Third Week: Sunday Evening

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, (), Most High, to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

We have this evening to acknowledg»:2 the blessings, not only of another day, but of anothei sabbath. We bless Thee that the sabbath was made for man, and that Thou hast hallowed such a portion of our time, for purposes more important, but which, alas, we are prone to neglect. Thus Thou art affording us opportunities to retire and compare the objects which court our attention: to learn, among all the cares of life, that one thing is needful; and to hear the inquiry, what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Thus we have moments of abstraction and leisure, in which we can more fully investigate our character; examine our condition; and ask, for what purpose we entered this mortal stage, and what will become of us when the scenes close.

We thank Thee that the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, and that we have a goodly hertage: so that we can add to private meditation and devotion, the public ordinances of religion; and can sit under our own vine and fig-tree, none daring to make us afi-aid. We bless Thee, that we have not only the Scriptures, but t’ne ministry of the gospel; and have this day not only read, but heard the words of eternal life. We hope we have seen thy power and thy glory in the sanctuary, and have found the house of God to be the gate of heaven.

But, O God, the effects we experience while waiting upon Thee, though delightful, are as often transitory, and prove like the morning cloud, and early dew. Before the lapse of a single day, we jire compelled to complain, My soul cleaveth unto the dust; and to pray, quicken Thou me accord* ing to thy word. Render therefore the impressions made upon us, deep and durable: keep these ‘bings fcr ever in the imagination of the

hearts of thy people; and let thy word dwell in us richly, in all wisdom.

May the instructions we receive, attend us in every part of our ordinary life, and regulate, and excite us in the discharge of all our relative duties, so that whether we are husbands or wives, parents or children, masters or servants, we may adore the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. May we be satisfied with no knowledge, no belief, no professions, no feelings in religion — while our hearts are void of thy love, and we are strangers to that grace which bringeth salvation, and teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.

We take shame to ourselves, not only for our open violations of thy law; but for our secret faults, our omissions of duty, our unprofitable attendance on the means of grace, our carnality in worshi()ping Thee; and all the sins of our holy things. Our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is gone up into the very heavens — and there, He is gone also, who is our Advocate with the Father, and the Propitiation for our sins. Behold his hands and his feet: and hear, O, hear the voice of the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Pity those who have this day been deprived of the public means of grace by sickness or infirmity. Let them know that Thou art not confined to temples made with hands: be with them in trouble; and give them their vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope.

And remember the millions who were never favoured with the advantages we enjoy, and would be grateful for the crumbs that fall from our table But they never smiled when a sabbath appeared

They never heard the name of Jesus. They feel ^uilt but know nothing of the blood that cleanseth from all sin; they feel depravity, but know nothin.e; of the renewing of the Holy Ghost. They are bleeding to death of their spiritual wounds, but no one proclaims among them the balm of Gilead; and the physician there. O, send out thy light and thy truth. Let thy way be known on earth; thy saving among all nations

We now commit ourselves, with all our connexions into thy hands. Guard us through the defenceless hours of sleep, from every evil to which we are exposed. If, as life is always uncertain, it should please Thee to call us hence this night — may we awaken in glory, and be for ever with the Lord: or if Thou shouldst continue us in being — may we rise in health and comfort, to pay Thee the homage of a grateful heart, in a course of cheerful obedience.

In thy favour is life — Do Thou bless us, and we shall be blessed — salefrom every evil, and sure ot every good.

And prepare us at length for the rest that remains for thy people; in which we shall join the general assembly and church of the first-born, in ascribing — blessing and h(pnour, and glory, and power, to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.