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MANUAL OF PRAYER; 
 
 TO ASSIST CJHRISTIANS 
 
 
 
 IN LEARNING THE 
 
 SUBJECTS AND MODES OF DEVOTION. 
 
 WITH -AN INTRODUCTION, 
 BY REV. A. BARNES. 
 
 THIRD EDITION, ENLARGED. 
 
 HENRY PERKINS, 134 CHESTNUT STREET. 
 BOSTON : PERKINS & MARVIN. 
 
ENTEUED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by 
 HENRY PERKINS, 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 TEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON PHILADELPHIA. 
 
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 state 
 that it has been prepared amidst the duties of an indus- 
 trious calling, demanding necessarily nearly the entire 
 hours of the day. It has been written during the inter- 
 vals which could be secured from active duties ; and by 
 practising much self-denial. 
 
 I have examined the work in manuscript, and as it has 
 passed through the press, with deep and growing inte- 
 rest, and with increasingly augmented convictions of its 
 utility, and of the ability with 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 form of devo- 
 tion ; but to contain the leading sentiments on the various 
 topics of prayer, which it might be desirable to em- 
 ploy. It had its origin in the author's own sense of the 
 need of such a work when he became a professor of reli- 
 gion. In his private devotions, as well as in his public 
 prayers, he deeply felt then the desirableness of some such 
 manual, that would suggest the appropriate language, 
 and the appropriate trains of thought, on the various 
 topics of prayer. This deeply-felt necessity in his own 
 
 3 
 
case, suggested to him the idea that such a work might be 
 demanded 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, particularly among the young, who ex- 
 perience much embarrassment when called to offer 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, occupy a place which 
 is filled by no other, and will be found to be a very ma- 
 terial 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 ornament, 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 
 
 
conscious of addressing the great and eternal God. In 
 some of the prayers there is uncommon beauty of Ian 
 guage ; 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 fami- 
 liarity with whose modes of expression, even the minis- 
 ters 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 sentiment 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 depravity of the heart ; of its deep pollu- 
 tions and evil tendencies ; of the divinity and incarna- 
 tion of the Redeemer : of his atoning sacrifice ; of justi- 
 fication by his merits ; of the agency of the Holy Spirit 
 in renewing and sanctifying the soul ; of the eternal 
 rewards of the righteous, and the eternal condemnation 
 of the wicked ; and the obligation to a holy life, will be 
 found to prevail everywhere 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 benevolence, and to 
 
 1* 
 
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 translation and spread of the Bible, and for spread- 
 ing 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 and blessing 
 on the great enterprises for the conversion 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 promote a spirit of self- 
 denial and benevolence ; and to diffuse among the fol- 
 lowers of the Redeemer, more ardent wishes for the 
 conversion of all mankind 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 appro- 
 priate language. Yet every person, at all intimate 
 with church members, and especially with those 
 who are young in the Christian life, has had abun- 
 dant opportunity 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 
 
 7 
 
8 
 
 as that creation of a new heaven and a new earth, 
 wherein dwelleth righteousness. 
 
 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 
 watchword of their present history : and it is surely 
 a requisite 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 de- 
 partments of benevolent enterprise, 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 
 generally entertained, it is still a melancholy truth, 
 that but few professing Christians carry them out 
 into practice. Individual piety, except in compara- 
 tively 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 pouring 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 an- 
 swer 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 
 private devotions. They have not furnished their 
 understandings 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 
 express and excite the feelings suitable to such an 
 important service. 
 
 The following work has been humbly undertaken 
 with the view of furnishing Christians, and especi- 
 ally young converts, with a manual of the subjects 
 and modes of prayer ; and thus of pointing out (if 
 not of supplying to some extent) the means of re- 
 medying the deficiencies noticed above. The au- 
 thor is fully aware that his effort is a feeble one. 
 His path was untrodden and difficult ; and it ought 
 not to be wondered 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 frequent use of 
 such ornaments of style as are permitted in almost 
 every other composition ; and it has thus been left 
 nearly destitute of literary interest. 
 
 This volume should not be regarded merely as a 
 book of forms. It has not been the intention of the 
 writer to furnish a complete prayer under each topic ; 
 but to offer the leading ideas which would seem to 
 
10 
 
 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 
 devout persons, that these topics are not severally 
 closed by the invocation of a blessing through the 
 Mediator, 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 pray- 
 er, which, except in special cases, are to be employ- 
 ed in various combinations with other parts, at the 
 user's pleasure. The important and essential feature 
 of a distinct reference to the merits of the Saviour, 
 will, it is expected, be found in sufficient frequency 
 throughout the body of the work ; and it is pre- 
 sumed, that every Christian is competent and mind- 
 ful, 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 
 language of which could not be used at the points 
 that may be noticed as defective, without unpleasant 
 and unnecessary repetition. 
 
11 
 
 Others may think that there is too great a dispro- 
 portion between the personal and intercessory sup- 
 plications. The mode pursued has been intention- 
 ally adopted, so as to give a greater degree of unity 
 to the work. Although intercessory prayer is intro- 
 duced in lesser proportions than might seem conso- 
 nant with the petitioner's strong yearnings of heart 
 for the best welfare of mankind ; yet it was known 
 that but little more than the mere substitution of 
 pronouns, would make nearly the whole language 
 of the book available in supplicating blessings 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 of- 
 fence to any) contribute to the devotion of every 
 evangelical 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 
 assistant to closet devotion. But the plan it sug- 
 gests, 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 particular sphere of Christian 
 duty. The hope is entertained that the system of 
 devotional thought, presented in these pages, will 
 
12 
 
 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 fervently to lead its devotions: but 
 the great body of church-members will noj. be able 
 to discharge this important 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 dis- 
 jointed 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 excellency and efficacy of prayer will depend 
 very much on our knowing, definitely and thorough- 
 ly, what we want, and how to express our desires. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 October, 1837 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 
 Page 
 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 22 
 23 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 31 
 
 32 
 33 
 
 34 
 36 
 ib. 
 38, 
 39 
 40 
 
 41 
 ib. 
 42 
 44 
 45 
 47 
 49 
 51 
 2 
 
 Communion with God. . 
 Communion of Saints. . . 
 
 Page 
 
 53 
 
 54 
 55 
 56 
 ib. 
 58 
 60 
 61 
 ib. 
 63 
 
 ib. 
 66 
 68 
 ib. 
 70 
 71 
 
 73 
 74 
 ib. 
 76 
 
 77 
 
 78 
 79 
 80 
 81 
 
 
 Adoration 
 
 
 Condescension of God. . 
 
 All-sufficiency of God . . . 
 Angels ... ... 
 
 Confidence in God 
 
 Anorer 
 
 
 Apprentices . 
 
 
 Assurance 
 
 
 Atheism 
 
 
 Atonement 
 
 Conversation. See 
 Tongue. 
 Conversion 
 
 
 Backsliding 
 
 
 
 Courage 
 
 Bible. See Scriptures. 
 Birth-day 
 
 
 
 
 C 
 
 Blessing of God. ....... 
 
 
 Blind 
 
 
 B usiness 
 
 Deaf and Dumb 
 
 
 Death 
 
 Decision . . 
 
 Charity 
 
 Dependence 
 
 Chastity 
 
 Depravity. See Human 
 Depravity. 
 Diligence 
 
 Cheerfulness 
 
 
 
 Doubts 
 
 Church 
 
 Duelling . 
 
 Cities 
 
 Dutv. . , 
 
 
 13 
 
14 
 
 Page 
 
 EarlyPiety 83 
 
 Education 84 
 
 Envy 85 
 
 Error 86 
 
 Eternity ib. 
 
 Eternity of God 87 
 
 Evil 88 
 
 Example 89 
 
 Existence of God 90 
 
 Faith ib. 
 
 Falsehood 92 
 
 Families 93 
 
 Fasting 95 
 
 Fathers 96 
 
 Fear 97 
 
 Fellowship. See Com- 
 munion. 
 
 Forbearance 98 
 
 Forbearance of God. ... 99 
 
 Foreknowledge 100 
 
 Forgiveness ib. 
 
 Frugality 102 
 
 Gaming ib. 
 
 Gentleness 103 
 
 Glory of God 104 
 
 God. See Adoration, 
 Existence, Omnipre- 
 sence, 8fC. 
 
 Godliness 106 
 
 Good Works 107 
 
 Goodness of God 108 
 
 Gospel 109 
 
 Government Ill 
 
 Grace 112 
 
 Gratitude 114 
 
 Grave 116 
 
 Grief. 118 
 
 Happiness 119 
 
 Page 
 
 Health 120 
 
 Heart 121 
 
 Heathen 123 
 
 Heaven 125 
 
 Hell 127 
 
 Holiness 129 
 
 Holiness of God 130 
 
 Holy Spirit 132 
 
 Home Missions 134 
 
 Honesty 135 
 
 Hope 136 
 
 Hospitality 1 37 
 
 Human Depravity ib." 
 
 Humility 139 
 
 Hypocrisy 141 
 
 Idolatry 142 
 
 Immortality. See Eter- 
 nity, Heaven, Hell, 
 Soul. 
 
 Immutability of God. ... 143 
 Incomprehensibleness of 
 
 God 144 
 
 Independency of God. . . ib. 
 
 Infidelity 145 
 
 Inquirers 146 
 
 Intemperance 147 
 
 Intercession 149 
 
 Jews 150 
 
 Jesus Christ 151 
 
 Joy 156 
 
 Judgment 158 
 
 Justice of God 1,5,9 
 
 Justification 1GO 
 
 Knowledge 161 
 
 Law of God. * 162 
 
 Levity 161 
 
15 
 
 Page 
 
 
 165 
 
 Life 
 
 ib. 
 
 Long-suffering. See 
 
 
 Forbearance. 
 
 
 Lord's Supper. ........ 
 
 166 
 
 Love of God 
 
 169 
 
 Love to God 
 
 170 
 
 Love to Man 
 
 171 
 
 
 172 
 
 Lunatics 
 
 173 
 
 
 174 
 
 Malice 
 
 175 
 
 Marriage 
 
 ib. 
 
 Masters 
 
 177 
 
 Means of Grace 
 
 ib. 
 
 
 178 
 
 Meditation 
 
 179 
 
 Meekness 
 
 181 
 
 Memory 
 
 ib. 
 
 Mercy 
 
 182 
 
 
 184 
 
 Ministry 
 
 185 
 
 Missions. See Heathen, 
 
 
 Idolatry, Home Mis- 
 
 
 sions. 
 
 
 Mohammedans 
 
 188 
 
 Morning 
 
 ib. 
 
 Mothers 
 
 189 
 
 
 191 
 
 Nature 
 
 192 
 
 New Year 
 
 193 
 
 Night 
 
 195 
 
 Obedience 
 
 196 
 
 Old Age 
 
 198 
 
 Omnipotence 
 
 199 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 201 
 
 Page 
 
 Orphanage 202 
 
 Ostentation 203 
 
 Pardon 204 
 
 Parents. See Fathers, 
 
 Mothers. 
 
 Passions 205 
 
 Patience 206 
 
 Peace 207 
 
 Persecution 208 
 
 Perseverance 209 
 
 Piety 210 
 
 Pity 211 
 
 Popery 212 
 
 Poverty 213 
 
 Praise 214 
 
 Prayer 215 
 
 Press 218 
 
 Pride 220 
 
 Prisons 221 
 
 Privileges. See Means of 
 
 Grace. 
 
 Procrastination 222 
 
 Profanity 223 
 
 Promises 224 
 
 Prosperity 225 
 
 Providence 227 
 
 Prudence 228 
 
 Regeneration. See Con- 
 version. 
 
 Repentance ib. 
 
 Reproof. 230 
 
 Resignation. See Afflic- 
 tion, Submission. 
 
 Resurrection 231 
 
 Retirement 232 
 
 Revenge ib. 
 
 Revivals 233 
 
 Riches. See Prosperity. 
 
 Righteousness 236 
 
16 
 
 Sabbath 236 
 
 Sabbath-schools '239 
 
 Sacrament. See Lord's 
 Supper. 
 
 Sacred Music 242 
 
 Salvation 243 
 
 Sanctuary 245 
 
 Sanctification 247 
 
 Satan 248 
 
 Saviour. See Jesus 
 Christ and Christmas. 
 
 Scriptures 249 
 
 Seamen 25 1 
 
 Self-consecration 252 
 
 Self-denial 253 
 
 Self-deception 254 
 
 Self-examination 255 
 
 Selfishness 256 
 
 Seminaries 257 
 
 Servants 259 
 
 Sickness ib. 
 
 Sin 261 
 
 Sinners 263 
 
 Slander 265 
 
 Slavery ib. 
 
 Sorrow. See Grief. 
 
 Soul 268 
 
 Sovereignty of God 269 
 
 Spirit. See Holy Ghost. 
 
 Spirituality 271 
 
 Spring 272 
 
 Submission 274 
 
 Summer 275 
 
 Swearing. See Profa- 
 nity. 
 
 Talents 277 Zeal 
 
 Teachers 27V 
 
 Temper 280 
 
 Temperance. See In" 
 temperance. 
 
 Temptation 281 
 
 Thanksgiving 282 
 
 Theatre 283 
 
 Theft 284 
 
 Time. See Life. 
 
 Tongue 285 
 
 Tracts 286 
 
 Travelling 287 
 
 Trinity 288 
 
 Trust. See Confidence. 
 
 Truth 289 
 
 Unbelief. 290 
 
 Understanding 291 
 
 Union ib. 
 
 Usefulness 292 
 
 War 293 
 
 Watchfulness 294 
 
 Widowhood 295 
 
 Will 296 
 
 Will of God. See Obe- 
 dience, Submission. 
 
 Winter 296 
 
 Wisdom 298 
 
 Wisdom of God 299 
 
 World 300 
 
 Worship 301 
 
 Young Converts 302 
 
 Youth 303 
 
 305 
 
*0flPSs> 
 
 ._ _^. __. m*m OK ma 
 
 MANUAL OF PRAYER. 
 
 ACCOUNTABILITY. 
 
 O THOU Judge of the quick and the dead, make 
 me realize that I am responsible to thee for all my 
 thoughts, words, and actions ; and in all my duties 
 and privileges. 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 co- 
 vered, that shall not be revealed ; and hid, that shall 
 not be made known : and it shall be more tolerable 
 for Sodom and Gomorrah than for my soul, if I fail 
 to serve thee now in reverence and godly fear. For 
 even the earth that drinketh in the rain, that cometh 
 oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them 
 by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God ; 
 but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, 
 arid is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 
 O let not my stewardship of thy mercies be one of 
 wilful sin, of abused privileges, and neglected du- 
 ties ; but grant that in all things I may strive, in the 
 grace of Christ, to work out my salvation with fear 
 and trembling. 
 
 Lord, 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 
 
 2* 17 
 
18 
 
 unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer dark- 
 ness, while he that has been faithful shall enter, 
 through the atonement of Christ, into the joy of his 
 Lord. And unto him that is able to keep me from 
 falling, and to present me faultless before the pre- 
 sence of his glory with exceeding joy ; to the only 
 wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, do- 
 minion and power, both now and forever. 
 
 ADOPTION. 
 
 Lord, wilt thou give me the spirit of adoption, by 
 which I may cry "Abba, Father?" I am indeed 
 Vhine 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 pri- 
 vileges, 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 indulging 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 confidence in the faith of 
 Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and 
 earth is named ; and keep me from that spirit of 
 bondage, that servile fear and slavish formality in 
 duty, which will make me as a hired servant, in- 
 stead of an heir, in my Father's house. May it 
 enable me in all the vicissitudes of life to look up 
 to thee as infinitely 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 
 
19 
 
 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 fadeth not away. 
 
 Look in mercy, O God, on thy children by na- 
 ture, who are wandering as prodigals from their 
 home, and are living without God in the world. 
 Touch their hearts with a feeling of their wants and 
 their apostasy ; 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 child- 
 ren. Establish them in the fellowship of thy 
 saints, and make them heirs of the grace of life, 
 through the Lord Jesus Christ* 
 
 ADORATION. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, I would praise thee for thine 
 excellent greatness, Thou dwellest in light that is 
 inaccessible and full of glory : thou severest thyself 
 with it as with a garment ; and thou art clothed 
 with honour and majesty ! Thou dwellest on high, 
 and humblest thyself to behold the things that are 
 done in heaven and earth. Thou art infinite, eter- 
 nal, and unchangeable in thy being, wisdom, power, 
 holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Thou art 
 not worshipped 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 won- 
 ders. In thee I live, and move, and have my being. 
 From thee I derive every good and perfect gift. It 
 
20 
 
 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, ado- 
 rable Jehovah, to feel and express the infinite ex- 
 cellencies of thy character, and to bow before thee 
 as over all, God, blessed forever ! \_See PRAISE, 
 and the various Attributes.'] 
 
 AFFLICTION. 
 
 In the time of trouble, hide me in thy pavilion, 
 O Lord ! Prepare me for meeting and bearing all 
 the adversities of life. Support or deliver me in 
 poverty, in sickness, in pain, in bereavement, in 
 persecution, in sorrow, in reproach. Let the trial 
 of my faith in all these work patience and holiness. 
 May 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 thou givest and takest away ; 
 blessed be the name of the Lord." Though thy 
 judgments are unsearchable, and thy ways past find- 
 ing 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. Lord, cause my judgment, and 
 heart, and will to approve of every measure of thy 
 correcting and reclaiming love. 
 
 O Shepherd of Israel, cause my every adversity 
 to be sanctified to me. Lead me to see thy hand 
 in it ; to feel that my sins have far more than de- 
 served it ; and to be willing that thy justice may be 
 exalted at my expense, and that I may be brought 
 
21 
 
 to acknowledge, " I know, O Lord, that thy judg- 
 ments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast 
 afflicted me." Show me that my cup has been 
 mingled with mercies ; for the days of my comforts 
 have far outnumbered 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 dost all things and that I am not 
 called to suffer them alone; for thou hast said, " I 
 will never leave nor forsake thee:" and thy rod and 
 staff they shall comfort and support me, even in the 
 valley and shadow of death. 
 
 Lord, grant that thy grace may be peculiarly dear 
 to me in the hour of trial ; and bring me out from 
 it as gold that is tried in a furnace. Assure me, 
 that every branch that beareth fruit, thou purgest, 
 that it may bring forth more fruit ! 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 tribu- 
 lation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, 
 and patience a hope that maketh not ashamed. Lead 
 me closer to thy throne, as the only place where I 
 may find abiding help in every hour of need. Grant, 
 merciful Father, that my troubles may lead me to 
 sympathise with all who suffer in mind, body, or 
 estate ; remembering them that are in bonds, as be- 
 ing bound with them ; and them that suffer adver- 
 sity, 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 consoling thought, that though the 
 earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, I have 
 
22 
 
 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. Show them that unless 
 they repent, these are but the beginnings of sorrows, 
 that shall know no relief and no end. Convince 
 them of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. 
 Lead them to repent 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 forever. 
 
 ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD. 
 
 Sovereign of the Universe, the heaven of heavens 
 cannot contain thy fulness. 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 hu- 
 man happiness, and go to the fountain of living 
 waters. All that is in the heaven and in the earth 
 is thine. Be thou more precious to me than music 
 to the ear, or light to the eye, or fragrance to the 
 smell, or sweetness to the taste, or friendship to the 
 heart. Make thy love my continual feast. 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 
 
23 
 
 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 !" 
 
 ANGELS. 
 
 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in 
 strength, that do his commandments ; hearkening 
 unto the voice of his word ! Great God, do thou 
 exalt my intellect and purify my heart by medita- 
 tions on the nature, character, and employments of 
 the angels in heaven. Lo ! they are an innumera- 
 ble company of pure spirits ; to whom thou hast 
 given an endless life ; endowing them richly with 
 knowledge, power, holiness, and love. They dwell 
 forever in thy presence ; where their eyes are never 
 dim with tears, nor their minds clouded by igno- 
 rance ; where their affections are never wounded by 
 grief, nor their hopes broken by disappointment, 
 nor their hearts stained with guilt. And there they 
 do thy holy pleasure with all the heart, and without 
 delay, and continually. 
 
 I thank thee that thou hast revealed to us that 
 these exalted beings sympathize deeply in the wel- 
 fare of the children of men. The incarnate Son of 
 God was proclaimed to the shepherds of Bethlehem 
 by the angel of the Lord, with the message of glad 
 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people : 
 and a multitude of the heavenly host, that sang to- 
 gether over man's creation, and mourned over his 
 fall, praised God in an anthem of good-will to man. 
 And now, though it is their privilege to scan widely 
 the wonders of creation, and search deeply into the 
 mysteries of providence ; though they find ample 
 employment and delight in the reciprocal joys of 
 
24 
 
 their own blessed fraternity of wisdom, holiness, 
 and love though they dwell in the absorbing and 
 vivifying transports of the open vision of the Most 
 High yet there is joy in their presence over one 
 sinner that repenteth ! 
 
 Lord, teach me the value of that scheme of re- 
 demption which the angels desire to look into. 
 There they learn the dignity of thy law, the rigour 
 of thy justice, the immutability of thy truth, the 
 depravity of man, the peril of his guilt, and the 
 glory of thy mercy. O God, suffuse my heart with 
 shame, that the plan of repentance and salvation, in 
 which thou hast condensed the perfections of thy 
 character, for the adoring wonder and excited love 
 of perfect spirits, should be so often to my soul only 
 as a dream when one awaketh ! 
 
 Gracious Lord, I praise thy mercy which sends 
 forth these messengers of thy power and grace, to 
 minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. 
 Grant, I beseech thee, in the name of Jesus, that I 
 may belong to those children of adoption, whose 
 beds they watch, whose hearts they comfort, and 
 whose ways they protect. 
 
 Heavenly Father, prepare me for fellowship with 
 that blessed throng, when the season of my earthly 
 probation shall close. Enable me now, according 
 to the feebleness of human nature, to do thy will as 
 it is done in heaven. And when, at the end of the 
 world, the reapers shall come forth to gather the 
 tares in bundles, to burn them, but the wheat into 
 the barn, grant that I may be garnered with thy 
 saints ; and that I may have my spirit made perfect 
 in the everlasting communion of the sons of God ! 
 
 God of Justice, admonish my fear of the guilt and 
 punishment of sin by the awful example of those 
 
25 
 
 rebel angels, who kept not their first estate, but left 
 their own habitation, and are reserved in everlasting 
 chains, under darkness, until the judgment of the 
 great day. Preserve me, I pray thee, from the 
 power of that spirit that now worketh in the hearts 
 of the children of disobedience. Help me to wres- 
 tle against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 
 and to bruise Satan under my feet, in the strength 
 of the God of peace. 
 
 ANGER. 
 
 Lord, strengthen me by thy grace, that I may 
 restrain and conquer my propensities to unholy 
 anger. Let it not cloud my brow, nor envenom 
 my tongue, nor vex my heart. Let gentleness, 
 courtesy, and kindness spread themselves, like the 
 green covering of earth, over my character and con- 
 duct. 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. Show me that a soft answer turneth 
 away wrath, but grievous words stir up strife. 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 consider 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, meek- 
 ness, and forgiveness, to disarm every temptation 
 to sinful passion, and to cause the wrath of my ad- 
 versaries to praise thee. 
 
 Source of Wisdom, instruct me how I may be 
 angry and sin not. Let me not be indignant with- 
 out cause and above cause. Give me a holy dis- 
 3 
 
 r 
 
26 
 
 pleasure against transgression ; but let it be mingled 
 with a reclaiming pity towards the transgressor ; 
 and be exercised for his good and thy glory. 
 
 APPRE N T 1C E S. 
 
 O thou, who art Lord and Master over all, bless 
 thou our youth who are held at service as appren- 
 tices. Instead of the apathy that prevails respect- 
 ing them, do thou excite in the community, and 
 especially in the church, a strong solicitude for this 
 class of our population ; who, in the lapse of a few 
 years, will become the muscles and sinews of so- 
 ciety ; and who are now moulding their own cha- 
 racters for time and eternity. Lord, bring such 
 influences to bear on them, that they may be fitted, 
 in mind and in morals, for usefulness to society ; 
 and that they may be prepared for thy favour both 
 on earth and in heaven. 
 
 Heavenly Father, teach them the duties of their 
 station. Make them contented with their circum- 
 stances ; industrious in their callings ; faithful, in all 
 things, to the interests of their masters ; and obedi- 
 ent to every requisition of lawful service. And may 
 they be persuaded that the discharge of all these 
 duties is demanded as much by their own welfare, 
 as by the interests of those whom they serve. 
 
 Lord, secure for them the kindness of their mas- 
 ters. Let their personal comforts, their instruction 
 in business, their mental culture, their social habits, 
 their moral character, and their religious opportuni- 
 ties, be objects of constant and conscientious atten- 
 tion. 
 
 Set before them, I pray thee, the dangers to 
 which they are liable, by absence from the scrutiny 
 and protection of the parental home ; by frequent 
 
27 
 
 exposure to the seductions of ungodly associates , 
 and by the tendencies to corruption in their own 
 hearts. O do thou throw wholesome restraints 
 around them. If sinners entice them, let them not 
 consent to their persuasions. Make them flee 
 youthful lusts, that war against the soul. Preserve 
 them from every form and degree of temptation. 
 Dispose and qualify them to discharge their present 
 duties : incline and prepare them to fill with honour 
 to themselves, and advantage to the public, their fu- 
 ture positions in life : and, more than all else, give 
 them the indenture of thine own service, in which 
 thou makest the servant an heir, and the bondman 
 a freeman of the Lord. 
 
 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 re- 
 mitted. Enable me to gather satisfactory evidence 
 from my feelings and conduct, that I have passed 
 from death unto life ; and may thy Spirit bear wit- 
 ness with mine, that I am numbered with thy child- 
 ren. Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation, 
 in the knowledge of Christ, that I may know what 
 is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of 
 the glory of his inheritance 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. Enable me to 
 say " Though thou wast angry with me, thine an- 
 ger is turned away; and thou comfortest me." 
 
 Blessed God, grant me the full assurance of hope 
 unto the end : a hope that I am accepted before 
 thee, for the merits of Christ; that through his grace 
 
28 
 
 I shall be saved ; and that though worms may de 
 vour this body, yet in my flesh I shall see thee, 
 and be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness. 
 
 ATHEISM. 
 
 Great God, regard with pity the fool, who hath 
 said in his heart, "There is no God!" Although 
 thou hast written thy name in language of fire, on 
 the canopy of heaven ; and revealed thy being in 
 the countless creations of air, earth, and sea yet 
 there are some of thy creatures, who profess to be- 
 lieve that thou art not! Though thou mayest be 
 known by the judgments thou executest ; and though 
 human consciousness, in its universal consent, has 
 been a memorial of thee, through all generations- 
 they would vainly persuade themselves that thou 
 art but the empty dream of religious fancy t O 
 Lord, let this outrage upon knowledge, and holi- 
 ness, and hope, make me cling, with a closer grasp, 
 to the instructive, and purifying, and hopeful truth, 
 that thy kingdom ruleth over all. Gracious Parent, 
 how cheerless would this earthly probation be to 
 my spirit, if I did not know that thou art Alpha and 
 Omega. Lord, let the fact that any could be so lost 
 to reason and piety, as to deny thy being, be strong 
 testimony before the world of the depravity of the 
 carnal mind; which, in all its various degrees of 
 sentiment, is still enmity against God ! O, if it be 
 consistent with thy justice, recover these children 
 of disobedience to the wisdom of the just; and lead 
 them to adore and trust in thee, as the living God. 
 
 Lord, commiserate those who, while they ac- 
 knowledge thee in their judgments, deny thee in 
 their lives : and who, in the midst of thy presence, 
 are without God in the world I They will not re- 
 
29 
 
 tain thee in their knowledge, nor follow thy ways, 
 nor seek thy favour. Give them not over to a re- 
 probate mind, to be filled with all unrighteousness ; 
 but do thou bring them, in the living way of thy 
 Son, to know, and love, and glorify thee as God. 
 
 O Most High, does not practical atheism leaven 
 my own heart, and the hearts of many that call on 
 thy name ? For when we do what we know to be 
 wrong in thy sight, and leave undone what we know 
 thou hast commanded us to do, we virtually say, 
 " Who is the Lord, that we should obey him ?" I 
 pray thee, rebuke this unrighteousness ; and banish 
 every vestige of it from us ; until our hearts shall 
 know, and our works shall proclaim, in all things, 
 the power of thy life ! 
 
 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 apostasy the theatre on which to display the 
 wonders 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 ; per- 
 adventure 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 
 3* 
 
30 
 
 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. Make me under- 
 stand that it was his divinity that made this offering 
 a perfect work : for Lebanon was not sufficient to 
 burn ; nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt 
 offering ; nor could the fruit of the body atone for 
 the sin of the soul: but lo! the blood of Christ 
 clean seth from all sin ! 
 
 Lord, may I have an ever-present conviction that 
 there is no other name by which I can be saved. 
 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 myself, but unto him. Let the blessings of this 
 atonement rest on me, in sins pardoned, in punish- 
 ment averted, in fear pacified, in the soul reconciled, 
 in the heart sanctified, and in the spirit made joyful 
 in an endless hope. 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 
 righteousness, and be led to that fountain which has 
 been opened in the house of David, where whoso- 
 ever 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.] 
 
31 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 O thou that makest the seasons, and crownest 
 them with thy goodness, give ear to the thanksgiv- 
 ings and entreaties which I now offer thee in the 
 name of Jesus. I praise thee that thou hast pre- 
 served 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 visitest 
 him ? Instead of continuing health and sparing life, 
 thou mightest have brought over us the pestilence 
 that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that 
 wasteth at noon-day. Instead of making the earth 
 to bring 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 ten- 
 der mercies are over all thy works. O God, incline 
 me to be merciful 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 gratitude 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 de- 
 cay and death, O teach me that such are earthly 
 hopes and human life. The fashion of this world 
 
32 
 
 passeth away ; and we all do fade as a leaf. The 
 grass withereth, 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 inheritance in light, where no sor- 
 row 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 
 Christian 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. 
 
 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 infirmities 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 allegiance to thee. Teach me to avoid the 
 appearance of evil, and to watch against the earliest 
 and least encroachments 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 substitute formality for the spirit 
 of devotion ; nor insincerity for truth of heart ; 
 nor vain glory for good will to man ; nor error for 
 
33 
 
 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 show me that if any man draw 
 back, thy soul has no pleasure in him. 
 
 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 wanderings, and may the memory of 
 them make me humble and watchful. Forgive my 
 backslidings, restore me to thy favour, set my feet 
 upon the rock, establish 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 saving 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, Hea- 
 venly Father, art merciful. May I desire more the 
 blessing of them that are ready to perish, than the 
 favour of the wise, and rich, and mighty. Make 
 me the steward of thy bounty ; for with such sacri- 
 fices thou art well pleased. Incline me to practice 
 that economy which will enable me to give to him 
 that needeth. May I remember that whoso hath 
 this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, 
 and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, 
 the love of God dwelleth not in him. 
 
 Gracious God, sanctify my motives in all the 
 exercises of charity. Let them not be done to be 
 seen of men, nor as acts of self-righteousness. I 
 would do good, that I may enjoy the testimony of 
 
34 
 
 an approving conscience, and find it more blessed 
 to give than to receive. May I regard benevolence 
 as the means of improving the heart, and making 
 the character like that of Jesus. I would remem- 
 ber, too, that thou lovest a cheerful giver. Help 
 me, O God, to make thy glory the end of all my 
 benevolence. Dispose me to do good, as I have op- 
 portunity, in all my spheres of life. May I be eyes 
 to the blind, feet to the lame, health to the sick, 
 strength to the feeble, help to the needy, and com- 
 fort to the mourner. 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 re- 
 gardless 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. 
 
 BIB L E. 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 1 
 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- 
 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 
 
35 
 
 be unto thee, thy mercy rejoiced against judg- 
 ment ; and I, who might have been a monument of 
 thy justice, am a witness that thou art long-suffer- 
 ing and abundant in goodness. 
 
 Lord, accept my gratitude for the many tokens of 
 thy favour which I have enjoyed since my last 
 birthday. I thank thee for my food and raiment, 
 my home and friends, my health and my countless 
 comforts. I praise thee that the means of grace 
 the institution of prayer, the worship of thy sanc- 
 tuary, the oracles of truth, the fellowship of saints, 
 have all 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 num- 
 bered 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 
 unalterably fixed. Make me thoughtful of death and 
 eternity ; and yet suffer me not to forget, that while 
 it is still day, and before the night cometh, 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 back on them as spent in thy 
 service, and say, " For me to live is Christ !" But 
 if thou wilt bring my season of trial to an end, O 
 
36 
 
 grant that I may be able to say, with exulting 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 con- 
 nive at heresy, keep me from ignorant perversity 
 and blind obstinacy in defending my own opinions ; 
 and from unkindness and intolerance towards those 
 from whom I differ in sentiment. Suffer me not to 
 mistake prejudice for the love of truth, nor malice 
 for true zeal. Lord, if this root of bitterness be in 
 my spirit, (and who among the children of men is 
 free from it ?) O, do thou take it utterly away : and 
 in its place implant a vine whose brandies will cling 
 in love, and whose fruits will hang in plenty, on 
 every object in its reach. May I sincerely desire 
 the success of all who labour for the glory of God 
 and the welfare of souls. Restore, O Lord, the 
 spirit of harmony in all the divisions of the house- 
 hold of faith ; so that thy watchmen 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, which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with 
 it, all that I now possess, and all I 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- 
 tirement and intercourse ; my daily food and daily 
 duties; my joys and sorrows; my prosperity and 
 
37 
 
 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- 
 kindness which is better than life. Let me not un- 
 dertake nor prosecute any thing on which 1 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 I feel, in 
 my religious duties, that neither is he that planteth 
 any thing, nor he that watereth, but God thatgiveth 
 the increase. If thou vouchsafe not thy favour, the 
 heaven that is over rny 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 strengthen- 
 ing me. Endue me, I beseech thee, with power 
 from on high ; and make thy strength perfect in my 
 weakness. 
 
 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 ob- 
 stacle, and subdue every enemy. O, do thou re- 
 move 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 satis 
 fying tokens of that holy blessedness which fills the 
 courts of thine upper sanctuary. Lord, give thes 
 4 
 
38 
 
 petitions gracious audience through Christ the Sa- 
 viour ; and dispose me to ascribe unto the King, 
 immortal, eternal, and invisible, all the praise and 
 dominion, now, henceforth, and forever. 
 
 BLIND. 
 
 O thou, who hast formed the eye to be the light 
 of the body, look mercifully on the blind ; in whom 
 thou hast sealed up, in rayless darkness, one of 
 man's chief avenues of knowledge and pleasure. 
 Lord, I would acknowledge my ingratitude to thee 
 for the blessing of eyesight ; and my indifference 
 towards those, from whom, in thine inscrutable 
 wisdom, thou hast withheld it. I pray thee that 
 when I look upon the cheerful scenes of nature, and 
 share in the pleasant fellowship of social life, and 
 drink in precious knowledge from the leaves of hu- 
 man and holy writ, that then I may remember thee, 
 the giver of these perfect gifts, and those also, whom 
 thou hast deprived of them. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee that whilst thou hast denied 
 to them the light of the eye, thou hast bestowed on 
 them an increased and wonderful sense of touch : 
 and that the ingenuity and benevolence of men have 
 taken advantage of this provision of thy mercy, to 
 restore, in part, the priceless boons of intelligence 
 and joy. I pray thee so to improve the healing art, 
 that many, very many, of these children of darkness 
 may be brought into the open light of day : but do 
 thou put within the reach and use of those whose 
 sight no skill can restore, the means that are now 
 employed for giving them, in the mysterious lan- 
 guage of the fingers, the pages of intellectual and 
 saving wisdom. 
 
 But O, let thy chief compassion to them be, to 
 
39 
 
 shine into their hearts, to give them the light of the 
 knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus 
 Christ: in whom, though now they see him not, 
 neither the works of his hands, yet believing, may 
 they rejoice with a joy that is unspeakable and full 
 of glory : receiving the end of faith, even the salva- 
 tion of their souls. 
 
 Lord, regard with pity those blind, who have 
 eyes that will not see ; and who love darkness, be- 
 cause their deeds are evil ; and who will not come 
 to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. 
 Unscale, I beseech thee, their inward sight; remove 
 every film of vice ; and grant that in thy light they 
 may see light ! 
 
 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 ; but 
 he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, 
 how can he love God, whom he hath not seen ? 
 May I regard thy people as lively stones of thy 
 spiritual house ; as partners with me in the trials of 
 life, 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 bre- 
 thren. 
 
 Lord of Hosts, may all thy saints love each other, 
 not in word nor in tongue only, but in deed and in 
 truth. Show them how good and pleasant it is for 
 brethren to dwell together in unity. May they be 
 
40 
 
 kind one to another, forgiving one another, even as 
 God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven 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. May they 
 bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of 
 Christ. Show them, O Lord, that the success of 
 thy kingdom 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. Let this grace be as the 
 dew of heaven, and as the dew that descended upon 
 the mountains of Zion ; where the Lord commanded 
 the blessing, even life for evermore. 
 
 BUSINESS. 
 
 Lord, dispose me to act according to thy will, 
 and in reference to thy glory, in all my worldly bu- 
 siness. I thank thee for that law of my nature, by 
 which thou hast connected my happiness and use- 
 fulness, with the employment of my body and mind 
 in the duties of life. Let all my avocations be law- 
 ful in thy sight. Give me a calm mind and mode- 
 rate prosperity in the pursuit of them; or grant me 
 patience under disappointed efforts. O let not 
 mere selfishness be the motive nor end of my labour. 
 May I desire to fulfil in myself the benevolent pur-* 
 poses of thy providence, in giving me an active na- 
 ture ; and to make my employments promote the 
 temporal and spiritual interests of mankind. Make 
 me diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving 
 the Lord : so that whether I eat, or drink, or what- 
 ever I do, I may do it for thy glory. 
 
41 
 
 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 bro- 
 ther's eye, may I consider the beam that is in mine 
 own eye. Show me my own weakness and sinful- 
 ness. Dispose me to think no evil of any, and to 
 maintain a good opinion of all, until I have proved 
 all things. Incline me always to pray for the for- 
 giveness of the offence, and for the welfare of the 
 offender. And when it becomes my duty to cen- 
 sure 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 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-creatures, may be heart-stirring 
 
 motives to this law of kindness. And especially 
 
 4* 
 
42 
 
 may the love of Cbdst constrain me to love my 
 neighbour as myself. Make it a bond of perfect- 
 ness, and the end of the commandment ; spring- 
 ing out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, 
 and of faith unfeigned. May this grace pre- 
 serve me from envy, censoriousness, and ill-will, 
 and so mould my temper and character, that I shall 
 be meek and forbearing, disinterested and self-de- A 
 nying, and steadfast 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 thou, 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 forever ; 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 double meaning nor corrupt com- 
 munication may proceed out of my mouth ; and suf- 
 fer me not to take pleasure in, but to abhor and turn 
 away from, the language of indelicacy and lascivious- 
 ness on the tongues of others. Help me to make a 
 covenant with my eyes, that they may not dwell on 
 unlawful objects, nor pamper forbidden wishes. 
 Throw a guard round my heart, that it may not de- 
 
43 
 
 vise wicked imaginations. Teach me to loathe and 
 flee from these beginnings of evil, which debase the 
 spirit, enfeeble the mind, and drown the soul in 
 perdition. Enable me to put away 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 may do that will secure thy blessing. 
 Correct, elevate, and inform public opinion in rela- 
 tion to the destroying evils oflewdness. Put under 
 the ban of universal condemnation the unchaste 
 word, the licentious song, the impure page, the 
 lascivious dance, and the dissolute play-house. 
 Make the libertine a scorn and reproach in every 
 society. O preserve those who are still pure ; and 
 let them not go down the pathways of disgrace and 
 destruction. Convince and alarm those whose name 
 is clean in the eyes of the world, but whose thoughts 
 cherish unholy emotions, and whose hearts work 
 uncleanness greedily. Recover those who have 
 listened to the song of the syren, and who go as a 
 bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is 
 for his life : who think not that many strong men 
 
44 
 
 have been slain by her, and that her house is the 
 chambers of death, and that her guests are in the 
 depths of hell. Cleanse our land and the world from 
 this vile leprosy which destroys health, and happi- 
 ness, and virtue : and bring over it a reformation 
 that shall be total abstinence from impurity of every 
 name. 
 
 CHEERFULNESS. 
 
 Lord, make cheerfulness the habit of my temper. 
 Enable me to pursue the happy mean between that 
 mirth, the end of which is heaviness, and that sul- 
 lenness, which is a canker upon personal comfort, a 
 reproach upon social character, and a libel on divine 
 goodness. Let not my spirit be soured by disappoint* 
 ment ; nor be dejected by misfortune ; nor be made 
 morose by hostility. May I regard these as light af- 
 flictions, compared with a peevish and gloomy tem- 
 per : which will corrupt my own pleasures, shed 
 mildew on all my associations in life, and disparage 
 thy grace. Show me that a cheerful mind will dif- 
 fuse gladness over my pathways, scatter pleasure 
 around those who journey with me, and glorify the 
 mercy of God. 
 
 Gracious Parent, speak to me " Son, be of good 
 cheer: thy sins are forgiven thee." O how light 
 would the crosses, and afflictions, and disasters of 
 earth weigh on me, if I were conscious of guilt for- 
 given, and peace with heaven! Lord, grant that 
 whilst I drink gladness from all the lawful sources of 
 comfort around me, I may draw from the wells of 
 salvation a living water, which the world can neither 
 give nor take away. 
 
45 
 
 CHILDREN. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee that thou dost suffer little child- 
 ren to come unto thee, and that thou dost ordain 
 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 excellence, both in their life and death, 
 and are now enjoying the fruits of its redemption 
 in the courts above. Lord, for the sake of the com- 
 passionate and prevailing 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 mer- 
 cies, 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 influence 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. 
 
46 
 
 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 
 mother 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 declin- 
 ing age. Lord, do thou make every child feel its 
 obligations to keep 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. 
 
 Gracious Parent, look in mercy, I pray thee, on 
 the ungodly children of the church. Lord, shall 
 it be that many shall come from the north, and from 
 the south, and from the east, and from the west, and 
 sit down in the kingdom of heaven, while the child- 
 ren of the kingdom shall be cast out ? Turn the 
 hearts of the fathers to the children, and the diso- 
 bedient to the wisdom of the just, until they shall 
 all be households of faith. But do thou regard, in 
 special compassion, the impenitent offspring of the 
 pious dead. Startle in their memory the echoes of 
 long forgotten parental instructions ; bring to their 
 remembrance the images of long neglected exam- 
 ples of parental godliness. And, O let the prayers 
 of these saints, which are kept by thee as odours 
 in golden vials, be poured out before thee, until 
 spirits redeemed shall see of the travail of their souls, 
 and rejoice over their offspring, born again to an end- 
 less life. [See EARLY PIETY, SABBATH SCHOOLS, 
 YOUTH.] 
 
47 
 
 CHRIST MA S. 
 
 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 
 followers, in memory of the birth of thy well-be- 
 loved Son. Grant me enlarged and soul-moving 
 views of all that relates to the glorious plan of sal- 
 vation 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 trea- 
 sured up for them perdition 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 com- 
 mended to us, in that while we were sinners, Christ 
 died for us. Though thou hast shown thy loving- 
 kindness in the works of creation, and in the deve- 
 lopements 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 knowledge ! 
 
48 
 
 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 con- 
 vincing, renewing, and sanctifying power of thy 
 grace. Lord, make me know my sin, and my need 
 of a Saviour ; dispose me to turn away from all my 
 transgressions, and to lay hold of the hope set be- 
 fore 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, obe- 
 dient 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 hast 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 ungodliness and to work righteousness ; 
 that his image, destroyed by the fall, may be re- 
 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 
 Saviour, by clear visions of that heavenly glory 
 
49 
 
 which he has prepared for those that love him. O, 
 thanks be unto thy name, thou hast not only re- 
 deemed thy saints from the wretched dominion of 
 sin and the fearful penalties of guilt, 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 everlast- 
 ing kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 Merciful Father, persuade the ungodly, who are 
 rejecting the Saviour, that without his atoning right- 
 eousness their souls must endure the perdition of 
 eternal death ; while through his blood they may 
 have remission of sins, and an inheritance among 
 them that are sanctified. Reconcile them unto thy- 
 self, 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 nature " Glory to God in the highest ; 
 and on earth peace, good-will towards 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 gates 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- 
 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 
 5 
 
50 
 
 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 to worship 
 thee there in spirit and in truth. May I cherish the 
 reputation, and welcome the instructions, and en- 
 courage 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, know* 
 ledge, and universal dominion. 
 
 Lord, cause all thy people to strive for the wel- 
 fare of Zion. May they mourn over her desolations, 
 and rejoice when her righteousness goes forth as 
 brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth. 
 Baptize them by one spirit, into one body ; and 
 make them all one in Christ Jesus. May they feel 
 deeply humbled at their want of personal 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. Let utterance be given to them, that they 
 may open their mouths boldly, to make known the 
 mystery of the gospel. Let not the ingratitude nor 
 hostility of sinners discourage their efforts to win 
 them to thy service. May they have the pleasure 
 of seeing thy work prospering in their hands, and 
 multitudes added to their number, of such as shall 
 be saved. 
 
51 
 
 Arise, and have mercy on Zion : let the time to 
 favour her, yea, the set time come. Bring her up 
 from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved ; and 
 make her the perfection of beauty. When her 
 enemy comes in like a flood, do thou lift up a 
 standard against him. Be thou as a wall of fire 
 round about her, and a glory in the midst of her. 
 Hast thou not purchased her with thy blood ; and 
 wilt thou not grave her on the palms of thy hands, 
 and set her walls continually before thee? O, King 
 of Kings, do thou marshal, and discipline, and 
 strengthen, and multiply the sacramental host, and 
 lead it on conquering and to conquer, until the king- 
 doms of this world shall become the kingdoms of 
 our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever 
 and ever. 
 
 CITIES. 
 
 Heavenly Father, remember in special mercy, I 
 beseech thee, the cities of this land, and of the 
 world. It was in such that Christ sought con- 
 tinually, in the days of his ministry on earth, to 
 proclaim his words of life. And it was to such that 
 his apostles resorted, when commanded to go into 
 all the world, and preach the gospel to every crea- 
 ture. O Lord, there thou hast poured out, from 
 generation to generation, the most copious effusions 
 of thy Holy Spirit; and hast built up many, very 
 many, churches in the beauty of holiness. 
 
 Gracious God, excite an earnest solicitude in the 
 hearts of the pions, on behalf of our populous places. 
 May they realize that in these dwell the potent in- 
 fluences of wealth, intelligence, commerce, and 
 numbers, which control the wide country for good 
 
or evil ; and that out of them go streams that poison 
 or heal the veins of social life throughout the land. 
 Teach thy people that there are the strongholds of 
 vice, where the adversary of souls stations his 
 choicest legions, and establishes his dominion in the 
 nation. Show them that if his power could be sub- 
 verted in the midst of these crowded marts, his 
 sceptre would be broken, and his throne be shaken 
 to its foundations. 
 
 O God, make thy followers appreciate the facili- 
 ties that are there afforded for procuring the triumph 
 oi' the gospel. In these thou hast gathered a large 
 proportion of the human race, and hast put their 
 dwellers within the reach of Christian exertion for 
 their salvation. There thou hast planted the insti- 
 tutions of religious benevolence, which, like trees 
 of life, are shedding their leaves for the healing of 
 the nations. And Lord, the wealth of our cities 
 can furnish the means, and their numbers the men, 
 that shall carry to all the earth's inhabitants the 
 messages of mercy. 
 
 Lord, bless all the instrumentalities that are now 
 employed for the conversion of these places. Bring 
 all their youthful population into Sabbath-schools, 
 and into the nurture of the Lord. May personal 
 Christian effort be brought to bear, in prayerful re- 
 liance on thy help, on every impenitent heart. In- 
 crease and give universal application to the power 
 of the Christian ministry : and roll on the chariot 
 of thy gospel amidst these dense congregations of 
 life, until each place shall shadow forth the holiness 
 and joy of that city, which hath foundations, whose 
 builder and maker is God ! 
 
53 
 
 COMMUNION WITH GOD. 
 
 O thou that hearest prayer, 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 : and as the parched land 
 drinketh in the rain of heaven, so let my soul re- 
 ceive the gifts of thy presence. Dispose me to be 
 faithful and to delight in the observance of stated 
 seasons of private devotion, and in the frequent ex- 
 ercises of occasional prayer. May I love to seek 
 thee in the tabernacles of the righteous. Let my 
 thoughts and desires hold intercourse with thee 
 in thy word, and in thy works, and in thy ways. 
 Let my walk be close with thee ; and do thou fix 
 my affections on thee, as the highest and noblest 
 object of love. Teach me thy will, that I may ac- 
 quaint myself with thee, and be at peace. 
 
 Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon 
 me. Draw near to me in all my attempts to ap- 
 proach thee ; and manifest thyself unto me as thou 
 dost not unto the world. Sprinkle reconciling blood 
 on the altar where I meet thee. Kindle with heaven- 
 ly fire the incense I bring thee, and let it rise up as 
 a sweet-smelling savour before thee. Make tfiine 
 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 per- 
 suaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor 
 principalities, nor powers, nor any other creature, 
 shall be able to separate 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 pur- 
 poses of new obedience to thy will. Grant me, in 
 these seasons of sweet converse with thee, those 
 5* 
 
54 
 
 blessings which are spiritual in their nature, satis 
 fying in their possession, and eternal in their con- 
 tinuance. Cause me, in the enjoyment of them, to 
 commiserate the destitution of those who are with- 
 out God in the world, and the wo of them who are 
 shut out from thy presence forever. O let me cling 
 closer to this precious privilege, and be pervaded 
 with deeper pity, and animated with stronger zeal, 
 for those who know not the delights of thy com- 
 munion. 
 
 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 
 Father but by him. Let the communion of thy 
 Holy Spirit rest upon me, and abide within me, 
 now, henceforth and forever. 
 
 COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, dispose me, in gladness and 
 singleness 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 
 intercourse with those who are lovers of pleasure 
 more than lovers of God. Make my communion 
 with them pleasant and profitable to my soul ; and 
 do thou come and be in the midst of us, to bless us. 
 Let our bonds of union have the strength and beauty 
 of those that bind the happy throng above, in their 
 perpetual fellowship of bliss. 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 
 
55 
 
 weep ministering to their necessities holding 
 converse with them in the grace of God seeking 
 not to please myself, but bearing their infirmities 
 and burdens 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 
 not enter the path of the wicked, nor follow a mul- 
 titude to do evil ; and permit me not to conform, in 
 any degree, to either the principles or practices of 
 the ungodly. But when I am called, in the exercise 
 of social or religious duties, among the impenitent, 
 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 them 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 un- 
 holy association ; and lead me to seek the commu- 
 nion of thy saints, that we may be comforted to- 
 gether, by our mutual faith. Suffer not my conduct, 
 anywhere, to be a reproach on thy cause ; but do 
 thou bestow on me grace to occupy my station in 
 the family, in society, and in the church, so as to 
 promote thy glory in the sight of men. 
 
 
CONDESCENSION 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 for thy conde- 
 scension in nourishing and governing us ; but now, 
 that we have lifted the arm of rebellion against thee, 
 and have steeped our souls in transgression, how 
 greatly is thy condescension magnified, 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 
 righteousness 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 eter- 
 nity knew no pain, sweat great drops of blood, and 
 suffered unspeakable 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 as- 
 tonishing mercy. 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 
 
57 
 
 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 unrighteousness. 
 
 O Lord, I have 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 
 impatience 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 whole- 
 some discipline in affliction, or impiously forgotten 
 thy dispensing hand in the enjoyment of mercies. 
 O, I have in countless instances, backslidden from 
 thy love, broken my covenants with thee, and 
 brought dishonour on thy name. I have rolled that 
 as a sweet morsel under my tongue, which has filled 
 heaven with solicitude, earth with desolation, and 
 hell with anguish. And yet such has been the 
 hardness of my heart, that 1 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 trans- 
 gressions are more numerous than the hairs of my 
 head ; and if thou wert strict to mark one in a thou- 
 
58 
 
 sand of them, I could not stand before thee. My 
 iniquities are increased over my head, and my tres- 
 passes are grown up to the heavens. Thou might- 
 est justly cause that dark cloud to shutout the light 
 of thy countenance ; and gather there the thunders 
 of thy wrath, and break them on my guilty head, 
 with an overwhelming vengeance. 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 
 perfect 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. What- 
 soever he doth 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 lean- 
 ing on my own understanding. May I cast all my 
 cares 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, 
 
59 
 
 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 testimonies 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 re- 
 moved. 
 
 Heavenly Father, give me confidence towards 
 thee in the duty of prayer. May I come to thee 
 as to a forgiving, a bountiful, a compassionate, a 
 wise, and a powerful God for thou only hast an 
 eye of pardon, a hand of plenty, a heart of pity, a 
 judgment of knowledge, and an arm of might. 
 Assure me that whosoever cometh unto thee, ihou 
 wilt in no wise cast out. Help me to ask in faith, 
 nothing wavering. 
 
 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 
 reward. 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. Thou canst make 
 even the bed of death a couch of down ; and the 
 gloomy grave the cradle of immortality. 
 
60 
 
 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. May 
 I regard its testimony as a proof of a future judg- 
 ment; when the righteous shall receive the recom- 
 pense of reward, and the wicked the retribution of 
 wo. Enable me, I pray thee, to nourish and cul- 
 ture this plant of thy hand. Show me that my 
 happiness and welfare, and the enjoyment of thy 
 life-giving countenance, will depend on the activity, 
 strength, and purity of my conscience. If the light 
 that is in me be darkness, how great is that dark- 
 ness ! 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 justify ing 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 testi- 
 monies, 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." 
 
61 
 
 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 I 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 hy- 
 pocrisy. 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 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. 
 Permit me not to act so that the way of truth may 
 be evil spoken of; nor that the friends of the gospel 
 may be ashamed of me. Suffer not my vows to be 
 as the fitful wind; nor my devotions as the chang- 
 ing cloud ; nor my hopes as the early dew. I be- 
 seech thee to give me strength to cleave to thy 
 service, steadfastly, in penury and in plenty, in per- 
 secution and in peace. May my light shine in evil 
 report, and in good report. And, Lord, let it be 
 as the path of the just, which shineth more and 
 more, unto the perfect day. 
 
 CONTENTMENT. 
 
 Great Sovereign of heaven and earth, thou art 
 infinitely wise and good, in all the allotments of 
 6 
 
62 
 
 thy providence. I pray thee, teach me in what- 
 ever state I am, therewith to be content. Keep me, 
 O Lord, from envy, from avarice, from ambition, 
 from anxiety, and from murmuring. May I remem- 
 ber 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 full, 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 satis- 
 fied in the midst of losses and afflictions. May I 
 be ever ready to say " 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 I complain? t 
 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 
 
63 
 
 where the righteous ohtain joy and gladness, and 
 where murmuring and sorrow shall flee away for- 
 ever. 
 
 CONTRITION. 
 
 thou that hearest and answerest prayer, grant 
 me, for Christ's sake, that contrite heart, which in 
 thy sight is of great 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. 
 Give me a deep consciousness that I deserve the 
 curse of that law which I have violated. Lord, 1 
 would acknowledge my transgressions : O may my 
 sins be ever before me. 
 
 1 thank thee for thy promise, that thou wilt dwell 
 with him that is of an humble and contrite heart. 
 Thou desirest not sacrifice ; else would I give it. 
 Thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sa- 
 crifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a 
 contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Pre- 
 pare my heart for thine abode. According unto the 
 multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out all my 
 transgressions. Create 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. 
 
 CONVERSATION. 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. Cf do thou fasten on my 
 
64 
 
 mind, abiding convictions that the carnal mind is 
 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 regeneration, 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 repent- 
 ance unto life, and the earnest of that Spirit whereby 
 they are sealed until the day of redemption. 
 
 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, temper- 
 ance, patience, godliness, 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 ever- 
 lasting 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 mi 
 sery, I have had my mind enlightened in the know- 
 
65 
 
 ledge of thee, my will renewed, and have been 
 persuaded and enabled to embrace thee, as thou art 
 freely offered in the gospel. Let me not be satis- 
 fied with the form of godliness, without its life-giv- 
 ing power. Search me, O Lord, and try me ; and 
 see if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in 
 the way everlasting. Make me watchful against 
 temptation ; quick to retrace my way when I fall 
 into evil ; ready to confess my trespasses ; and 
 earnest in purposes of new obedience. Create 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 inheritance 
 among them that are sanctified. Vouchsafe unto 
 me, I pray thee, the testimony of thy Spirit, that 
 I 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 will- 
 ing that any should perish, but that all should come 
 to repentance. O lead many to inquire what they 
 must do to be saved. Show them that they who 
 are in the flesh cannot please God. Set before them 
 distinctly, life and good ; death and evil. May thy 
 law be a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ, that 
 they may be justified by faith. Persuade them to 
 believe in that only name by which sinners can be 
 saved. May they be born again, not of corruptible 
 seed, but of incorruptible ; by the word of God, 
 which liveth and abideth forever, 
 6* 
 
66 
 
 COUNT RY. 
 
 Lord, the kingdom is thine, and thou art the Go- 
 vernor among the nations. I thank thee, Great 
 Ruler, that the lines have fallen to me in pleasant 
 places ; and that I have a goodly heritage. Imbue 
 my heart with a Christian patriotism, which will take 
 pleasure in every token of my country's real wel- 
 fare. May I love it as the place of my home, my 
 sustenance, my protection, and my civil and reli- 
 gious privileges. I would rejoice in its length and 
 breadth, fitting it for the ample support of a teeming 
 population in its plenteous products, crowning the 
 year with goodness in its works of art, binding it 
 in unity, and facilitating its commerce, and increas- 
 ing its opulence. I would praise thee for its schools 
 of knowledge, scattering instruction through every 
 class of its inhabitants for its happy form of go- 
 vernment which has made it (though deeply dis- 
 honoured by one form of tyranny) a beacon light to 
 other countries, and the refuge of the oppressed and 
 the home of the free and for its banner of peace, 
 sheltering it from from foes without, and preserving 
 it from enemies within. But, above all, I thank 
 thee that it is a land of Bibles, of Sabbaths, of sanc- 
 tuaries, and of gospel light. 
 
 But, O Lord, if guilt be measured by the number 
 and value of abused mercies, then has this nation a 
 most fearful reckoning with thee. Reprove this 
 people, and set their sins in order before them. Lo ! 
 thy Sabbaths, which thou hast given to be a sign 
 between thee and us, are polluted. Because of 
 swearing the land mourneth. This people have 
 loved the gain of oppression and treachery ; and 
 have spoiled both the stranger and the native. When 
 
67 
 
 thou hast fed them to the full, then they committed 
 adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the 
 harlots' houses. Multitudes have loved the cup of 
 drunkenness ; until our name has been a reproach 
 among the nations. Our transgressions, O Lord, 
 are multiplied before thee ; and our sins testify 
 against us : and thou hast a controversy with this 
 nation. 
 
 Yet, Gracious One, take not the weapons of thine 
 indignation, to destroy us. Make us not as Admah : 
 set us not as Zeboim. For the sake of its righteous, 
 let thy repentings be kindled together ; for there is 
 a remnant who have not bowed the knee to Baal ; 
 and wbo sigh and cry for the abominations that are 
 done in the midst of us. May thy Church be our 
 safety. Thou hast said, that if the wicked repent, 
 and turn themselves from all their transgressions, 
 iniquity shall not be their ruin. O may we loose 
 all our bands of wickedness ; and then shall our 
 light break forth as the morning ; and our health 
 spring forth speedily : our righteousness shall go 
 before us ; and the glory of the Lord shall be our 
 re re- ward. 
 
 Lord, bless this country. Cover it with plenty. 
 Secure to all its inhabitants just and equal laws. 
 Let them that rule over us, rule in the fear of the 
 Lord ; justifying the righteous and condemning the 
 wicked. Let peace dwell in all our borders. Put 
 the keys of knowledge into every hand. Sanctify 
 all our prosperity. Let the blessings of religion 
 reach every household and every heart. Honour 
 this people by employing them as chief instruments 
 in giving to every nation the grace that bringeth 
 salvation. Be thou our God, and we will be thy 
 people ! 
 
68 
 
 COURAGE. 
 
 Lord, enable me to add to faith, Christian forti- 
 tude. May I 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 between 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 ; re- 
 membering 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 ; 
 for I am not called to wrestle against flesh and blood, 
 merely ; but against principalities and powers ; 
 against spiritual wickedness in high places. Great 
 Captain of Salvation, give me the girdle of truth, 
 the breastplate 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. Grant that when the time of my de- 
 parture is at hand, I may have the consoling confi- 
 dence, that I have fought a good fight, and that 
 death shall be swallowed up in victory! 
 
 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 this everlasting covenant, even the sure 
 
69 
 
 mercies of David. Call me with a holy calling; 
 not according to works, but according to thy pur 
 pose, which was given in Christ Jesus before the 
 world began; 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 adoption of thy children, wherein thou makest 
 them accepted in the Beloved. 
 
 Lord, assist me to remember and keep all my en- 
 gagements to thee. In the silence of retirement 
 and communion with thee in the acts of social 
 and public prayer in the hearing of thy word and 
 the singing of thy praise and in the solemn sacra- 
 ment, where thy saints subscribe with the hand unto 
 the Lord I have again and again pledged myself 
 unto thee. My vows are written in my conscience, 
 and in the book of thy remembrance. Help me, I 
 beseech thee, to shun all that I promised to forsake : 
 help me, I pray thee, to perform all that I promised 
 to do. 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 
 exposed while they refuse to forsake their trans- 
 
70 
 
 gressions. 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 pardon and acceptance. And grant that 
 they may enjoy a union with him as close and 
 fruitful as the branch which abideth in the vine. 
 
 COVETOUS NESS. 
 
 Preserve me, Great Helper, from the vice of 
 covetousness, which is idolatry. O let me not 
 worship filthy lucre, instead of the living God. May 
 I remember 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 together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. 
 Let me not dishonour my faith in thee, nor blight 
 my spiritual comfort, 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 inordinate 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 trea- 
 sures on earth, but in heaven ; where moth and rust 
 
71 
 
 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 
 crippled her energies. How long, Blessed Saviour, 
 shall they, 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 grasp- 
 ings of avarice, those daring speculations and greedy 
 monopolies, which are the offspring of pride, and 
 the fountains of 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 people, O Lord, to active and un- 
 wearying benevolence. As thou hast made them 
 the stewards of thy multiplied mercies, let none 
 forget to do good, and to communicate ; for with 
 such sacrifices thou art well pleased. 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 thrones or dominions, or 
 principalities, 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 do- 
 minion over the creatures. But man being in honour 
 abode not. He fell from that holy and happy estate, 
 
72 
 
 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, redeem the works of thy 
 power from their degeneracy. 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. The heavens declare thy glory, and 
 the firmament showeth thy handy-work. Day unto 
 day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth 
 knowledge. There is no speech nor language where 
 their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out 
 through all the earth ; and their words to the end 
 of the world ! All thy works praise thee. O let 
 my tongue and my soul join the chorus of creation ; 
 and praise thee in songs of rejoicing, and in new- 
 ness of life. 
 
 Great God, make me thoughtful of the truth, that 
 the heavens and earth, which are now, are kept in 
 store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, 
 and perdition of ungodly men. Seeing then that 
 all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of 
 person ought I to be, in all holy conversation and 
 godliness looking for and hasting unto the coming 
 of the day of God ; wherein the heavens, being on 
 fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt 
 with fervent heat ? Nevertheless, may I, according 
 to thy promise, look for new heavens and a new 
 earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 
 
73 
 
 DAILY BREAD. 
 
 Gracious God, I would bless thee that thou carest 
 for the wants of this perishing body ; and that thou 
 permittest me to ask thee for my daily bread. Herein 
 thou hast shown both thy condescension and thy 
 love ; and hast taught me my dependence on thee, 
 and warned me against undue anxiety respecting 
 the future. I confess before thee, that I am prone 
 to neglect the duty of desiring and seeking, as the 
 gifts of thy hands, my food, and all my temporal 
 comforts. And in receiving them, how often do I 
 fail to acknowledge thy providing and nourishing 
 goodness ! O lead me constantly to look to thee, as 
 willing to give to all their meat in due season ; and 
 dispose me to receive always thy benefits with hu- 
 mility and thanksgiving. 
 
 Lord, suffer not my appetite to crave luxury. 
 May I seek such provision as will recruit and 
 strengthen my body. Let my steadfast desire be, 
 that I may be fitted by thy sustaining mercies, for 
 thy service : so that whether I eat or drink, I may 
 do all to the glory of God. 
 
 Teach me, for Jesus' sake, that man liveth not 
 by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth 
 out of the mouth of God. Let me esteem thy 
 words more than my necessary food. Let me not 
 take thought what I shall eat or drink, or where- 
 withal I shall be clothed ; but cause me to seek first 
 thy righteousness ; and all these things shall be 
 added unto me. Lord, feed me with heavenly manna 
 Give me the Bread of Life ; that I may eat and live 
 forever. 
 
 7 
 
74 
 
 DEAF AND DUMB. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee that thou hast given me ears 
 to hear, and a tongue to speak. Increase, I pray 
 thee, my gratitude for these invaluable blessings ; 
 and dispose me to use them for my best good and for 
 thy glory. 
 
 Gracious Parent, look in mercy on thy children, 
 to whom thou hast given ears that know no sound, 
 and tongues that have no speech. I bless thee that 
 thou hast so directed the benevolence of the humane, 
 that schemes have been devised, which have re- 
 stored, in part, to these unfortunate and dependent 
 creatures, by the language of signs, the gift of 
 speech ; and that they have been led to the fountains 
 of precious knowledge, and taught useful arts. If 
 it please thee, O let the science of man, in the mul- 
 titude of its discoveries, find a remedy that will 
 cause the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Yet, 
 if thy wisdom deny this prayer, give perfection and 
 universal use to the plans invented for the benefit 
 of deaf mutes. 
 
 Lord, though thou hast stopped their ears to the 
 language of man, do thou speak to them in the 
 whispers of thy Spirit. Though thou hast denied 
 to them the utterance of words, do thou give their 
 hearts a voice of praise. Grant, O God, that many 
 of them may be prepared for that kingdom, where 
 the blemishes and defects of human nature, shall be 
 exchanged for the beauty and perfection of the 
 spiritual life. 
 
 DEATH. 
 
 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 
 
75 
 
 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 
 number my days, that I may apply my heart unto 
 wisdom. Make me to know my end, and the mea- 
 sure of my days, that I may learn how frail I am. 
 Lord, what is my life ? It is a vapour that appear- 
 eth 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 forever. 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 so- 
 journing 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 niy 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 
 promises, that while I look upon the earthly house 
 of this tabernacle, as one that must be dissolved, I 
 may rejoice 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 comfort me : and when my heart and 
 flesh fail, be thou the strength of my heart, and my 
 
76 
 
 portion forever. Let me die the death of the righte- 
 ous, and let my last end be like his. 
 
 Lord, fix the thoughts of the impenitent on that 
 great event in their history, when the last fibres of 
 life are breaking; and the soul, fluttering on the 
 verge of eternity, looks back on the familiar scenes 
 of earth with keen remorse, and forward on the un- 
 known future with acute despair. May they now 
 inquire, " How shall my heart endure, or my 
 hands be strong, in the day when thou wilt deal 
 with me ?" Persuade them to make their peace 
 with thee now ; and then amid the strife of dissolu- 
 tion, thou wilt soothe their tender consciences with 
 the assurance of pardoned sin, and cheer their faint- 
 ing hearts with the hope of glory. 
 
 Look in mercy, I pray thee, on those who are 
 encompassed 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 fore- 
 tastes 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 con- 
 sistent with the life or death of the departed, let 
 them not sorrow as those who have no hope ; but 
 look forward 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 cove- 
 
77 
 
 nant. 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 putting off to a more convenient season, the 
 things which belong to my everlasting peace. May 
 I learn that now is thine accepted time for the dis- 
 charge of duty, and this the day of that salvation 
 which makes thy saints willing subjects of thy 
 power. Teach me that there are no neutrals in thy 
 dominion : and that 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, unmovable, 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 mo- 
 ment at the expense of thy bounty. I am full of 
 wants, without 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 conviction of my subjection to thee as shall 
 keep me from resting on an arm of flesh, and lead 
 7* 
 
78 
 
 me to trust in the living God. In the hour of pros- 
 perity, 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 blessed be thy name, 
 thy Spirit helpeth my infirmities ; and thy strength 
 is made perfect in my weakness. 
 
 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 encom- 
 pass 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, through the merits of Jesus Christ, 
 that when I 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, 
 redeeming 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 king- 
 dom of God. Let noC mine be the doom of that 
 servant who hid his master's talent in the earth. 
 
79 
 
 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 ; remembering my accountability 
 to thee, the importance of the trusts thou hast re- 
 posed in me, the shortness of human life, and the 
 abundant rewards thou hast promised 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 run 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 re- 
 lates 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, suffer 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 
 
80 
 
 me that thy mercy endureth forever. 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 sea- 
 son of trial. Say unto me, when accused by a 
 guilty conscience " Come, let us reason together: 
 though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as 
 white as snow : though they be red, like crimson, 
 they shall be as wool." Dissipate my fears, and 
 give me an assurance of an interest in thy favour, 
 and of acceptance in thy sight, through the right- 
 eousness of Christ. Grant me thy blessed Com- 
 forter, that I may have joy in the Holy Ghost. 
 Cheer me by thy gracious promises, which are Yea 
 and Amen in Christ Jesus. Give me, Lord, 
 beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and 
 the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 
 Let my light rise in my obscurity, and my darkness 
 be as the noonday. Cause thy righteousness to 
 go before me, and thy glory to be my re re- ward ! 
 
 DUELING. 
 
 Lord, I would mourn before thee that man still 
 imbrues, in single combat, his hand in the blood 
 of his fellow-man. O, thou seest that many hearts, 
 which were cherished in the social and family circle ; 
 many lives, which were valuable in the public ser- 
 vice ; and many souls, whose redemption was pre- 
 cious have been periled and cast away in these 
 barbarous rencounters. Lord, wilt thou not utterly 
 subvert that merciless code of honour, which com- 
 bines folly and cowardice, madness and malice, sui- 
 cide and murder ? Do thou bring against this 
 presumptuous and heaven-daring sin, a flood-tide 
 
81 
 
 of public opinion. Let the pulpit, the press, the 
 forum, and every circle of influence, speak out with 
 a condemning voice. Cause the blood that has 
 been spilt in this unrighteousness, to cry from the 
 ground against it. May every principal and every 
 accessory to it, be regarded in society, and treated 
 in law, as murderers. Let the terrors of an aveng- 
 ing Jehovah startle the fears and quell the violence 
 of every one that would lift up his hand against his 
 brother. 
 
 Lord, make the statutes of the land and the law 
 of God the umpires in all the collisions between 
 man and man. Let humility, forbearance, and love, 
 supplant pride, insult, and revenge. And grant, I 
 pray thee, that the balmy atmosphere of peace may 
 encircle the whole earth. 
 
 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 obedi- 
 ence to thy revealed will. Help me, I pray thee, 
 to discharge 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 dili- 
 
82 
 
 gent use of all the outward and ordinary means 
 whereby Christ communicates unto us the benefits 
 of redemption. May I Avork 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 fel- 
 low-creatures. May my conduct to them be governed 
 by that spirit of charity which excludes anger, re- 
 venge, censoriousness, prejudice, injury, and op- 
 pression. Make me averse to injure the feelings, 
 persons, property and character of any. May I 
 delight in the happiness of others. Make my heart 
 a well-spring of sympathy, compassion, and libe- 
 rality ; and lead me to spend cheerfully my pro- 
 perty, my time, and, if needs be, my life, in works 
 of mercy and justice. Enable me to fulfil all my 
 relations as a superior, 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.] 
 
83 
 
 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 the young 
 to remember thee ; and hast given thy promise that 
 those who seek thee early shall find thee. Our 
 blessed 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.' 1 Lord, thy church, in every age, but es- 
 pecially 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 multiply greatly 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, ex- 
 posed 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 ; of ^death and judgment ; of 
 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 
 
84 
 
 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, that they knew thy will, but did 
 it not. O may their privileges be to them as the 
 small rain upon the tender 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 pow- 
 ers in wisdom and holiness, that I 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- 
 
85 
 
 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 hang 
 over the minds of the great 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 
 and unfailing streams that will make glad the city 
 of our God. 
 
 Father in Heaven, preserve my heart from the 
 baneful dominion of envy. Teach me its exceed- 
 ing sinfulness, and show me that if I indulge in it, 
 it will be a fountain of unhappiness to myself, and 
 of mischief to my fellows ; while it will bring down 
 on me thy heavy displeasure. Lord, let me not be 
 jealous of the gifts, or advantages, or success of 
 others. Let me not be envious of the prosperity 
 of the wicked, whose eyes stand out with fatness, 
 and who have more than heart could wish : surely 
 thou hast set them in slippery places ! Though a 
 sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be pro- 
 longed ; yet may I be assured it will be well only 
 with them that fear the Lord. 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. 
 8 
 
86 
 
 Lord, make me content with thy will ; and so shall 
 my heart rejoice in thy ways for evermore. 
 
 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. Keep me from the way of 
 the wicked, which is as darkness ; and who know 
 not at what they stumble. Lead me to do thy will, 
 that I may know of every doctrine whether it be 
 of God. O let not ignorance cloud my understand- 
 ing ; nor prejudice warp my judgment ; nor interest 
 stifle my conscience ; nor sin fetter my will : but 
 do thou enable me to detect, 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 
 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 ; break the fetters of 
 Infidelity ; 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 come. Thou 
 hast made me in the image of thine own eternity, 
 
87 
 
 with powers that are capable of eternal progress in 
 holiness, knowledge, and happiness or in sin, 
 error, and wo : and thou hast 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 enduring 
 the fellowship of the wicked bathing in the foun- 
 tain 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 
 prepare for eternity that there is but a step between 
 me and death and that according to my character 
 then, will be my destiny forever. 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. [_See 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 
 
88 
 
 ending ; which is, and which was, and which is to 
 come ; with whom the past, the present, and the 
 future are one eternal NOW. Thou hast life in thy- 
 self; and all thy creatures have their being in thee. 
 Heaven and earth shall perish, but thou shalt en- 
 dure : 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 forever. 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 forever. 
 
 Great Sovereign, it has pleased thee, in the un- 
 searchable purposes of thy wisdom, to permit sick- 
 ness and pain, misfortune and misery, death and 
 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 am persuaded that thou art controlling and 
 overruling every evil thing for the accomplishment 
 of thy great designs. 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, 
 
89 
 
 grace and its blessings may much more abound. 
 Father in Heaven, restore, I pray thee, this earth to 
 the happiness and purity of its first creation. Re- 
 move every thing that would mar the peace and ho- 
 liness of mankind : and grant that as sin has reigned 
 unto death, even so may grace reign, through 
 righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ, 
 our Lord. 
 
 EXAMPLE. 
 
 Lord, make me understand the good and evil in- 
 fluences 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 unfruitful 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 
 perverse 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 
 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, alight 
 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 
 8* 
 
90 
 
 shall I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners 
 shall be converted unto thee. 
 
 Lord remove every deformity and repair every 
 defect in my character; and mould my temper and 
 conduct according to the image of the Saviour ; who 
 has left us an example, that we should follow in his 
 steps. Make me a partaker of his holiness, that I 
 may escape the corruption that is in the world ; and 
 that when he shall appear, I may be like him, and 
 see him as he is. 
 
 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 an index, referring 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 de- 
 nied thee. Grant that I may not only believe that 
 thou art, but that thou art the re warder 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. [_See ATHEISM.] 
 
 FAITH. 
 
 Lord, increase my faith. I would believe : help 
 thou mine unbelief. Give me unwavering trust in 
 thee as infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in all 
 thine attributes. Cause me to repose with implicit 
 confidence in thy purposes and dispensations to- 
 
01 
 
 wards thy creatures. Enable me to confide all my 
 interests, for time and eternity, to thy keeping. Be 
 thou, O God, the strength of my heart, and my 
 portion forever ! 
 
 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 ex- 
 amples, 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. 
 
 Heavenly Father, excite my trust in thee by the 
 examples of the saints, who by faith wrought 
 righteousness, obtained promises, and out of weak- 
 ness were made strong. Wherefore seeing that I 
 am compassed about with so great a cloud of wit- 
 nesses, may I also, for the joy set before me, en- 
 dure the cross, and run my race with patience, 
 striving against sin. 
 
 Lord, enable me to exercise faith in prayer. Give 
 me an abiding conviction, that thou art the rewarder 
 of all that diligently seek thee. May I ask of thee 
 the things that are according to thy will, trusting 
 
92 
 
 that I shall receive them. May I knock at the door 
 of thy mercy, believing that thou wilt open unfo 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 ; for as the body without the spirit is dead, 
 so faith without works is dead also. May I add to 
 it virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godli- 
 ness, 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 covenants 
 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 walk 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 
 off 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 
 
93 
 
 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 
 injurious to my own or my neighbour's good name. 
 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 controlling 
 desire to do thy will, which requires truth in the 
 inward parts. O renew my spirit in the likeness of 
 thy Son ; who did no sin, neither was guile found 
 in his mouth. 
 
 FAMILIES. 
 
 Lord, bless all the households of the earth. Thou 
 art worthy to be praised for the institution of the 
 family relation, in which thou hast blended the 
 sweet influences of support and dependence, pro- 
 tection and control, love and obedience ; which are 
 essential to the comfort and virtue of individual be- 
 ing, and the safety and purity of social life. Fulfil, 
 I pray thee, all the purposes of mercy thou hadst 
 in view, in the establishment of the domestic con- 
 stitution ; and do thou make all the homes of earth 
 households of piety. 
 
94 
 
 Lord, let mutual attachment, counsel, and assist- 
 ance, and love to God, be the bonds of union be- 
 tween every husband and wife. Give to parents an 
 adequate sense of the responsibility thou hast laid 
 on them, to train up their offspring in knowledge, 
 industry, and virtue. Cause them to teach thy words 
 diligently to their children ; and to talk of thy sta- 
 tutes when they sit in their house, when they walk 
 by the way, when they lie down, and when they 
 rise up. Show them that the rod and reproof give 
 wisdom ; but a child, left to himself, bringeth shame. 
 Make them wise to discern, and faithful to execute, 
 those measures, which will secure, with thy bless- 
 ing, domestic happiness and piety. O let an altar, 
 for daily sacrifice, be raised in every dwelling, to 
 consecrate its pleasures, and to obtain thy favour. 
 
 Heavenly Father, dispose children everywhere to 
 obey their parents, in the Lord. Let them not, by 
 unkindness and disobedience, bring shame or sor- 
 row to the hearts of fathers and mothers ; nor draw 
 down disgrace or misery on their own heads. 
 Though they can never requite the care and labour 
 that have been bestowed on them ; yet may they by 
 reverent affection and dutiful service, minister to the 
 comfort and well-being of their parents. And O 
 do thou gladden the hearts of such, by bringing 
 their offspring into the adoption of the sons of God. 
 
 Lord, cause the relations of brothers and sisters 
 to be distinguished by forbearance, conciliation, as- 
 sistance, and love : and let all their reciprocal ties 
 be purified and cemented by the friendship of him 
 that sticketh closer than a brother. 
 
 O do thou secure for those that are servants, 
 justice and kindness from their superiors. Teach 
 them the duties of their station ; and incline them to 
 
95 
 
 discharge every lawful labour with cheerful fidelity. 
 Make them realize thine own claims on their obe- 
 dience ; and incline them to fulfil, with all their 
 strength, the service of their heavenly Master. 
 
 Gracious God, make the domestic circle the dwell- 
 ingplace of every thing that is pure, and lovely, 
 and of good report. Make it the cradle of the 
 household of faith, and the nursery of the brother- 
 hood of glory. 
 
 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 
 enjoyed thy favour. Lord, make it the intelligent 
 service 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 my worldly desires into 
 subjection to the immortal 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 clearness and vigour of my 
 mind. Grant that it may assist me to forsake sel- 
 fishness 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 
 undefined religion, which shall pervade all the courts 
 
96 
 
 of Zion, and be the means of adding to her many 
 of such as shall be saved. 
 
 F ATHE RS. 
 
 Heavenly Parent, let the hearts of the fathers be 
 turned to the children, lest thou come and smite the 
 earth with a curse. Lord, instruct those to whom 
 thou hast intrusted the paternal relation, in all the 
 duties which are incumbent upon them. Teach 
 them that their primary and essential qualification 
 is personal piety, of an elevated and controlling 
 character. Make them deeply conscious of the ne- 
 cessity of prayer, in enabling them to realize their 
 responsibilities, in preparing them to meet their 
 duties, and in securing thy favour on their efforts. 
 Convince them of the unspeakable importance of 
 continual uprightness, that their example may be 
 pure in the eyes, and influential on the hearts, of 
 their offspring. Make them understand the value 
 of that power of control, which having wisely as- 
 certained, and fixed the rules of obedience, requires 
 strict compliance with them. Let them seek to 
 gain not only an outward submission to their com- 
 mands, but to bring the will into a cheerful and ha- 
 bitual obedience to their authority. Persuade them 
 that though folly is bound up in the heart of a child, 
 the rod of correction will drive it far from him. 
 May the spirit of prudent love be the governing 
 impulse in all their paternal dealings, whether of 
 rewards or punishments ; and let neither sinful in- 
 dulgence, nor cruel revenge, dictate the measures 
 of their government. Cause them to observe a 
 steady uniformity of discipline, which shall be 
 known to all the household as the law of the family. 
 Give them that constant watchfulness, which will 
 
97 
 
 seek to avert every danger, and obtain every good. 
 Make them anxiously careful respecting the asso- 
 ciates of their children ; for he that walketh with 
 the wise shall be wise ; but the companion of fools 
 shall be destroyed. May they train them up in such 
 employments as shall suit their characters, and make 
 them useful to themselves and society. Let them 
 labour in honesty, to make competent provision for 
 their households. Dispose them to give their cordial 
 co-operation to every judicious scheme which mo- 
 thers, in the discharge of their duties, may endeavour 
 to execute. Let the intellectual education of their 
 youth be an object of constant solicitude and atten- 
 tion. And, Lord, let every measure of their con- 
 duct be auxiliary to the desire and effort, that the 
 souls of their offspring may be saved. 
 
 O God, convince fathers that character is formed 
 in the earliest stages of life that they are responsi- 
 ble to their children, to their country, and to God, for 
 the impress that is given to the juvenile mind and 
 that the influences they set in motion, will go down 
 from generation to generation, and have no limits, 
 even in the results of eternity ! Lord, who is suf- 
 ficient for these things ? Thou givest power to the 
 faint ; and to them that have no might, thou in- 
 creasest strength. Lo, their sufficiency is of God! 
 
 FEAR. 
 
 Lord, grant that my heart may always be influ- 
 enced by that fear of thee, which is the beginning 
 of wisdom ; and which is a fountain of life that is 
 clean, enduring forever. 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 Math the confi- 
 dence of a child. May it lead me to avoid thy dis- 
 9 
 
98 
 
 pleasure 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 
 makes record of all their transgressions. May 
 they learn 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 T am 
 a follower of that which is good ? Grant me cou- 
 rage 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. 
 
 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 suffereth long, and is still 
 kind. Fix permanently in my mind, the example 
 of Christ, who also suffered for us, that we should 
 follow 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 dis- 
 
99 
 
 cretion 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 forbear- 
 ance 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 receiving 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 judg- 
 ment. O I am not worthy to come into thy pre- 
 sence, nor to lift 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 wrath, " Ephraim is joined to his idols, let 
 him alone." Let me not weary thy patience with 
 unfruitfulness ; lest thou pronounce thy judgment, 
 44 Cut him down : why cumbereth he the ground ?" 
 Merciful Father, grant that thy forbearance may 
 lead me to the humility of penitence, and the obe- 
 dience 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 
 
100 
 
 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 patience with them 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 throughout 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 
 prophecies and promises. I thank thee that thou 
 hast granted us these testimonials of thy wisdom 
 and love to confirm our faith in thy word, and to 
 strengthen our hope in thy mercy. O grant that 
 the foretellings of thy knowledge, which are regis- 
 tered in thy word, may convince the infidel, that 
 the Bible is everlasting truth. And may all that 
 love thee, thank God, and take courage from these 
 seals of thy testimonies. 
 
 FORGIVENESS. 
 
 Almighty God, do thou so control and discipline 
 my heart, that I shall be ever ready to exercise the 
 
101 
 
 virtue of forgiveness. Though my motives and 
 character be slandered, and my property and person 
 be injured, let me not return railing for railing, nor 
 injury 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 1 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 often commit 
 offences 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 may offend or injure. Permit not false 
 shame nor pride to keep me from acknowledging 
 my errors and transgressions. May I 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. Make 
 me willing, under every injury, to pray " Lord, 
 lay not this sin to their charge." [See PARDON.] 
 9* 
 
102 
 
 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 de- 
 corate my person, my family, my house, or my 
 table, with unbecoming, or dishonest, or luxurious 
 expenditure. O let not this reproach, so common 
 in the church, rest on me, that I spend more on my 
 selfishness, than the amount of the tithes I bring into 
 thy storehouse. Convince me that an immoderate 
 use of thy bounties is inconsistent with peace of 
 mind, health of body, and enjoyment of thy fa- 
 vour. May I gather up my fragments of time and 
 property, and employ them in thy service. Lord, 
 dispose me to use economy and prudence in my 
 expenses, that I may thus be furnished with addi- 
 tional means of supplying the wants of the desti- 
 tute, and contributing to those objects of benevolence, 
 which promote the welfare of man and display thy 
 glory. 
 
 GAMING. 
 
 Lord, root out of every society the insidious and 
 destructive vice of gaming. Make men understand 
 its seductions, iniquities, and dangers. Teach them 
 that a sinful love of money is the spring that throws 
 open the heart to its lures ; and that while it pro- 
 mises plenty and joy, it is gently drawing its 
 thoughtless victims into the magic circles of its 
 destroying whirlpool. Show them that it is the 
 destroyer of every virtue, and the patron of every 
 transgression. Reverence, truth, honesty, peace, 
 and purity sicken and perish before it : while pro- 
 
103 
 
 fanity, falsehood, fraud, contention, and lust, spring 
 up and flourish in its pathway. O how has hope 
 been blasted, abundance impoverished, character 
 ruined, and souls destroyed by this legate of Satan. 
 Nor, alas, have the victims suffered alone : for 
 they have dragged down with them into penury 
 and sorrow, those that were bound to them with 
 ties, which their fall could not break. 
 
 Merciful God, preserve the young from this vice. 
 Let those who control this class consider whether 
 what seem to be innocent games of chance, are not 
 laying the foundation, in their pliant minds, for that 
 love of play which has filled with countless wrecks 
 this vortex of ruin. Have mercy on those who are 
 floating on its deceptive currents. Turn them back 
 from the error of their ways. Let him that stole, 
 steal no more ; but rathr let him labour, working 
 with his hands the thing which is good. Make the 
 gamester a reproach in every circle of decency : 
 and let the moral and good shrink from his fellow- 
 ship as from the contagion of death. Do thou make 
 honest industry honourable everywhere : and per- 
 suade him who is tempted to forsake it, that better 
 is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he 
 that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 
 
 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 : 
 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his 
 mouth ; who when he suffered threatened not, but 
 
104 
 
 committed himself to him thatjudgeth 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. Ofill 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. Thau art ever- 
 lasting in being, almighty in power, infinite in wis- 
 dom, inflexible in justice, eternal in truth, spotless 
 in holiness, and boundless in mercy. Great and 
 marvellous 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 firmament exhibiteth thy handi- 
 work : day unto day uttereth speech concerning 
 thee, and night unto night showeth knowledge of 
 thee. All thy works praise thee. But it is in the 
 person and work of our blessed Saviour, that thoa 
 hast chiefly shown the perfection of thy character, 
 for the adoration and homage of thine intelligent 
 creation. There thou didst make thy richest dis- 
 play of might and knowledge, righteousness and 
 goodness. O, thou art worthy to be held in ever- 
 lasting honour, that he who was the brightness of 
 the Father's glory, and the express image of his 
 person, was made flesh, and dwelt with us, being 
 in all points tempted as we are ; and when he had 
 filled up the measure of his reproach and perse*- 
 
105 
 
 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. Make 
 me willing to spend my substance, my reputation, 
 my time, and my life itself, to promote the honour 
 of thy name. May I praise thee in my thoughts, 
 and with my lips, and by my life : and whether I 
 eat or drink, or whatsoever I do, may I do all to 
 the glory of God. And do thou shine into my 
 heart to give me the knowledge of thy glory, in 
 the face of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Lord, let all thy saints bless thee. Instruct them 
 that their chief end is to glorify thee. Dispose 
 them to show forth the praises of him who hath 
 called them out of darkness into his marvellous 
 light. May they meditate on thy greatness, and 
 talk of thy wondrous works, and honour thy will 
 by acts of holy obedience. Be thou admired in all 
 that believe on thee. Make them the blessed in- 
 struments 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 Adoration, Existence, Omnipre- 
 sence, 4*c. 
 
106 
 
 GODLINESS. 
 
 O Lord, vouchsafe to me, through the merit and 
 intercession of Jesus, that godliness which is pro- 
 fitable 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 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 sub- 
 mit 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 blessing ; for thou hast said that as 
 my day is, so shall my strength be. Teach me to 
 supplicate thee for thy mercies ; and let not my 
 prayer be as a lamp that has neither oil nor light. 
 Excite me, O Lord, to praise thy goodness ; for 
 thou art merciful and gracious, long-suffering 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. Grant them that piety which 
 is wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost, and 
 nurtured by communion with thee ; which is fed 
 daily by thy precious word, and made healthy and 
 
107 
 
 vigorous by active obedience to thy command- 
 ments. 
 
 May their lives be hid with Christ in God, so 
 that when Christ, who is their life, shall appear, 
 they also sftall appear with him in glory. And 
 grant, most merciful God, that all men may learn 
 that mystery of godliness ; God manifest in the 
 flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preach- 
 ed unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, re- 
 ceived 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 
 servant. Lord, keep me from thoughts and boast- 
 ings of merit : for it is not by works of righteous- 
 ness, I have done, that I shall be justified, but by 
 thy grace, through Jesus Christ, the Saviour. And 
 yet, O Lord, do them make me careful to maintain 
 good works : for thou requirest me to work that 
 which is well pleasing in thy sight ; and thou hast 
 an infinite right to my service, as my 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 springe th 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 righteous- 
 ness. Teach me, Lord, that whatsoever a man 
 
108 
 
 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 
 everlasting. I pray thee, therefore, let me not be 
 weary in well-doing" ; for in due season I shall 
 reap, if I faint not. [_8ee DUTY ANI> USEFULNESS.] 
 
 GOODNESS OF GOD. 
 
 Bless the Lord, O rny 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 goodness, and thy paths drop fat- 
 ness. Thou hast shown thy mercy in thy for- 
 bearance ; for if thou didst mark iniquity, who 
 could stand? Yea, thou art long-suffering, and art 
 not willing that any should perish, but that all 
 should come to repentance. But thou hast ex- 
 hibited 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 salvation and in the 
 bestowment of that Comforter, whose ministrations 
 are life, because of righteousness. Even our afflic- 
 tions have been blessings in disguise : for thou hast 
 
109 
 
 chastened us for our profit, that \ve might be par- 
 takers of thy holiness : and though thy chastenings 
 seemed not to be joyous, but grievous, yet after- 
 wards they worked the peaceable fruits of right- 
 eousness. 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 doth 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, O Lord, to 
 imitate 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 
 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 won- 
 derful works to the children of men. His goodness 
 eudureth continually, and his mercy is everlasting. 
 Lord let thine abundant grace, through the thanks- 
 giving of many, redound to thy glory. Amen. 
 
 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 tidinsrs of great 
 
 10 
 
110 
 
 joy for all people. I would praise thee that thon 
 ilidst send it in due time, in all its fulness of grace 
 and truth, life and immortality. It was not because 
 we deserved 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, I 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. I bless thy name that it has 
 brought light for the benighted ; joy for the mourner; 
 liberty for the captive ; rest for the heavy-laden ; 
 plenty for the destitute : pardon for the condemned ; 
 purity for the unholy ; life for the dead ; and the hope 
 of salvation for the heirs of perdition ! 
 
 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 ungodli- 
 ness, and to live righteously in thy sight. Make it 
 the instrument of building me up in saving know- 
 ledge, holy love, and willing obedience, to the praise 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 O God, make the impenitent feel that they can- 
 not escape thy wrath, if they neglect this great sal- 
 vation. May it bring them, from being strangers 
 and foreigners, to be fellow-citizens of the house- 
 hold of faith. May it turn their carnal minds from 
 their enmity unto peace with God, and release them, 
 
Ill 
 
 being justified by failh, 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 the*m to stand 
 fast in the liberty wherewith thou makest thy ser- 
 vants 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 convincing and converting sinners. Strengthen 
 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 willing 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 godli- 
 ness. May I remember that the powers that be are 
 ordained 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 man- 
 kind. O do thou make every rule of administra- 
 tion throughout the world, conform to thy benevo- 
 lent 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 righteous- 
 ness. Let our lawgivers be men that fear God and 
 
112 
 
 hate covetousness. Though thou canst make the 
 wrath of tyrants to praise thee ; yet do thou so order 
 the means and ohjects of human government, that 
 thy glory may be advanced by the holiness and hap- 
 piness 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 
 exalteth a nation ; while sin is a reproach to any 
 people. Deal not with us according to our trans- 
 gressions. 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 new heavens and a new earth, wherein 
 dwelleth righteousness! [_See COUNTRY.] 
 
 GRACE. 
 
 Lord, enable me, through the adorable Redeemer, 
 to know, and value, and possess the exceeding riehes 
 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 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 
 
113 
 
 Christ, in the enjoyments of heaven forever. Show 
 me, O Lord, that Jesus is the mediator of this bless- 
 ing : 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 de- 
 struction of thy rebel creatures ; but thou hast 
 chosen, in thy niercy, 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 righteous- 
 ness, 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 habitual in- 
 dustry 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 be- 
 ing 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. Animate my heart 
 with supreme love to God, and impartial love to 
 man. Give me an increasing purity of motive, 
 strength of principle, abasement of self, and loath- 
 ing of sin. Turn me from every wrong pursuit, 
 10* 
 
114 
 
 and lead me into every right way. 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. 
 Enable me to go from strength to strength ; and do 
 thou change me from glory to glory. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, cause thy grace to dwell 
 richly in the hearts of all thy people. May they 
 watch unto prayer against anger y pride, and covet- 
 ousness ; against ambition, censoriousness, and 
 impurity. May they look diligently, lest any fail 
 of the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness 
 springing 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 feel- 
 ings ; lead them to pant after thee, as the hart pant- 
 eth after the water-brooks, 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, forever. 
 
 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 record of thy mercy. 
 Thou hast given me the blessings of health and 
 peace, food and clothing, home and friends, pro tec- 
 
115 
 
 tion 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 re- 
 belled 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 complete 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. 
 Show me the enormity of my sinfulness, which has 
 made me blind to thy love, forgetful of thy favour, 
 and thankless for thy mercy : and grant me deeper 
 impressions of that benevolence, which though thus 
 abused, has still waited to be gracious. Give me 
 such views of thy loving-kindness, and of my own 
 utter unworthiness, as shall lead me to magnify con- 
 tinually 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 obedience. 
 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. 
 
116 
 
 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 
 them, by the allurements of thy love, to a godly 
 sorrow for sin, a cordial faith in the atonement, and 
 a grateful devotion to thy cause. Make the multi- 
 tudes who are children of disobedience, the sons 
 of adoption, to the praise of the fulness of thy 
 grace. 
 
 O Lord, permit me not to be ungrateful to my 
 fellow-creatures. Thou hast been pleased so to 
 constitute our social relations, that each is depend- 
 ent on others for kindness and favour. Thou hast 
 made many of them the almoners of thy bounty to 
 me. Make my heart sensible to every benefit I re- 
 ceive 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 
 forward 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 
 
117 
 
 out we must say to corruption, " Thou art my 
 father ;" and to the 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 that has been the charnel-house of mortality. 
 Alas, death dwells everywhere, 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 
 restingplace 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 pre- 
 sent 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 dis- 
 honour, shall be raised in glory. Lord, grant that 
 when the dead shall come forth at thy voice, mine 
 may be the resurrection of life ; that so I may be 
 openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of 
 judgment, and be made perfectly blessed in the full 
 enjoyment of God to all eternity. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant, for Christ's sake, that 
 every tomb 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. Behold thou hast made their days as 
 a hand-breadth, and their age is as nothing before 
 thee. Show them that after death cometh the judg- 
 ment, when they who have done evil, shall come 
 forth to the resurrection of damnation. O may 
 many now lay to heart the things that belong to their 
 eternal peace : and then, when Christ shall appear, 
 
118 
 
 they also shall appear with him, who is the resur- 
 rection and the life, blessed forever. 
 
 Compassionate Jehovah, thou knowest all the 
 sources of my griefs the afflictions of my body 
 the weakness and ignorance of my mind the loss 
 of cherished objects and the miseries of my sin- 
 fulness. When I look back upon my past life, how 
 do slighted mercy, neglected grace, and sinful re- 
 bellion 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 warring against the law of my mind, and 
 bringing me into captivity to the law of sin ; so that 
 I am constrained 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 un- 
 known 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 Satan, I may fall from my stead- 
 fastness. When I look around me, I find sources 
 of grief everywhere ; for the ways of Zion mourn, 
 and my heart is faint within me : I behold the trans- 
 gressors, 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, r 
 
 But, O Lord, thou knowest all my griefs ; and 
 thou canst sanctify them to me. I pray thee, soothe 
 
119 
 
 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 
 sorrow ; for they shall be comforted. Restore unto 
 me the joys of thy salvation, and uphold me by thy 
 free Spirit. Let not my soul be cast down, nor grow 
 weary of life, nor rebel against thy will. Make me 
 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, I 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 communion 
 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 thy 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 
 
120 
 
 for Christ's sake. May I seek thy favour, as the 
 source and life of every joy. Comfort me, I pray 
 thee, with a sense of thy forgiving mercy in Jesus ; 
 and, O be thou in him my reconciled God and Fa- 
 ther. Vouchsafe unto me the joys of holy commu- 
 nion with the triune God, and of faitli in thy charac- 
 ter, word, and providence. Grant me the delights 
 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 forever. 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 
 disease and pain. Lord, grant me the healthful 
 
121 
 
 exercise 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 of enabling me to grow in grace, to do 
 good, and to advance the glory of 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 trans- 
 gression. Cleanse my mind from error, and my 
 spirit from sin ; and do thou bring over my soul 
 the renovating 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 
 remember 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. 
 O how would I blush to let my most familiar friend 
 look into its hidden chambers. Dispose me, I pray 
 thee, to watch over it, lest I fall into temptation; 
 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 be- 
 seech thee, to make thee the object of its sincere, 
 unchanging, and unreserved love. 
 
 Great and Merciful God, guide and govern my 
 affections, so that they shall promote thy glory, 
 11 
 
122 
 
 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 complete 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 andjoys 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 
 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 me from all that is 
 evil, and to strengthen me in all that is good. 
 
 Merciful Father, persuade impenitent sinners to 
 give their hearts to thee. Make them feel that 
 thou hast created them for thine own ; that thou 
 hast purchased 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 forever. 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 con- 
 sciences to conviction of sin, and their souls to the 
 renewing of the Holy Ghost ; so that they may the 
 able to say, " Whom have we in heaven but thee, 
 and there is none on earth that we desire beside 
 thee." 
 
123 
 
 HEATHEN. 
 
 Blessed God, I thank thee for the rich and va- 
 rious blessings of thy gospel which I am permit- 
 ted to enjoy. O may the possesion of them remind 
 me that there are millions of my fellow-creatures, 
 as good by nature as I am, to whom tftey are de- 
 nied. Give me, I pray thee, for the merits of Je- 
 sus Christ, 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- 
 ings into such actions as shall make me an instru- 
 ment of giving them the blessings of salvation. 
 Show me that where there is no vision the people 
 perish, and that they only who call on the name of 
 the Lord shall be saved. But how shall they call 
 on him in whom they have not believed ; and how 
 shall they believe in, him of whom they have not 
 heard ? And how shall they hear without a preach- 
 er ; and how shall any preach except they be sent? 
 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, to con- 
 tribute of my substance, my labours, and my pray- 
 ers, 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 plan and execute 
 
124 
 
 every measure which will secure thy favour. Im- 
 part to all thy churches a holy and fervent mission- 
 ary spirit ; and cheer them by frequent tidings, 
 that thou art granting to the Gentiles, repentance 
 unto life. Grant that every attempt which is made 
 to spread thy gospel abroad, may result in the re- 
 vival of pure religion at home. O do thou give 
 wisdom and energy to those societies and organi- 
 zations which devise and direct missionary efforts. 
 May they be composed of men of wisdom, faith- 
 fulness, and prayer ; who shall have the confidence 
 of thy people, and the favour of God, in their un- 
 dertakings. Be pleased, O Jehovah, to raise up 
 and qualify many, who shall go forth to the be- 
 nighted, to preach the everlasting gospel. Make 
 them men of clean hands, holy hearts, and self-de- 
 nying 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 around about 
 them. Give efficacy 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 spi- 
 ritual knowledge ; and give them the pleasure of 
 seeing thy work prospering in their hands. 
 
 I bless thee for the success which has already 
 crowned the work of thy servants. O let this 
 wave-offering be the pledge of the future harvest. 
 Though it be but as a handful of corn in the earth, 
 upon the top of the mountains ; do thou cause the 
 fruit thereof to shake like Lebanon ! Bless, I pray 
 thee, those nations who have recently received the 
 gospel. Be not as a stranger in their land, and as 
 
125 
 
 a wayfaring man, that turneth aside to tarry only for 
 a night. Bear rule over them : call them by thy 
 name ; and let not thy cause suffer reproach among 
 the heathen. 
 
 Lord, look in mercy on ail who are the objects 
 of the missionary enterprise. Stay their hands 
 from cruelty to those who are sent to them with 
 the gospel 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 in- 
 ner itance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for 
 nis possession. 
 
 HE AVE N. 
 
 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 mys- 
 teries 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 Jeru- 
 salem, with an innumerable 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 heart, 
 11* 
 
 
 05178 
 
 - 
 
126 
 
 and obedience of will : and he that sitteth 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 forever 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 
 gospel ; and though the carnal eye hath 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 their 
 turning souls unto righteousness here : for then 
 
127 
 
 they shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
 and as the stars forever and ever. 
 
 Blessed Lord, convince the worldly-minded and 
 sinful, of the depraving and perishing nature of 
 temporal things ; and of the exalted and eternal 
 treasures thou hast laid up in the home of the 
 righteous. Induce 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 inheritance of the saints in light. 
 And to thy name, Father, Son, and Spirit, shall be 
 the glory of their salvation forever. 
 
 H ELL. 
 
 O Lord, give me a deep conviction of the awful 
 truth, that thou hast ordained arid fixed a place of 
 torment for all the finally impenitent a bottomless 
 pit, where there is the blackness of darkness a 
 prison, where there is weeping and gnashing of 
 teeth a lake of fire, where the smoke of their 
 torment ascendeth forever. There they will re- 
 member their ungodly deeds ; their multiplied 
 mercies ; the riches of thy long-suffering which 
 they despised; the instruction they hated; and 
 their hardness and impenitence of heart, whereby 
 they treasured unto themselves wrath against the 
 day of wrath. There they shall have cruel fel- 
 lowship 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, tribulation and an- 
 guish ! 
 
 Lord, let not my heart ever rebel against the 
 wisdom and righteousness of thy punitive justice. 
 
128 
 
 Just and true are all thy ways, thou King of 
 Saints. Teach me, O God, by the deep damna- 
 tion of the wicked, that thou hatest sin and lovest 
 holiness ; and that thou art thus promoting the 
 obedience and welfare of the universe, and sus- 
 taining 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 
 happiness, 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 dangerous ways, and of saving souls 
 from the second death. 
 
 Lord, I beseech thee, give the wicked such 
 views of the everlasting destruction awaiting the 
 unrepenting 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 ves- 
 sels of mercy, preparing for glory ; who shall be 
 kept by thy power, through faith, unto final salva- 
 
129 
 
 tion : where the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and the love of God, and the communion of the 
 Holy Ghost, which are begun on earth, shall be 
 perfected forever. 
 
 HOLINESS. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me the spirit of holi- 
 ness. 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 sa- 
 crifice, 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 is 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 
 
130 
 
 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 iniquity, and purify 
 unto himself a peculiar people. O may the hope 
 of his salvation, prompt me to purify 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 blas- 
 phemed through my transgression. Instruct me 
 that thy glory requires me to hate evil ; for thou 
 hast made thy people a holy nation, to show forth 
 the praises of him who has called them from dark- 
 ness into light. O God, make rne pure in heart ; 
 for without holiness no man shall see the Lord ; 
 and there shall in no wise enter into heaven, any 
 thing that defileth. 
 
 Lord, assist me, I beseech thee, in this great 
 duty of personal sanctification. 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 light, which shineth more and more, 
 unto the perfect day. O fill me with the fruits of 
 righteousness, 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 counte- 
 
131 
 
 nance evil in others ; and thou canst not look on 
 sin without abhorrence. Thou art angry with the 
 wicked every day, and thou wilt cast them, unless 
 they repent, into everlasting destruction. Even the 
 heavens are not clean in thy sight ; and thou 
 chargest thine angels with folly. 
 
 Blessed God, teach me the beauty of thy holiness. 
 O, it is the life and perfection of thy character. 
 Thou hast shown it in all thy ways in the works 
 of creation, which were all very good in thy provi- 
 dence, by which thou hast sought to make us par- 
 takers 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 in the work of thy Spirit, whereby 
 we are baptized unto righteousness : and thou 
 wilt show it in the awful decisions of the last day, 
 when the wicked shall go away into everlasting 
 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 
 humbly 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 
 merciful to me a sinner." Teach me that there is 
 no communion between God and unholy spirits ; 
 and that none but the pure in heart can enjoy thy 
 favour, or see thy face in righteousness. May t 
 learn more and more the excellence of the Saviour 
 whom thou hast provided for sinners : for if we 
 were not accepted 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 
 
132 
 
 that if I regard iniquity in my heart, thou wilt not 
 hear my supplications. O give me such contem- 
 plations of thy holiness as shall cajise me to die 
 unto sin and live unto righteousness. And may I, 
 beholding as in a glass its glory, be changed into 
 the same image, from glory to glory. 
 
 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 I am a child of 
 God, and seal me with that promise, which is an 
 earnest until the redemption of the purchased pos- 
 session. Be thou my comforter in sorrow, my 
 strength in weakness, my shield in temptation, my 
 teacher in ignorance, my security in joy, my leader 
 
133 
 
 in the labyrinths 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 them by fervent and believing prayer. Cause 
 them to live in continual dependence on divine in- 
 fluence, 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 
 obedience. 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 
 enabling them to accept the plan of salvation. O 
 continue and increase these manifestations of thy 
 mercy. 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 glad- 
 ness those ministrations which are life, because of 
 righteousness. O do thou convince, convert, and 
 sanctify multitudes who now live after the flesh ; 
 and do thou lead them, in the exercises of a spirit- 
 ual life, to glorify thy grace on earth, and enjoy 
 the fellowship of the Father, Son, and Spirit, in 
 heaven. 
 
 12 
 
134 
 
 HOME MISSIONS. 
 
 Great God, cause my heart to give a ready and 
 fervent response to the appeals that are made to it, 
 to send the gospel to every kindred and nation under 
 heaven : but O let it not forget, in the excitement of 
 foreign enterprises, the equally urgent, but less sti- 
 mulating, claims of the destitute in our own borders. 
 I thank thee that institutions have been organized 
 to send the heralds of the cross over the length and 
 breadth of our land, to seek out and build its waste 
 places, and to gather and feed those that are scattered 
 as sheep without a shepherd. But, Lord, show us 
 that this work is but just begun ; and that our in- 
 creasing population greatly outruns the supply of 
 the means of grace : that in many places thy precious 
 word, thy holy day, and thy sanctifying worship, 
 are not known, or are but little regarded ; while in- 
 fidelity and lewdness, profanity and intemperance, 
 Sabbath-breaking and fraud, are spreading, like in- 
 fection, throughout communities. 
 
 O let the work of domestic missions commend 
 itself to the patronage and prayers of the wise and 
 good of all classes. May the patriot regard it as 
 the prosperity of the country ; the philanthropist 
 further it as the welfare of humanity ; and the Chris- 
 tian prosecute it as the temporal and eternal well- 
 being of the people. Let those who are supplied 
 with the institutions of the gospel, gladly send them 
 to the destitute ; and let those who are without them, 
 be excited to seek, and welcome, and help to sus- 
 tain them in their midst. 
 
 God of Missions, give increased success to the 
 efforts already made in this glorious cause. Bring 
 many other labourers up to the help of the Lord, in 
 
135 
 
 the contest with ignorance, error, and vice. Esta- 
 blish a pastor in every destitute neighbourhood. Let 
 the Bible, the Sabbath, the Sunday-school, and the 
 sanctuary, dispense their riches wherever there is a 
 people in want of them. And let thine enduring 
 favour rest upon every such labour of love. 
 
 Lord, grant, for Jesus' sake, that the voice of in- 
 struction, of praise, and of prayer, may abide in 
 every city, and village, and hamlet, and household, 
 in our wide and flourishing country. 
 
 HONESTY. 
 
 Lord, dispose me to render to all their dues. Im- 
 plant such a sense of justice in my bosom, that I 
 shall willingly give to my fellow-creatures, of every 
 rank, all their lawful and moral rights. Let not sel- 
 fishness exalt itself against the dictates of integrity ; 
 nor covetousness violate the duties of uprightness. 
 Rebuke in me that love of lucre, whether it be in 
 small things or in great, which would lead me to 
 forego the demands of rectitude for the desires of 
 dishonesty. Grant me, if it seem good to thee, 
 that moderate competence, and contentment with it, 
 which will raise me above the temptations of poverty. 
 But do thou assure me, that the wealth, which 
 I sometimes covet, neither satisfies the soul, nor 
 elevates its sense of justice, but begets raging de- 
 sire and clamorous injustice. 
 
 Heavenly Father, make me prompt in the dis- 
 charge of my obligations ; especially to the poor. 
 Let me owe no man any thing, without his cheerful 
 consent. Or if misfortune or disappointment deny 
 me the present ability to discharge the claims of 
 creditors, let no evasive plea nor legal subterfuge 
 release me from the conviction of indebtedness, and 
 
136 
 
 the purpose of recompense. Great God, may I 
 remember the wo of him that buildetli his house 
 by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong ; 
 and the reward of him that walketh righteously, 
 and despiseth the gain of oppressions, and shaketh 
 his hand from holding bribes he shall dwell on 
 high ; his defence shall be the munitions of rocks ; 
 bread shall be given him ; his water shall be sure ; 
 his name shall be as ointment poured forth, and his 
 memory shall be blessed. 
 
 HOPE. 
 
 Lord, grant me a good hope through grace. May 
 it be the fruit of thy Spirit, and be rooted and 
 grounded 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 
 purifieth the heart ; that is a helmet of salvation ; 
 and an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, 
 which enters 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 justifier of them that believe in 
 Jesus. Let not their hearts be deceived by those 
 hopes of earthly good, which are either blasted in 
 their bud, or ripen into bitter fruit. Show them 
 that the expectation of the wicked shall perish, and 
 that the trust of the hypocrite shall be as the spi- 
 der's web : while ^he hope of the righteous shall 
 
137 
 
 be gladness and assurance forever. I pray thee 
 bring many sinners to the footstool of thy throne, 
 to learn the blessedness of putting their confidence 
 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, with- 
 out grudging ; 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 
 thou art well-pleased. Dispose me to be an almoner 
 of thy bounty. As I have freely received, so may 
 I freely give. 
 
 HUMAN DEPRAVITY. 
 
 Lord, thou didst create man, after thine own 
 image, 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 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 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 
 carnal mind is enmity against God : they are all 
 gone out of the way : there is none righteous ; no, 
 not one. O Lord, everywhere I behold the records 
 of human depravity. The pages of history, the 
 experience 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, because there are some, who in their natural 
 and unredeemed state, seem to be not far from the 
 kingdom 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, 
 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 unsanctiued sel- 
 fishness has usurped the sceptre which God should 
 sway in the heart ; and that all men are, in their 
 natural character, utterly destitute of holiness, and 
 
139 
 
 entirely sinful. Lord, permit not my thoughts to 
 impeach 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, take away this stony heart out of my flesh, 
 and give me a heart of flesh. Subdue the corrup- 
 tion of my nature, and make me a new creature in 
 Christ Jesus. x 
 
 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 transform their corrupt wills, and renew their 
 depraved affections. Save them by the washing of 
 regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost; 
 that being sanctified by grace, they shall be made 
 partakers 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 
 
140 
 
 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 angels of heaven veil their faces before thee, 
 in expressive token of inferiority and un worthiness. 
 How much more should I humble myself in thy 
 holy presence. 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 put matchless and unspeakable honour 
 on it, by making the contrite heart thy dwelling- 
 place. O may this grace control my life. May it 
 dwell in my heart, teaching me my proper charac- 
 ter. May it pervade my walk, leading me to meek- 
 ness of speech and action, and controlling my spirit, 
 both in prosperity and in 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. 
 
141 
 
 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 those 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- 
 service, 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 dead men's bones, and all manner of unclean- 
 Mess. God forbid that I should have only the name, 
 without the character, of godliness. Make thou 
 my life 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 
 
142 
 
 appear righteous to men, while within I am full of 
 hypocrisy and iniquity. Keep me from a deceitful 
 mind and flattering lips, and from ail 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 
 brightness 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. Say to the north, " Give up ;" 
 and to the south, " Hold not back." Bring thy sons 
 from afar, and thy daughters from the ends of the 
 earth. Make the wilderness and solitary place to 
 be glad ; and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the 
 rose. Lord, teach the heathen that the Godhead 
 is not like unto gold, or silver, or stone ; graven by 
 art or man's device. May they learn the folly and 
 wickedness of their worship, and casting their idols 
 to the moles and the bats, honour and serve the 
 living God. Lord, thou seest that this harvest is 
 plenteous, but the labourers are few. Send forth 
 labourers into it, who shall be the means of dis- 
 pelling every form of superstition, and spreading 
 
143 
 
 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, 
 forever. 
 
 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 
 control my soul to acknowledge thee as the only 
 true God, and my God ; and to worship and glorify 
 thee accordingly. 
 
 IMMORTALITY. See Eternity, Heaven, Hell, Soul. 
 
 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 remainest; 
 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 years 
 shall not fail. In all the perfections of thy nature 
 there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning. 
 Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 
 Thou hast been the hope of the fathers ; and thou art 
 the God of their seed after them thou hast been 
 the dwelling-place of thy people in all generations ; 
 and thou wilt be their surety for good continually. 
 Thy promises are Yea and Amen, in Christ Jesus. 
 
144 
 
 And thy decrees of salvation, or of condemnation, 
 stand fast forever. 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 pOAver 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 
 judgments, and thy ways past finding out. Great 
 Jehovah, help me to bow before thee with mingled 
 sensations of adoration, fear, humility, and love. 
 
 INDEPENDENCY OF GOD. 
 
 Thou art the uncreated, self-existent, independent 
 Jehovah. Who hath been thy counsellor; who 
 hath taught thee the path of judgment; or showed 
 thee the way 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- 
 
145 
 
 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 forever. 
 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 giv- 
 est 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 forever. 
 
 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 minds, having their understand- 
 ings darkened, being alienated from the life of God, 
 through the ignorance that is in them ; because of 
 the blindness of their hearts. Religion would not 
 suffer their enmity, if it were not the foe of sin : 
 nor would the world hate thee, if thou didst not 
 testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 
 
 Yet, O Lord, have not the dissensions and sins 
 of those who profess thy name, greatly contributed 
 13 
 
146 
 
 to increase the scepticism of the unbelieving heart? 
 
 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, I thank thee that thy word has 
 been made stronger by every effort to undermine it ; 
 and brighter by every endeavour to tarnish it. Scatter, 
 
 1 pray thee, 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. 
 
 I NQUIRERS. 
 
 Merciful God, dispose many to ask the fearfully 
 solemn and important question, " What must I do 
 to be saved ?" Fasten in the minds of such a tho- 
 rough 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 mercies. Make them feel their wretched con- 
 dition, in being without hope and without God in 
 the world, with thy wrath abiding on them. Show 
 them their own inability to save themselves, and 
 that their every effort, that is not seconded and sanc- 
 tified by the Spirit, sinks them deeper in their con- 
 demnation. Set clearly before their minds the 
 necessity and value of salvation through the blood 
 of Jesus : for they that reject it, shall perish with 
 
147 
 
 an everlasting destruction, while they who accept it, 
 shall be redeemed from the dominion and penalty 
 of sin, and be blessed with the favour of a recon- 
 ciled God forever. O give them earnest desires for 
 that redemption ; desires that spring from convic- 
 tions 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 
 to 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 season. Impress, with 
 a living freshness, upon their hearts, that now is 
 the accepted time, and this the day of salvation. 
 Say to them that thirst, " Come ye to the waters : 
 yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and 
 without price : eat ye that which is good, and let 
 your souls delight themselves in fatness." Let none 
 of them draw back to perdition. Enable them at 
 once, and forever, to renounce their transgressions, 
 and to receive and rest upon Jesus alone for salva- 
 tion. Let the Holy Ghost lead them into the know- 
 ledge of truth preserve them from the power of 
 error give them peace in believing and fill them 
 with a holy zeal to advance thy cause and fulfil 
 thy will, in all the duties of religion. 
 
 INTEMPERANCE. 
 
 Lord, I beseech thee, in the name of Jesus, to 
 banish from our land, and from the world, the causes 
 and evils of intemperance. Reclaim those that are 
 now wandering in the paths of drunkenness ; re- 
 cover them whose feet are running in the way of 
 temptation ; and throw thy merciful restraint and 
 
148 
 
 protection over those who are yet untainted by this 
 destroying vice. O do thou enlighten mankind as 
 to its nature and remedy ; enlist against it the full- 
 hearted and persevering opposition of children and 
 youth ; and hring 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 
 ingredient of spirituous liquors, is not the gift of 
 God, hut the product of man's selfishness ; that as 
 a drink it is not necessary nor useful, but hurtful 
 and poisonous. Teach them that it diseases the 
 body, weakens and paralyzes the understanding, 
 stupifies 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, I thank thee for the efforts which have been 
 made to stay these desolations, and for the success 
 which has thus far crowned the temperance reforma- 
 tion. 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 
 benevolent scheme, be continued and greatly in- 
 creased. Establish the principle that total absti- 
 nence 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 in- 
 temperance. 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 lawgivers to 
 take away the protection and sanction of law from 
 
149 
 
 this traffic in the bodies and souls of men ; and to 
 enact such statutes as will dry up these fountains 
 of poverty and wretchedness, crime and death. Do 
 thou inform and purify public sentiment everywhere 
 in relation to the great and vital interests of temper- 
 ance. Then, O Lord, our hearts will rejoice that 
 the merciless destroyer has been banished, to give 
 place to health, industry, individual and public wel- 
 fare, and the triumphs 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 liveth 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 be- 
 lieving 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 
 supply 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 high-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 ut- 
 termost, all who come unto thee by him. O Jesus, 
 13* 
 
150 
 
 Blessed Mediator, take my cause into thine own 
 hands. Plead my interests for me, by thy spotless 
 life, thy bleeding wounds, thy cruel death, and thy 
 purchased glory ; and enable me to rejoice in thy 
 success, and to bless thy holy name forever. 
 
 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 
 privilege to commend to thee all that are near and 
 dear 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 lift up earnest supplication on behalf 
 of thy church. Especially, O Lord, may the yearn 
 ings 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 
 ungodly. O may I understand their awful condi- 
 tion, 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 de- 
 gree 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. 
 
 J E W S. 
 
 Merciful God, seek and save the lost sheep of the 
 house of Israel, whose history thou hast made the 
 monument of thy justice, and the seal of thy truth. 
 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, among the na- 
 tions of the earth. How long, O Lord, shall thy 
 goodness delay towards those to whom were once 
 
151 
 
 committed the lively oracles ; and of whom, as con 
 cerning the flesh, Christ came? Do thou use such 
 instrumentalities as shall bring them to feel their 
 blindness of mind and hardness of heart, in reject- 
 ing Jesus ; and may they look to him from the ends 
 of the earth, and be saved. Lord, confirm the evi- 
 dences of the truth of the gospel, and glorify thy 
 Son, by bringing them into the blessings 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 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. Assemble, I 
 pray thee, the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dis- 
 persed of Judah, from the four corners of the earth. 
 Bid these dry bones hear the word of the Lord ; 
 and breathe on these slain, that they may live. O 
 Lord, hasten that time, when, through the mercy 
 bestowed 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, 
 
152 
 
 not one. Yet thou didst not cast them off; but in 
 the counsels of thy mercy, didst enter into a cove- 
 nant of grace, 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 penitence 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 formed and perfected the plan 
 of redemption. Thou didst 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 heartfelt 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 everywhere pre- 
 sent ; since where two or three are gathered to- 
 gether in his name, he is in the midst of them. His 
 understanding is infinite ; for he knows the hearts 
 of all men. He that honoureth not the Son, ho- 
 noureth not the Father, which hath sent him. 
 Blessed Jesus, if thy disciples worshipped thee, as 
 
153 
 
 the Searcher of hearts and the Saviour of souls 
 if all the angels of heaven cry unto thee, "Bless- 
 ing and honour, glory and power" well may I ac- 
 knowledge 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 
 I 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 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 
 divine 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 
 
154 
 
 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 has 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 thejustifier of him that believeth 
 in Jesus, and his deliverer from the wrath to come. 
 Heavenly Father, show me by this office of Christ's 
 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 obedience. 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 will- 
 ing 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 great- 
 er 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 forever 
 and ever. Thou wilt break them with a rod of iron, 
 
155 
 
 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 uttermost parts of the earth for a possession. 
 
 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 redeemed vassal of his everlasting king- 
 dom. 
 
 (Example.} 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 hu- 
 mility, prayer and faith, long-suffering and benevo- 
 lence. 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, 
 as by 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 Apos- 
 tles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cor- 
 ner-stone ; in whom the whole building, fitly framed 
 together, groweth unto a holy temple of the Lord. 
 O may my life be hid with Christ in God ; that he 
 
 
156 
 
 may be made unto me, wisdom and righteousness, 
 sanctificatiori 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 
 fellowship in the service, of my blessed Saviour. 
 Make him my all in all : my song in the season of 
 rejoicing, and my hope in the hour of trial. God 
 forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of 
 Christ. 
 
 God of Mercy, do thou present the character and 
 offices of Jesus to the min'ds 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 
 purchased in him, by convincing them of their sin 
 and misery, enlightening their minds in the know- 
 ledge of Christ, renewing their wills, and persuad- 
 ing and enabling them to embrace Jesus, freely offered 
 to them in the gospel. [See CHRISTMAS.]] 
 
 JOY. 
 
 Lord of Blessedness, grant me that joy of faith, 
 that rejoicing of hope, which is a fruit of thy 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 over- 
 flowing, with the healing stream of life. Lord, re- 
 veal thyself unto me, as thou dost not unto the world, 
 and fill my heart with pleasure in learning thy cha- 
 racter, and in communing with thy love. Enable 
 me to rejoice in Christ, and in the forgiveness of 
 sin through him, with a joy that is unspeakable and 
 full of glory. Give me that blessed spirit of adop- 
 tion, by which I may cry " Abba, Father." May 
 
157 
 
 the Holy Ghost give life to my hope, and strength 
 to my rejoicing. Cause me to rejoice in thy word, 
 as one that findeth great spoil. May I love the ha- 
 bitation of thy house, and find more comfort in thy 
 tabernacles 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 
 bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Grant me 
 the peace of a conscience that is void of offence to- 
 wards 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 wick- 
 ed have when their carnal luxuries do most abound. 
 O Lord, comfort and bless my soul by the con- 
 templation of that exceeding and eternal weight 
 of glory, that remains 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 commandments. 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 fail, in the struggle of death, 
 may thy rod and staff comfort me : and be thou the 
 strength of my heart, and my portion forever. 
 14 
 
158 
 
 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 holiness. 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 re- 
 vealed 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 conscience. The quick and dead 
 shall stand before him, to be judged out of those 
 things that are written in the books, according to 
 their works, with every secret thing, whether it be 
 good or evil ; and also for every thing which thou 
 didst command to be done, but which they left un- 
 done. Lord, make me realize that men will then 
 be judged also for the privileges they have enjoyed ; 
 for of them unto whom much has been given, much 
 will be required. O, even the best of thy saints 
 will then need the atonement of Christ : they could 
 not stand before thee, if thou shouldst mark their ini- 
 quities. But, blessed be thy name, there will be 
 no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus : 
 they shall receive the promise 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, 
 
159 
 
 prepared for the devil and his angels :" and the 
 wicked shall be turned into hell, witli 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 re- 
 ceived, through the merits of Christ, into the habi- 
 tations of eternal life. 
 
 JUSTICE OF GO D. 
 
 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 
 righteous 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 to make it more honourable in the 
 redemption of the transgressor, than in his hopeless 
 condemnation. 
 
 O Lord, show me, in the light of this attribute, 
 the glory of thy 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. 
 
160 
 
 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 righteous- 
 ness of Christ. 
 
 JUSTIFICATION. 
 
 Blessed Lord, give me clear, and scriptural, and 
 saving views of that justification, which is a cardi- 
 nal doctrine of the gospel, and an essential and life- 
 giving principle of personal piety. Teach me that 
 it is an act of thy free grace, wherein thou pardon- 
 est all our sins, and acceptest us as righteous, in thy 
 sight, only for the righteousness of Christ, im- 
 puted to us, and received by faith alone. Show me 
 that in it thou hast displayed thy holiness, satisfied 
 thy justice, and magnified thy law Christ being 
 made the end of the law, to every one that believeth. 
 Instruct me that by the deeds of the law, no flesh 
 living shall be justified ; but only by the faith of 
 Jesus ; in whom thou art reconciling the world 
 unto thyself, not imputing unto them their tres- 
 passes and sins. 
 
 Lord, justify me freely by thy grace, through the 
 redemption that is in Christ Jesus. In his merits, 
 acquit me from the punishment I deserve for my 
 transgressions, and give me a title to those bless- 
 ings which I would have received through thy law, 
 if I had fulfilled it in sinless obedience. O may I 
 ever be found in him, not having on mine own 
 
161 
 
 righteousness, which is of the law ; but that which 
 is by the faith of him, unto all and upon all that 
 believe. Grant that I may have peace with thee, 
 and access to thy throne, with confidence of ac- 
 ceptance, in the Beloved. Give me faith in him as 
 a living, as well as a dying Saviour he being risen 
 again for our justification. May I know him in 
 whom I have believed, as my atoning sacrifice ; 
 and be persuaded that he is able to keep that which 
 I have committed unto him. And grant, O Lord, 
 that my hope of forgiveness and favour, in the blood 
 of the Redeemer, may result in that open acknow- 
 ledgment and acquittal, in the day of judgment, 
 which will be followed by everlasting glory. 
 
 Lord, let the question, " How shall men be just 
 with God?" agitate the minds of those that have 
 not made their peace with thee. May thy spirit 
 answer it, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved." And do thou give this truth 
 such convincing and persuading power, that many 
 shall accept and rest on Christ, as the only and all- 
 sufficient hope of salvation. 
 
 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 understand- 
 ing. Keep me from error, and guide me into truth. 
 Especially do thou show me, O Lord, the path of 
 14 * 
 
162 
 
 life, and grant me that wisdom which leads to sal- 
 vation. Instruct me in all the duties I owe to men, 
 to myself, and to thee. While I am careful to edu- 
 cate 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 inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 LAW 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 convince me of 
 sin, to warn and restrain me, 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 
 the daily monitors of my conduct. May I make 
 
163 
 
 thy will my meditation by day, and my remem- 
 brance in the night. Make it a lamp to my feet, 
 and a light to my path ; and do thou incline rny 
 heart to perform 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 
 before 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-right- 
 eousness : 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 remember, 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 abideth forever. 
 
164 
 
 LEVITY. 
 
 Lord, keep me from levity of spirit and behaviour. 
 Thou knowest 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 solemn realities of 
 the Christian life. Help me, I beseech thee, 
 through the Saviour, to repent of it, and so 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. I pray 
 thee especially, to lay a restraint on my tongue, that 
 unruly member ; and dispose me to avoid studiously 
 saying any thing which may dissipate serious im- 
 pressions, or make me a stumbling-block in the path 
 of others, or cause the ways of religion to be de- 
 spised or reviled. Enable me to attain and cultivate 
 that happy medium between moroseness and fri- 
 volity, that calm seriousness of mind and holy 
 cheerfulness of life, which will diffuse a savour of 
 piety in all I say and do. 
 
 Great God, do thou show me that the rational 
 faculties with which thou hast endowed me, were 
 given for higher and holier purposes, than for indul- 
 gence in a light and frivolous demeanour. Seriously 
 impress on my mind, that a disposition to trifle is a 
 fruitful cause of disquietude in the soul, and of de- 
 linquency in the life. May I reflect that the eyes 
 of the church, and of the world, are upon me ; and 
 that according as I demean myself, so will the cause 
 of religion be advanced or hindered. Let a sense 
 of thy presence control me to live as one professing 
 godliness. 0, incline me, I pray thee, to order all 
 
165 
 
 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 privileges of 
 civil and religious freedom. O let me not abuse 
 them, nor deny them toothers, who are destitute 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 consciences 
 and cleanse the hearts of all men, in relation 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 deliver- 
 ance shall be preached to all the captives, and li- 
 berty be proclaimed to all the oppressed. 
 
 O Lord, release men everywhere, from the bond- 
 age of sin. Break the yoke of Satan, of the 
 world, and of selfishness. May thy Son make man- 
 kind free, and they shall be free indeed : so shall 
 they be servants to God only, that their fruit may be 
 holiness, and the end everlasting life. 
 
 Lord, thou art the Author and Owner of my life. 
 Apart from thy will, I can have no existence ; and 
 if it should please thee to revoke my title to being, 
 in that moment I would be blotted from the face of 
 creation. Instruct me, I pray thee, in the uncer- 
 tainty and shortness of human life. We are but of 
 yesterday, and our days upon earth are a shadow. 
 
166 
 
 Our breath is in our nostrils : it is even a vapour, 
 that appeareth for a little 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 ; redeeming 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 con- 
 tented that my seasons are in thy hands, and willing 
 to wait all the days of my appointed time, till my 
 change come. 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 ; or whether I 
 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 for the glory of him 
 who died for their salvation ; 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, 
 which thou hast instituted in memory of the dying 
 
167 
 
 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 overflow- 
 ing with gratitude, that thou didst recover man from 
 his condition of sin and misery, by the gift of a 
 Redeemer. 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 Sacrament 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 
 I with him ; and in which my heart shall be re- 
 freshed 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, to them that are of the household 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 afflictions, 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 
 holy hatred for transgression, when I look at thy 
 
168 
 
 body broken and thy blood shed, because I have 
 sinned. Blessed Jesus, crowned in light and glory, 
 dostthou indeed desire us sinners to remember thee? 
 
 that we should ever forget thy matchless, un- 
 speakable claims to our love ! O help me to re- 
 member the glory thou didst leave, the flesh thou 
 didst adopt, the reproach thou didst meet, and the 
 sufferings thou didst endure, that I might be re- 
 deemed from the curse of the law, and be made a 
 partner of thine inheritance in glory ! I would learn 
 of thee, as my Prophet ; I would rely on thee, as 
 my Priest ; I would follow thee, as my Example ; 
 
 1 would obey thee, as my King ! 
 
 Heavenly Father, make thy people feel their ob- 
 ligation 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 me- 
 morial 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, where thy banner over them 
 is love. O may they always be prepared for this 
 service, by self-examination, by meditation, and by 
 prayer : and so let them eat of that bread, and drink 
 of that cup. May they resolve, upon that sacred 
 altar, that they will renounce every transgression, 
 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 salvation. 
 God forbid that there should be any hand on the 
 table which will betray the Son of man. Let none 
 who thus profess thy name, be cast forth as a 
 branch that is withered, and cast into the fire, and 
 burned ; but make them all branches, that shall 
 
169 
 
 abide in thee, bringing forth much fruit, that thy 
 name may be glorified. 
 
 Lord, grant that the impenitent may 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 salvation. May thy Spirit reveal Christ to 
 them in the breaking of bread, in all his fulness and 
 willingness as a Saviour. O may they be persuaded 
 to make with him a covenant of mercy and obedi- 
 ence, which shall never be revoked nor forsaken. 
 
 These petitions I offer thee, Gracious Father, 
 through him whose blood speaketh better things 
 than that of Abel ; and who sitteth at thy right hand, 
 to make intercession, and receive the service and 
 adoration of saints and angels, forever. 
 
 LOVE OF GOD. 
 
 God is love ! Lord, 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 pver 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 beyond parallel ; it transcends the strong- 
 est 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 common 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 creatures : yet I would offer thee 
 louder strains of praise, and stronger feelings of 
 15 
 
170 
 
 gratitude, for thy compassion to our souls, in reveal- 
 ing thy will, in teaching us the issues of eternity, 
 in giving thy Son to bear our iniquities, and in be- 
 stowing thy Spirit, to convince us of sin, to enlighten 
 our minds in the knowledge of truth, and to per- 
 suade us to accept the plan of salvation. Forbid it, 
 O God, that I should ever forget or undervalue thy 
 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 forever. 
 
 O Lord, why should there be any so carnally- 
 minded, as to be 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 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 de- 
 sire besides thee." Be thou my Alpha and Omega ; 
 
171 
 
 my morning praise ; my noonday thought ; my 
 evening 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 crowning gifts of undeserved mercy. 
 
 Glorious God, may thy saints bring thee the full 
 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 TO MAN. 
 
 Lord, I pray thee, for Christ's sake, to make my 
 heart a wellspring of affection for all mankind. Let 
 no jealousy, nor selfishness, nor anger, nor malice, 
 
172 
 
 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 un- 
 just. 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 afflicts humanity. And, I pray thee, dis- 
 pose me, in benevolence of heart, to do what I can, 
 to dry up the fountains of human misery, and to 
 multiply 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 seek- 
 eth 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 affectioned 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 interests. Lord, give me, I pray thee, the 
 love of benevolence towards every thing that is ca- 
 pable of happiness or misery, and the affection of 
 complacency towards every creature possessed of 
 holiness. 
 
 LUKEWARMNESS. 
 
 Lord, I pray thee, through thy grace in Jesus, to 
 preserve me from lukewarmness in my religious 
 duties. Make me feel an interest in them propor- 
 tioned to their unspeakable importance. Let no 
 worldly influence, no allurement Of Satan, no self- 
 ish desires, lower the tone of my religious feeling 
 and activity. How long, O Lord, shall I serve thee 
 
173 
 
 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. Let thy 
 Spirit that quickeneth, give me life, and cause me 
 to mount up with wings, as eagles ; to run, and not 
 be weary ; to walk, and not faint. 
 
 LUNATICS. 
 
 Lo, the inspiration of the Almighty giveth un- 
 derstanding to man! Lord, show me the beauty 
 and value of the gift of reason ; which thou hast 
 made in thine own image ; and by which I am fitted 
 to learn thy character, to meditate on thy works, to 
 understand my duties, and to enjoy happiness. Let 
 my regard and gratitude for this blessing, and for 
 the preservation of it, be excited by the melancholy 
 fact, that it has been denied to many of my fellow- 
 creatures. 
 
 Lord, behold in mercy those whose balance of 
 intellect has been broken, and who have become the 
 sport of their own deranged judgment. Do thou 
 restrain them from doing injury to themselves, or 
 to others. Let them not be made the objects of 
 merriment and annoyance by the thoughtless ; but 
 of the pity and care of the humane. I bless thee 
 that in the prevalence of gospel humanity, asylums 
 for the protection and cure of the insane, have been 
 established, from which many of these victims of 
 derangement have gone forth, clothed, and in their 
 right minds ; while those who have remained, as 
 incurable, possess every earthly comfort, compatible 
 with the loss of reason. Do thou multiply the 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 number of these institutions, and cause them to be 
 sustained by liberal patronage. Increase the kind- 
 ness and skill of those who manage them. And, 
 Lord, let the rapid progress of knowledge include, 
 in its discoveries, such remedies as shall dissolve 
 the fetters that imprison and pervert these immortal 
 minds, and give them the freedom and joy of in- 
 telligent and virtuous wisdom. 
 
 Gracious God, provide, in thy mercy, for those 
 who shall go down through life, to the gates of 
 death, without the cheering and guiding torch of 
 reason. O let the darkness and disquietude which 
 afflicted them here, give place to the light and bless- 
 edness of that region, where they shall know, even 
 as they are known. 
 
 LUXURY. 
 
 Heavenly Father, guard me against indulging in 
 luxury. Let me not seek to make provision for the 
 flesh, to fulfil the lust of the eye, or the pride of 
 life. 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 abusing it; remembering that a man's life 
 consists not in the abundance of the things he pos- 
 sesses. Teach me that earthly indulgences excite 
 pride and sensuality ; and that instead of satisfying 
 the heart, they increase, continually, its restless de- 
 sires for unprofitable and corrupting enjoyments. 
 Lord, thou wilt require it of the souls of those who 
 lay up treasures for themselves, but are not rich to- 
 wards 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 
 
175 
 
 portion of the good things of this life ; and let me 
 enjoy thy blessing 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 heaven, that there my heart may be also. 
 
 M AL ICE. 
 
 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 
 opposed to thy holiness ; and how nearly does it 
 approach to the hatred which fills the bosoms of 
 the damned ! Blessed Jesus, bring me into closer 
 likeness to thy precious example. Thou didst not 
 render railing for railing, nor evil for evil; but con- 
 trariwise, 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- 
 sified races, as one brotherhood of man. 
 
 MA RRI AGE. 
 
 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 sor- 
 row. Lord, teach all men that this relation of 
 
176 
 
 life is still (and must be throughout the annals of 
 time,) identified 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 unbelievers. 
 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 
 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 dothou 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 ChrisU 
 
177 
 
 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 
 they 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 exactions of la- 
 bour, and every display of the pride of rank and 
 authority. Give them patience under provocation ; 
 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. 
 
 ME ANS OF GRA CE. 
 
 Lord, I thank thee for those means of grace 
 which thou hast appointed for the instruction and 
 conviction, conversion and sanctification of man- 
 kind. O bless me, I pray thee, in the enjoyment 
 
178 
 
 of them. Make the Holy Scriptures profitable to 
 me for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction 
 in righteousness. Let thy preached gospel bring 
 me glad tidings of good things. May I hallow thy 
 Sabbaths, and make them my delight. Make thy 
 sacraments times of refreshing from thy presence. 
 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 fasting or of thanksgiv- 
 ing, so that it may be a time of refreshing from thy 
 presence. Grant me the sanctified use of meditation 
 and self-examination ; and lead me to such fellow- 
 ship with thy saints, as will strengthen my heart 
 and encourage my zeal in the Christian 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 
 refreshing 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 
 between thee and us, that we, who were alienated 
 
179 
 
 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 
 covenant, and to that blood of sprinkling, which 
 speaketh 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 
 justice and he must needs be the Son of man ; 
 since without the shedding of blood, there is no re- 
 mission of sins. He who is our eternal Daysman, 
 has infinite 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 ordinances that was recorded against me, 
 for my transgressions procure for me, by thine in- 
 tercession, the loving kindness of Jehovah and 
 bind all my affections 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. Hea- 
 venly 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 
 
180 
 
 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 ex- 
 alted converse with thine attributes, as they are re- 
 vealed in thy word, and in thy works of creation, 
 providence, and redemption. May Jesus be to my 
 soul, the chief among ten thousand, and one alto- 
 gether lovely. Draw out my thoughts, sweetly and 
 confidingly, to that Holy Spirit, whose work is qui- 
 etness and assurance forever. 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 advance 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 
 and make it a fountain of love to God, and of good- 
 will to man. May my knowledge be refreshed and 
 enlarged. 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 
 presence, and where there are pleasures for ever- 
 more. 
 
181 
 
 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 childlike 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 rnind be the working of thy 
 Spirit, teaching me that I am, in myself, weak and 
 sinful, and thatthou 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 greater 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 heavenly mind, by considering the exam- 
 ples of the patriarchs and prophets, of the apostles, 
 and Jesus Christ, who manifested it. O grant me 
 the blessings of the meek ; whom thou guidest in 
 judgment, and beautifiest with salvation, and makest 
 the dwelling-place of thy power and mercy. 
 
 MEMORY. 
 
 Lord, invigorate and sanctify, for Jesus' sake, all 
 the exercises of my memory. O how has this 
 noble faculty been weakened and corrupted by the 
 fail ! But thou canst restore it ; and instead of suf- 
 fering it to run after forbidden and unholy things, 
 thou canst give it employment in those things which 
 16 
 
182 
 
 belong to wisdom and salvation. Lead me, I pray 
 thee, to remember thee, my Creator, and all thine 
 excellent mercies. May my memory be precious 
 of him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Im- 
 press indelibly on my thoughts, the doctrines, pre- 
 cepts, warnings, 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 covenants 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 storehouse 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 ; arid 
 grant that I may so use this noble power, that I 
 may glorify 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 
 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 severe 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 
 
183 
 
 bestowed on us uncounted tokens of unmerited 
 good. When we have been thoughtless of thee, 
 thou hast been mindful of us : when we hated thee, 
 thou hast loved us. Verily, thou art long-suffering, 
 and abundant in compassion. Thou dost not mete 
 unto man evil for evil ; but dost crown him with 
 loving-kindness 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 dayspring 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 to 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 entreat- 
 ies to turn from their wickedness, whilst thou art 
 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 
 pursue them, in their obstinacy, with so many ex- 
 pressions 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 
 
184 
 
 them, until their hardness of heart shall be melted 
 down, in humble sorrow and love until their re- 
 bellious wills shall be brought to serve the living 
 and true God. 
 
 MILLENNIUM. 
 
 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 
 inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth, for 
 his possession. Then thou wilt pour out thy Holy 
 Spirit without measure, and darkness and trans- 
 gression 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 their spears into 
 pruninghooks : 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 ; the parched ground shall become a pool ; 
 and the desert shall blossom as the rose. They 
 shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and 
 every man his brother, saying, " Know the Lord ;'* 
 for they shall know thee, from the least of them 
 unto the greatest of them. The mountain of the 
 house of the Lord shall be established in the top of 
 the mountains, and be exalted above the hills. O 
 then there will be great voices in heaven, saying, 
 " The kingdoms of the world are become the king- 
 doms of the Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall 
 reign forever and ever !" 
 
 Lord, teach all thy people the duties that belong 
 
185 
 
 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 
 sanctified and intelligent efforts of his church. O 
 induce them to desire it ardently, to pray for it fer- 
 vently, 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 accom- 
 plishing it. Bless all 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. 
 
 MINISTRY. 
 
 Great Author and Dispenser of Truth, bless those 
 whom thou hast set to preach the everlasting gos- 
 pel, and to bring glad tidings of good things. Thou 
 hast not sent 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 be- 
 lieve. 
 
 Lord of the Vineyard, 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 
 meet for the divine work of saving souls. Qualify 
 those who are now ambassadors for Christ, and 
 enable them to persuade sinners to be reconciled to 
 God. Make them men of strong and cultivated 
 16* 
 
186 
 
 judgment ; of diligent and persevering study ; of 
 zealous and faithful labour ; and of prayerful, fer- 
 vent, 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 themselves instructed unto the king- 
 dom of heaven, and bring forth out of their treasure, 
 things new and old. Cause them to exemplify their 
 doctrine by a holy walk. Preserve them from the 
 desire of applause, and the love of lucre. 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 declare 
 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. Dis- 
 pose them to give themselves continually to prayer, 
 and the ministry of the word. Lead them to 
 proclaim the gospel, not only in the sanctuary, but 
 from house to house. 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 dili- 
 gently 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. Constrain them 
 to watch, as those who must give an account of 
 their stewardship. Let them not be compelled to 
 say, "All day long, we have stretched forth our 
 hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people :" 
 
187 
 
 nor to ask in despair, " Who hath believed our 
 report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord re- 
 vealed ?*' O make them guides of the blind, and 
 lights of them which are in darkness. Grant that 
 by their efforts, revivals of pure and undefiled reli- 
 gion shall prevail, to cleanse thy church, and to 
 save perishing sinners. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, incline thy people to dis- 
 charge 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 pro- 
 perly 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 main- 
 tain all the institutions 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 obedience : receiving with meek- 
 ness the engrafted word, as that which ministers 
 grace to the hearers. Blessed Lord, excite them to 
 sustain thy ministering servants by their interces- 
 sory 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 righteousness and zeal. Send thy mes- 
 sengers 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, bap- 
 tizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and 
 Holy Ghost : and be thou with them always, even 
 unto the end of the world. Amen. 
 
188 
 
 MISSIONS. See Heathen, Idolatry, Home Mis- 
 sions. 
 
 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 under- 
 foot conscience 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, con- 
 quering 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 lifegiving 
 countenance. May my heart rejoice in the daily 
 renewals of thy love, even as the springing grass 
 rejoices 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 I 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- 
 
189 
 
 butions of eternity. Grant me grace, for Christ's 
 sake, to meet and discharge the duties of this day. 
 Be thou my guide and protector, in the midst of 
 them. Let me not undertake any thing which is 
 not agreeable to thee. Dispose me to follow all my 
 occupations in the world with a heavenly mind. 
 May t 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, 
 deceit, or ill-wilt, towards any one. Be pleased, 
 Gracious God, to make the allotments of thy provi- 
 dence 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 ; arid my lips, that I offend not with 
 my tongue ; and my feet, that they wander not in 
 forbidden paths. Grant me disposition and leisure 
 to retire from the world, to hold sweet and profita- 
 ble 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 suitably advanced in meetness for the 
 inheritance of the saints in light. 
 
 MOTHE RS. 
 
 Heavenly Parent, bless, for the glory of Christ, 
 the maternal relation. Thou hast been pleased to 
 assign to mothers, more than to any other class, the 
 
190 
 
 moulding influences, which determine the character 
 and destinies of children, for time and eternity. 
 Lord, do thou teach every mother her various duties, 
 and give her wisdom and grace to fulfil them. May 
 she realize that it is in the days of infancy and of 
 early life, that those principles and habits are 
 formed, which decide the future history of the child ; 
 and that on her thou hast laid the chief responsibi- 
 lity of forming them. Give her a heart of piety, 
 that shall impart a savour of life unto life to all her 
 efforts. May she seal all her anxieties and efforts 
 by fervent prayer, with and for her offspring, that 
 thou wouldst help her to train them up in the way 
 they should go, and preserve them in it, unto eter- 
 nal life. Make her example such as shall be right 
 in thy sight, and adapted to win their confidence, 
 love, and obedience. May she constantly seek in- 
 struction in the various details of her duty. Induce 
 her to acquire such mental culture as will secure 
 the respect of her offspring, and enable her to in- 
 struct their forming minds. May she remember 
 that undue indulgence is the besetting sin of mo- 
 thers, and that it is the sunken rock on which count- 
 less numbers have made shipwreck of all their 
 hopes. Let the decisions of her authority be wise- 
 ly made, and rigidly enforced. Teach her that the 
 rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to 
 himself bringeth his mother to shame. Let not re- 
 vengeful anger, but reclaiming love, prescribe the 
 kind and measure of punishment. May her incen- 
 tives and rewards for obedience be such as shall es- 
 tablish abiding principles of virtue. Let a scrupu- 
 lous regard for truth manifest itself in all her deal- 
 ings with her children. Guard her against partial 
 treatment among them. Give her wisdom to know 
 
191 
 
 and skill to consult their different characters. May 
 she strive to cultivate in them habits of prudence 
 and frugality, industry and generosity. Make her 
 careful to preserve them from vain pleasures, from 
 evil company, and from selfish pursuits. Establish 
 a perfect harmony between fathers and mothers, in 
 their separate and mutual plans of family training. 
 Bestow thy rich favour on maternal associations. 
 Establish them in every community, and cause 
 sound knowledge and saving wisdom to dictate and 
 govern all their measures. O, Gracious God, let 
 the salvation of her children be the object of every 
 mother's strongest solicitude and most diligent 
 efforts. May she feel that while this end is not se- 
 cured, every other success is but as water that is 
 spilled on the ground, and cannot be gathered. 
 
 Lord, let a full sense of their responsibilities and 
 duties rest on the hearts of all mothers. Yet suf- 
 fer them not to be cast down by the weight of them. 
 Assure them that thy grace is sufficient for them, 
 and that thy strength shall be made perfect in their 
 weakness ! 
 
 MOTIVES. 
 
 Lord, I pray thee, through 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 
 all its promptings towards duty. Dispose me to 
 watch narrowly, lest I make a merit of good works ; 
 or perform them to be 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 
 
192 
 
 be steadfast, immovable, always 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 nowise 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 
 doth ; for my Father which seeth in secret, will re- 
 ward me openly. Lord, I would not seek to do thy 
 will merely that I may derive comfort from so doing; 
 but chiefly because it is thy pleasure that T should 
 obey thee, and because it should be my own desire 
 that good may be done, for thy glory and human 
 welfare. 
 
 NATURE. 
 
 Great God, the invisible things of thee, from the 
 creation of the world, are clearly seeii, being un- 
 derstood by the things that are made ; even thine 
 eternal power and Godhead. Help me, I pray 
 thee, to make Nature the handmaid of devotion. 
 Give me knowledge to discern thy character in her 
 various scenes. May I see thy power in the extent 
 and diversity of creation ; and discern thy wisdom 
 in the arrangement and government of thy works ; 
 and acknowledge thy goodness in the harmony and 
 excellence of thy products. Behold, all that I see 
 is eloquent of God ! The day, with its flood of 
 
193 
 
 light ; the night, with its pall of darkness ; the sea- 
 sons, with their circle of changes ; life, with its 
 mysteries of being, thought, and feeling ; and death, 
 with its pains, and silence, and corruption all, all 
 are full of the messages of divinity ! There is no 
 language where their voice is not heard ; their line 
 is gone out through all the earth, and their words 
 to the end of the world. 
 
 Yet, O Lord, Nature is, in all these, but the echo 
 of thy word. Although thou hast given thyself 
 such witness in her, that men are left without ex- 
 cuse in rejecting thee ; yet without thy revealed 
 will, they become vain in their imaginations, and 
 their foolish heart is darkened : they change the 
 glory of the incorruptible God into an image made 
 like to corruptible man ; and to birds, and to four- 
 footed beasts, and to creeping things ! Alas, the 
 world by wisdom knew not God. Lord, give me 
 grace ever to study thy works in the light of thy 
 word ; and dispose me to worship and serve the 
 Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 
 
 NEW YEAR. 
 
 O thou God of the rolling seasons, I thank thee 
 for thy mercies to me during the last year. There 
 has not been an hour nor a moment of it, which has 
 not brought me tokens of thy care and kindness. 
 Assist me now to bring its transactions, in which I 
 have been engaged, in solemn review before my 
 conscience. Though the record of them is fast 
 wasting away from the treacherous tablet of my 
 memory, yet they are written, as with a pen of iron, 
 on the books of thy remembrance ; where they 
 will remain until that fearful hour of trial, when the 
 books shall be opened, and all men shall be judged ' 
 17 
 
194 
 
 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 for- 
 gotten ; and thy chastenings have often been de- 
 spised or unheeded. O, my tongue would grow 
 weary, and my heart would sicken, if I should un- 
 dertake 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 henceforth 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 : ex- 
 cept that 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 op- 
 portunities that have been vouchsafed to me in days 
 past. O God, assist me, 1 beseech thee, to dis- 
 charge aright all the duties that lie before me. Make 
 me understand the uncertainty of time, the worth 
 of my 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 
 
195 
 
 love to thee; deepen my convictions of sin; ani- 
 mate my desires after holiness ; 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 life. 
 
 Lord, make this opening year, a year of the right 
 hand of the Most High. 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. Awaken 
 her to renewed efforts in doing good. O may these 
 months stand forth in the history of redemption, 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 agreea- 
 ble 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 
 slumbers, keep guard over me ; and thine arm that 
 is never weary, protect me. May I lie down, having 
 my thoughts directed to thee, and the things that 
 
196 
 
 belong to my peace. Teach me to look on sleep 
 as the emblem of death ; and to seek that prepara- 
 tion of heart with which T 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 accident, 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 protect- 
 ing and satisfying goodness. 
 
 OBEDIENCE. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, bestow on me, for the merits 
 of thy Son, the spirit of unreserved and fullhearted 
 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 army of heaven 
 and the inhabitants of earth ; none of whom can 
 resist thy will, but at the risk of thy sore displea- 
 sure. But thou hast strengthened, infinitely, all these 
 claims on his service, by the offer of salvation to a 
 perishing 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. Blessed be thy mercy, that with this pre- 
 cious gift, thou hast not only infinitely increased our 
 obligations, but thou hast actually redeemed unto 
 
197 
 
 thyself, a peculiar people, who are zealous of good 
 works. Though thy righteous claims of creation, 
 preservation, 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 add- 
 ing to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, 
 godliness, brotherly-kindness and charity. Give 
 me patient continuance in well-doing ; and cheer me 
 by the hope, that in due season, if I faint 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 
 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 
 17* 
 
198 
 
 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 
 forever. 
 
 OLD AGE. 
 
 Eternal Jehovah, the days of our years are three- 
 score and ten ; and if by reason of strength, they 
 be fourscore, yet is their strength labour and sorrow ! 
 Lord, regard, in great mercy, those whose age warns 
 them that thou wilt come quickly, and bring thy 
 reward with thee. Especially let thy compassions 
 be kindled towards those who are bowed down under 
 the weight of years and guilt to whom gray hairs 
 have brought no true wisdom, and to whom length 
 of days has given no experience of eternal life. 
 Do thou show them the accumulated wrath which 
 they have treasured up by their long delay. Teach 
 them that there is but a step between them and 
 death. Arouse them to a knowledge of the fearful 
 crisis in which they stand. Let them know that 
 the destinies of heaven and hell hang on every 
 fleeting breath, and every moving muscle. And if 
 consistent with thy will, give them repentance unto 
 life. But O how little ground of hope is there, in- 
 deed, when we reflect on their enfeebled judgment, 
 and decreasing affections, their rigid habits, and ag- 
 gravated sins ! In the multitude of thy promises, 
 there is none to the aged sinner. Alas, how few 
 are brought into thy vineyard at the eleventh hour ! 
 But because there are some, we would not despair 
 
199 
 
 of thy mercy. Lord, glorify thyself in plucking 
 many as brands from the burning. 
 
 Gracious God, let thy precious favour rest on 
 those whose hoary head is a crown of glory, be- 
 cause it is found in the ways of righteousness. 
 Make them the objects of the respect, affection, 
 and care, of all around them. Let their example 
 be a blessing on all that witness it. Temper thy 
 providence to their declining strength, and suit thy 
 grace to their approaching death. And when thou 
 bringest them to the grave, as a shock of corn 
 cometh in his season, fully ripe, soothe their pains, 
 allay their fears, strengthen their hopes, and bid 
 them welcome to thy courts of glory. 
 
 Lord, let me not be anxious for long life. May 
 I learn that honourable age is not that which stand- 
 eth in length of time, nor that which is measured 
 by number of years : for wisdom is the gray hair 
 unto men ; and unspotted life is old age. 
 
 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 handiwork ; 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 
 
 
200 
 
 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 
 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 
 forever. Induce me to put my trust in thee ; for if 
 thou art with me, who can be against me ? 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 salvation, 
 Teady 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 
 tip into heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed in 
 hell, thou art there : if I take the wings of the morn- 
 ing, 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. 
 
201 
 
 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 everywhere present, at all times. Teach me 
 by 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 redeeming goodness. Lord, grant me here, I 
 beseech thee, a foretaste of that fulness of joy, 
 which is in thy heavenly presence for evermore. 
 
 OMN I S CIE NC E. 
 
 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 sparr*w 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 night shall be light about me. O grant me 
 the solemn influence of the truth, that thou knowest 
 
202 
 
 the hearts of all men : thou hast indeed searched 
 and known me. May it lead me to worship 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, O, may it be a source of comfort and blessing 
 to me ; for thou knowest all my wants, and canst 
 supply them out of thine abundant fulness. 
 
 OR P H A N A GE. 
 
 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 comforters of their life. Heal the wounded 
 hearts of those who are bleeding under these keen 
 bereavements. 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 dis- 
 charge the offices, of those whom thou hast, in thy 
 wise purposes, taken away from them. Make it 
 the business of Christian love, to soothe their sor- 
 rows, to minister to their wants, and to guide their 
 steps amid the wanderings of earth. Protect them 
 from the dangers which accompany their exposed 
 condition. Screen them from the oppressions 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 
 
203 
 
 as a tender shepherd 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 regarding 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, 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 Fa- 
 ther ; and to feel that the most cherished pleasures 
 of earthly parentage, fall infinitely below the privi- 
 leges 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 vain- 
 glory. Lord, let me not do my works before men, 
 to be seen of them. Make my path of life like the 
 course of the humble rivulet, which is not denoted 
 by noise and glare, but by the verdure and plenty 
 that attend its borders. 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. Let it be a very small thing with me that I 
 should be judged of man's judgment; for though I 
 may lawfully desire the good opinion of my fellow- 
 creatures, I must hold it subordinate to the esteem 
 of God : thou art the only true and final umpire of 
 conduct and character. Heavenly Father, do thou 
 
204 
 
 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 
 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 
 forever, the sentence which was written against us. 
 Yet it is not procured by our own works of right- 
 eousness ; 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 atonement of Jesus, as will make it consist- 
 ent with thy love of justice, and with the security 
 of thy moral government, to remember my trans- 
 gressions 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 
 
205 
 
 mercy, purchased by the death of thy Son, and made 
 effectual by the application of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 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- 
 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 unblameable 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. See Fathers, Mothers. 
 
 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 con- 
 sult diligently those laws ; and help me to bring my 
 feelings into submission to them. O let not the 
 things that are sensual and carnal, attract and absorb 
 my desires. Teach me to abstain from fleshly lusts 
 18 
 
206 
 
 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 m my heart, in all the various trials 
 of life. May it possess my soul, and suffer no in- 
 trusion there of fretful complaint, nor anxious fear. 
 In sickness, in bereavement, in crosses, in provoca- 
 tions, in persecutions, in every thing that clashes 
 with my desires, grant, I beseech thee, that I may 
 secure and preserve serenity of mind. Instruct me 
 that every discontented and peevish feeling is re- 
 bellion against thee ; and that I may glorify thy 
 name by the meek endurance of trial, as well as by 
 the active performance of duty. What is man, that 
 he should complain ? Lo ! thou Jehovah art long- 
 suffering, even towards the contradiction 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 an impatient spirit who when he was re- 
 viled, 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 take it patiently, this is accept- 
 able with God. Enable me to run with patience, 
 the race that is set before me. Put my heart at rest 
 
207 
 
 in thee ; for he who hath 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. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me peace of conscience 
 towards thee, through the atoning hlood of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Give me, I pray thee, that holy se- 
 renity 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 refraining from an evil tongue, and every thing 
 that stirs up strife. Lord, give thy churches rest 
 from unholy divisions within, and from wicked as- 
 saults 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 esta- 
 blish peace between man and man, and between na- 
 tion 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 work- 
 eth 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 
 
208 
 
 speak peace to eye and where hand shall be to 
 hand the exchange of good-will to man. 
 
 PERSECUTION. 
 
 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 fearlessly borne our testimony against it, 
 that its deeds are evil ; or because we have not re- 
 buked its practices by a high standard of holy liv- 
 ing. Lord, let me not desire exemption from the 
 enmity of the wicked, at the expense of duty. 
 Make me willing to suffer persecution for righteous- 
 ness' sake : yea, thou hast said that they shall suffer 
 it, who live godly, in Christ Jesus. If our Blessed 
 Lord was reviled, scourged, and persecuted, and his 
 noble cloud of witnesses, of whom the world was 
 not worthy, had trial of cruel Blockings, and bonds, 
 and death, why should I 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. Over- 
 rule 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 
 according to thy will, may they commit the keep- 
 ing of their souls to thee. in well-doing, as unto a 
 faithful Creator. Let them not wonder nor com- 
 plain, as though some strange thing had happened 
 
209 
 
 unto them ; but rejoice inasmuch as they are par- 
 takers of Christ's sufferings ; that when his glory 
 shall be revealed, they may be glad also with ex- 
 ceeding joy. 
 
 PE RSE V E RAN C E. 
 
 God of Salvation, let me not be of those that 
 draw back unto perdition, but of them 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 un- 
 beaten path ; for thy people on earth are now walk- 
 ing in it as the highway to heaven ; the saints in 
 glory have followed it unto life eternal ; yea, even 
 the High Priest of our profession, Christ the Right- 
 eous, hath made it smooth by his glorious footsteps. 
 Lord, give me a warmer zeal, and a holier strength, 
 to run that heavenly road. 
 
 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 con- 
 tinue in all things which are written in the book of 
 the law, to do them. O teach me the duty of per- 
 severance, 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 with- 
 in and around me, as shall lead me to continual de- 
 pendence on thy grace, and unremitted diligence in 
 thy will. Imbue me with courage of mind and 
 18* 
 
210 
 
 strength of heart, to overcome all the hinderances 
 which Satan, 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 Je- 
 sus. 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 redemption, and be my Comforter, to abide 
 with me forever. 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 rne a Chris- 
 tian, not only in name, but in truth. May I watch 
 diligently, 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 to- 
 wards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Fill 
 rny 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 know- 
 ledge and judgment, until I am filled with the fruits 
 of righteousness, 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 to live unto righteousness. Make me meek 
 and forgiving, sincere and humble. Let consistency, 
 self-denial, and gratitude, pervade all my actions. 
 Make me earnest in prayer, unwavering in faith, 
 and joyful in hope. Prepare me for the quiet en- 
 
211 
 
 durance of every trial, and for the zealous perform- 
 ance of every duty. If I suffer as a Christian, let 
 me not be ashamed, but glorify God on this behalf. 
 Lord, make me a follower of them who, through 
 faith and patience, inherit the promises. Permit 
 me not to put a stumbling-block, or an occasion 
 to fall, in my brother's way : but cause me to 
 follow after the things which make for peace, and 
 things wherewith one may edify another. 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 
 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 self- 
 ishness so harden my heart, that I shall fail to ex- 
 ercise 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 
 
212 
 
 in word and in tongue ; but in deed and in truth : 
 for so shall I know that I am of the truth, and as- 
 sure my heart before thee, whose compassions fail 
 not, else I 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 
 my heart's desire and prayer to thee be, that they 
 might be saved. O magnify thy goodness in bring- 
 ing them from the rebellion of sin, into the obedi- 
 ence 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, hovr 
 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 wor- 
 ship of superstition over the services of simplicity 
 and truth ? How long, O Lord, shall they impiously 
 arrogate to change a corruptible thing into the in- 
 corruptible body of Christ ; and to dishonour the 
 atonement 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. May they learn that 
 thou only art the object of worship ; that thou only 
 canst forgive 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 forever. 
 
213 
 
 Lord, cause thy word, thy Spirit, thy providence, 
 and thy people, to concur mightily in overthrowing 
 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 harassed 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 competence 
 of the means of support, and grant me thy favour in 
 the enjoyment of it. Make me grateful 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 distressing need, let 
 me not rebel against thee, nor complain of thy right- 
 eous providence. May I find more joy in trusting 
 to thee, in the midst of adversity? than in all the 
 pleasures which unsanctified wealth could bestow. 
 Even though darkness should gather with forbidding 
 gloom over all my expectations of worldly comfort, 
 throughout all the remainder of my life, let the con- 
 solations 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 
 forever. 
 
 Lord, pity the poor. Soothe and relieve their 
 wants. Protect them from oppression, and deliver 
 
214 
 
 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 supply 
 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 employment 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 con- 
 fer 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 in its 
 spirit, and result in its choicest blessings. Though 
 thou hast said that the poor shall never cease out 
 of the land, yet do thou abate the sorrows, and re- 
 move the evils, of their condition ; and make multi- 
 tudes 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 
 
215 
 
 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 knovvest 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 nre 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 privi- 
 lege, 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 magnify thy great and glorious name. 
 [_See THE VARIOUS ATTRIBUTES.] 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Heavenly Father, teach me to pray, and quicken 
 me by 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 
 
216 
 
 to make thy glory the ruling object of my desires ; 
 and to present them only in the name of the heaven- 
 ly 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 pre- 
 sent it, with his prevailing intercession, at the throne 
 of grace. Lord, make me feel my entire and con- 
 tinual dependance on thee for all the blessings I 
 possess, or hope to enjoy. O do thou give me 
 such a craving sense of want, such a conviction that 
 there is no other source of relief, and such confi- 
 dence 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 more- 
 over commanded it, as our imperative duty thus 
 making our privilege and our obligation one and in- 
 separable. 
 
 Infinite Fountain of Blessing, grant 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 
 my thoughts shall grow familiar with them, in all 
 their number, and my heart shall be absorbed by con- 
 victions 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 
 
217 
 
 Lord, suffer me not to confine my supplications 
 to my own wants ; but do thou give me a spirit of 
 prayer on 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. Suffer me not to forget my sup- 
 plications, with the passing breath that utters them ; 
 but do thou cause my memory to retain them, and 
 my hope to pursue them ; and if I receive not, may 
 I be assured that it is because I ask amiss. 
 
 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 con- 
 fidence 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 thou art the rewarder of them that dili- 
 gently seek thee. Teach me that if I regard ini- 
 quity in my heart, thou wilt not hear me. Do thou 
 therefore cleanse my heart, that my desires may go 
 19 
 
218 
 
 forth unspotted by sin, and find acceptance in thy 
 sight. Lord, lead me to the thankful acknowledg- 
 ment 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 con- 
 fession of sins ; for it becomes me to say, that in- 
 stead of having any claim to thine audience and 
 favour, I have only deserved thy displeasure. It 
 is of thy grace that I am even permitted to plead 
 for mercy. 
 
 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 altar. 
 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 
 ejaculatory 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. May I wrestle, as did 
 thy servant of old, who had power with thee, and 
 prevailed. 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 Redeemer, both 
 now and forever. Amen. 
 
 PRESS. 
 
 God of Wisdom, I thank thee for the invention 
 of the art of printing, by which temporal know- 
 ledge and heavenly wisdom have been scattered, in 
 copious pro fusion, over the face of society. I desire 
 to regard it as a noble instrumentality for imbuing 
 
219 
 
 every mind with useful learning, and every heart 
 with saving truth. Yet do thou teach me that its 
 capacity to do good, is often fearfully perverted to 
 <lo evil. For, O, its works often teem with the 
 pages of folly and slander, licentiousness and infi- 
 delity : and its periodical issues, which might be 
 the guardians of public welfare, and the monitors 
 of public virtue, are, many of* them, crowded with 
 scandal and falsehood, vice and impiety, which de- 
 stroy the common good, and deprave the common 
 morality. Gracious God, supplant all these cor- 
 rupting influences ; and cause the whole power of 
 this mighty engine to be exercised on behalf of the 
 temporal and eternal interests of the human family. 
 
 Lord, purify our literature in all its forms, and 
 make it auxiliary to religion. Elevate and sanctify 
 the aims of authors, and cause their fountains of 
 thought to flow forth in streams that shall refresh 
 and fertilize the human mind. Let intelligence, 
 prudence, and virtue, control our periodicals of 
 every class. Create distaste and aversion in the 
 reading public, towards every thing that is subver- 
 sive of morality. 
 
 Merciful God, make the press an important means 
 of ascertaining every disputed truth and duty, and 
 of fixing them on immovable foundations. Pre- 
 serve its liberty, but overthrow its licentiousness. 
 Let it circulate useful knowledge, of every kind, 
 among all the inhabitants of the world. Make it 
 the gift of tongues, to proclaim, in every language, 
 the wonderful works of God. Let the Holy Bible, 
 the sacred tract, the religious paper, and the evan- 
 gelical volume, reach every household of earth, and 
 fill every mind of man with saving knowledge. 
 
220 
 
 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 
 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 I 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 onee 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 
 
221 
 
 them that neither birth, nor learning, nor wealth, 
 nor rank, is noble in thy sight: while the humble 
 and childlike are the greatest in the kingdom of 
 heaven. O thou exalted Jehovah, bring all their 
 thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Chris L 
 Let them that glory, glory in the Lord ; who thougli 
 he be to carnal men a stumblingblock and foolish- 
 ness, is yet to them that are called, the power of 
 God, and the wisdom of God, unto salvation ! 
 
 PRISONS. 
 
 Lord, pity those whose crimes have brought on 
 them the retributions of human justice, and who 
 are shut up in the gloomy walls of the prison-house. 
 Do thou kindle the sympathies of the humane for 
 them. Make them the objects, not of exulting re- 
 venge, but of reforming compassion. Rebuke the 
 indifference and neglect of thy people towards them. 
 May they remember that it was restraining grace 
 which saved themselves from a similar or worse 
 doom. Let that love, which teaches us to do good 
 to those that injure us, devise and execute blessings 
 for them. May they be persuaded that thy spirit is 
 able to renovate them, though they be the chief of 
 sinners. God of Wisdom, make the laws that 
 punish criminals suitable to their several offences ; 
 and let the certainty, rather than the seventy, of the 
 penalty, be sought in the enactments and execution 
 of justice- May the whole treatment of them be 
 such as shall both punish and reform them. 
 
 Lord, I bless thee that the attention of enlightened 
 and pious minds has been drawn to consider and 
 correct the abuses of prison discipline. By their 
 efforts, suitable edifices have been built ; the cor- 
 ruptions of free intercourse between the convicts 
 19* 
 
222 
 
 have been prevented ; habits of industry and so- 
 briety have been formed ; useful knowledge and re- 
 ligious instruction have been imparted ; and many, 
 whose bondage on earth seemed to be a certain 
 token of an everlasting captivity, have been made 
 to rejoice in the liberty of thy children. Extend, I 
 pray thee, in the name of Jesus, the blessings of 
 this system to every prison. And grant that when 
 thou openest the prison-doors to them that are bound, 
 they may go forth, not to prey upon, but to bless 
 society. 
 
 Gracious God, abate and remove the necessity 
 of punishment, by the decrease and extinction of 
 crime. Let the time soon come, when, in the uni- 
 versal prevalence of virtue, our jails and peniten- 
 tiaries shall be crumbling heaps of ruins, or stand 
 as monuments of past guilt and present reforma- 
 tion. 
 
 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-mor- 
 row nor futurity, that which ought to be done to-day. 
 Suffer not the hope of a more convenient season to 
 defraud thee of that service which thou requirest 
 of me now. O grant me knowledge to discern 
 thine accepted 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 repent- 
 
223 
 
 ance, 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. 0, 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 judg- 
 ment is unfit to discharge the ordinary duties of life, 
 it shall be competent to encounter and decide aright, 
 the weighty interests of eternity. Let none deceive 
 themselves with the vain hope of waiting for God's 
 time. 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. Show them that if they 
 will still refuse to come to thee, their hearts wiil 
 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 reproof. The 
 harvest is past, and we are not saved !" 
 
 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 la- 
 
224 
 
 ment 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, that every knee should bow, 
 and every tongue confess before him, in the deep- 
 est reverence and self-abasement. Thou hast re- 
 vealed 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 pro- 
 faneness. Lord, show them that thou wilt not hold 
 those guiltless, who take thy name in vain. They 
 that love cursing, shall be cursed. Adorable Je- 
 hovah, give them a speedy repentance and forsak- 
 ing of their sin. Grant that every tongue which 
 has abused thy majesty, may become a voice of 
 thanksgiving and prayer. 
 
 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 birthright 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 
 merey. They are scattered over every page of thy 
 word ; they are suited to every variety of Christian 
 experience and trial ; and they are so plain, that he 
 who runs may read. The history of thy heritage, 
 
225 
 
 in all ages, has borne witness that they are steadfast 
 and true ; for they are established on the faithful- 
 ness of the God of Truth. Lord, I desire to mag- 
 nify and extol thee for those assurances of comfort 
 in this life, and of bliss in that to come, which 
 gather in countless 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 
 regard them with overflowing gratitude to thee, as 
 the pledges of thine eternal truth and goodness ; as 
 the beacons which thou hast set to light up the 
 gloomy pathways of life, and to throw over the 
 pillow of death, the dawning beams of an unclouded 
 immortality. 
 
 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 righteous- 
 ness 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 forgetfulness 
 and ingratitude from God ; how it binds the heart in 
 
226 
 
 the fetters of worldly conformity and self-indul 
 gence ; how it nourishes pride, indolence, and un- 
 feelingness, and palsies faith, zeal, and prayer. 
 
 Lord, if it please thee to bestow abundance on 
 me, enable me to us&it, not in fulfilling the lust of 
 the flesh, but for thy glory and the good of man. 
 If riches increase, let me not set my heart upon 
 them. Make me willing to surrender them at thy 
 call. May I remember that the duration of their 
 enjoyment must at best be short; that their plea- 
 sures 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 better inheritance, as shall preserve me from 
 the thraldom 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, " How hardly shall they that have riches, 
 enter into the kingdom of God !" 
 
 Heavenly Father, let me not be envious nor re- 
 bellious 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 ? 
 
 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 
 
227 
 
 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 dost thy will in the army of heaven, and 
 among the inhabitants of earth ; and none can stay 
 thy hand, nor say unto thee, " What dost 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 
 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 depend- 
 ence on thee, and my obligations to thy preserving 
 and governing wisdom. Suffer me not to impeach 
 any of thy ways : for though thy dealings may often 
 seem to the eye of feeble sense to be confused or 
 mysterious, yet in thy sight they stand in perfect 
 order, and are clothed with unshadowed light. 
 Make me submissive to every token of thy will. 
 May I praise thee in joy and in grief: because it 
 is the Lord that giveth, and that taketh away. Thou 
 
228 
 
 art indeed wonderful in counsel, 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 together 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. 
 
 PRUDENCE. 
 
 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, I pray thee, to pursue every 
 right object with a proper spirit. Let me not be 
 governed by any rules of policy which are incon- 
 sistent with a good conscience ; nor do evil that 
 good may come. Instruct me in all my personal 
 and relative duties ; and give me sanctified know- 
 ledge and discreet zeal, to meet and discharge them, 
 in the sight of God. Grant me the instruction of 
 thy word, which is able to make me wise unto sal- 
 vation ; and the teachings of thy Spirit, which search- 
 est the deep things of God, and beareth witness 
 with my conscience, whether I walk in the way, 
 the truth, and the life. 
 
 REGENERATION. See Conversion. 
 
 REPENTANCE. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me repentance unto life, 
 through the merits of the Saviour. Give me, I be- 
 
229 
 
 seech thee, a true sense of my sin. It is against 
 thee, O Lord, I have sinned. I have broken thy 
 holy, wise, and benevolent law, ways and times be- 
 yond number. I have sinned against the teachings 
 of thy word, against the testimonies of conscience, 
 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 punishment. O thou hast spread wide and 
 deep, the lake of unquenchable fire thou hast built, 
 with everlasting strength, the prison-walls of hell 
 where the unrepenting sinner will dwell in torment 
 forever. 
 
 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 
 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, 
 44 Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven 
 thee." 
 
 20 
 
230 
 
 O God, kindle a fire in the consciences of the 
 impenitent, 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 forth 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 
 offences, may be made their justification and com- 
 plete salvation. 
 
 RE PROOF. 
 
 O thou Holy One, suffer me to have no fellow- 
 ship 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 holy courage to bear the testimony of my 
 voice against transgression. But, O, let it not be 
 done in anger, but in love and humility, and with 
 prayer. 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 restore such a one, in the spirit of meek- 
 ness. Show me that the eternal interests of the 
 ungodly require me to take up this cross ; for the 
 
231 
 
 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 dominion of iniquity, and of leading 
 him to seek the salvation of his soul. 
 
 Lord, dispose me to receive rebuke with meek- 
 ness and thankfulness. Make me open to convic- 
 tion, and dispose me to acknowledge and forsake 
 my evil. O may all that are the subjects of Chris- 
 tian reproof, reflect, that he who is often reproved, 
 and still hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be de- 
 stroyed, and that without remedy. 
 
 RESIGNATION. See Affliction, Submission. 
 
 RESURRECTION. 
 
 God of the living, thou hast revealed the doc- 
 trine 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 
 retributions 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 damnation. 
 
 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 : and as we believe that Jesus died and 
 rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, 
 will God bring with him. O may I rejoice in the 
 
232 
 
 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 immor- 
 tality, and be fashioned like unto Christ's glorious 
 body, according to the working whereby he is able 
 to subdue all things to himself. 
 
 RETIREME NT. 
 
 Lord, dispose and enable me to cultivate and en- 
 joy 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 thine own were hours 
 full of holy love to God, and fraught with good-will 
 to man. 
 
 REVENGE. 
 
 Heavenly Father, convince my judgment of the 
 folly, and my heart of the sin, of revenge. Per- 
 suade me that it can neither preserve me from harm, 
 nor procure me any good ; while it stirs up wrath 
 
233 
 
 and retaliation, 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 sloth- 
 fulness ; nor the ungodly go down to death, with- 
 out the strong, and special, and redeeming influences 
 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, with 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. Let them not heal 
 the hurt of the daughter of thy people slightly ; 
 saying, " Peace, peace," when there is no peace. 
 May they search Jerusalem, as with lighted candles; 
 and apply thy truth to all their hearers, with plain- 
 ness, fulness, and pungency. Bless the word of 
 their mouth, and accompany it with the demonstra- 
 tion of thy Spirit. 
 
 O Lord, let judgment begin at the house of God. 
 Take away the hopes of those who have the form of 
 20* 
 
234 
 
 godliness, without its power. Convince thy people 
 of sin against thee, against each other, and against 
 the souls of the ungodly. Bring them to repent- 
 ance 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 un- 
 defiled religion. May they present fervent, impor- 
 tunate, 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 stumblingblock out of 
 the ways of Zion. Give thy servants unity of feel- 
 ing 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 they shall ask, 
 it shall be done for them of our Father in heaven. 
 Let the blessing of the Lord our God be upon them ; 
 and establish the work of their hands upon them : 
 yea, the work of their hands, establish thou it. 
 
 O Most High, visit with convincing and convert- 
 
235 
 
 ing 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 right- 
 eous letribution 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 hard- 
 ness of heart. Let that godly sorrow, which work- 
 eth 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 gracious, they may renounce 
 their iniquities, receive Christ, as he is freely of- 
 fered in the gospel, and give themselves to thee, in 
 a covenant never to be forgotten. 
 
 Lord of Hosts, make the fruits of revivals glo- 
 rious in the history of thy church. May their con- 
 verts to righteousness be for multitude, as the drops 
 of the dew in the morning. May they be distin- 
 guished 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. And to God, the Father, 
 Son, and Spirit, shall be all the praise in earth and 
 heaven, now and forever. Amen. 
 
236 
 
 RICHES. See Prosperity. 
 
 RIGHTEOUSNESS. 
 
 O thou who art righteous in all thy thoughts, 
 purposes, and ways, give me, I pray thee, the cha- 
 racter 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 righteous- 
 ness. May I desire 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 accept- 
 ed 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 diligent 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 thou that hearest and answerest prayer for the 
 merits of Jesus, the Heavenly Advocate, give me 
 
237 
 
 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 
 nature, 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 privileges 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 hast 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 employ- 
 ments 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 exercises 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 affections shall hold free, 
 
238 
 
 and holy, and rejoicing communion with thy Spirit. 
 May I be prepared by its sanctifying duties and re- 
 viving pleasures, for serving thee and mankind 
 better, in all the relations of life. O make it a 
 blessed type of that eternal Sabbath, which is re- 
 served for the pure in heart, in the regions of un- 
 mingled 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 
 mankind. Even those who have made a covenant 
 with thee, to keep thy commandments, sometimes 
 join hand in hand with the ungodly, in these pro- 
 fanations 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 sea- 
 son of amusement, convenience, and lucre. Teach 
 all men that it is thine imperative will, that they 
 should sanctify that day : and that thou hast judg- 
 ments 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 ! 
 
239 
 
 SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 
 
 Lord, thou hast taught us that it is lawful to do 
 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 re- 
 ligious 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 righteousness have been transferred to the 
 gardens of thy church, there to bear fruit unto 
 eternal life. And of these, not a few are now sing- 
 ing, in everlasting 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 king- 
 dom 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 uni- 
 versal, 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 
 
240 
 
 Holy Spirit, which will fill the earth with thy know- 
 ledge, even as the waters cover the deep ? 
 
 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 
 watchmen and husbandmen in it, who shall give it 
 the service of the eye, and of the lips, and of the 
 hands, with willing 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 
 
241 
 
 ail 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- 
 digested knowledge of divine truth. Make them 
 wise in the treasures of the book of nature, and the 
 volume of thy providence. Make them apt to teach 
 in simplicity, in patience, in love, in judgment, 
 and in perseverance. May all teachers love each 
 other out of pure hearts, fervently ; and keep the 
 unity 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 
 imagination of their hearts is evil, thou canst create 
 in them a new heart, and renew a right spirit with- 
 in them. Lord, make them punctual, attentive, 
 obedient, 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. O make their 
 hearts as good ground, which will give growth to 
 21 
 
242 
 
 the seed of truth, and produce rich harvests of spi- 
 ritual good. May they learn the worth of the un- 
 dying soul ; the guilt which sin has brought on 
 them ; and the fearful wrath which hangs over them 
 in their impenitency. Show them, O Lord, the 
 way thou hast provided, of 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 
 TEACHERS, CHILDREN, EARLY PIETY.] 
 
 SACRAMENT. See Lord's Supper. 
 
 SACRED MUSIC. 
 
 Let all that hath breath praise the Lord ! Hearken, 
 O my soul : the voice of universal nature is a song 
 of glory unto God : and shalt thou, who hast shared 
 his choicest mercies, keep silence before him ? I 
 thank thee, Gracious Maker, for the gift of speech. 
 Incline me, I pray thee, to train and employ it in 
 thy praise. Make me feel the importance of this 
 portion of thy worship, in honouring thy name, in 
 exciting feelings of devotion, and in obtaining thy 
 blessing. Let it be an intelligent, sincere, and holy 
 service. May I sing with the understanding, and 
 
243 
 
 with the spirit ; making melody with my heart unto 
 the Lord. 
 
 Lord, redeem the power of music from the fool- 
 ish and profane uses to which it is so often applied. 
 Let praise wait for thee, O God, in Zion. May 
 thy saints teach and admonish one another, in 
 psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs ; singing 
 with grace in their hearts unto the Lord. Dispose 
 thy people to give increased attention to this im- 
 portant service. Reform its abuses, in manner and 
 in spirit. Let it not be profaned by insincerity, 
 nor be made the instrument of vain glory. May all 
 feel it to be their duty to fit themselves to join in it. 
 Give it influence on the piety of the church, and 
 let its words of wisdom fall with conviction on the 
 ears of the ungodly. O may the days of praise of 
 thy servants on earth, prepare them for that nobler 
 worship, where every thought, and every feeling, 
 and every sound, is a voice of melody, which hearts 
 of bliss bring, like holy incense, to thy heavenly 
 throne ! 
 
 SALVATION. 
 
 Heavenly Father, grant me just and full views 
 of the plan of salvation by a Redeemer. Give me, 
 I pray thee, an understanding to know, and a heart 
 to feel, whatthou hast done for the redemption of 
 sinners. In the counsels of eternity, thou didst 
 foresee 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 wis- 
 dom 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. 
 
244 
 
 in the fulness of time, to save that which was lost 
 to ransom 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 hang- 
 ing the terrors of the second death. And, O, that 
 redemption which he brought, not only saves from 
 these fearful evils, but exalts those who were by 
 nature and practice the heirs of wo, to be the ob- 
 jects 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 me 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 plan, by mak- 
 ing our deliverance the fruit of our works of right- 
 eousness, 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 be scarcely saved, 
 where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 
 
245 
 
 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 life ; by 
 the startling terrors of thy law, or by the clear 
 shining of thy love. Make them feel that the re- 
 demption of the soul is precious, and that it ceaseth 
 forever. 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 life, 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 thou- 
 sand spent in worldly pleasures. O that I might 
 desire more to be a doorkeeper 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 together, 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 re- 
 newed strength and increasing diligence, in their 
 Christian race ; and there thou makest the souls of 
 thine enemies to tremble and bow before thy sove- 
 reign will. It is in thy house, Lord, that thou 
 21* 
 
246 
 
 showest the riches of thy mercy, and the strength 
 of thy power ! 
 
 Great Master of Assemblies, bring me to thy ta- 
 bernacle 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 a fire that melteth, and as a 
 hammer that breaketh the rock. Incline 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 doth the 
 will of our Father in heaven. Make me a doer, as 
 well as a hearer, of thy word. Lord, let not the im- 
 pressions 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 wayside ; 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 fold. 
 
 Grant, I pray thee, that when I call upon thy 
 name in thy house, my prayer may not go out of 
 feigned lips. Make it the homage of the creature 
 to the Creator, and the supplication of a needy child 
 to a rich and liberal Parent. And when I praise 
 thee in the songs of Zion, may I render thee not 
 
247 
 
 only an outward, but an inward and spiritual wor- 
 ship. 
 
 Lord, bring within thy sanctuaries, the multitudes 
 who spend their Sabbaths in idleness and sin. 0, 
 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 right- 
 eous. 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 
 name, Father, Son, and Spirit, shall have the praise 
 forever. 
 
 SA NOTIFICATION. 
 
 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. 
 
 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 demerit, by vivid views of the unending 
 punishment of the lost. O make me loathe trans- 
 
248 
 
 gression. Paralyze 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 the fruits of 
 holiness. 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 earth the means of leading a wicked and per- 
 verse generation, by the power of a good example, 
 to glorify their Father in heaven. Gracious Sove- 
 reign, enable them to adorn the doctrine of God, 
 their Saviour, in all things. Imbue them with that 
 holiness without which no man can see the Lord. 
 [_See HOLINESS.] 
 
 SATAN. 
 
 Merciful Father, protect me from the open and 
 secret influences of Satan, who is the great adver- 
 sary 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 spotless purity of Jesus himself, were not ex- 
 empt from his devices, I surely should not hope to 
 escape his assaults. But I implore the aid of thy 
 grace, that I may resist them, and triumph over 
 them. Bestow on me the shield of faith, where- 
 with 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 
 
249 
 
 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 
 servants 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 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 thy mercy, in Jesus Christ, 
 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 Scrip- 
 tures 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 incentives to good 
 for their examples, which are monitors of duty 
 for their threatenings, which are merciful warnings 
 against evil and for their promises, which are the 
 beacons of hope. Thy testimonies are sure, mak- 
 ing wise the simple ; and thy law is perfect, con- 
 verting the soul. 
 
 Lord, grant me an affecting sense of thy conde- 
 scending goodness in the gift of the volume of reve- 
 
250 
 
 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 doth 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 correc- 
 tion, and for instruction in righteousness ; that I 
 may be thoroughly 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 accord- 
 ing to thy word ; and cause it to dwell in me richly, 
 in all wisdom. Enable me to draw lessons of wis- 
 dom 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 of the truth of the Bible, which 
 the researches of the wise and good have gathered 
 over its sacred leaves. O that every skeptic, 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, to 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 sal- 
 vation. May thy saints attend thereunto, with dili- 
 
251 
 
 gence, preparation, and prayer; receiving it with 
 faith and love, laying it up in their hearts, and prac- 
 tising it in their lives. 
 
 Bestow, I pray thee, thy rich favour on Bible- 
 classes. Thou hast been pleased to make them, in 
 many instances, the instruments of turning the hearts 
 of the disobedient. Establish them in every com- 
 munity. Let them be conducted in wisdom and 
 grace, and result in multiplying greatly the trophies 
 of redeeming love. 
 
 God of Truth, prosper with thy blessing, the ef- 
 forts which have been made, and are now making, 
 to give the word of life to those who, in our own, 
 and in other countries, are perishing 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 reani- 
 mate, and strengthen, and extend these labours, until 
 thy word shall have free course in every family 
 throughout the world, and be glorified in bringing 
 multitudes of souls into the kingdom of God. And 
 to thee, O Lord, shall be ascribed the power, and 
 dominion, and glory, forever. 
 
 SE A ME N. 
 
 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 
 sanctuary, any home ; and how few are there among 
 thy people, that care for their bodies or their souls. 
 Lord, preserve them in their constant perils by sea 
 and by land. O thou that makes t the storm a calm, 
 
252 
 
 that the waves thereof are still, restrain for them 
 the raging tempest ; 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 are more dangerous than 
 stormy winds, and sunken rocks, and treacherous 
 seas. 
 
 Heavenly Father, I thank thee that this class of 
 men, so long neglected, has 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 suf- 
 ferings, 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 
 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 endea- 
 vours 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 
 
253 
 
 creation, and by constant benefaction. O has not 
 Christ died for me, that I should be thine, in the 
 purchase of his atoning blood ? 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 
 sinners. 
 
 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 in- 
 tentions 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 himself of 
 no reputation ; and though he had all power in hea- 
 ven and earth, took upon him 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 
 
254 
 
 men, whose favour is indeed deceitful. Raise me 
 above the fear of man, that bringeth a snare. As- 
 sist me, I beseech thee, to overcome my tempta- 
 tions 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-DECEPTION. 
 
 Searcher of Hearts, suffer me not to dwell at ease 
 in Zion, if I have only a name to live, and have 
 not the lifegiving 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 giv- 
 ing up of the ghost. Bestow on me, I beseech 
 thee, thou Gracious One, a good hope through grace, 
 which 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 de- 
 ceived, 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 
 
255 
 
 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 will feast with 
 the fulness of joy, in thy presence, forevermore. 
 
 S E L F-E XAMINATION. 
 
 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, right- 
 eousness, sanetification, and redemption. Have I 
 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 ? 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, all my errors, weaknesses, 
 
256 
 
 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 mo- 
 tives 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 re- 
 ligion by occasional impressions and impulses, but 
 by my habit of life. Lord, make it worthy of the 
 vocation wherewith I am called, and such as be- 
 cometh 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 
 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 
 ray 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. 
 
257 
 
 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 
 $f 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. 
 
 SEMINARIES. 
 
 Great Teacher, bestow thy choicest favours on 
 those who are now in training for the active duties 
 of life, in our various institutions of learning. I 
 thank thee that thou art multiplying the facilities of 
 securing a liberal education, and that an increasing 
 number of minds are receiving those acquisitions of 
 knowledge, which impart dignity and usefulness to 
 man. Yet, O Lord, I desire to remember that 
 many youth, who were the hope of parents, and 
 the pride of friends, have made shipwreck in our semi- 
 naries, of all that is valuable for time and eternity ; 
 and that unsanetified genius has often exerted, and 
 may still exert, a fearful power to do evil. 
 22* 
 
258 
 
 Lord, shelter these precious youth from the dan- 
 gers to which they are exposed, by ambition, infi- 
 delity, and corruption. Thou seest that the large 
 majority of them are unconverted ; and that beside 
 the peril that may accrue to their own souls, they 
 are the germs of those influences which will spread 
 weal or wo among mankind. Thou knowest that 
 it is to these the church looks for the chief supply 
 of that ministry, which thou hast appointed to preach 
 the gospel to every creature. 
 
 Gracious God, make these institutions favourable, 
 in the highest degree, for the promotion of useful 
 learning and sound morals. May those who teach in 
 them, be fitted in intellect and heart for their responsi- 
 ble duties. Grant that while their pupils are drinking 
 from the fountains of human knowledge, they may 
 also draw water ont of the wells of salvation ; and 
 be prepared to go forth, into the walks of life, laden 
 with the mingled treasures of wisdom and piety. 
 
 Lord, remember pious students. Suffer them 
 not to forsake nor dishonour their profession of 
 godliness. Let their example be moulded in right- 
 eousness. Give them willing hearts and abundant 
 opportunities to do good in their station. O do 
 thou make our seminaries subjects of deep interest 
 and earnest supplication in thy church. Let that 
 day of annual prayer which has been appointed for 
 them, be a consecrated season among thy people. 
 And grant, that often, very often, in the sacred desk, 
 in the social meeting, and in the lonely closet, ear- 
 nest entreaty may go up to thy throne, that thou 
 wouldst take the precious jewels of educated mind, 
 in these cabinets of knowledge, and purify and po- 
 lish them, that they may reflect thy glory before 
 earth and heaven* 
 
259 
 
 SERVANTS. 
 
 Heavenly Master, bless those that occupy the 
 relation of servants. Teach them the duties of their 
 station, and dispose them to do them in the fear of 
 the Lord. May they count their masters worthy of 
 honour, and obey them in singleness of heart, as 
 unto Christ; with good-will doing service, as to 
 the Lord, and not to men ; knowing that whatso- 
 ever good things any man doth, the same shall he 
 receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 
 Make them faithful in protecting and diligent 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 lawful duties. May 
 they remember that even the Son of Man took 
 upon him the form of a servant, and came not to be 
 ministered unto, but to minister. 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, " Welt 
 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 
 
260 
 
 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 
 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 
 service 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 rebukes. Grant them confidence in thy wis- 
 dom, mercy, and power: for thou canst not err in 
 thy judgment thy chastenings work out the peace- 
 able 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 suffering, how brief and un- 
 certain are earthly comforts how weak and brittle is 
 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 
 
261 
 
 blood, consecrate themselves to him, that whether 
 living or dying, they may be the Lord's. 
 
 Merciful Father, shed thy most tender compas- 
 sions 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 with hope in their hearts, and rejoicing on their 
 lips. O let not the sinner venture to encounter the 
 king of terrors with sullen indifference, nor decep- 
 tive hope. Although a death-bed repentance be an 
 uncertain ground of trust, yet thy grace, which is 
 sufficient 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 Para- 
 dise/' 
 
 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 for- 
 bidden, and failing to do what thou hast commanded. 
 Lord, every sin deserves thy wrath and curse, both 
 in this life, and in 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 
 transgressed, 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 in- 
 gratitude 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 
 
262 
 
 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, remorse, and death, in the world, are the 
 fruits of transgression ; and that if sin had not 
 entered into the world, this earth would have been, 
 in all its generations, a paradise of happy and 
 holy obedience. Lord, increase our sense of the ex- 
 ceeding sinfulness of sin, by heartfelt 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 impenitent, the smoke of 
 whose torment ascendeth forever 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 right- 
 eousness 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 
 litter 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 
 righteousness 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 
 ungodliness, and to fear and loathe iniquity, that 
 I shall constantly die unto sin and live unto right- 
 eousness. 
 
263 
 
 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 self- 
 ishness, nor unbelief, nor despondency, stupify my 
 compassions for those who everywhere crowd the 
 ways of 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 earnest- 
 ness 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. 
 
 wilt thou give me the blessed privilege of turn- 
 ing 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 con- 
 cern for the spiritual wants of men, pervade their 
 thoughts, direct their desires, and govern their con- 
 duct. O that all who call upon thy name for their 
 own salvation, would earnestly ask what thou wilt 
 have them to do, in saving the ungodly. Arm them, 
 
 1 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 holy example, 
 the wisdom of right knowledge, and the fervour of 
 persevering 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 
 
264 
 
 for thy distinguishing grace, to excite their strong 
 cryings 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 retribu- 
 tion which hangs over the impenitent ; and cause 
 them to feel and act upon the strong conviction, 
 that in fulfilling their duty to such, they will enjoy 
 peace of conscience, 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 re- 
 proach, that they have ungratefully refused to con- 
 secrate these virtues to the Lord that bestowed them. 
 O that thy love to them, in the mercies of thy pro- 
 vidence, 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. 
 Persuade 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, 
 
265 
 
 Father, Son, and Spirit, shall have the glory of their 
 redemption, through time and eternity. Amen. 
 
 SLANDER. 
 
 Lord, suffer me not to be guilty of the vice of 
 slander. Let me not through either mistake or pre- 
 judice, 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 comfort and usefulness, domestic and 
 social bliss, and public peace ! How has even the 
 character of piety been soiled, and its means of 
 doing good frustrated, by the words of suspicion, 
 and talebearing and falsehood ! Let the lying lips 
 be put to silence, which speak grievous things 
 proudly and contemptuously, against the righteous. 
 O that all evil speaking would cease out of the world, 
 and that all men would judge the motives, 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 feel- 
 ings 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 
 23 
 
 
266 
 
 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 
 chambers 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 appropriate to itself the time and the toil of 
 the weak and needy, and degrade the immortal mind 
 with ignorance and sin ? Lord, let our land soon 
 cease to be an astonishment and a reproach among 
 the nations of the earth. May we cease to do evil, 
 and learn to do well. Show us that righteousness 
 exalteth a nation ; but that sin is a reproach to any 
 people. 
 
 Shepherd of Israel, take away the guilt of thy 
 people in this matter, whether it be incurred by si- 
 fence, 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. 
 
267 
 
 May they in meekness, instruct those that oppose 
 themselves; and yet be faithful witnesses, that 
 shall cry aloud, and spare not ; and who will show 
 them their transgressions. Grant them in this war- 
 fare, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous, 
 which availeth much ; and make them abundant in- 
 struments in advancing 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 
 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 
 iniquity by showing mercy. O suffer him not to 
 continue to take away the key of knowledge, and 
 to seal over to vicious ignorance, the soul 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- 
 tives, and the opening of the prison-doors to them 
 that are bound. But, let it be a bloodless deliver- 
 
268 
 
 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. 
 
 Eternal and Unchangeable Jehovah, thou hast 
 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 profit- 
 ed, 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, for Christ's sake, to 
 understand something of its ever-living value. Teach 
 me that its powers of thought, memory, and affec- 
 tion 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 corruptible things, 
 such as silver and gold ; but with the precious blood 
 
269 
 
 of Christ. Lord, let me not learn the worth of my 
 soul by its eternal loss, but by its everlasting 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, take me 
 to that city which 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 re- 
 sult 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 
 dies, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth, pre- 
 pared for the devil and his angels, and for the spi- 
 rits of the lost. O do thou write over all their 
 thoughts of these scenes, as in letters of light, ETER- 
 NITY, 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 re- 
 demption of the soul ceaseth forever. 
 
 SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. 
 
 Lord, thou dost according to thy will in the army 
 of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth ; and 
 23* 
 
270 
 
 none can stay thy hand, or say unto thee, " What 
 dost thou ?" 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 hid these things from 
 the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. 
 Thou hast mercy on whom thou wilt have mercy ; 
 and whom thou wilt thou hardenest. Even so, 
 Father ; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 
 
 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 burden 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 multitude 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 
 
271 
 
 own. Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker. 
 Let the potsherds of the earth strive with the pots- 
 herds 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 willing 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 their torment ascendeth up forever and 
 ever, then shall be heard the voice of a great mul- 
 titude, as the voice of many waters, and of mighty 
 thunderings, saying, " Alleluia ; 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 life 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 re- 
 gard the blessing of thy favour infinitely above any 
 and all earthly good. Incline me to find my plea- 
 sure 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 darkest scenes ; and which are 
 
272 
 
 sweet foretastes of the happiness of that land of 
 spirits, where formality, and sense, and sin, shall 
 give place to sincerity, devotion, and holiness. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 Lord, thou sendest out thy word, and mel test the 
 ice ; thou causest thy wind to blow, and the waters 
 flow. Lo ! the winter is past, and the flowers ap- 
 pear on the earth : the time of the singing of birds 
 is come : thou waterest the hills from thy cham- 
 bers ; and thy breath maketh the earth fruitful. 
 
 O may the returning warmth, the reviving ver- 
 dure, the gushing waters the universal joy of 
 emancipated nature, create an echo of sympathy in 
 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. O why should man, who en- 
 joys thy richest blessings, 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 
 
273 
 
 confidence in thy providence ; for if God so clothes 
 the grass, which to-day is in the field, and to-morrow 
 is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe 
 me ? And if he feeds the fowls of the air, which nei- 
 ther sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, will he not 
 also feed me ? Lord, thou knowest that I 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. 
 
 Merciful God, give me wisdom to look on life, 
 as the seedtime of man's estate, and on eternity as 
 its harvest. They that plough iniquity, and sow 
 wickedness, shall reap the same ; but they that sow 
 to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 
 
 Lord, bless those who are in the springtime of 
 life. May they remember their Creator in the days 
 of their youth. Teach them that though their joy 
 is in its opening bud, thou canst blast it, ere it be- 
 come 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 will 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 ! 
 
274 
 
 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 faith 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 hast 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 
 unsubmissive when thou layest thy hand upon me 
 in correction or displeasure. O God, assist me to 
 recognise thy hand in all the workings of thy pro- 
 vidence ; 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 de- 
 spise thy chastenings, nor faint at thy 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 
 
275 
 
 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 of the Lord Jesus. Be unto me as the sha- 
 dow of a great rock in a weary land. Lord, lift up 
 the light of thy countenance upon rne, and send me 
 thy Sun of righteousness, with healing in his wings. 
 And through thy tender mercy, let the dayspring 
 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 de- 
 stroying rain. Let the heavens give their dew 
 make thou the earth soft with showers give the 
 
276 
 
 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 belie veth on him, should never thirst. 
 
 O thou that givest growth and plenty, bless the 
 good seed of thy word. As the rain cometh 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 where- 
 to thou hast sent it. 
 
 Lord, when I look on the abundance which covers 
 the earth, may I remember those moral fields that 
 are white already to the harvest ; which truly is 
 plenteous, but the labourers are 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. 
 
277 
 
 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 
 indolence. Alas, how have the faculties and op- 
 portunities thou hast in mercy given me, been neg- 
 lected, perverted, and abused. Too often I have 
 sought my own corrupt pleasures, instead of fulfill- 
 ing the exalted and ennobling duties thou hast set 
 before me. O give me an everpresent 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 reckoning, I may receive the plaudit- 
 " Well done, thou good 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 arc 
 24 
 
278 
 
 committed to their care. O preserve our youth 
 from the corrupting and destroying evils of igno- 
 rant and immoral instructers. 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 know- 
 ledge that can adorn human nature. Multiply the 
 facilities of education ; put them within the reach 
 of all classes ; and dispose all men to seek the in- 
 tellectual, moral, and religious culture of the rising 
 generation. 
 
 O Lord, vouchsafe, for the sake of thy dear Son, 
 thy choicest blessings on the Teachers of Sabbath- 
 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 ever}* lesser 
 degree of success, O make the conversion of souls 
 their steadfast and absorbing aim ! 
 
 Impress on their minds, the priceless value, the 
 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 
 sympathies with the love of Jesus ; that its respon- 
 sibilities take hold of eternal issues ; and that its 
 faithful discharge will make them as the brightness 
 of the firmament, and as the stars, forever and 
 ever ! 
 
 Great God, give them an experimental knowledge 
 of that salvation which is the great and final object 
 
279 
 
 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 
 doctrine 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 
 various helps which the wise and good have fur- 
 nished for their cause ; and let them not grudge the 
 time, and toil, and cost which are necessary to pre- 
 pare them to meet and instruct their classes. Let 
 the spirit of affection manifest itself in all their 
 measures ; 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 
 encounter, through failure, or ignorance, or vice, or 
 enmity. May that intention to succeed which 
 stimulates their efforts, and secures their objects, in 
 worldly pursuits, animate them with the purpose of 
 success in this calling; but, Lord, let this spirit ever 
 be pervaded by a sense of dependence on thee. 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 schoolroom ; 
 
280 
 
 but may it be their pleasure (as it 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 skilful to use, the influences 
 which mould human character and conduct. Let 
 all the mutual relations of teachers be governed by 
 the fellowship of saints. Suffer 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 
 44 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 to maintain an unruffled spirit amid the vex- 
 ations of circumstances, and the provocations 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 rne 
 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 lived as our 
 Example, as well as died as our Redeemer, Lord, 
 
281 
 
 keep me from those occasional or habitual excite- 
 ments of temper, which rob my mind of comfort, 
 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 rneek and quiet spirit, which in thy sight is of 
 great price. 
 
 TEMPERANCE. See Intemperance. 
 
 TEMPTATION. 
 
 Great God, make me realize that I live in con- 
 stant danger of temptations from foes without and 
 enemies within. Satan, with his countless wiles 
 my own heart, with its self-deceit 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, in- 
 deed, purposes of wisdom, in suffering me to be 
 thus subject 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 seasons, O Most High, that thy strength is 
 made perfect in our weakness ; and that we are en- 
 abled to glory in our infirmities, that the power 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 
 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 se- 
 24* 
 
282 
 
 duction and when the abounding consolations of 
 thy Spirit have been perverted into heedlessness 
 towards the spiritual dangers which beset me. Give 
 me wisdom to discover, and strength to resist, the 
 approach of evil. Let me say at every enticement, 
 " How can I do this wickedness, and sin against 
 God ?" 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 safely through every danger, and in 
 thine own time, give me an inheritance among those 
 who have come out of great tribulation, and have 
 washed their robes, and made them white, in the 
 blood of the Lamb ! 
 
 THANKSGIVING. 
 
 Lord, I bring unto thee the sacrifice of thanks- 
 giving ; 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 I have not deserved even the 
 least of them. I would magnify thee for thy pro- 
 viding, sparing, forgiving, and saving mercies. I 
 I 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 public safety. I thank 
 thee for preserving me in the weakness and diseases 
 of childhood, 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 
 
 
283 
 
 been few 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. Strength- 
 en my memory that I may retain a knowledge of 
 them. Fill my heart with gratitude and love, be- 
 cause of thine unnumbered, unmerited blessings. 
 May they lead me to repentance, humility, and 
 faith, and to consecrate them and myself to thy ser- 
 vice and glory. 
 
 THEATRE. 
 
 Heavenly Father, create an intelligent and vir- 
 tuous public sentiment in relation to the dangers of 
 theatres ; and let it be such as shall lead to their 
 speedy abandonment and suppression. Dispel the fal- 
 lacy of those who regard the playhouse as a " school 
 of morals." Let the character of its teachers and 
 pupils, the language it offers to the ear, and the 
 scenes it presents to the eye, with its appendages 
 of intemperance and lewdness, be swift witnesses 
 to all men, that it is a school of vice. Lord, keep 
 our youth from venturing into the magic circles of 
 its corrupting influence. O how many, for whom 
 a father's daily toil and a mother's anxious care, 
 have been spent, have laid here the sure foundation 
 of dissipation, fraud, debauchery, and ruin. O when 
 shall the offerings to this Moloch cease ? Although 
 drunk with the blood of souls, its voice is still " Give 
 
284 
 
 give !" And still its courts, and shambles, and 
 altars are crowded with the living sacrifices. 
 
 God of Israel, let none who profess thy name, 
 give the theatre their patronage. For what fellow- 
 ship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and 
 what concord hath Christ with Belial ? Persuade 
 the moral and influential, who now encourage and 
 uphold this system, that it is full of danger to 
 private good and public welfare. Direct the popu- 
 lar taste, which now sanctions and demands this 
 amusement, into other and better pursuits. Let the 
 joys of the domestic circle, the pleasures of social 
 intercourse, and the pursuit of useful knowledge, 
 have more attractions than the mimic fancies of the 
 playhouse. Turn many feet, that stray to it nightly, 
 into the house of God ; there to learn, instead of 
 the fictions of worldly scenes, the realities of end- 
 less life. Lord, cause these walls that now echo to 
 the foolish song, the profane jest, and the licentious 
 speech, to resound with the hymn of praise, the 
 voice of prayer, and the word of God. Let the tem- 
 ple of Satan become the tabernacle of the Most High ! 
 
 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 
 mankind to fraud, robbery, and oppression, and to 
 be partakers of unholy gain. Do thou cause the 
 principles of strict and impartial honesty to govern 
 the relations of commerce, and of master and ser- 
 vant. Give currency and influence, I pray thee, 
 to that blessed rule, of doing unto others as we 
 would they should do unto us. 
 
285 
 
 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 
 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 
 encourage 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 
 member, and full of deadly poison ; producing en- 
 vying 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 bridle th 
 
286 
 
 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 corrupt communication proceed out of my 
 mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edify- 
 ing, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 
 [See SLANDER.] 
 
 TRACTS. 
 
 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 unto 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, 
 proclaiming the everlasting gospeL 
 
287 
 
 Lord, extend and bless their circulation in our 
 own land. Grant thy rich favour to the monthly 
 distribution, 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 
 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 enlightening, 
 convincing, and converting power of the Holy 
 Spirit. 
 
 TRAVELLING. 
 
 O thou that directest the steps of men, preserve 
 me from accident, sickness, and death, when I am 
 absent from home ; and restore me to its comforts 
 and privileges, refreshed and strengthened for all 
 its various duties. I beseech thee especially, that 
 thou wouldst warn me against the spiritual dangers 
 to which I am exposed in such seasons; and do 
 thou enable me to escape them, and gather profit 
 to myself, and do good to others, in all my journey- 
 ings. Suffer me not to neglect secret prayer, nor 
 the reading of thy word, nor the study of my heart. 
 Let not my mind be dissipated by idleness, nor my 
 soul be corrupted by pleasure. Permit not my cha- 
 racter to take its colour from every object it meets. 
 If I must mingle with the wicked, allow me to have 
 no fellowship with their works of darkness, but 
 
288 
 
 rather to reprove them. Let me not profane thy holy 
 Sabbath by continuing to travel on it ; nor refrain 
 from its services, when I rest through its sacred 
 hours. And suffer me not to do any thing which I 
 would avoid amid the restraints of the family, or 
 among those that know me. May I make the Bible 
 my companion, and the throne of grace my home, 
 in all my travels. Give me courage and grace to 
 defend the truth, and to do good, as I have oppor- 
 tunity. Make me realize that wherever I go, thine 
 eye is upon me ; and let this impression make the 
 state of my heart, and the tenor of my life, such as 
 become a profession of godliness. O may I say, 
 at the outset of every journey, with thy servant of 
 old, " Lord, if thy presence go not with me, carry 
 me not up hence." 
 
 TRINITY. 
 
 Great God, cause my understanding to acknow- 
 ledge, and my heart to adore, the mystery of the 
 Father, 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 judgment 
 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 
 
289 
 
 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. 
 
 TRUTH. 
 
 Heavenly Father, dispel every form of error, by 
 the power of uncorrupted truth. L.ord, 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. In- 
 struct them in that mystery, which was hid from 
 ages and from generations, but now is made mani- 
 fest 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 re- 
 buke 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 pos- 
 sible 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 forever. \_See 
 FALSEHOOD.] 
 
 Great God, thou art the fountain of untarnished 
 truth, and with thee there is no variableness, nor 
 shadow of turning. No form of deceit has ever 
 25 
 
290 
 
 cast a stain 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 pro- 
 mises are all Yea and Amen; and thy threatenings, 
 though they be not speedily executed, shall be ful- 
 filled in righteousness. O Lord, give me such a 
 persuasion of thy faithfulness, as shall encourage 
 and strengthen my heart in every endurance of trial, 
 and in every performance of duty. Help me to 
 commit the keeping of my soul unto thee, in well- 
 doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 
 
 UNBELIEF. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, I beseech thee, let there not 
 be in me an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from 
 the living God. May I ever regard it as the parent 
 of all iniquity : for if faith were perfect, there would 
 be no transgression. Assist me to know and feel 
 that this sin dishonours thy glorious name, thy pre- 
 cious word, and thy righteous providence. Make 
 me feel that it shuts out the light of thy counte- 
 nance, 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. Enable me to watch unto prayer, against 
 this destroying evil. Protect me from the influ- 
 ences 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. Rebuke it by the example of thine ancient 
 saints, who all died in faith, not having received the 
 promises ; but having seen them afar oft', were per- 
 suaded of them, and embraced them. Give my 
 
291 
 
 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 unbelief. [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 tnee, in the name of the Heavenly Advocate, 
 that thou wouldst make me feel the solemn re- 
 sponsibilities which belong to the noble faculty of 
 reason. Let not ignorance, nor prejudice, nor de- 
 pravity control its exercises. Preserve it from error, 
 and guide it into the knowledge of truth. Make it 
 a storehouse of useful knowledge. Direct its en- 
 ergies chiefly towards that wisdom which is from 
 above. Grant me enlarged and discriminating views 
 of thy character, 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 evermore. May they 
 mourn over the unkindness and strife that so often 
 prevail among those who bear the same party name. 
 May they lament over the sectional feelings which 
 
292 
 
 alienate the members of different communions, and 
 forbid the universal fellowship of saints. God of 
 Peace, let not Ephraim envy Judah, nor Judah vex 
 Ephraim. 
 
 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, 
 refuse fellowship with each other on earth ? O 
 God of Love, rebuke every spirit of dissension. 
 Bring together all the scattered fragments of thy 
 church, and bind them by that charity which is the 
 bond of perfectness. As there is but one Shepherd, 
 so let there be but one fold. As there is but one 
 King, so let 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 to- 
 gether 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 I remember that every tree that 
 bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and 
 cast into the fire. Thou hast placed me in the gar- 
 den of thy providence, not merely that I should ga- 
 ther 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 only, but also that I 
 mi'ght give the bread of life to others. Christ has 
 
293 
 
 not died for me that I should live unto myself, but 
 unto him, in the spirit of his gospel ; which is good- 
 will toward 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. 
 Keep me from weariness in well-doing. 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 Enable me to instruct the 
 ignorant, to reprove the wicked, to strengthen the 
 good, and to win souls from the mazes of error and 
 sin, to the ways of truth and holiness. 
 
 w A R. 
 
 God of Peace, give me a heart to mourn over the 
 temporal and spiritual woes that have been inflicted 
 on our guilty race by war. For from the days of 
 ungodly Cain, contention and carnage have filled 
 up the measure of every generation; and thou hast 
 written the proof of human depravity, in the whole 
 history of the world ; every page of which is red 
 with the blood of man. 
 
 Lord, instruct all men in relation to the evils and 
 remedies of war. Show them that it involves na- 
 tions in oppressive debt, cripples the productive in- 
 dustry of countries, and spreads poverty and de- 
 solation over the homes of plenty and comfort. Let 
 their sympathies follow its ravages, where it makes 
 the parent childless, the wife a widow, the child an 
 orphan, and the sister brotherless. May they dwell 
 on the bleeding wounds, and the dying strife of the 
 battle-field, where untold millions have been cut off 
 25* 
 
294 
 
 in the midst of health and life. And O, let their 
 deep compassions pursue its havoc into that land of 
 souls, where these crowds of immortal spirits have 
 been driven ; alas, how seldom with any hope of 
 salvation ! 
 
 I bless thee, gracious God, that the thoughts of 
 the humane and good have been directed to this sub- 
 ject, in the hope of lessening and banishing its evils ; 
 and that a public sentiment is forming, which ac- 
 knowledges its woes, and seeks its suppression. 
 Do thou reconcile, upon the basis of truth, every 
 discordant opinion and measure for its extirpation. 
 Unite for this object, the desires and efforts of the 
 benevolent and pious in every land. Let thy 
 blessed gospel, which is peace on earth, supplant 
 everywhere that selfishness and revenge, which 
 are the fruitful sources of national strife. O God, 
 break the bow ; burn the chariot in the fire ; beat 
 the sword into a ploughshare, and the spear into a 
 pruninghook ; and make wars to cease unto the end 
 of the earth ! 
 
 WATCHFULNESS. 
 
 Lord, instruct me in the nature of the spiritual 
 dangers 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 inter- 
 course 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 adver- 
 sary of the soul, and seeks its destruction by count- 
 less stratagems. Let the memory of my past falls 
 and backslidings, make me heedful lest I become 
 
295 
 
 entangled in like snares. May my loins be girt 
 about, and my light be burning ; and may I receive 
 the blessing of those servants, whom, when the 
 Lord cometh, he shall find watching. 
 
 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 conso- 
 lation into her bereaved and aching bosom, and 
 cause her heart to sing for joy, because of thy com- 
 forts. Raise up for her those whose sympathies 
 will cheer her wounded spirit, whose counsels will 
 encourage her sinking hopes, and whose help 
 will assist her in struggling with a selfish and 
 unfeeling world. Protect 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 afllicting visita- 
 tion, the things which belong to her peace, and 
 make the time of her earthly loss, the season of 
 
296 
 
 her eternal gain. Be ihou unto her the chief 
 among ten thousand, and one altogether lovely. Say 
 unto her, "Fear not, I am with thee ; I, even I, am 
 he that comforteth thee : thy Maker is thy hus- 
 band." 
 
 WILL. 
 
 Sovereign of the Universe, sanctify my will. 
 Give it grace always to choose that which is good, 
 and to 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 rebellion. 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. 
 
 WILL OF GOD. See Obedience, Submission. 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 Lord, who can stand before thy cold ? Thou giv- 
 est 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 unsightly limbs over a barren landscape ; and 
 the earth that lately teemed with the beauty and 
 
297 
 
 abundance of life, is now wrapped in the cold wind- 
 ingsheet 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 be- 
 neath them, the germs of seedtime and the promise 
 of harvest. In due time thou wilt bring forth, re- 
 freshed and renewed by the sleep of Winter, the 
 green herb, the waving leaf, the smiling flower, and 
 the rushing waters, 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. 
 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 things which are needful for 
 the body. Dispose me to open my hand to the 
 needy remembering that thou hast said, " Blessed 
 is he that considereth the poor.' 1 
 
 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, for its 
 severest vicissitudes. Make me feel that I deserve 
 
298 
 
 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 
 generations 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, forever ! 
 
 WISDOM. 
 
 Lord, thou hast said that if any man lack wisdom 
 let him ask of thee, and it shall be given him. I 
 would come before thee, Merciful Father, feeling 
 the weakness of my judgment, and its unfitness, 
 without strength from thee, to enable me 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 that is from above, which is 
 first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreat- 
 ed, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, 
 and without hypocrisy. 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 
 
299 
 
 calling, and what the riches of the glory of his in- 
 heritance in the saints. And grant me, the blessed- 
 ness of knowing, by my own experience, that he 
 that winneth souls is wise. 
 
 WISDOM OF GOD. 
 
 Great God, who hath been thy counsellor, or 
 who hath directed thy judgment? Lo, thou work- 
 est 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 directing mind is seen everywhere 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 ac- 
 cording to knowledge. 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 fulness. Herein are those mysteries 
 of thy grace God manifest in the flesh he ivho 
 knew no sin was made sin for us while we ivere 
 sinners Christ died for us thou canst be just, 
 and still be the justifier of him that believeth in 
 Jesus! O, the depth of the riches both of the wis- 
 dom and knowledge 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. 
 1 would submit to thy will, which is the perfection 
 
300 
 
 of reason. And I would adore thee, because thou 
 art infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in thy wis- 
 dom ! 
 
 WORLD. 
 
 Lord, keep me from conformity to the world. 
 May I use it, as not abusing it ; having my affec- 
 tions set on things above, and not on things on the 
 earth. Show me that its pleasures are few in num- 
 ber, brief in existence, unsatisfying in their nature, 
 and corrupting 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 ? As- 
 sist me, I pray thee, to pass the time of my sojourn- 
 ing here in fear, knowing that it is a sphere of dan- 
 ger, in which my heart is tempted to wander from 
 God, to forget eternity, to neglect my noblest duties, 
 and to live in sense and sin. I cannot, and indeed 
 1 should not desire to, withdraw from the business 
 of the world, and from intercourse with worldly 
 men ; but I beseech thee, Lord, that thou wouldst 
 abide with me on all those occasions which require 
 me to mingle with such scenes and companions. 
 Teach me thy way, and lead me in a plain path, 
 for the sake of my own purity, and the welfare of 
 them that observe me. Let me not pollute my own 
 soul, by being a partaker 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 that all her paths are peace. 
 
301 
 
 Gracious God, open my eyes to the moral condi- 
 tion of this world, that lieth in wickedness. Un- 
 fold to me its Pagan idolatry and Mahommedan 
 delusion ; its Jewish unbelief and Papal corrup- 
 tions ; its religious heresies and infidel deceptions ; 
 its bloody wars and cruel oppressions ; its open 
 wickedness and secret abominations. O that pity, 
 and grief, and zeal might fill my soul as it dwells on 
 these works of evil. Lord, cast them out, and let 
 truth, love, and holiness fill the earth, as the waters 
 cover the sea. 
 
 WORSHIP. 
 
 Adorable Jehovah, thou art exalted above princi- 
 palities and powers, that at thy name every knee 
 should bow, and every tojigue confess. All 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. If the language of insincerity be offensive 
 when offered to a fellow-being, how much more 
 when it is presented to the God of Truth ! 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 iniquity, I dare 
 not come before thee, but should take up my abode 
 where there is no mercy-seat, and no answer 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 boun- 
 26 
 
302 
 
 ties 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 
 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 supplication. 
 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 
 the adoption of the sons of God ; to the glory 
 of thy mercy in Jesus, both now and forever. 
 
 YOUNG CONVERTS. 
 
 Gracious God, behold in special mercy, those 
 who have been recently born again, and who are 
 still in the infancy of spiritual life. Chase away 
 forever the cloud of condemnation that has so long 
 hung over them, and on its retiring darkness, cast 
 thy bow of promise, speaking peace to their souls. 
 Let Jesus be the abiding and absorbing centre of 
 their hopes ; and may they cheerfully profess his 
 name before men. May they strive to make holi- 
 
303 
 
 ness the law of all their conduct. Let thy spirit 
 sanctify their hearts from every corruption, and lead 
 them into the knowledge and love of every truth. 
 Preserve their pliant minds from the reception of 
 those errors, which pervert the judgment and ob- 
 scure the piety of so many in the church. Animate 
 them by a pure, and wise, and steadfast zeal to pro- 
 mote thy cause, in the salvation of sinners ; and 
 let them regard no sacrifice too expensive, no labour 
 too toilsome, and no suffering too severe, which 
 thou mayest demand of them, in building up thy 
 kingdom on earth. 
 
 Lord, cause the honour of thy name to be the 
 leading impulse of their lives. Make thy word 
 their daily counsel. May they live at the throne 
 of grace. Let self-examination keep its constant 
 watch over their hearts. Permit them not to tam- 
 per with temptation. Keep them from conformity 
 to the world. Suffer them not to decline from their 
 first love ; but cause it to grow stronger and strong- 
 er. Lord give completeness to their Christian cha- 
 racter. Do thou blend in them zeal with depend- 
 ence, confidence with humility, and joy with obe- 
 dience. Write thy will upon every rising desire, 
 and let every action be moulded according to thy 
 good pleasure. Bring them speedily, O God, unto 
 the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ! 
 
 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 
 
304 
 
 world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of 
 the flesh, harden their hearts, stifle their conscien- 
 ces, and cause them to turn a deaf ear to the calls 
 of mercy. Suffer them not to put off the claims of 
 religion to what they vainly think a more conven'ent 
 season. May they learn that youth is the time to 
 serve the Lord ; that now is their accepted time and 
 day of salvation : while, 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- 
 derest 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 thee all their days. But 
 O, 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. 
 
 Merciful God, restore every wandering prodigaL 
 Watch over all who are absent from the whole^ 
 some restraints of home. Let them not walk in the 
 counsel of the ungodly. May they shun, as they 
 would the pestilence, the dwelling of the syren, the 
 table of the gamester, the seat of the playhouse,, 
 and the cup of the drunkard. Cause the memory 
 of parental toil, and love, and hope, to turn them 
 back from the way of sinners. Throw around them 
 the protecting shelter of morality, and put within 
 them the controlling power of grace. 
 
 Lord, thou knowest that our youth are the ex- 
 pectation of the church, and the hope of our race. 
 The history of the world in future ages, will be de- 
 termined by the character of those who are now 
 training for the responsibilities of life. If they shall 
 
805 
 
 be nurtured 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 instru- 
 ments of introducing the blessings of the Millen- 
 nium, 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 enterprises. May they enter with glad- 
 ness and energy, into those fields that lie fallow 
 or those that grow ripe for the harvest and gather 
 fruit abundantly, for the garners of eternal life. 
 [See CHILDREN, and EARLY PIETY.] 
 
 ZEAL. 
 
 O thou that lovest them that obey thee, make me 
 zealous of good works. Grant me that zeal which 
 is according to wisdom, love, and holiness. Reprove 
 my lukewarmness, my instability, and my back- 
 sliding. Let not my pursuits of earthly things, 
 which perish in the using, excite me to more ener- 
 gy 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 are 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 
 diligence by the records of thy saints, who have 
 devoted 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 
 26* 
 
306 
 
 death of the cross, that the culprits of heavenly jus- 
 tice might be saved from their condemnation. O 
 Lord, enable me to realize the unspeakable value of 
 religious duties, undertaken in thy strength, in sav- 
 ing souls from death, in comforting and strengthen- 
 ing my own heart, and in procuring, through thy 
 mercy in Christ, thy favour in this world, and thy 
 blessedness 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, forever. Amen. 
 
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