and sinful delay, where repentance never 
 comes. I beseech thee, explode that wretched fal- 
 lacy of hope which binds up such multitudes in the 
 fetters of sloth, and delivers them over to the chains 
 of the second death. O, awake those who are lulled 
 by this opiate of sin, and teach them the vanity and 
 guilt of delaying to make their peace with thee. 
 Let none be deluded by the expectation of a death- 
 bed repentance. Teach them how vain it is to 
 expect that in those hours when the judgment is 
 unfit to discharge the ordinary duties of life, it shall 
 be competent to encounter and decide aright, the 
 weighty interests of eternity. May they hear thy 
 voice saying to them, " Behold, now is the accepted 
 time: this is the day of salvation." Draw them 
 unto thee, whilst thou art waiting to be gracious. 
 
184 
 
 Show them that if they will still refuse to come to 
 thee, their hearts will grow hard and unfeeling ; thy 
 Spirit may cease to strive with them ; the stroke of 
 death may cut them off from the dwelling-place of 
 mercy ; and then they will lift up the unavailing cry, 
 " How have we hated instruction, and despised re- 
 proof. — The harvest is past, and we are not sav- 
 ed." 
 
 PROFANITY. 
 
 Lord, let me not take thy holy name in vain. 
 Keep me from profaning or abusing any thing 
 whereby thou makest thyself known ; and lead me 
 into a holy and reverend use of thy names, titles, 
 attributes, ordinances, word, and works. 
 
 Suppress, I beseech thee, the profanity which so 
 shamefully abounds in the world. O, I would lament 
 before thee, that because of swearing, the land 
 mourneth. May all who are guilty of this trans- 
 gression, be persuaded that it is an unprovoked, a 
 wilful, and presumptuous sin against the Most High, 
 whose name is exalted, thai every knee should bow, 
 and every tongue confess before him, in the deepest 
 reverence and self-abasement. Thou hast revealed 
 thy name, and character, and dealings, that mankind 
 should praise, and supplicate, and obey thee : but 
 they have, in their madness of heart, made this 
 knowledge the occasion of impious profaneness. 
 Lord, show them that thou wilt not hold those guilt- 
 less, who take thy name in vain. They that love 
 cursing, shall be cursed. Adorable Jehovah, give 
 them a speedy repentance and forsaking of their sin. 
 Grant that every tongue which has abused thy 
 majesty, may become a voice of thanksgiving and 
 prayer. 
 
185 
 
 PROMISES. 
 
 Great Fountain of Blessing, I thank thee that 
 thou hast strengthened the faith, and established the 
 hopes of thy chosen people, throughout all genera- 
 tions, by many precious promises. Even in that day 
 when our first parents forfeited, by iniquity, their 
 birth-right to Paradise, thou didst give the pledge of 
 thy truth, that the seed of the woman should bruise 
 the serpent's head, and thus recover our race from 
 the ruins of the apostasy. And ever since, in all 
 thy revelations to men, thou hast been pleased to 
 declare, abundantly, thy rich purposes of mercy. 
 They are scattered over every page of thy word ; 
 they are suited to every variety of christian expe- 
 rience and trial ,• and they are so plain, that he who 
 runs may read. The history of thy heritage, in all 
 ages, has borne witness that they are steadfast and 
 true ; for they are established on the faithfulness of 
 the God of Truth. Lord, I desire to magnify and 
 extol thee for those assurances of comfort in this life, 
 and of bliss in that to come, which gather in count- 
 less profusion around the cross of Christ. Blessed 
 be thy name, thy promises are Yea and Amen in 
 him, unto the glory of God. 
 
 O that they might be embalmed in my memory, 
 and be cherished in my confidence; for they are 
 more precious than rubies, and more enduring than 
 the foundations of the earth. Make them, I beseech 
 thee, the means of dispelling my sorrows, of scatter- 
 ing my doubts, and of exciting my zeal. May I re- 
 gard them with overflowing gratitude to thee, as the 
 pledges of thine eternal truth and goodness; as the 
 beacons which tliou hast set to light up the gloomy 
 pathways of life, and to throw over the pillow of 
 16* 
 
186 
 
 death, the glorious beams of an unclouded immor- 
 tality. 
 
 O God, fulfil speedily thy promises to the Daugh- 
 ter of Zion. Let not her ways mourn, nor her gates 
 be desolate, nor her priests sigh, nor her people be 
 in bitterness. Put off her sackcloth, and gird her 
 with gladness. Give her the garments of praise for 
 the spirit of heaviness. Cause her righteousness to 
 go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp 
 that burneth. O create her a rejoicing, and thy 
 people a joy, throughout the whole earth. 
 
 PROSPERITY. 
 
 Lord, suffer me not to be anxious for worldly 
 prosperity. O let me not forget its fearful dangers — 
 how often it leads the soul away in forgetfuiness 
 and ingratitude from God ; how it binds the heart in 
 the fetters of worldly conformity and selfindulgence; 
 how it nourishes pride, indolence, and unfeelingness, 
 and palsies faith, zeal, and prayer. 
 
 Lord, if it please thee to bestow abundance on me, 
 enable me to use it, not in fulfilling the lusts of the 
 flesh, but for thy glory and the good of man. If 
 riches increase, let me not set my heart upon them. 
 May I remember that the duration of their enjoy- 
 ment must at best be short ; that their pleasures are 
 mixed with vanity and vexation of spirit ; and that 
 thou wilt judge men according to the plenty they 
 enjoy from thee. O give me such views of thy bet- 
 ter inheritance, as shall preserve me from the thral- 
 dom of those vices which spring from a prosperous 
 life. Give such strength to my hope of the eternal 
 weight of glory, that all the enjoyments of earth 
 shall be barren and tasteless in the infinite contrast. 
 O make me ever mindful of the solemn warning, 
 
187 
 
 *' How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into 
 the kingdom of God !" 
 
 Heavenly Father, let me not be envious nor rebel- 
 lious when I see the prosperity of the wicked. 
 Surely thou hast set them in slippery places. They 
 that will be rich fall into temptations and snares, 
 and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown 
 men in destruction and perdition. Lord, what shall 
 it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose 
 his own soul 1 
 
 God of Beneficence, enlarge the souls of those on 
 whom thou hast cast the mantle of plenty. May 
 they bless the Lord, and forget not all his benefits. 
 Make them rich in good works, and ready to distri- 
 bute, according as thou hast prospered them. Teach 
 them that the silver and the gold are thine, and 
 make them the stewards of thy bounty — willing 
 instruments in sustaining and enlarging every work 
 of faith and labour of love. Give them grace to lay 
 up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do 
 not corrupt, and where thieves cannot break through 
 and steal. 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 Great Sovereign, thou hast prepared thy throne in 
 the heavens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all. Thou 
 doest thy will in the army of heaven, and among the 
 inhabitants of earth ; and none can stay thy hand, 
 nor say unto thee, " What doest thou?" Thou 
 callest the stars by name, and numberest the hairs 
 of our heads : thou upholdest the sparrow, and 
 givest strength to the seraph. Lord, I would praise 
 thee for thy most holy, wise, and powerful preserv- 
 ing and governing all thy creatures. If thou shouldst 
 withdraw the energies of thy power from the works 
 
188 
 
 of thy hands, they would all fall back at once into 
 non-existence. But blessed be thy name, thy do- 
 minion is an everlasting dominion, and thy king- 
 dom is from generation to generation. 
 
 Great God, enable me to see and acknowledge thy 
 hand in all the movements of thy providence. Make 
 me realize my immediate and absolute dependence 
 on thee, and my obligations to thy preserving and 
 governing wisdom. Make me submissive to every 
 token of thy will. May 1 praise thee in joy and in 
 grief; because it is the Lord that giveth, and that 
 taketh away. Thou art indeed wonderful in coun- 
 sel, and excellent in working. Thou givest the 
 mercies of every day's life to the evil as well as to 
 the good. But it is only for them that love thee, 
 that thou makest thy providence and grace work to- 
 gether for good. — Exalted Jehovah, may the solemn 
 truth that thy kingdom ruleth over all, lead me to 
 seek thy favour as the chief blessing of life ; and to 
 do thy pleasure as it is done in heaven. 
 
 PRUDEIVCE. 
 
 O thou who only art wise, vouchsafe to me that 
 prudence which is the dwelling-place of wisdom. 
 Preserve me from a heedless and an impetuous 
 spirit. Make every purpose of my heart, and every 
 action of my life, the result of prayerful considera- 
 tion. Dispose me, 1 pray thee, to pursue every 
 right object with a proper spirit. Let me not be go- 
 verned by any rules of policy which are inconsistent 
 with a good conscience; nor do evil that good may 
 come. Instruct me in all my personal and relative 
 duties ; and give me sanctified knowledge and dis- 
 creet zeal, to meet and discharge them, in the sight 
 of God. Grant me the instruction of thy word, which 
 
189 
 
 is able to make me wise unto salvation ; and the 
 teachings of thy Spirit, which searcheth the deep 
 things of God, and beareth witness with our con- 
 sciences, whether we walk in the way, the truth, 
 and the life. 
 
 Reason. — See Knowledge, Understanding, 
 Regeneration. — See Conversion. 
 
 REPENTANCE. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me repentance unto life. 
 Give me, I beseech thee, a true sense of my sin. It 
 is against thee, O Lord, I have sinned. I have bro- 
 ken thy holy, wise, and benevolent law, ways and 
 times beyond number. I have sinned against the 
 teachings of thy word, against the testimonies of con- 
 science, against the drawings of thy love, and against 
 the strivings of thy Spirit. My transgressions may 
 have led others into the paths of evil, and thus have 
 been instrumental in loading their souls with guilt. 
 Mine iniquities have cast reproach on thy cause in 
 the world ; and they have shut out the precious light 
 of thy countenance from my soul. O God, make 
 me feel how hateful my sin is in thy sight, and that 
 the perfections of thy nature are pledged for its pun- 
 ishment. O thou hast spread wide and deep, the 
 lake of unquenchable fire — thou hast built with ever- 
 lasting strength, the prison-walls of hell — where the 
 unrepenting sinner will dwell in torment for ever. 
 
 Lord, I implore thee to give me deep convictions 
 of the atrocious guilt and soul-destroying danger of 
 sin. Grant me feelings of strong abhorrence to- 
 wards it. Incline me to mourn, with bitterness of 
 heart, over my transgressions. Imbue me with 
 
190 
 
 courage, to resolve to forsake them, and with 
 strength to turn from them unto thee, with earnest 
 endeavours after new obedience. Teach me that he 
 who turns not away from every sin, turns not 
 aright from any sin. O let not mine be the sorrow 
 of the world, that worketh death ; but a godly sor- 
 row, that worketh repentance to salvation, not to be 
 repented of Bring me to thee crying, " Lord, save 
 me, or I perish." And say to me in thy mercy, 
 " Son, be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiven thee." 
 O God, kindle a fire in the consciences of the im- 
 penitent, that shall cleanse them from the love of sin, 
 and purify them unto thee, in holiness of heart and 
 life. Convince them of the evil nature, and fearful 
 consequences of their iniquity. Show them that 
 thou art waiting to be gracious, and that thou hast 
 no pleasure in the death of them that die, but that 
 they turn and live. Turn them from the error of 
 their ways, and lead them into the path of the just. 
 Induce them to forsake their sins, and to bring Ibrth 
 fruits meet for repentance. Incline them to obey 
 thy will from the heart ; not that they may seek by 
 the deeds of the law to be justified in thy sight; but 
 that he who was delivered for their oflences may be 
 made their justification and complete salvation. 
 
 RErROOF. 
 
 O thou Holy One, suffer me to have no fellowship 
 with the unfruitful works of darkness, but may I 
 rather reprove them. Cause my conduct to stand 
 forth as a sentence of condemnation against them, 
 both in my scrupulously avoiding that which is evil, 
 and resolutely cleaving to that which is good. Give 
 me a lioly courage to bear the testimony of my 
 voice against Iransgrcssion. But, O, let it not be 
 
191 
 
 done in anger,' but in love and hiinaility.- — Lord, may 
 I be encouraged in this duty, by remembering that 
 it is thy will that we should in any wise rebuke 
 our neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.— If 
 any of the brethren be overtaken in a fault, make 
 me feel that it is both my duty and privilege to re- 
 store such an one in the spirit of meekness. Show 
 me that the eternal interests of the ungodly require 
 me to take up this cross ; for the want of my reproof 
 may leave him unmolested in his sin, to spread its 
 contagion on others, and to go down with it to the 
 bosom of perdition ; while my faithfulness may be 
 the blessed means of redeeming him from the domi- 
 nion of iniquity, and of leading him to seek the sal- 
 vation of his soul. 
 
 Lord, dispose me to receive rebuke with meekness 
 and thankfulness. Make me open to conviction, and 
 dispose me to acknov/ledge and forsake my evil. O 
 may all that are the subjects of christian reproof 
 reflect that he who is often reproved, and still har- 
 deneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and 
 that without remedy. 
 
 Resignation.— >See Affliction, Submission* 
 
 RESURRECTION. 
 
 God of the Living, thou hast revealed the doctrine 
 that thou wilt raise these mortal frames, at the day 
 of judgment, from their long decay of death, and 
 make them joint- heirs with our spirits in the retribu- 
 tions of eternity. All that are in the graves shall 
 hear thy voice, and shall come forth ; they that have 
 done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they 
 that have done evil,' unto the resurrection of damna- 
 tion. 
 
192 
 
 Lord, I thank thee that our Blessed Saviour be- 
 came the first-fruits of them that slept ; thus setting 
 the seal of heaven to the truth of his gospel, and to 
 the hope of our resurrection. If Christ be not risen, 
 then is our faith vain. But, thanks be to thy name, 
 he has the keys of death, and could not be holden of 
 it. O may 1 rejoice in the hope, that though after 
 my skin worms destroy my body, yet in my flesh, I 
 shall see God, and be for ever with the Lord. O 
 grant that when the earth shall cast forth her dead, 
 this corruptible may put on incorruption, and this 
 mortality put on immortality, and be fashioned like 
 unto Christ's glorious body, according to the work- 
 ing whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. 
 
 RETIREMENT. 
 
 Lord, dispose and enable me to cultivate and 
 enjoy the blessings of christian retirement. Grant 
 me many of those precious hours of peaceful seclu- 
 sion, in which I shall find rest from the cares and 
 corruptions of the world, and reflect on my past con- 
 duct, my present character, and my future purposes. 
 
 may they be seasons when I shall fill with hea- 
 venly oil, and kindle with holy fire, the lamp of my 
 profession ; and when I shall hold sweet communion 
 with thee at thy mercy-seat. Vouchsafe that when 
 
 1 thus retire from the world, it may be in order to 
 replenish my soul, and return again to the duties of 
 life, strengthened by thy grace, and richly laden 
 with gospel blessings. O thou who didst seek the 
 lonely desert, the solitary mountain, and the covert 
 of night, make my withdrawings from the busy 
 scenes of earth, such as tiiine own were — hours full 
 of holy love to God, and fraught with good-will to 
 man. 
 
193 
 
 REVENGE. 
 
 Heavenly Father, convince my judgment of the 
 folly, and my heart of the sin, of revenge. Persuade 
 me that it can neither preserve me from harm, nor pro- 
 cure me any good; while it stirs upwrath and retalia- 
 tion, and arrays against it the anger of a holy God. 
 I pray thee, for the sake of Jesus, let me not render 
 evil for evil to any man. Give me patience under 
 provocation, meekness under injury, and good-will 
 under revenge. Suffer me not, in any case, to 
 avenge myself: for vengeance is thine, and thou 
 wilt repay. 
 
 REVIVALS. 
 
 Blessed God, revive thy work ; in the midst 
 of the years make known ; in wrath remember 
 mercy. Let not thy heritage be in bondage to sin 
 and siothfulness ; nor the ungodly go down to death, 
 without the strong, and special, and redeeming influ- 
 ences of thy Holy Spirit. Let thy work appear 
 unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children: 
 and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. 
 Make the wilderness like Eden; and the desert like 
 the garden of the Lord : let joy and gladness be 
 found therein, wath thanksgiving and the voice of 
 melody. 
 
 Great God, may all thy ministers be indeed 
 preachers of righteousness, and ambassadors for 
 Christ. Sanctify their motives, and inflame their 
 zeal. Give them wisdom to devise, and faithfulness 
 to execute, such efforts as shall promote thy glory 
 in the work of saving souls. May they search .Jeru- 
 salem as with lighted candles, and apply thy truth 
 to their hearers with plainness, fulness, and pun- 
 17 
 
194 
 
 gency. Bless the word of their mouth, and accom- 
 pany it with the demonstration of thy Spirit. 
 
 O Lord, let judgment begin at the house of God. 
 Take away the hopes of those who have the form of 
 godliness, without its power. Convince thy people 
 of sin against thee, against each other, and against 
 the souls of the ungodly. Bring them to repentance 
 that needeth not to be repented of. Break from 
 them the fetters with which the world, the flesh, and 
 the devil have encompassed them. Give them that 
 clearness and strength of faith by which they shall 
 learn the value of their own souls, and the worth of 
 the souls of perishing sinners around them. 
 
 Heavenly Father, burden the hearts of thy people 
 with earnest desires for the revival of pure and unde- 
 filed religion. May they present fervent, importu- 
 nate, and believing prayer at the throne of thy 
 grace for the prosperity of Zion, and the salvation of 
 the ungodly. O fill them with thy Spirit, and 
 cause them to abound in love, zeal, and holiness. 
 May they love the places where supplication is wont 
 to be made, and where souls have been born to God. 
 Give them grace to uphold by prayer, the hands of 
 thy ministers, whilst thou art using such to carry 
 forward the triumphs of the gospel. Make thy 
 saints willing to adopt and sustain those measures 
 which are agreeable to thy will, and which receive 
 the abiding sanction of thy Spirit. Lord, cast up 
 and remove every stumbling-block out of the ways 
 of Zion. Give thy servants unity of feeling and 
 action, and lead them to act in the faith of thy word, 
 wherein thou hast said, that if two shall agree on earth 
 as touching any thing the)^ shall ask, it shall be done 
 for them of our F'ather in heaven. Let the blessing of 
 the Lord our God be upon them ; and establish the 
 
195 
 
 work of their hands upon them : yea, the work of 
 their hands establish thou it. 
 
 O Most High, visit with convincing and con- 
 verting power, the consciences of sinners. Bring 
 them within the reach of the preached gospel, and 
 the hearing of effectual prayer. May thy Spirit set 
 home to their hearts the truth, which is able to make 
 them wise unto salvation. Make them feel deeply, 
 that they are guilty before thee ; and that instead of 
 having the offer of salvation, thy righteous retribu- 
 tion would blast them in everlasting death. O, may 
 they cherish the workings of the Holy Ghost within 
 them, and fear lest that Divine Agent give them up 
 to blindness of mind and hardness of heart. Let 
 that godly sorrow which worketh life, possess every 
 feeling of their souls. Show them that now is the 
 accepted time, and this the day of salvation. Give 
 them clear, and convincing, and persuading views of 
 Christ, as the only, and all-sufficient, and infinitely 
 willing Saviour. O God, grant, for the honour of 
 Jesus, that now, whilst thou art waiting to be gra- 
 cious, they may renounce their iniquities, receive 
 Christ as he is freely offered in the gospel, and give 
 themselves to thee in a covenant never to be for- 
 gotten. 
 
 Lord of Hosts, make the fruits of revivals glorious 
 in the history of thy church. May their converts 
 to righteousness be for multitude, as the drops of the 
 dew in the morning. May they be distinguished 
 for consistent piety and holy zeal, and be honoured 
 instruments in multiplying the trophies of redeeming 
 grace, until the Lord shall have made bare his holy 
 arm in the eyes of all the nations ; and all the ends 
 of the earth shall have seen the salvation of our God. 
 
196 
 
 And to God, the Father, Son, and Spirit, shall be 
 all the praise in earth and heaven, now and tor 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 Riches. — See Prosperity, 
 
 RIGHTEOUSNESS. 
 
 O thou who art righteous in all thy thoughts, pur- 
 poses, and ways, give me, I pray thee, the character 
 and blessings of righteousness. Make me just to 
 thee, to myself, and to my fellow-creatures. But, 
 O, keep me from trusting to my own fancied merits. 
 Rebuke and dispel every thing like self-confidence, 
 and lead me humbly to the foot of the cross, there 
 to find both the mercy of acceptance, and the grace 
 of obedience. Behold, O God, my Shield, and look 
 upon the face of thine Anointed. May he be for 
 me the end of the law for righteousness. May I de- 
 sire to be found only in him, not having on mine 
 own righteousness, which is of the law ; but that 
 which is through the faith of Christ, and which is of 
 God by faith. " O, may the accepted works which 
 flow from that atoning union with him, be found in 
 all my walk and conversation. Cleanse me from 
 dead works to serve the living God. Make me dili- 
 gent in working out my own salvation, knowing 
 that thou workest in me both to will and to do, of 
 thine own good pleasure. May I love mercy and 
 do justice towards all men ; and whatsoever I would 
 that they should do to me, in temporal or spiritual 
 things, may I do even so to them. — Blessed Source 
 of all good, fill me with the fruits of righteousness, 
 which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise 
 of God. 
 
 SABBATH. 
 
 O tilou that hearest and answerest prayer for tlie 
 
197 
 
 merits of Jesus, the Heavenly Advocate, give me 
 grace, I beseech thee, to remember the Sabbath day 
 to keep it holy. In six days thou didst make 
 heaven, earth, and sea ; and didst rest the seventh 
 day: wherefore thou hast blessed the Sabbath, and 
 hallowed it. I thank thee, God of Mercy, for that 
 consecrated season, in which thou givest rest to our 
 wearied natures, and affordest us leisure for reflec- 
 tion on our duties in this world, and our destinies in 
 the world to come. I thank thee for its privileges of 
 praise, of prayer, and of instruction, by which thy 
 saints are built up in faith and zeal, and sinners are 
 brought from the darkness and iniquity of carnal na- 
 ture, to the light and holiness of heavenly grace. I 
 would praise thee that there still remaineth this rest 
 to the people of God. Thou hast made the Sabbath 
 for man ; and thou hast abolished neither its privi- 
 leges nor its duties, but thou wilt continue them 
 down to the end of the world. 
 
 O, that I might always be in the Spirit on the 
 Lord's day. May I remember that thou hast given 
 me six days of the week for my own employments, 
 and challenged a special ownership of the seventh ; 
 and that thou hast given it the sanction of thine own 
 example and blessing. O, let me not profane that 
 holy time by idleness ; nor by doing that which is in 
 itself sinful ; nor by unnecessary thoughts, words, 
 or works, about worldly employments or recreations. 
 May I sanctify it by a holy resting even from such 
 avocations as are lawful on other days ; and spend 
 all its sacred hours in the public and private exer- 
 cises of God's worship ; except so much as may be 
 taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. Let 
 that day ever be a precious occasion, wherein thy 
 love shall be richly manifested to me, and my affec- 
 17* 
 
198 
 
 tions shall hold free, and holy, and rejoicing com- 
 munion with thy Spirit. May 1 be prepared by its 
 sanctifying duties and reviving pleasures, for serv- 
 ing thee and mankind better, in all the relations of 
 life. O make it a blessed type of that eternal Sab- 
 bath, which is reserved for the pure in heart, in the 
 regions of unmingled bliss. 
 
 Lord, save thy holy day from the desecration 
 which has been so fearfully brought upon it. Thou 
 seest how men pursue on it their carnal pleasures 
 and worldly interests, regardless of thy statutes, and 
 the ultimate welfare of their country, and of man- 
 kind. Even those who have made a covenant with 
 thee, to keep thy commandments, sometimes join 
 hand in hand with the ungodly, in these profanations 
 of sacred time. O that thy people would set their 
 faces as flint against these transgressions ; and bear 
 the testimony of their voice and conduct against 
 them. Bring not thy wrath upon our land, because 
 its inhabitants make the Sabbath their season of 
 amusement, convenience, and lucre. Teach all men 
 that it is thine imperative will that they should sanc- 
 tify that day ; and that thou hast judgments in store 
 for its transgressors : — while they who turn away 
 their feet from polluting it, and from doing their 
 pleasure on it, and shall call the Sabbath a delight, 
 the holy of the Lord, honourable ; and shall honour 
 thee, not doing their own ways, nor finding their 
 own pleasure, nor speaking their own words — they 
 shall ride upon the high places of the earth, and 
 shall be fed with the heritage of Jacob; for the 
 mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ! 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOLS. 
 
 Lord, thou hast taught us that it is lawful to do 
 
199 
 
 well on the Sabbath-day. I thank thee, that in 
 mercy towards the ignorance and wickedness of the 
 world, thou hast established the system of Sunday 
 Schools. I would praise thee that they have been 
 spread so widely, and that so many heart-cheering 
 fruits have sprung from them. Thou hast made them 
 instrumental in elevating the standard of knowledge 
 and active piety in the church. They have been the 
 means of dispelling ignorance and superstition, and 
 of moulding the character of our youth in right 
 knowledge and moral feeling. And blessed be thy 
 mercy for that which is worth more than every 
 other blessing ; they have been made the nurseries 
 of the Lord, from which many plants of righte- 
 ousness have been transferred to the gardens of 
 thy church, there to bear fruit unto eternal life. 
 And of these not a few are now singing, in everlast- 
 ing bliss, the song of redemption to him who said, 
 " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid 
 them not ; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 
 
 Gracious God, I would humbly trust that these 
 things are but the introductory tokens of the glorious 
 influences which this heaven-born system will yet 
 exert on behalf of our ruined race. Lord, am I not 
 warranted, from thy word and from the nature of 
 things, to expect that the religious instruction of our 
 children and youth, when it shall become universal, 
 and shall be conducted with that preparation of the 
 heart and answer of the tongue, which are from the 
 Lord, — will secure that outpouring of thy Holy 
 Spirit, which will fill the earth with thy knowledge, 
 even as the waters cover the deep 1 
 
 Great Shepherd of Israel, may all that seek the 
 prevalence and triumph of the gospel, give this 
 cause their sanction and help. — Make thy ministers 
 
200 
 
 watchmen and husbandmen in it, who shall give it 
 the service of the eye, and of the hps, and of the 
 hands, with wiUing and diligent hearts. — May all 
 who have made a covenant with thee by sacrifice, 
 and who stand pledged that they will not live unto 
 themselves, inquire what thou wilt have them to do 
 in this labour of love. O that there were heart- 
 burnings of shame and deep repentings of soul 
 among those who have refused to come up to the 
 help of the Lord in this work of faith. — Lord, give 
 this cause favour in the eyes of parents, and of the 
 world at large. May they all delight to honour and 
 promote it. 
 
 Father of Mercies, I would invoke thy blessing 
 on all who are engaged in it as teachers. Give 
 them knowledge to discern, and zeal to fulfil the 
 important duties of their office. Show them that 
 their service relates to filling the immortal mind 
 with the riches of religious knowledge ; and to con- 
 verting the soul from sin and death unto holiness 
 and everlasting life. O that they would understand, 
 and meet, and discharge these awfully solemn re- 
 sponsibilities ! — Lord, give them grace to help in all 
 their times of need. May they live in constant de- 
 pendence on the teaching and blessing of the Holy 
 Ghost. Put into their hearts that well of living 
 water, which springs up into everlasting life ; and let 
 every work of their hands be nourished by that 
 fountain of piety within them. — May they teach by 
 a living example, that shall be seen and read by 
 all their scholars — that shall make them as a city 
 set on a hill — that shall be as salt to purify and 
 save their classes. — Give them an ample and well- 
 diorested knowledfre of divine truth. Make them 
 wise in the treasures of the book of nature, and the 
 
201 
 
 volume of thy providence. Make tbem apt to 
 teach — in simplicity, in patience, in love, in judg- 
 ment, and in perseverance. — May all teachers love 
 each other out of pure hearts, fervently ; and keep the 
 imity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Make them 
 helpers to each other in mutual study, and in private 
 and social prayer. — Preserve their hearts from the 
 influence of the discouragements which beset their 
 office. Let them not be cast down, nor driven 
 back from their work, by difficulties within the 
 school, or by apathy or opposition without it. Let 
 them not be weary in well-doing ; but do thou 
 strengthen them by thy precious promises, that in 
 due season they shall reap if they faint not ; and 
 that though they may now often go forth bearing 
 precious seed, and weeping, yet they shall hereafter 
 return, bringing many sheaves with them. 
 
 Heavenly Father, visit by thy mercy, those who 
 are taught in Sunday Schools. Though foolishness 
 is bound up in their hearts, thou canst supplant it 
 by divine wisdom. Though thou seest that the ima- 
 gination of their hearts is evil, thou canst create in 
 them a new heart, and renew a right spirit within 
 them. — Lord, make them punctual, attentive, obe- 
 dient, and diligent. Seal instruction on their minds. 
 Let not thy word return from them void ; but do 
 thou prosper it in the thing whereunto thou sendest 
 it. Let it not be as water that is spilled on the 
 ground, and cannot be gathered. make their hearts 
 as good ground, which will give growth to the seed 
 of truth, and produce rich harvests of spiritual good. 
 May they learn the worth of the undying soul ; the 
 guilt which sin has brought on them ; and the fearful 
 wrath which hangs over them in their impenitency. 
 Sliow them, O Lord, the way thou hast provided of 
 
202 
 
 escape from their guilt and danger; and do thou 
 persuade and enable them, by the power of the Spirit, 
 to receive Jesus as their Teacher, Saviour, and 
 Ruler. Merciful Father, may it please thee to add 
 to thy church from their number, many of such as 
 shall be saved. Raise up from them many who 
 shall be burning and shining lights — many who 
 shall be abundantly blessed in the work of saving 
 souls. 
 
 Lord, I offer these entreaties, not in my own 
 merits, which are worthless in thy sight, but in the 
 name of the Beloved — unto whom, with the Father 
 and the Spirit, be sincere and endless praise. — [See 
 Teachebs, Children, Early Piety.] 
 
 Sacrament. — See Lord'^s Supper. 
 
 SALVATION. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me just and full views 
 of the plan of salvation by a Redeemer. Give me, 
 1 pray thee, an understanding to know, and a heart 
 to feel, what thou hast done for the redemption of 
 sinners. — In the counsels of eternity, thou didst fore- 
 see that estate of sin and misery into which mankind 
 should be brought by the fall ; and thou didst not 
 leave them to perish in it ; for in thy wisdom and 
 mercy thou didst devise a scheme, by which they 
 might be delivered from it, and be brought into an 
 estate of salvation, through the atoning blood of thy 
 Son. Thou didst send him, in the fulness of time, 
 to save that which was lost — to ranson those who 
 were under the curse of the law — to redeem them 
 who were subject to the world, the flesh, and the 
 devil ; and over whom were hanging the terrors of 
 the second death. And, O, that redemption which 
 he brought, not only saves from these fearful evils. 
 
J303 
 
 but exalts those who were by nature and practice 
 the heirs of wo, to be the objects of God's favour in 
 this life, and the joint-heirs of Christ's inheritance in 
 the world to come ! 
 
 O Lord, give me an ever-present conviction that 
 this salvation is not by human wisdom or power; 
 for it was thy mercy that procured it, and it is thy 
 Spirit that induces and enables us to accept it. 
 Direct all my hopes to the Lamb of God that taketh 
 away the sin of the world ; and assist me to realize 
 that there is no other name given under heaven 
 among men, whereby sinners can be saved. Ena- 
 ble me, I beseech thee, to believe in him with my 
 heart unto righteousness, and to make confession of 
 him with my mouth unto salvation. Teach me that 
 it is by grace we are saved ; for thou wouldst not 
 defile the excellency and glory of thy work, by 
 making it the fruit of our works of righteousness, 
 which are indeed, of themselves, as filthy rags. 
 Thou wilt suffer none to glory in redemption, but 
 through the cross of Jesus Christ. — Lead me, I pray 
 thee, in that highway of holiness, thy sacred word; 
 which thou hast given us that the man of God may 
 be perfect, and thoroughly furnished unto all good 
 works. Seal me by thy Spirit of promise ; and if 
 thou hast begun a good work in me, perform it unto 
 the day of Christ. 
 
 O Most High, if the righteous scarcely be saved, 
 where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear'.' 
 For thy great name's sake, show the power and fit- 
 ness of thy salvation on the wicked. Arouse them 
 from their false and guilty peace, by some bereave- 
 ment of their comforts, or some disaster of Hfe ; by 
 the startling terrors of thy law, or by the clear 
 shining of thy love. Make them feel that the re- 
 
204 
 
 demption of the soul is precious, and that it ceaseth 
 for ever. Persuade them to flee for refuge to a cru- 
 cified Saviour. Take them from the horrible pit and 
 the miry clay ; and set their feet upon the Rock of 
 safety and blessedness ; and put a new song into 
 their mouths, even of praise to him who so loved the 
 world as to give himself for it, that he might redeem 
 unto himself a peculiar people, who should serve him 
 in newness of hfe, and enjoy with him the blessings 
 of an everlasting salvation. 
 
 SANCTUARY. 
 
 Lord, incline me to love the services of thy sanc- 
 tuary ; for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand 
 spent in worldly pleasures. O that I might desire 
 more to be a door-keeper in the house of God, than 
 to dwell in the tents of wickedness. — Lord, suffer 
 me not to forsake the assemblies of thy saints. May 
 I remember that Christ loved the synagogue ; and 
 that his disciples continued daily with one accord in 
 the temple. There the rich and the poor meet to- 
 gether, and the Lord is the Maker of them all. 
 There thou makest the hearts of thy saints to rejoice, 
 and preparest them to run with renewed strength 
 and increasing diligence in their christian race ; and 
 there thou makest the souls of thine enemies to 
 tremble, and bow before thy sovereign will. It is in 
 thy house, O Lord, that thou showest the riches of 
 thy mercy, and the strength of thy power ! 
 
 Great Master of Assemblies, bring me to thy ta- 
 bernacles with preparation of heart and with prayer. 
 May I revere and love that gospel which is preached 
 there. Incline me to hear it with close and devout 
 attention, and with personal application. Make thy 
 word to my heart as u fire that melteth, and as a 
 
205 
 
 hammer that breaketh the rock. Inchne me to hear 
 it with candour and kindness towards him who is its 
 messenger ; desiring that the words of his mouth 
 may glorify God, and be used as the means of 
 quickening and saving souls. Strengthen me, I 
 pray thee, to obey, with full purpose of heart, all 
 thy commands. They only are happy, who in 
 knowing these things are willing to do them : 
 for not every one that saith, " Lord, Lord," shall 
 enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the 
 will of our Father in heaven. Make me a doer, as 
 well as a hearer of thy word. May I render unto 
 thee not only an outward, but an inward and 
 spiritual worship. — Lord, let not the impressions of 
 thy truth escape with the occasion of its utterance. 
 Dispose me to meditate on it in my heart — to digest it 
 in my thoughts — to make it the subject of prayer — 
 and to show it forth in my life. O let it not be as 
 the seed by the way -side ; nor as that on stony 
 ground ; nor as that among thorns : — but let it be 
 like that which fell on good ground, and brought 
 forth, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred 
 lold. 
 
 Lord, bring within thy sanctuaries, the multitudes 
 who spend their Sabbaths in idleness and sin. O, 
 let not the walks of Zion be deserted, while the gates 
 of hell are thronged with eager travellers. May 
 thy people draw them by the bands of a man, and 
 thy Spirit by the cords of love, until they shall come 
 and fill to overflowing, the tabernacles of the righte- 
 ous. And come thou, O God, in the greatness of 
 thy love and majesty, and make thy courts melo- 
 dious with the praises of souls newly ransomed by 
 the power and grace of thy truth. And thy glorious 
 18 
 
206 
 
 name, Father, Son, and Spirit, shall have the praise 
 for ever. 
 
 SANCTIFICATION. 
 
 O Most Holy, how impure is this heart which 
 thou didst make to be the temple of the living God. 
 But, thanks be to thy name, thou canst make me 
 clean. Thy Spirit can sanctify me by thy truth 
 and by thy providence, and can change me into 
 thine own image; making my powers fit for thy 
 service, and my soul meet to be thy dwelling-place. 
 
 Lord, grant me that work of thy free grace by 
 which I shall be enabled more and more to die unto 
 sin, and to live unto righteousness. May I remember 
 that thou art holy ; and that this is thy will, even 
 our sanctification. May I look upon Jesus, in his 
 character as a Saviour from sin. Show me in his 
 sufferings and death, the guilt of man's sinfulness. 
 Teach me by the rebellion of my own heart, its 
 stubbornness and deformity. Convince me of its de- 
 merit, by vivid views of the unending punishment 
 of the lost. O make me loathe transgression. Para- 
 Ij'ze its power over my judgment, conscience, and 
 affections ; that the body of sin being destroyed, 
 henceforth I may not serve sin, but be the servant 
 of righteousness. 
 
 Great God, preserve the hearts of thy chosen 
 generation from sinful thoughts, words, and actions ; 
 and do thou cause them to abound in works of 
 righteousness. May thy grace sanctify them by a 
 hope that purifieth even as Christ is pure ; by a love 
 which seeks conformity to thine own image ; and by 
 a faith which looks at things that are not seen, and 
 that are eternal. — Make them living epistles, seen 
 and read of all men. Make them the salt of the 
 
207 
 
 earth — the means of leading a wicked and perverse 
 generation, by the power of a good example, to 
 glorify their Father in heaven. Gracious Sovereign, 
 enable them to adorn the doctrine of God, their Sa- 
 viour, in all things. Imbue them with that holiness 
 without which no man can see the Lord. — \_See Ho- 
 liness.] 
 
 SATAN. 
 
 Merciful Father, protect me from the open and 
 secret influences of Satan, who is the great adversa- 
 ry of souls. O let me not be heedless of the truth, 
 that he exerts his power even on the hearts of thy 
 saints. If the innocence of Paradise, and the spot- 
 less purity of Jesus himself, were not exempt from 
 his devices, I surely need not hope to escape his as- 
 saults. But I implore the aid of thy grace, that I 
 may resist them, and triumph over them. Bestow on 
 me the shield of faith, wherewith I may be able to 
 quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Give 
 me wisdom to detect, and virtue to repel, all his 
 countless temptations. Arm me, I pray thee, with 
 the sword of thy truth, that I may resist the devil, 
 so that he shall flee from me. 
 
 Lord, overthrow the power of Satan in the hearts 
 of the children of disobedience. Let not this world 
 be given up to his cruel dominion. Redeem those 
 that are under his influence, and make them the ser- 
 vants of the living God. Lord of Hosts, cast out the 
 prince of this world. Fulfil speedily thy promises, 
 that thou wilt bruise the Serpent's head ; and that 
 thou wilt bind the Dragon, and cast him into the 
 bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon 
 him, that he shall deceive the nations no more, until 
 the thousand years are fulfilled, in which Christ, 
 
208 
 
 shall reign from sea to sea, and from the river to 
 the ends of the earth. 
 
 Saviour. — See Jesus Christ, and Christmas. 
 
 SCRIPTURES. 
 
 God of Truth, I praise thee, that thou hast not 
 left the human race to the blind gropings of unaided 
 reason, in seeking a knowledge of thy will ; but 
 that thou hast given us the scriptures of truth, which 
 holy men of old spake as they were moved by the 
 Holy Ghost. I would thank thee for their precepts, 
 which are monitors of duty — for their examples, 
 which are incentives to good — for their threatenings, 
 which are merciful warnings against evil — and for 
 their promises, which are the beacons of hope. Thy 
 testimonies are sure, making wise the simple ; and 
 thy law is perfect, converting the soul. 
 
 Lord, grant me an affecting sense of thy conde- 
 scending goodness in the gift of the volume of reve- 
 lation. Give me the teachings of thy Spirit, that I 
 may understand and love the things of thy word. 
 Incline me, I pray thee, to keep thy statutes ; since 
 he only that doeth thy will, shall know of the doc- 
 trine whether it be of God : while he is cursed who 
 continueth not in all things written in the book of the 
 law, to do them. O make the scriptures profitable 
 to me for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and 
 for instruction in righteousness, that I may be tho- 
 roughly furnished unto every good work. Incline 
 me to search them for the truth as it is in Jesus ; 
 and may I find there that pearl of great price which 
 is the only passport to heaven. When my soul 
 cleaveth to the dust, quicken thou me according to 
 thy word, and cause it to dwell hi me richly, in all 
 
20^ 
 
 wisdom. Enable me to draw lessons of wisdom 
 and holiness from its blessed pages, wherewith to 
 guide my judgment and direct my steps, in all the 
 ways of life. Sanctify me by thy truth ; thy word 
 is truth. 
 
 Giver of Mercies, I thank thee for that bright 
 cluster of evidences to the truth of the Bible, which 
 the researches of the wise and good have gathered 
 over its sacred leaves. O that every sceptic, and 
 every infidel, would learn from them the folly and 
 wickedness of their unbelief, and come with broken 
 hearts and submissive minds, to the throne of thy 
 mercy, crying, " Lord, we would believe ; help thou 
 our unbelief." 
 
 Lord, bring thy truth with convincing, and per- 
 suading, and controlling power, on the hearts and 
 consciences of the ungodly. O make it an effectual 
 means of converting sinners, and of building them 
 up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto 
 salvation. — May thy saints attend thereunto, with 
 diligence, preparation, and prayer ; receiving it with 
 faith and love, laying it up in their hearts, and prac- 
 tising it in their lives. 
 
 God of Truth, prosper with thy blessing, the ef- 
 forts which have been made, and those which are 
 now making, to sive the word of life to those who, 
 m our own and in other countries, are perishmg for 
 lack of knowledge. I would extol thy mercy that 
 the sacred volume has been transmitted through so 
 many generations, without corruption ; and that it 
 has been translated, and published, and multiplied in 
 so many tongues and nations of the earth. O re- 
 animate, and strengthen, and extend these labours, 
 until thy word shall have free course in every family 
 throughout the world, and be glorified in bringing 
 18* 
 
210 
 
 multitudes of souls into the kingdom of God. And 
 to thee, O Lord, shall be ascribed power, and do- 
 minion, and glory for ever. 
 
 SEAMEN. 
 
 Lord, remember the wants of them that go down 
 to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, 
 and see thy wonders in the deep. Alas ! how few 
 of them can be said to have any Sabbath, any sanc- 
 tuary, any home ; and how few are there that care 
 for their bodies or their souls. Lord, preserve them 
 in their constant perils by sea and by land. O 
 thou that makest the storm a calm, that the waves 
 thereof are still, restrain for them the raging tem- 
 pest ; quiet for them the devouring ocean ; and send 
 them in safety and gladness over their trackless 
 journeys. And while their feet are upon land, keep 
 them from straying among those forbidden paths, 
 which lie thicker than the perils of sunken rocks, 
 and are fuller of danger than the stormy winds and 
 treacherous seas. 
 
 Heavenly Father, I thank thee that this class of 
 men, so long neglected, lias at length arrested the 
 sympathies of some in thy churches ; and that suc- 
 cessful measures have been undertaken to make 
 them the subjects of that gospel, which should be 
 their anchor in port, and their chart at sea. Lord, 
 spread widely through thy churches, a knowledge 
 of the wants and claims of seamen. May thy peo- 
 ple look with compassion on their toils and suifer- 
 ings, their dangers and destitution ; and be led, in 
 the love of souls, to strive to bring them into the 
 kingdom of heaven. Grant that these men, who 
 have so long been the instruments of carrying the 
 vices of civilization among the heathen, and all 
 
211 
 
 nations of the world, may soon become the heralds 
 of the gospel, and carry to every coast of earth, the 
 blessings of redeeming grace. O fulfil that vision of 
 prophecy, in which the abundance of the sea shall 
 be converted unto God. 
 
 SELF-CONSECRATION. 
 
 Gracious God, help me to consecrate myself to 
 thee with full purpose of soul, and with endeavours 
 after new obedience. Make me feel that if I could 
 offer thee a world, and yet hold back the gift of my 
 heart, my oblation would be but a worthless and 
 odious thing in thy sight. Lord, I am thine by 
 creation, and by constant benefaction. O has not 
 Christ died for me, that I shouxd be thine, in the 
 purchase of his atoning blood 1 Let me, therefore, 
 not live unto myself, but unto him. Enable me to say 
 from my heart, " Here, Lord, I give myself to thee ; 
 it is all that I can do." Accept, I pray thee, that 
 offering, in the name of Jesus, the Ransom of sin- 
 ners. 
 
 I would take thee, O Lord, as my portion — thy 
 law as my rule — thy service as my meat and 
 drink — and thy purposes as the ground of my faith 
 and hope. Bring all my expectations, wishes, and 
 intentions into conformity with thy will ; and let me 
 live, and move, and have my being in a covenant of 
 full -hearted and never- failing devotion to thee, and 
 the interests of thy kingdom. 
 
 SELF-DENIAL. 
 
 O Most High, enable me to deny myself, to take 
 up my cross daily, and to follow my blessed Sa- 
 viour ; who, though he had shared with the Father, 
 the glory from the beginning, yet made liimself of 
 
212 
 
 no I'eputation ; and though he had all power in hea- 
 ven and earth, took upon hun the form of a servant, 
 and became obedient unto death, even the death of 
 the cross. 
 
 Lord, grant me the spirit of self-denial in what I 
 eat and drink, and wherewithal I am clothed. Let 
 me not be a lover of pleasure more than a lover of 
 God. Make me temperate in every lawful pursuit. 
 Help me to abstain from fleshly lusts that war 
 against the soul. May I forsake uncleanness of 
 thought, word, and action. Turn me away from 
 the love of money, which is the root of all evil. 
 Give me grace to stifle my desires for the praise of 
 men, whose favour is indeed deceitful. Rai^e me 
 above the fear of man, that bringeth a snare. Assist 
 me, I beseech thee, to overcome my temptations to 
 display and to self-righteousness ; and let me count 
 all things but loss, that I may be found in Christ, 
 with that righteousness which is of God, by faith. 
 Make me willing to give up every thing which will 
 come in competition with the interests of my soul, 
 or the welfare of thy kingdom. Yea, let me not 
 count my life dear to myself, if I may avoid that 
 which is evil, and cleave to that which is right : for 
 whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; but he that 
 loseth his life for thy sake shall find it. 
 
 SELF-DECEmON. 
 
 Searcher of Hearts, suflier me not to dwell at ease 
 in Zion, if I have only a name to live, and have not 
 the life-giving power of godliness. If my hope be 
 false, O take it away before it becomes as that of 
 the hypocrite — as a spider's web, or as the giving up 
 of the ghost. Bestow on me, I beseech thee, thou 
 Gracious One, a good hope through grace, whicli 
 
213 
 
 shall be as a house built on a rock, that shall not 
 fall, though the rains come, and the winds blow, and 
 beat upon it. May it be as an anchor to my soul, 
 both sure and steadfast, entering into that within the 
 vail. Lord, search me and try me, and see if there 
 be any evil way in me, and lead me in the way 
 everlasting. If I have indeed been deceived, O do 
 thou open my eyes, and turn me from darkness unto 
 light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that I 
 may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance 
 among them that are sanctified by faith. 
 
 Great God, let there be searchings of heart among 
 all that profess thy name. May they remember 
 that those are not all Israel who are of Israel. Not 
 every one that saith, " Lord, Lord," shall enter the 
 kingdom of heaven : for the King will say of many 
 who would be guests at his heavenly table, " Bind 
 them hand and foot, and take them away, and cast 
 them into outer darkness — there shall be weeping 
 and gnashing of teeth." O let all the victims of 
 self-delusion, cast off the robes of deceit, and put on 
 the wedding-garment ; that they may be found 
 among thy chosen ones, whom thou wilt feast with 
 the fulness of joy, in thy presence, for ever more. 
 
 SELF-EXA3IINATI0N. 
 
 Great Source of Wisdom, give me a habit of 
 honest and searching self-examination, that I may 
 prove myself, and know whether I am in the faith. 
 Make me ever anxious to know the state of my 
 heart, and the working of my motives. Guide and 
 strengthen me, while I inquire of my soul and of thee, 
 whether I acknowledge and mourn over my trans- 
 gressions, and receive Christ as my wisdom, righte- 
 ousness, sanctification, and redemption. Have I 
 
214 
 
 indeed been born again — am I a new creature in 
 Christ Jesus — and are the evidences of my new- 
 estate clear and increasing ? Is the Lord my mas- 
 ter to serve, and my portion to enjoy; and is the 
 welfare of his kingdom the desire of my heart 1 Am 
 I daily dying unto sin, and living unto righteous- 
 ness ? Am I thankful for mercies, and prayerful 
 for blessings ; pursuing the glory of God ; doing to 
 others as I would have them do unto me ; and dili- 
 gently seeking that city which hath foundations, 
 whose builder and maker is God 1 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, all my errors, weaknesses, 
 and sins. Cleanse me from them by the enlighten- 
 ing, strengthening, and sanctifying influences of thy 
 Spirit. And O, may I remember that if I should be 
 wilfully or heedlessly blind to my transgressions, 
 thou. Lord, knowest them altogether. Let not self- 
 love nor pride, hinder me from an impartial know- 
 ledge of myself. Preserve me from a false estimate 
 of any part of my character. May I look at my 
 principles as well as my conduct — and at my motives 
 as well as my actions. Let me never mistake the 
 excitement of feeling for the renewing of the Holy 
 Ghost ; nor the outward activities of religion for its 
 inward spirit. Let me not judge of my religion by 
 occasional impressions and impulses, but by my ha- 
 bit of life. Lord, make it worthy of the vocation 
 wherewith I am called, and such as becometh the 
 gospel of Christ. 
 
 SELFISHNESS. 
 
 Great Sovereign, let not my motives nor conduct 
 be governed by selfishness. Teach me that this 
 principle is the original and deep-rooted sin of my 
 nature. O how has it exalted self above all other 
 
215 
 
 creatures, and above God himself! How has it 
 filled the world, in all the length of its history, 
 with pride, self-indulgence, contention, cruelty, and 
 death. — Lord, suffer me not to set up my judgment 
 against thy wisdom, nor my desires against thy 
 will. Show me that thy will is the supreme law of 
 both duty and happiness. Keep me from seeking 
 my own interests heedlessly, or at the expense of 
 the welfare of others. Make me realize that I am 
 but a unit among the multitudes of thy rational crea- 
 tures, each of whom has the same deep stake with 
 myself, in the pursuit of comfort and well-being. — 
 Thou hast said that he who would follow Jesus, 
 must deny himself. Keep me from the character 
 and wo of those that covet an evil covetousness, and 
 who would grow rich in pleasure and worldly good, 
 at the cost of the humble and needy. O let me not 
 exclude myself from thy love, nor dishonour hu- 
 manity, by shutting up my feelings of compassion at 
 the cry of want or misery. Give me that charity 
 that seeketh not her own, that goeth about doing 
 good, even as did our Lord and Master. 
 
 Lord, preserve me from selfishness in the pursuits 
 of religion. Though thou hast enjoined on me the 
 most diligent efforts for growth in grace and per- 
 sonal salvation, thou hast laid necessity upon me to 
 spread the gospel among the destitute, and to warn 
 souls from the broad way of death, and win them to 
 the narrow path of life. O help me so to blend my 
 duties to myself and my neighbour, that we together 
 may be partners of thy fellowship on earth, and 
 joint-heirs of thy communion in heaven. 
 
 SERVANTS. 
 
 Heavenly Master, bless those that occupy the 
 
216 
 
 relation of servants among men. Teach them the 
 duties of their station, and dispose them to do them 
 in the fear of the Lord. May they count their mas- 
 ters worthy of honour, and obey them in singleness 
 of heart, as unto Christ ; with good-will doing ser- 
 vice, as to the Lord, and not to men ; knowing that 
 whatsoever good things any man doeth, the same 
 shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or 
 free. Make them faithful in protecting and di-ligent 
 in promoting the interests, reputation, and comfort 
 of their employers. — O that they might always be 
 treated with kindness and liberality ; and thus be 
 induced to a grateful attachment to those whom 
 they serve. Lord, protect them from oppression, 
 unkindness, and fraud. Make them contented and 
 happy in the discharge of their lawfjl duties. Show 
 them that their station is of the ordinance of God ; 
 and that by a faithful use of their opportunities, they 
 may so labour in the service of heaven, that at the 
 last day, their great Master may say unto them, 
 " Well done, good and faithful servants ; enter ye 
 into the joy of your Lord." 
 
 SICKNESS. 
 
 Blessed and Only Potentate, in thy power are the 
 springs of disease and the secrets of health. Thou 
 makest sore, and bindest up : thou woundest, and 
 thy hands make whole. If thou speak the word, the 
 season of my sickness shall melt away into the re- 
 freshing glow of health : but if thou command it 
 otherwise, it will change to the cold and gloomy 
 darkness of death and the grave. Lord make me 
 content to leave its issues with thee. If it be thy 
 will, then raise me up, to praise thee in the land of 
 the living. But if not, prepare me for the valley of 
 
217 
 
 the shadow of death. May thy rod and staff com- 
 fort me, and thy hand minister unto me an entrance 
 abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 Heavenly Parent, visit in great mercy, all that lie 
 on beds of languishing. Induce them to reflect that 
 disease is a mournful proof of human transgression. 
 May they regard their sickness as the light recom- 
 pense of their iniquities ; and as the discipline of thy 
 hand, which will either prepare them for better ser- 
 vice on earth, and nobler enjoyment in heaven — or 
 leave them to greater hardness of heart in this world, 
 and deeper condemnation in the world to come. O 
 Lord of Mercy, relieve their pains, or give them 
 grace to bear them with enduring patience. Let them 
 neither despise thy chastenings, nor faint at thy re- 
 bukes. Grant them confidence in thy wisdom, 
 mercy, and power : for thou canst not err in thy 
 judgment — thy chastenings work out the peaceable 
 fruits of righteousness — and thy strength is made 
 perfect in human weakness. May the light of thy 
 countenance be more desirable to them than even 
 the gladness of returning health. O teach them in 
 these hours of suflering, how brief and uncertain are 
 earthly comforts — how weak and brittle their hold 
 on human life. Incline them, I pray thee, to renounce 
 every human hope, and to look unto Jesus, as the 
 great and only Physician of the soul. May they, 
 by the exercise of faith in his atoning blood, conse- 
 crate themselves to him, that whether living or dy- 
 ing, they may be the Lord's. 
 
 Merciful Father, shed thy most tender compassions 
 
 over those whose sickness is unto death. May thy 
 
 saints be stayed in their hour of trial, upon thine 
 
 everlasting arm, and go through the swelling tide 
 
 19 
 
218 
 
 with hope in their hearts and rejoicing on their hps.— 
 O let not the sinner venture to encounter the king 
 of terrors with sullen indifference, nor deceptive 
 hope. Although a death-bed repentance be an un- 
 certain ground of trust, yet thy grace, which is suf- 
 ficient for every emergency of life, can still redeem 
 him, even in the gates of dissolution. O Jesus, 
 speak to him, as thou didst to the thief on the cross, 
 *' To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." 
 
 SIN. 
 
 Holy One of Israel, teach me the evil nature and 
 fearful consequences of iniquity. It is the trans- 
 gression of thy law, in doing what thou hast forbid- 
 den, and failing to do what thou hast commanded. 
 Lord, every sin deserves thy wrath and curse, both 
 in this life and that which is to come. 
 
 Assist me, I beseech thee, to feel that it is an evil 
 and bitter thing to sin against the Lord. Thy law 
 which I and all mankind break, is holy, just, and 
 good. Thy goodness against which we have trans- 
 gressed, has been over us every hour of our lives. 
 Thou hast nourished and brought us up as children ; 
 but we have rebelled against thee. Every sin which 
 we commit, includes as many acts of ingratitude as 
 the whole number of thy past mercies to us. Our 
 iniquity has blinded our minds towards truth, and 
 has made us the prey of error. It has been the 
 snare that has corrupted and debased our souls, and 
 left them increasingly open to temptation and guilt. 
 O make us feel that all the sickness, misery, re- 
 morse, and death in the world, are the fruits of trans- 
 gression ; and that if sin had not entered into the 
 world, this earth would have been, in all its genera- 
 tions, a paradise of happy and holy obedience. 
 
219 
 
 Lord, increase our sense of the exceeding sinfulness 
 of sin, by heart-felt views of the humiliation, agony, 
 and death of thy Son ; and by the revelation thou 
 hast given of that blackness of darkness and anguish 
 of despair, which it has brought on the finally im- 
 penitent, the smoke of whose torment ascendeth for 
 ever and ever. 
 
 Great God, it becomes me to take shame and con- 
 fusion of face upon myself; to cry, " Guilty, and 
 unclean ;" and to implore thee to be merciful to me, 
 a sinner. Thou art spotless holiness ; and thou 
 canst not look upon sin but with abhorrence. If 
 thou shouldst lay judgment to the line, and righte- 
 ousness to the plummet ; or if even thou shouldst 
 deal with me for one of a thousand of my trans- 
 gressions, I would be driven from thy presence in 
 utter despair. But, thanks be to thy name, the 
 blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. Though I 
 should be condemned without hope, if I dared to stand 
 before thee in my own strength ; yet in the righte- 
 ousness of my Surety, I may approach thee, and 
 receive remission of sins. — Lord, preserve me from 
 the dominion of unholiness, whether it spring from 
 the world, the flesh, or the devil. May the grace 
 that bringeth salvation, so teach me to deny ungod- 
 liness, and to fear and loathe iniquity, that I shall 
 constantly die unto sin and live unto righteousness. 
 
 SINNERS. 
 
 Great God, affect my heart powerfully, by right 
 views of the condition of sinners. O let not my 
 soul be at ease in her possessions, while the earth is 
 full of the workers of iniquity. Let not selfishness, 
 nor unbelief, nor despondency, stupify my compas- 
 sions for those who every where crowd the ways of 
 
220 
 
 destruction. May I look on them as rebels against 
 thy law, over whom hang thy judgments, which may 
 soon overwhelm them in remediless ruin. Give me 
 deep yearnings over their awful guilt and danger. 
 Dispose me to pray, in earnestness and faith, for 
 their deliverance from sin ; and lead me to strive to 
 pluck them as brands from the burning. Lord, 
 direct me in the choice and use of such measures 
 as will promote the salvation of souls. O wilt thou 
 give me the blessed privilege of turning some that 
 were ready to perish, into the covert of redemption ? 
 Compassionate Jehovah, kindle the love of souls 
 in the breasts of all thy people. May deep concern 
 for the spiritual wants of men, pervade their thoughts, 
 direct their desires, and govern their conduct. O 
 that all who call upon thy name for their own salva- 
 tion, would earnestly ask what thou wilt have them 
 to do in saving the ungodly. Arm them, I pray 
 thee, with those weapons of love which are mighty 
 through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. 
 May they use the power of a holy example, the wis- 
 dom of right knowledge, and the fervour of a perse- 
 vering zeal, to convince and persuade, and win the 
 unrighteous from their transgressions. Cause the 
 remembrance of their own former impenitency and 
 exposure to wrath, together with their gratitude for 
 thy distinguishing grace, to excite their strong cry- 
 ings to God, and their deep compassions and earnest 
 efforts, for those who are living without hope and 
 God in the world. Lord, set before the minds of 
 believers, the weight of guilt and retribution which 
 hangs over the impenitent ; and cause them to fee! 
 and act upon the strong conviction, that in fulfilling 
 their duty to such, they will enjoy peace of con- 
 
221 
 
 science, the joyful reward of faithful servants, and 
 be the happy instruments of saving souls. 
 
 Lord, I would implore thy mercy on sinners 
 themselves. Convince them of their deep-rooted 
 depravity, and of the wrath they are treasuring up 
 against the day of wrath. Let none deceive them- 
 selves with a vain admiration of their natural vir- 
 tues; for these instead of abating the enormity of 
 their guilt, only stamp upon it the additional reproach 
 that they have ungratefully refused to consecrate 
 these virtues to the Lord that bestowed them. O 
 that thy love to them, in the mercies of thy provi- 
 dence, in the pleadings of thy word, in the gift of 
 thy Son, and in the strivings of thy grace, might fill 
 them with that repentance which is unto life. Per- 
 suade them that thou hast no pleasure in their 
 death ; but that thou art waiting to be gracious. 
 Though they have destroyed themselves, in thee is 
 their help : whosoever will, may take of the waters 
 of life freely. Let them not neglect so great salva- 
 tion, lest they sin away the day of their merciful 
 visitation ; and then a great ransom will not deliver 
 them. Lead them, I pray thee, to the Lamb of God 
 that taketh away the sin of the world. May they 
 look to him, and be saved. And thy name. Father, 
 Son, and Spirit, shall have the glory of their redemp- 
 tion through time and eternity. 
 
 SLANDER. 
 
 Lord, suffer me not to be guilty of the vice of 
 slander. Let me not through either mistake or 
 prejudice, rashness or ill-will, charge evil falsely on 
 my fellows. Make me tender of the reputation of 
 all men ; and especially of the household of faith. — 
 O how has this sin impaired or destroyed individual 
 19* 
 
222 
 
 comfort and usefulness, domestic and social bliss, 
 and public peace ! How has even the character of 
 piety been soiled, and the unity of the church been 
 rent, by the words of suspicion, and tale-bearing, and 
 falsehood ! O that all evil speaking would cease out 
 of the world, and that all men would judge the mo- 
 tives and state the conduct of others in righteousness 
 and truth. 
 
 Lord, keep my mouth from slander, and my lips 
 from speaking guile. Incline me to take heed to my 
 ways, that I sin not with my tongue. May my 
 speech be always with grace ; for if any man offend 
 not in word, the same is perfect, and is able also to 
 bridle the whole body. 
 
 SLAVERY. 
 
 God of Truth and Love, direct aright the feelings 
 and judgments of all men in relation to slavery. 
 May they learn that it is a sin against the laws of 
 God and the rights of man, which must, if not for- 
 saken, avert thy blessed favour, and bring down thy 
 sore displeasure. Thou hast said that love is the 
 fulfilling of thy law ; and that whatsoever we 
 would that men should do to us, we must do even so 
 unto them. Thou hast told us that the cries of them 
 that reap without hire, enter into thine ears : and 
 thou hast denounced heavy wo against him that 
 buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his cham- 
 bers by wrong — that useth his neighbour's service 
 without wages, and giveth him not for his work. — 
 How long, O Lord, shall the selfishness of man ap- 
 propriate to itself the time and the toil of the weak 
 and needy, and degrade the immortal mind with ig- 
 norance and sin ? Lord, let our land soon cease to 
 be an astonishment and a reproach among the na- 
 
22S 
 
 tions of the earth. May we cease to do evil, and 
 learn to do well. Show us that righteousness exalt- 
 eth a nation ; but that sin is a reproach to any peo- 
 ple. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, take away the guilt of thy 
 people in this matter, whether it be incurred by si- 
 lence, approval, or fellowship. Bring them out from 
 unrighteousness, that they may be separate, and 
 touch not the unclean thing. Teach them that the 
 righteous considereth the cause of the poor. Enable 
 them to discern the signs of the times, and to adopt 
 such measures as heavenly wisdom will own and 
 bless. Make them realize that all men have one 
 Father, and that they are verily guilty concerning 
 their brother. May they remember them that are 
 in bonds, as bound with them. May they open 
 their mouth for the dumb, and plead the cause of the 
 poor and needy. — O God of Zion, do thou take up 
 the stumbling block out of their way. Let them 
 have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of 
 darkness, but rather reprove them. Yea, thou hast 
 said that open rebuke is better than secret love ; and 
 that faithful are the wounds of a friend. May they 
 in meekness, instruct those that oppose themselves ; 
 and yet be faithful witnesses, that cry aloud, and 
 spare not; and who will show them their trans- 
 gressions. Grant them in this warfare, the effectual 
 fervent prayer of the righteous, which availeth 
 much ; and make them abundant instruments in ad- 
 vancing the cause of freedom, and saving those that 
 are ready to perish. 
 
 Lord, look in mercy on the oppressor. Preserve 
 him, I pray thee, from the vengeance of the oppress- 
 ed. Touch his soul with a sense of his wrong, and 
 of its danger. Show him that thou hast made of 
 
224 
 
 one blood, all nations of men, to dwell on all the 
 face of the earth. May he remember, that he who 
 oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker. May 
 he break off his sins, by righteousness; and his ini- 
 quity by showing mercy. O suffer him not to con- 
 tinue to take away the key of knowledge, and to 
 seal over to vicious ignorance, the souls that God 
 has made for the light of heaven. Let him not look 
 on his own things only, but also on the things of 
 others. Teach him that it is safe to do right ; for is 
 not the work of righteousness peace ; and the effect 
 of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever? 
 Lead him to trust in the Lord, and do good ; so shall 
 he dwell in the land, and, verily, he shall be fed ! 
 
 O thou that executest righteousness and judgment 
 for the oppressed, wilt thou not proclaim liberty 
 throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants there- 
 of? Give the down-trodden rest from their sorrow, 
 and their fear, and their hard bondage, wherein they 
 are made to serve. Preach deliverance to the cap- 
 lives, and the opening of the prison-doors to them 
 that are bound. But, O, let it be a bloodless deliver- 
 ance ; and let the captive come forth by the will of 
 his master ; that God may be glorified as much in 
 the repentance of the one, as in the liberty of the 
 other. And when thou settest the slave free from 
 the oppression of man, deliver him from the bondage 
 of sin. Give him the liberty of the sons of God. 
 Make him thy servant, that his fruit may be holi- 
 ness, and the end everlasting life. 
 
 Sorrow. — See Grief. 
 
 SOUL. 
 
 Eternal and Unchangeable Jehovah, thou hast 
 
225 
 
 given me a soul of deathless nature, and of priceless 
 worth. The earthly house of this tabernacle shall 
 be dissolved ; the earth and all that is therein shall 
 be burnt up ; the heavens shall pass away ; and time 
 shall be no more — and still this spirit will live on, in 
 imperishable youth. O, what is a man profited if he 
 should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 
 Riches make to themselves wings, and fly away ; 
 honour is but a passing breath of air ; and pleasure 
 perishes in the using : — but thou hast made the soul 
 in the image of thine own eternity. 
 
 God of Wisdom, help me to understand something 
 of its ever-living value. Teach me that its powers 
 of thought, memory, and affection will cling to it, 
 with an everlasting increase ; and will be instruments 
 of exalting its hallowed pleasures, or of deepening its 
 debasing woes, for ever. — O cause me to learn the 
 value of my soul, by the price that was paid for it. 
 Thou didst so love the world, as to give thy Son to 
 die for us. Thou didst not redeem us with corrupti- 
 ble things, such as silver and gold ; but with the pre- 
 cious blood of Christ. — Lord, let me not learn the 
 worth of my soul by its eternal loss, but by its ever- 
 lasting gain. 
 
 Great God, thou hast put these awful and eternal 
 interests in the issues of human life. Our season of 
 time, brief and uncertain at best, is our probation 
 that will determine our destinies for eternity. Help 
 me, I beseech thee, now to flee from the wrath to 
 come, and to pursue the inheritance of bliss. Make 
 my day and means of grace sufficient to bring me 
 into the narrow way that leadeth unto life; and then, 
 when thou hast served thy righteous pleasure with 
 me here, where I have no abiding place, lake me to 
 
226 
 
 that city wliich hath foundations, whose builder and 
 maker is God. 
 
 Lord, lead the impenitent to inquire, " What shall 
 a man give in exchange for his soul?" O that they 
 might reflect on that blackness of darkness, and on 
 that fulness of joy, one or other of which must result 
 to the undying spirit, from the deeds done in the 
 body. Spread before their minds that holy and 
 blissful rest that remaineth for the people of God ; 
 and bring into full contrast with it the bottomless 
 pit, the unquenchable fire, the worm that never 
 dieth, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth, pre- 
 pared for the devil and his angels, and for the spirits 
 of the lost. O do thou write over all their thoughts 
 of these scenes, as in letters of light, eternity, 
 ETERNITY. Draw them by the cords of thy love, 
 and incline them by the terrors of thy law, to make 
 their peace with thee, ere the precious redemption of 
 the soul ceaseth for ever. 
 
 SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. 
 
 Lord, thou doest according to thy will in the army 
 of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth ; and 
 none can stay thy hand, or say unto thee, " What 
 doest thou 1" Thou workest all things after the 
 counsel of thine own will. A man's heart deviseth 
 his way, but thou directest his steps. Thou hast 
 chosen our inheritance, and determined our changes, 
 and fixed the number of our days. We are in thy 
 hands, as clay in the hands of the potter. — Lord, I 
 would adore the mystery of thy sovereignty in the 
 works of grace. Thou hast mercy on whom thou 
 wilt have mercy ; and whom thou wilt thou harden-, 
 est. Even so. Father; for so it seemed good in thy 
 siijht. 
 
227 
 
 Great God, I rejoice that thy dominion is built on 
 power and wisdom, righteousness and mercy. Thou 
 alone mayest exercise it ; for thou art the Maker, 
 Governor, Benefactor, and Judge of all things. — O 
 do thou work in me to will and to do of thy good 
 pleasure. Let me not be the slave of sin, but the 
 servant of Jesus ; for his yoke is easy, and his bur- 
 den is light, to all who put their trust in thee. Thy 
 statutes are right, and thy law is perfect. Because 
 the Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice ; let the mul- 
 titude of isles be glad thereof Though clouds and 
 darkness are round about thee, justice and judgment 
 are the habitation of thy throne. 
 
 Lord, do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. 
 Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Be thou her 
 king, to govern, to defend, and to lead her forward, 
 conquering and to conquer. May that stone which 
 was cut out without hands, become a great moun- 
 tain, and fill the whole earth. 
 
 Sovereign of the Universe, teach all men that it is 
 lawful for thee to do what thou wilt with thine own. 
 Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker. Let the 
 potsherds of the earth strive with the potsherds of the 
 earth ; but let not the thing formed say to him that 
 formed it, " Why hast thou made me thus ?" — Lord, 
 bring the hearts of the ungodly to bow in quiet and 
 confiding submission to thy will. Make them wil- 
 ling in the day of thy power. May they know that 
 thy dominion will be an everlasting dominion, even 
 though they may never become the subjects of thy 
 heavenly kingdom. Thou makest the wrath of men 
 to praise thee : and when the smoke of t?ieir torment 
 ascendeth up for ever and ever, then shall be heard 
 the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many 
 
228 
 
 waters and of mighty thimderings, saying, " Alle* 
 luia ; for the Lord God, Omnipotent, reigneth." 
 
 Spirit. — See Holy Ghost. 
 
 SPIRITUALITY. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me, in the name of Jesus, 
 that spiritual mind which is Hfe and peace. Let not 
 my heart be troubled nor careful about the things 
 of this world ; but let it choose that better part, 
 which cannot be taken from me. May I regard the 
 blessing of thy favour infinitely above any and all 
 earthly good. Incline me to find my pleasure in the 
 services of thy kingdom, and not in the debasements 
 of sense. Purify my motives, and make the objects 
 of my desires such as shall be in harmony with the 
 teachings of the Holy Ghost. — Lord, fill my soul 
 with those spiritual joys which raise the heart above 
 the pleasures, honours, and riches of the world ; 
 which throw the gladness of hope over earth's dark- 
 est scenes ; and which are sweet foretastes of the 
 happiness of that land of spirits, where formality, 
 and sense, and sin, shall give place to sincerity, de- 
 votion, and holiness. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 Lord, thou sendest out thy word, and meltest the 
 ice ; thou causest thy wind to blow, and the waters 
 flow. Lo! the winter is past, and the flowers appear on 
 the earth : the time of the singing of birds is come : 
 thou waterest the hills from thy chambers ; and thy 
 breath maketh the earth iVuitful. 
 
 O may the returning warmth, the reviving ver- 
 dure, the gushing waters — the universal joy of 
 emancipated nature, create an echo of sympathy in 
 
229 
 
 my heart, and lead my affections and devotions up 
 to thy throne in heaven. Enlarge, and instruct, 
 and sanctify my mind by frequent contemplations of 
 thee in the works of thy hands. May I hear a voice 
 of wisdom, and mystery, and praise from every grain 
 of sand and blade of grass ; from every breath of 
 air and cloud of heaven ; from every drop of dew 
 and shower of rain ; from every beam of light and 
 shade of darkness ; from every flowing fountain and 
 rolling river ; from every peaceful valley and stable 
 mountain. Blessed Lord, all thy works praise thee. 
 
 why should man, who enjoys thy richest bless- 
 ings, be last and feeblest in his testimony to thy 
 greatness ? Grant that my thoughts may meditate 
 on thy wonders, — that my lips may speak of thy 
 worth — and that my life may show forth thy glory. 
 
 Fill my heart with love to thee, when I look on 
 the bounty of nature ; for thou art by it preserving 
 the life of man and beast, and bestowing on them 
 both gladness and plenty. Let it inspire me with 
 confidence in thy providence ; for if God so clothes 
 the grass, which to-day is in the field, and to-mor- 
 row is cast into the oven, shall he not much more 
 clothe me 1 And if he feeds the fowls of the air, 
 which neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, 
 will he not also feed me ? Lord, thou knowest that 
 
 1 have need of these things ; and thou hast promised 
 to add them unto me, if I seek first thy kingdom and 
 righteousness. 
 
 O thou that renewest the face of the earth, grant 
 my soul the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Whilst 
 thou art clothing creation with the beauty and vigour 
 of a new life, give me, I pray thee, the beauty of 
 holiness, and make me a new creature in Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 20 
 
230 
 
 Lord, bless those who are in the spring-time of 
 life. May they remember their Creator in the days 
 of their youth. Teach them that though their joy W. 
 in its opening bud, thou canst blast it, ere it become 
 a flower — though their hope is full of light, thou 
 canst draw over it the cloud of sorrow — though 
 they are in the morning of life, thou canst speedily 
 bring over them the night of death. O dispose them 
 to give the bud of their being, the brightness of their 
 hope, the dawn of their day, to him who made and 
 seeks their hearts. And then when time shall 
 be no more, they shall dwell where no cold shall 
 wither their immortal bloom, no cloud cast a shadow 
 over their radiant joy, and no night darken their 
 endless day ! 
 
 SUBMISSION. 
 
 Lord, grant me, through the mediation of Jesus, 
 the grace of submission. I pray thee, let me never 
 murmur nor rebel against either thy word or provi- 
 dence. Thou hast an infinite right to reign in me, 
 and to rule over me, and to do with me, as seemeth 
 good in thy sight. Thou canst not devise any sta- 
 tute which is not founded on infinite wisdom and 
 goodness. Thou canst not execute any measure 
 that is not sanctioned by righteousness and grace. 
 
 O strengthen me by fiith and love, that I may 
 bow to every token of thy will — which is indeed the 
 perfection of knowledge, holiness, and mercy. I 
 thank thee, Lord, for that full expression of it which 
 thou hnst bequeathed in thy word. There thou hast 
 given line upon line, and precept upon precept, that 
 none may err therein. And yet how often does my 
 heart forget and forsake, and sometimes contend 
 against thy law. How prone is it to be unsubmis- 
 
231 
 
 sive when thou layest thy hand upon me in correc- 
 tion or displeasure. O God, assist me to recognize 
 thy hand in all the workings of thy providence; and 
 lead me to concur cheerfully, with every intimation 
 which thou givest in these things, of thy sovereign 
 pleasure. Incline me, I pray thee, to receive thy 
 commandment as the law of my language, feelings, 
 and conduct. Let me not despise thy chastenings, 
 nor faint at th}^ rebukes. May I be still, and know 
 that thou art God. — [See Affliction.] 
 
 Saviour of Man, bring the impenitent to submit to 
 thy will. Thou wouldst indeed have them forsake 
 their rebellion, and obey thy law ; and thou art 
 seeking to win them to obedience, by the promises 
 of thy grace, and the warnings of thy wrath. O 
 convince them that thy judgments are round about 
 them, and that the second death is before them. 
 Show them that their unreserved submission to thee, 
 is their only wisdom and safety : for then, instead of 
 being exposed to thy sore displeasure, they will be 
 received into thy favour, and enjoy the perfect peace 
 of him whose heart is stayed on thee. 
 
 SUMMER. 
 
 Creator of Heaven and Earth, thou hast set a 
 tabernacle in the firmament for the sun. His going 
 forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit 
 unto the ends of it ; and there is nothing that is hid 
 from the heat thereof. 
 
 Lord, if it please thee, preserve my health and life 
 during these months that are so often marked by the 
 ravages of disease and death. Especially do thou 
 keep my soul from the maladies of sin, and give me 
 the saving health of thy Spirit, through the grace or 
 the Lord Jesus. Be unto me as the shadow of a great 
 
23-2 
 
 rock in a weary land. — Lord, lift up the light of thy 
 countenance upon me, and send me thy Sun of 
 righteousness, with healing in his wings. And, 
 through thy tender mercy, let the day-spring from 
 on high, visit those that sit in darkness, and in the 
 shadow of death, to guide their feet in the way of 
 peace. 
 
 Great Benefactor, I thank thee for this season, in 
 which thou art blessing the toil of the labourer and 
 fulfilling the desire of the husbandman. Disappoint 
 not those who wait for the precious fruit of the earth. 
 Let not the ground be parched with continual and 
 oppressive heat, nor flooded by untimely and destroy- 
 ing rain. Let the heavens give their dew — make 
 thou the earth soft with showers — give the clear 
 shining after rain, whereby the grass springeth out 
 of the earth — and let the land yield her increase 
 abundantly. 
 
 Lord, whilst thou art giving seed to the sower 
 and bread to the eater, incline men to hunger and 
 thirst after righteousness. Bestow on them that 
 bread of God, which is he that came down from 
 heaven, and gave his life for the world, that whoso- 
 ever Cometh to him, should never hunger, and that 
 whosoever believeth on him should never thirst. 
 
 O thou that givest growth and plenty, bless the 
 good seed of thy word. As the rain cometli down 
 from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth 
 the earth, and maketh it to bring forth and bud ; so 
 let thy word be that goeth forth out of thy mouth : 
 let it not return unto thee void, but accomplish that 
 which pleases thee, and prosper in the thing vv hereto 
 thou hast sent it. 
 
 Lord, when I look on the abundance which covers 
 he earth, may I remember those moral fields that 
 
2:38 
 
 are white already to the harvest; which truly is 
 plenteous, but the labourers arc few. I pray thee, 
 for Christ's sake, send forth labourers, who shall 
 gather fruit unto life eternal. 
 
 Gracious Father, regard in mercy those who, 
 unless they turn from the error of their ways, may 
 soon take up the lamentation — "The harvest is 
 past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 
 Break up the fallow ground of their hearts ,' sow in 
 them the seed of truth ; rain righteousness upon 
 them ; and make them as the garden of the Lord — 
 for thy great name's sake. 
 
 Swearing. — See Profanity. 
 
 TALENTS. 
 
 Giver of Mercies, thou hast been pleased to com- 
 mit to me various talents, which thou requirest me 
 to occupy until thy coming. Thou hast given me 
 time, property, influence, knowledge, and feeling, 
 wherewith to advance thy glory, and to promote 
 human welfare. Lord, let me not be as the wicked 
 and slothful servant, who hid his talent in the earth, 
 and vainly sought to avert the doom of his guilty in- 
 dolence. Alas, how have the faculties and opportu- 
 nities thou hast in mercy given me, been neglected, 
 perverted, and abused. Too often I have sought my 
 own corrupt pleasures, instead of fulfilling the exalted 
 and ennobling duties thou hast set before me. O 
 give me an ever-present conviction, that the means 
 with which thou hast invested me, are only gifts in 
 trust, which thou wilt require from me again with 
 usury. Help me, I beseech thee, so to understand 
 and employ them, that in the great day of reckon- 
 ing, 1 may receive the plaudit — "Well done, thou 
 20* 
 
234 
 
 g(X)cl and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful 
 over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many 
 things : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
 
 TEACHERS. 
 
 Lord, bless all those who, in their various spheres, 
 have taken charge of the important business of in- 
 struction. Dispose and enable them to guide the 
 untutored and inquiring, into the acquisition of 
 knowledge ; and fit them to guard from evil, and to 
 mould for good, the characters of those who are 
 committed to their care. O preserve our youth 
 from the corrupting and destroying evils of igno- 
 rant and immoral instructors. Inform the minds, 
 and sanctify the hearts of teachers. Give them that 
 wisdom from above which will prepare them to train 
 their pupils in the highest and noblest knowledge 
 that can adorn human nature. — Multiply the facili- 
 ties of education ; put them within the reach of all 
 classes ; and dispose all men to seek the intellectual, 
 moral, and religious culture of the rising generation. 
 
 O Lord, vouchsafe, for the sake of thy dear Son, 
 . thy choicest blessings on the Teachei's of Sahhath- 
 schools. Give unto all of them the character, and 
 efficiency which are needful for their sacred duties. 
 Let them not make these holy efforts, the pastime of 
 the Sabbath, an opiate of conscience, or a service to 
 be seen of men. But let all their impulses in them, 
 spring from love to God and love to man. Imbue 
 all their thoughts and labours in this work, with a 
 supreme regard for thy glory and human welfare. 
 While they take pleasure in every lesser degree of 
 success, O make the conversion of souls their stead- 
 fast and absorbing aim ! 
 
 Impress on their minds, the priceless value, the 
 
235 
 
 high dignity, the solemn obligations, and the glorious 
 reward of their office. Show them that it relates to 
 the worth of the soul ; that it is kindred in its sym- 
 pathies with the love of Jesus; that its responsibili- 
 ties lake hold of eternal issues ; and that its faithful 
 discharge will make them as the brightness of the 
 firmament, and as the stars, for ever and ever ! 
 
 Great God, give them an experimental knowledge 
 of that salvation which is the great and final object 
 of the system. — May all their duties in it be begun, 
 continued, and ended in earnest prayer, and with 
 entire dependence, and unwavering reliance on the 
 ministrations of the Holy Spirit. — Give them those 
 preparations of the heart, and that answer of the 
 tongue, which are from thee ; and grant them a 
 mouth and wisdom, by which they may persuade 
 their youthful charge in the things concerning the 
 kingdom of God. — Make them able ministers of the 
 New Testament ; and let thy word dwell in them 
 richly in all wisdom, that they may be thoroughly 
 furnished in their good work. — Make them fervent 
 in spirit, that they may teach diligently, the things 
 of the Lord. — Cause their example to adorn the doc- 
 trine of God, their Saviour, and to allure those 
 whom they teach, into the same path of obedience. 
 
 Lord, dispose them to avail themselves of the va- 
 rious helps which the wise and good have furnished 
 for their cause ; and let them not grudge the lime, 
 and toil, and cost which are necessary to prepare 
 them to meet and instruct their classes. — Let the 
 spirit of affection manifest itself in all their mea- 
 sures ; and may they seek to draw their pupils with 
 the cords of love and the bands of a man. — Make 
 them patient in every trial which they may encoun- 
 ter, through failure, or ignorance, or vice, or enmi- 
 
236 
 
 ty. — Let them be punctual in all the appointments of 
 the school ; redeeming the time, because the days 
 are evil. — Let them not be satisfied with filling up 
 the brief hours allotted to instruction in the school- 
 room ; but may it be their pleasure (as it is their 
 duty) to visit the homes of their scholars ; and, while 
 they minister a word in season, secure and strength- 
 en the good-will of both parents and children. Make 
 them wise to know, and skil ful to use the influences 
 which mould human character and conduct. — Let 
 all the mutual relations of teachers be governed by 
 the fellowship of saints. — Sufl?er none to draw back 
 in weariness or discouragement from these precious 
 duties ; but do thou make them always abound in 
 this work of the Lord. — O Lord, grant that the eye 
 of their faith may ever be fixed on that promise — 
 " In due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not ;" and 
 that the ear of their hope may ever listen to that 
 verdict — " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of 
 the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto 
 me." 
 
 Gracious God, give them abundant success in 
 their labours. Make them leading instruments in 
 spreading divine knowledge, enlarging missionary 
 efforts, sanctifying thy church, promoting revivals 
 of religion, and regenerating the world. 
 
 TEMPER. 
 
 Lord, sanctify my temper. Preserve me from 
 peevishness, envy, anger, revenge, and malice. Ena- 
 ble me 10 maintain an unruffled spirit amid the vex- 
 ations of circumstances, and the ])rovocations of my 
 fellow-creatures. May that wisdom from above, 
 which is peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, 
 be the governing influence of my life, and lead me 
 
237 
 
 to seek the fruit of righteousness, which is sown in 
 peace of them that make peace. Enable me to imi- 
 tate the quiet meekness of him who Uved as our 
 example, as well as died as our Redeemer. Lord, 
 keep me from those occasional or habitual excite- 
 ments of temper which rob my comfort of mind, 
 dishonour my profession of thy name, and turn away 
 thy precious favour. Vouchsafe unto me, O God, 
 the continual presence of that ornament of a meek 
 and quiet spirit, which in thy sight is of great 
 price. 
 
 Temperance. — See Intemperance. 
 
 TEMPTATION. 
 
 Great God, make me realize that T live in con- 
 stant danger of temptations from foes without and 
 enemies within. Satan, with his countless wiles — my 
 own heart, with its selfdeceit and sensuality — the 
 world, with its many lures — each seeks to draw 
 me from the paths of duty, and to lead me in the 
 ways of unrighteousness. Lord, thou hast, indeed, 
 purposes of wisdom in suffering me to be thus sub- 
 ject to temptation. Thou canst overrule it for my 
 conformity to Christ, who was in all points tempted 
 like as we are, yet without sin. It is in such sea- 
 sons, O Most High, that thy strength is made perfect 
 in our weakness ; and that we are enabled to glory 
 in our infirmities, that the povvcr of Christ may rest 
 on us. And thou often givest us, in mercy, the 
 messengers of Satan, to buffet us, lest we be exalted 
 above measure. They that are tried, and found 
 faithful, shall receive a crown of life, which the Lord 
 hath promised to them that love him. 
 
 Heavenly Father, make thy grace sufficient for 
 
238 
 
 me in every season of trial — in the hour of adversi- 
 ty — in the day of prosperity — in the period when 
 exemption from temptation has left me open to seduc- 
 tion — and when the abounding consolations of thy 
 Spirit have been perverted into heedlessness towards 
 the spiritual dangers which beset me. Give me wis- 
 dom to discover, and strength to resist, the approach 
 of evil. May I watch unto prayer, knowing that thou 
 art a very present help in every hour of need ; and 
 that thou wilt with the temptation also make a way 
 of escape for all that are of thy heritage. — Lord, 
 carry me safel}^ through every danger, and in thine 
 own time, give me an inheritance among those who 
 have come out of great tribulation, and have wash- 
 ed their robes, and made them white in the blood of 
 the Lamb. 
 
 THANKSGIVING. 
 
 Lord, I bring unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiv- 
 ing ; for thou art the Father of Lights, from whom 
 cometh every good and perfect gift.'' I desire to 
 praise thee for the multitude of thy favours, and to 
 acknowledge that 1 have not deserved even the least 
 of them. I would magnify thee for thy providing, 
 sparing, forgiving, and saving mercies. J bless thee 
 for the various powers of my body, the faculties of 
 my mind, and the affections of my heart ; for health 
 and employment ; for food and clothing ; for social 
 happiness and pubHc safety. I thank thee for pre- 
 serving me in the weakness and diseases of child- 
 hood, and conducting me over the slippery paths of 
 youth, and protecting me amid the dangers of riper 
 years. Thou hast indeed made my life, which 
 ought, in justice, to have been a wilderness, to bud 
 and blossom as the rose. My trials have been £ew 
 
289 
 
 and short ; while my mercies have been without 
 number and without end. 
 
 But, O Lord, I would thank thee for the blessings 
 of the gospel, more than for every thing else. O 
 what a rich cluster of gifts is offered to us in the 
 grace that bringeth salvation. Thou hast given us 
 the Bible, the preached word, the privilege of prayer, 
 the ordinances of thy house, the Son of God, the 
 influences of thy Holy Spirit, and the hope of glory. 
 Lord, teach me the value of thy bounties. Strengthen 
 my memory that I may retain a knowledge of them. 
 Fill my heart with gratitude and love, because of 
 thine unnumbered, unmerited blessings. May they 
 lead me to repentance, humility, and faith, and to 
 consecrate them and myself to thy service and 
 glory- 
 
 THEFT. 
 
 Blessed God, cause all dishonesty to cease from 
 the face of the earth. Let men no longer unjustly 
 hinder their neighbour's wealth or outward estate. 
 Destroy that spirit of covetousness which urges man- 
 kind to fraud, robbery, and oppression, and to be 
 partakers of unholy gain. Do thou cause the prin- 
 ciples of strict and impartial honesty to govern the 
 relations of commerce, and of master and servant. 
 Give currency and influence, I pray thee, to that 
 blessed rule, of doing unto others as we would they 
 should do unto us. 
 
 Lord, keep me from indulging in any form of dis- 
 honesty. Make me just to all the lawful interests of 
 my fellows. Let me never desire to increase my 
 own substance at their expense ; nor to withhold 
 from any, however humble or unworthy, the debts 
 of justice and humanity. Incline me always to 
 
240 
 
 rejoice in the good of my neighbour, and to walk 
 uprightly, and work righteousness. 
 
 TIME. — See Life, 
 
 TONGUE. 
 
 Lord, make my voice a testimony of praise unto 
 thee, and an organ of wisdom and love unto men. 
 Dispose me to speak of thine excellent goodness, to 
 confess my manifold transgressions, and to suppli- 
 cate thy satisfying mercies. Give me grace to pro- 
 claim and defend thy word. Make me an advocate 
 of the innocent and the oppressed. Incline me to en- 
 courage that which is good, and to reprove that 
 which is evil. May I seek useful knowledge, with 
 the purpose of teaching it to others. And, Lord, I 
 would fervently implore thee, for Christ's sake, that 
 I may be led to persuade men to be reconciled to 
 thee, by the death of thy Son. 
 
 Great Author of Goodness, I thank thee for the 
 gift of speech. But, O, I desire to realize that it is 
 an instrument whose uses are fearfully abused. How 
 often, alas ! does the tongue become an unruly mem- 
 ber, and full of deadly poison ; producing envying 
 and strife, confusion and every evil work. Set a 
 watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door 
 of my lips. Keep my tongue from evil, and my lips 
 from speaking guile. Thou hast said, that if any 
 man seem to be religious, and bridleth not his 
 tongue, he deceiveth his own heart, and his religion 
 is vain. Enable me to bring forth good things out 
 of the good treasure of the heart ; and let my words 
 be of the uprightness of my heart. Put away from 
 me all bitterness and evil speaking ; and let no cor- 
 rupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but 
 
241 
 
 that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may 
 minister grace unto the hearers. — [See Slander.] 
 
 Heavenly Father, bless the efforts which are made 
 to spread thy truth, by means of tracts. It was in 
 this form thou didst first cause to be gathered the 
 words of wisdom, which holy men spake of old, as 
 they were moved by the Holy Ghost. As thou 
 didst then set the seal of thy favour on such instru- 
 ments, so thou art now using them as means of 
 turning sinners from death to life. 
 
 Lord, bless those societies, in our own and other 
 countries, which have undertaken to promote, in this 
 way, the welfare of thy kingdom. Give them wis- 
 dom and grace in all their measures. May they be 
 sustained by the prayers, and gifts, and labours of 
 thy people. O that all the children of Zion would 
 feelingly understand the power of the press in fur- 
 nishing these leaves for the healing of the nations. 
 I thank thee for the influence which has been given 
 to them in heathen lands, and for the rich promises 
 which the signs of the times afford, as to their future 
 usefulness, both at home and abroad. I pray thee, 
 multiply their number, and send them to all the 
 dark places of the earth, as winged messengers, pro- 
 claiming the everlasting gospel. 
 
 Lord, extend and bless their circulation in our own 
 land. Grant thy rich favour to the monthly distri- 
 bution, wherever it is sustained ; and do thou cause 
 it to be established in every community in our 
 country. May all who have undertaken that plan 
 of benevolence, connect with it personal efforts for 
 the conversion of souls. While they supply the 
 temporal wants of the poor, and give the Bible to the 
 21 
 
242 
 
 destitute, and gather neglected children into Sunday- 
 schools, and seek to stay the desolations of intem- 
 perance, O may they realize that their great work, 
 in connexion with their tract distribution, is to labour 
 personally and faithfully, for the salvation of those 
 with whom they are thus brought in contact. Sanc- 
 tion abundantly, all such efforts, by the enlighten- 
 ing, convincing, and converting power of the Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 TRINITY. 
 
 Great God, cause my understanding to acknow- 
 ledge, and my heart to adore the mystery of the Fa- 
 ther, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are the same in 
 substance, equal in power and glory, and who con- 
 stitute the infinite, eternal and unchangeable God- 
 head. Lord, let not my feeble and erring judg- 
 ment stagger at nor exalt itself against the testimony 
 of thy word : but what thou hast revealed, that may 
 I receive with a willing mind. O do thou enable 
 me to receive the Father in all the fulness of his 
 love — the Son, in all the riches of his atonement — 
 and the Spirit, in all the sanctifying power of his 
 grace. 
 
 God of Truth, banish that heresy, which in the 
 pride of human reason, would vainly seek to pervert 
 the doctrine of the Unity of the Godhead, so as to 
 destroy the belief of the glorious Trinity. May all 
 men learn that there are three that bear record 
 in heaven, and that these three are one. May they 
 honour the Son even as they honour the Father; 
 and worship that Spirit whose ministrations are life 
 because of righteousness. 
 
 Trust. — See Confidence. 
 
243 
 
 TRUTH. 
 
 Heavenly Father, dispel every form of error by 
 the power of uncorrupied truth. Lord, thy word is 
 truth. Give it, therefore, free course, that it may be 
 glorified in redeeming the corrupt and wandering 
 minds of men, from the deceptions of prejudice and 
 error. Bring all mankind to a knowledge of it, and 
 especially of the truth as it is in Jesus, which only 
 is able to make them wise unto salvation. Instruct 
 them in that mystery which was hid from ages and 
 from generations, but now is made manifest to the 
 saints ; which is Christ, in them, the hope of glory. 
 
 Lord, assist me to love thy truth, and to seek its 
 promotion, even though it may cover me with rebuke 
 and shame. May it turn me from every refuge 
 of lies, and bring me to trust in thee with all my 
 heart. May sincerity dwell in my soul, and truth 
 have its image in my heart, and verity be found on 
 my lips. Teach me to abhor deceit in every possi- 
 ble form. May I remember that nothing can enter 
 the holy city, that maketh or loveth a lie ; and that 
 the lip of truth shall be established for ever-;' — [See 
 Falsehood.] 
 
 Great God, thou art the fountain of untarnished 
 truth, and with thee there is no variableness nor 
 shadow of turning. No stain of deceit has ever cast 
 a shadow on the purity of thy purposes and deal- 
 ings. Though the mountains depart, and the hills 
 be removed, thy kindness doth not depart from thee ; 
 neither is the covenant of thy peace removed. Thy 
 word is the counsels of faithfulness ; thy promises 
 are all Yea and Amen ; and thy threatenings, though 
 they be not speedily executed, shall be fulfilled in 
 righteousness. O Lord, give me such a persuasion 
 
244 
 
 of thy faithfulness, as shall encourage and strength- 
 en my heart in every endurance of trial and per- 
 formance of duty. Help me to commit the keeping 
 of my soul unto thee, in well-doing, as unto a faith- 
 ful Creator. 
 
 UNBELIEF. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, I beseech thee, let there not 
 be in me an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from 
 the living God. Assist me to know and feel that 
 this sin dishonours thy glorious name, thy precious 
 word, and thy righteous providence. Make me feel 
 that it shuts out the light of thy countenance, and 
 brings the darkness of spiritual ignorance and death 
 over my soul. O may I reflect on the doom of him 
 that believeth not, and is condemned already. Ena- 
 ble me to watch unto prayer, against this destroying 
 evil. Protect me from the influences which lead to 
 it — from Satan, from ignorance, from pride, and 
 from sensuality. Lord, redeem me from its power, 
 by the teachings of thy word and Spirit. Give my 
 judgment a clear perception of truth, and bring my 
 affections into submission to thy will : and then, 
 thanks be to thy name, I shall believe with my heart 
 unto righteousness, and praise thee in the obedience 
 of faith. Lord, I would believe; help thou mine un- 
 belief. — [See Faith.] 
 
 UNDERSTANDING. 
 
 Omniscient Jehovah, I thank thee for the gift of 
 my understanding, by which I may acquire know- 
 ledge, and without which I should be ignorant of thy 
 law, and should live as the brutes that perish. I pray 
 thee, in the name of the Heavenly Advocate, that 
 thou wouldst make me feel the solemn responsibili- 
 
245 
 
 ties which belong to the noble faculty of reason. 
 Let not ignorance, nor prejudice, nor depravity con- 
 trol its exercises. Preserve it from error, and guide 
 it into the knowledge of truth. Make it a storehouse 
 of useful knowledge. Direct its energies chiefly 
 towards that wisdom which is from above. Grant 
 me enlarged and discriminating views of thy charac- 
 ter, works, and will. Dispose me, Great God, to 
 submit my judgment to the tokens of thy mind in all 
 things ; for thine understanding is infinite. 
 
 UNION. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, teach thy people how good 
 and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell to- 
 gether in unity. It is as the dew that descended on 
 the mountains of Zion : there the Lord commanded 
 the blessing, even life for ever more. May they 
 rnourn over the sectarian walls that divide thy church, 
 and the unkindness and strife that so often prevail 
 among those who bear the same party name. May 
 they lament over the sectional feelings which alien- 
 ate the members of different communions, and that 
 bigotry of judgment which forbids the universal fel- 
 lowship of saints. 
 
 O Lord, why should there be any other test of 
 brotherhood than that of union to Christ ? Why 
 should the children of adoption treat each other as 
 strangers and foreigners ? Why should those who 
 expect to be joint-heirs of the inheritance of heaven, 
 refjse fellowship with each other on earth ? O God 
 of Love, rebuke every spirit of dissension. Bring 
 together all scattered fragments of thy church, and 
 bind them by that charity which is the bond of per- 
 fectness. As there is but one shepherd, so let there 
 be but one fold. As there is but one king, so let 
 21* 
 
246 
 
 there be but one dominion. Let the heritage of God 
 be a household of faith, that shall stand fast in one 
 spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith 
 of the gospel. Lord, cause the unity of the spirit to 
 bring together all thy followers in the bond of peace ; 
 that they may be one, even as the Father and Son 
 are One. 
 
 USEFULNESS. 
 
 God of Salvation, I would ask thee in the name 
 of thy dear Son, to dispose me to do good as I have 
 opportunity ; for with such sacrifices thou art well- 
 pleased. May 1 remember that every tree that bring- 
 oth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into 
 the fire. Thou hast placed me in the garden of thy 
 providence, not merely that I should gather fruit for 
 myself, but for others also. Thou hast put me into 
 the fruitful field of thy grace, not that I might obtain 
 food for myself onl)'-, but also that I might give the 
 bread of life to others. Christ has not died for me 
 that I should live unto myself, but unto him in the 
 spirit of his gospel, which is good-will to men. Teach 
 me, O Lord, that life does not consist so much in 
 length of days, as in the multitude of our acts of 
 justice and mercy to mankind. I pray thee, direct 
 me to such means and objects of good-will, as shall 
 qualify me to be a follower of Jesus, who went about 
 doing good. Lead me to supply the wants of the 
 needy, to comfort the distresses of the afflicted, and 
 to remove the causes of misfortune and guilt. Ena- 
 ble me to instruct the ignorant, to reprove the wick- 
 ed, to strengthen the good, and to win souls from the 
 mazes of error and sin, to the ways of truth and 
 .holiness* 
 
247 
 
 WATCHFULNESS. 
 
 Lord, instruct me in the nature of the clangers by 
 which I am beset, and make me ever watchful against 
 their open or secret influences. Make me vigilant 
 against the corruptions of my own heart — its love of 
 indulgence, of riches, and of display. Inspire me 
 with carefulness in my intercourse with the world, 
 lest it draw me aside into the paths of vanity and sin. 
 Enable me to watch against the temptations of satan^ 
 who is the adversary of the soul, and seeks its de- 
 struction by countless stratagems. May my loins be 
 girt about, and my light be burning; and may 1 re- 
 ceive the blessing of those servants, whom, when the 
 Lord Cometh, he shall find watching. 
 
 WICKED. — See Sinners. 
 
 WIDOWHOOD. 
 
 Lord, regard in mercy her from whom thou hast 
 taken her earthly stay and comfort. Thou hast 
 indeed stricken her in her dearest and tenderest ties. 
 The light of her eyes, the counsellor of her mind, 
 the helper of her weakness, the soother of her sor- 
 rows, the partner of her joys — thou hast removed, 
 without the hope of return. But thou art the hus- 
 band of the widow, and the father of the fatherless. 
 O may her desolate heart trust in thee above every 
 human refuge, and realize that thou art able by thy 
 power and willing in thy mercy to heal her griefs, 
 and supply her need. Pour thou the oil of consola- 
 tion into her bereaved and aching bosom, and cause 
 her heart to sing for joy, because of thy comforts. 
 Raise up for her those whose sympathies will cheer 
 her wounded spirit, whose counsels will encourage 
 
248 
 
 her sinking hopes, and whose help will assist her in 
 struggling with a selfish and unfeeling world. Pro- 
 tect her from unkindness and oppression. Open up 
 for her a pathway of peace and plenty. 
 
 Blessed Jesus, make her thine in the espousals of 
 thy love. Thou canst be more unto her than he 
 whose cherished presence and affection she has lost. 
 Thou art able to turn her darkness into light, her 
 grief into joy, and her want into abundance. Thou 
 canst teach her in the day of her afflicting visitation 
 the things which belong to her peace, and make the 
 time of her earthly loss the season of her eternal 
 gain. Be thou unto her the chief among ten thou- 
 sand, and one altogether lovely. Say unto her, 
 " Fear not, I am with thee ; T, even I, am he that 
 comforteth thee : thy Maker is thy husband." 
 
 WILL. 
 
 Sovereign of the Universe, sanctify my will. Give 
 it grace always to choose that which is good, and 
 reject that which is evil. I would lament before thee 
 its proneness to forsake thy holy law, and to follow 
 after selfish pleasure. That faculty which thou didst 
 put within me, to guide me to righteous obedience, 
 alas! how often does it urge me on to unholy rebel- 
 lion. Lord, restore it to that strength and purity 
 which it enjoyed when thou didst first send forth man 
 from thy creating power, in thine own blessed image. 
 O let me not choose any thing that is opposed to thy 
 holy will. Cleanse thou the fountain of my desires, 
 and make it as a well of living water, springing up 
 into everlasting life. 
 
249 
 
 WILL or GOD. — See Obedience, Submission, 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 Lord, who can stand before thy cold? Thou givest 
 snow like wool, and scatterest the hoar-frost like 
 ashes. By thy breath the breadth of the waters is 
 straitened. The singing of birds has yielded to the 
 sighing of winds and the howling of tempests. The 
 trees which once hung out their garments of verdure 
 and ornaments of fruit, to please the eye and regale 
 the taste of man, now spread their naked and un- 
 siglitly limbs over a barren landscape ; and the earth 
 that lately teemed with the beauty and abundance of 
 life, is now wrapped in the cold winding-sheet of 
 nature. 
 
 Yet, O Lord, let me not be heedless of thy mercy 
 and wisdom in the arrangements of even these gloomy 
 months. In the midst of all this barrenness, thou 
 preservest the life of man and beast. Behold the 
 fowls of the air, which neither sow, nor reap, nor 
 gather into barns; yet our Heavenly Father feedeth 
 them. These seeming desolations are the repose of 
 nature ; and thou art keeping in safety beneath them, 
 the germs of seed-time and the promise of harvest. 
 In due time thou wilt bring forth, refreshed and re- 
 newed by the sleep of winter, the green herb, the 
 waving leaf, the smiling flower, and tiie rushing wa- 
 ters, to cheer and bless the heart of man, and praise 
 and magnify the greatness of God. 
 
 Merciful Father, I thank thee for the abundant 
 food, the convenient raiment, and the protecting home 
 I enjoy in the inclemency that surrounds me. May 
 the rigours of the season be strong and unfailing 
 motives for gratitude to God and mercy to man. 
 
250 
 
 Cause my heart to abound with pity to the destitute. 
 Let me not say to them, with heartless charity, "Be 
 ye warmed and filled ;" and notwithstanding, give 
 them not those tilings which are needful for the body. 
 Dispose me to open my hand to the needy — remem- 
 bering that thou hast said, " Blessed is he that con- 
 sidereth the poor." 
 
 Lord, may I regard this season as the emblem of 
 adversity. Life is indeed not all sunshine, and plea- 
 sure, and plenty. It has its days and months of 
 darkness, and sorrow, and want. O prepare me by 
 the grace that is derived through Jesus, tor its sever- 
 est vicissitudes. Make me feel that I deserve to have 
 my joys withered and my hopes blasted ; and that 
 thou wilt be fulfilling only the dictates of merciful 
 justice, if thou shouldst at times withhold thy favour 
 and visit me with thy frown, in this world, that thou 
 mayest save me from destruction in the world to 
 come. 
 
 Teach me to look on Winter as the type of the 
 grave. As thou buriest the beauty and excellence of 
 the earth in its icy shroud, so thou hidest the gene- 
 rations of men beneath the clods of the valley. And 
 as thou wilt bring forth from this tomb of the year, 
 the fertile beauty of the spring ; so thou wilt bring 
 up from the long desolation of death, that which was 
 sown in dishonour, that it may be raised in glory ! 
 Lord, grant that in the renewing power of that great 
 day, I may share in the resurrection of the just, and 
 enjoy the light of thy countenance and the bliss of 
 thy love for ever! 
 
 WISDOM. 
 
 Lord, thou hast said that if any man lack wisdom, 
 et him ask of thee, and it shall be friven him. I 
 
251 
 
 would come before thee, Merciful Father, feeling the 
 weakness of my judgment, and its unfitness, wiihout 
 strength from ihee, to discharge aright the various 
 duties of life. I pray thee keep my understanding 
 from error, fill it with knowledge, and govern it by 
 prudence. Especially do thou give me that wisdom 
 which is from above, which is first pure, then peace- 
 able, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and 
 good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocri- 
 sy. Vouchsafe unto me the spirit of wisdom and 
 revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, that the eyes 
 of my understanding being enlightened, I may know 
 what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches 
 of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. 
 
 WISDOM OF GOD. 
 
 Great God, who hath been thy counsellor, or who 
 hath directed thy judgment 1 Lo, thou workest all 
 things according to the counsels of thine own will. 
 O Lord, how manifold are thy works: in wisdom 
 thou hast made them all. Thy discerning and di- 
 recting mind is seen every where in the works of 
 thy hands, in the ways of thy providence, and in the 
 government of thy creatures. Thou choosest thine 
 ends, and framest all thy means according to know- 
 ledge. Thy counsels are steadfast, thy thoughts are 
 deep, and thine understanding is infinite. 
 
 O Lord, thou hast gathered, as into a^ radiant focus, 
 the power and glory of thy wisdom in the work of 
 redemption. Into this the angels desire to look; but 
 they cannot measure its matchless strength and ful- 
 ness. Herein are those mysteries of thy grace— 
 God manifest in the flesh — he who knew no sin 
 was made sin for us — while ice were sinners Christ 
 died for lis — thou canst be just, and still be the 
 
252 
 
 justifier of him that believeth in Jesus ! O, the 
 depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know- 
 ledge of God : how unsearchable are his judgments 
 and his ways past finding out. 
 
 Omniscient Jehovah, I desire to put all my trust in 
 thee ; for thou knowest both how to provide and to 
 deliver. I would acknowledge thee with prayer in 
 all my ways; for thou only canst direct my steps. 
 I would submit to thy will, which is the perfection of 
 reason. And I would adore thee, because thou art 
 infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in thy wisdom ! 
 
 WORD. — See Scriptures. 
 
 WORLD. 
 
 Lord, keep me from conformity to the world. 
 May I use it as not abusing it ; having my affections 
 set on things above, and not on things on the earth. 
 Show me that its pleasures are few in number, brief 
 in existence, unsatisfying in their nature, and cor- 
 rupting in their influence. Let me not seek to unite 
 the service of God and mammon. Lord, I would 
 love and hold to thee, and hate and despise the other. 
 O, what is a man profited if he should gain the whole 
 world, and lose his own soul? Assist me, I pray 
 thee, to pass the time of my sojourning here in fear, 
 knowing that it is a sphere of danger, in which my 
 heart is tempted to wander from God, to forget eter- 
 nity, to neglect my noblest duties, and to live in 
 sense and sin. I cannot, and indeed I should not 
 desire to withdraw from the business of the world, 
 and from intercouse with worldly men ; but I be- 
 seech thee, O Lord, that thou wouldst abide with me 
 on all those occasions which require me to mingle 
 with such scenes and companions. Teach me thy 
 
253 
 
 way, and lead me in a plain path, for the sake ofmy 
 own purity and the welfare of them that observe me. 
 Let me not pollute my own soul, by being a par- 
 taker of ungodliness. Make me an epistle of Christ, 
 known and read of all men. May my words be fitly 
 spoken, and my conduct be according to godliness. 
 Give me grace to walk in wisdom to them that are 
 without, persuading them to taste and see that the 
 Lord is good, and teaching them that religion's ways 
 are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are 
 peace. 
 
 WORSHIP. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, thou art exalted above princi- 
 palities and powers, that at thy name every knee 
 should bow, and every tongue confess. AH thy 
 works praise thee. Bestow on me, in the name of 
 Jesus, that grace which will qualify me to worship 
 thee in spirit and in truth. Let me not seek to draw 
 nigh to thee with my lips, while my heart is far from 
 thee ; nor take the attitude of devotion, while my 
 thoughts wander among the cares and pleasures of 
 life. May strong convictions of thy greatness and 
 presence rest upon me, and make me suitably afraid. 
 Make me feel that I am unworthy of the least of thy 
 mercies, and that if thou wert strict to mark iniqui- 
 ty, I dare not come before thee, but should take up 
 my abode where there is no mercy-seat, and no an- 
 swer of peace to the cry of despairing want. 
 
 Gracious God, let all my approaches to thee be in 
 humble reliance upon the merits of Christ. Give me 
 such an impression of thy goodness, in the bounties 
 of thy providence and the covenant of thy grace, 
 that I shall go to thee with the love and confidence 
 of a child to its father ; for if earthly parents know 
 22 
 
254 
 
 how to give good gifts to their children, much more 
 will our Heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to 
 them that ask him. Lord, grant me such views of 
 thy character, and of my own wants and those of 
 mankind, as shall dispose me to magnify thy name 
 with an adoring and grateful spirit, and lead me to 
 seek thy favour by fervent and believing supplica- 
 tion. 
 
 Lord, bless the assemblies of thy saints. May 
 reverence, love, and faith, animate their devotions. 
 May thy praise be sung with holy affections ; thy 
 favour be sought with believing hearts ; thy word 
 be preached in the demonstration of the Spirit, and 
 be heard as a message of divine wisdom and mercy. 
 Bring into thy sanctuaries those who neglect thy 
 worship ; and fill thy courts with such as live re- 
 gardless of thy statutes. Grant, O Lord, that all the 
 solemn feasts of thy house may be seasons of re- 
 freshing from thy presence, in which saints shall 
 grow in grace, and many prodigals be brought into 
 ihe adoption of the sons of God ; to the glory of 
 thy mercy in Jesus, both now and for ever. 
 
 YOUTH. 
 
 Heavenly Father, bless our youth. Preserve them 
 from the corrupting dangers which so easily affect 
 and control their forming characters. Keep their 
 hopes, and judgments, and affections from pursuing 
 the things which bring ruin on the soul. Incline 
 them now to seek thy service, ere the cares of this 
 world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of the 
 flesh, harden their hearts, stifle their consciences, 
 and cause them to turn a deaf ear to the calls of 
 mercy. Suffer them not to put off the claims of re- 
 ligion to what they vainly think a more convenient 
 
255 
 
 season. May they learn that youth is the time to 
 serve the Lord ; that now is their accepted lime and 
 day of salvation: Avhile, if they put off repentance 
 and faith, sin will gather fearful strength in their 
 souls, and make their redemption more and more 
 hopeless. Lord, may they remember that the ten- 
 deresl tokens of thy love have been directed towards 
 the young. Thou hast urged them with the most 
 persuasive entreaties, to give thee their hearts, and 
 hast promised that those who seek thee early shall 
 find thee, and rejoice in ihee all their days. But 
 oh, if such will continue to refuse instruction, and 
 despise reproof, they shall eat of the fruit of their 
 own ways, and be filled with their own devices. 
 
 Lord, thou knowest that our youth are the expec- 
 tation of the church, and the hope of our race. The 
 history of the world in future ages, will be determin- 
 ed by the character of those who are now training 
 for the responsibilities of life. If they shall be nur- 
 tured in righteousness, then humanity and piety shall 
 rejoice in their labours : but if they shall be tutored 
 in the lessons of vice, then the precious interests of 
 mankind shall mourn because of them. O do thou 
 make the rising generation the instruments of intro- 
 ducing the blessings of the Millennium, and not 
 the means of thrusting back into future ages, that 
 latter-day glory. Bring multitudes of them into the 
 household of faith. Enlist their warm feelings and 
 self-denying zeal, in behalf of religious enterprizes. 
 May they enter with gladness and energy, into those 
 fields that lie fallow — or those that grow ripe for the 
 harvest, and gather fruit abundantly, for the gar- 
 ners of eternal life. — [See Children, and Early 
 Piety.] 
 
256 
 
 ZEAL. 
 
 thou that lovest them that obey thee, do thou 
 make me zealous of good works. Grant me that 
 zeal which is according to wisdom, love, and holi- 
 ness. Reprove my lukewarmness, my instability, 
 and my backsliding. Let not my pursuits of earthly 
 things, which perish in the using, excite me to more 
 energy and perseverance, than the strong and urgent 
 claims of obedience to thy commands. Lead me to 
 inquire diligently, what thou wilt have me to do ; for 
 I am bound to glorify thee in my body and spirit 
 which ai-e thine. May I hear the language of thy 
 word, and the voice of thy providence, calling me to 
 gird up my loins in thy service. Stimulate my dili- 
 gence by the records of thy saints, who have de- 
 voted their lives and their all to doing good. Fix in 
 my memory, I pray thee, the noble example of 
 Christ, who took upon himself the form of a servant, 
 and became obedient unto death, even the death 
 of the cross, that the culprits of heavenly justice 
 might be saved from their condemnation. — O Lord, 
 enable me to realize the unspeakable value of reli- 
 gious duties, undertaken in thy strength, in saving 
 souls from death, in comforting and strengthening 
 my own heart, and in procuring, through thy mercy 
 in Christ, thy favour in this world, and thy blessed- 
 ness in that which is to come. What my hand 
 findeth to do, may I do it with my might. Heavenly 
 Father, make me fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. 
 And while the blessing of my zeal in thy service 
 shall be mine, the praise of it shall be thine, Father, 
 Son, and Spirit, for ever. Amen. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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