Fifth Week: Saturday Morning

Let not the Lord be angry, while we who are but dust and ashes, take upon us to speak unto the living God. Pardon our unworthiness; help oui infirmities; and hearken unto the voice of our cry, our King and ourod, for unto Thee will we pray.

Thou art good to all; and we have largely shared with thy creatures, the bounties of thy providence: but O, remember us with the favour Thou bearest unto thy people. We bless Thee for characterizing them; and we bless Thee that Thou hast placed the distinction in no high and discouraging attainments: for Thou takest pleasure in them thai lear Thee; in them that hopt in thy mercy. May we dread thine anger, revere thy perfections, stand in awe of thy majesty, and trem R ble at thy word. And hide not thy mercy irorr us: enable us to trust in it, and to plead itj and, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, may we earnestly cry, God be merciful to me a sinner. In how many ways do we need the exercise of it; but Thou art rich in mercyj and abundant in mercyi and delightestin mercy.

We are all so many proofs of it: because thy compassions fail not — we are not consumed Our forfeited lives have not only been continued, but crowned with thy goodness. Thou hast provided for our souls as well as for our bodiesj and we hear a thousand voices inviting us to the feast, and saying, Come, for all things are now ready. Thanks be unto God, for his unspeakable gifts, we bless Thee for a Saviour, who died for our sins, and rose again for our justification, and is now ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things.

May we be made the partakers of Christ, and not only of his righteousness — but of his spirit; that we may be — not only pardoned but renewed and not only have a title to heaven, but a meetness for it. No longer alienated from the life of God, may our meditations of Thee be sweet, and may we draw near to Thee as to our exceeding joy. May we confide in thy promise, and rely on thy constant protection and care. May we be devoted to thp service, and find it perfect freedom. May we love obedience; may thy law be within our heart. May thy cause be dear to our souis. We pray that thy word may have free course and be glorified. Let thy church not only be multiplied in number, but increased in knowledge, and sanctity, and peace, and concord, and joy; so that it may be a praise in the whole earth. Let the light of the moon be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun be sev ‘.n fold, as the ‘ight of seven days.

For brass, brin.^ gold; and foi- iron, sjvcr, and wood, brass; and lor stones, iron.

Thou dost not stand in need of us: but in thy condescension and wisdom, Thou art pleased to make use of means; and we desire the honour and happip.’jss of being instruments in thy hand. Lord what wilt Thou have us to do? We would value every day afforded us as a new period of usefulness. May we be anxious to accomplish all we can, to alleviate human wo, and to advance the temporal and spiritual welfare of all around us.

And may we be not only zealous, but persevering. May we never be discouraged. May we never grow weary in well-doing.

While many go back after following the Saviour may we cleave to Him with purpose of heart; and at last, hear Him say. Ye are they who have continued with me in my temptation, and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father also hath appointed unto me.

We would not forget the afflicted. Hear the sighing of the needy; cause the widow’s heart to sing for joy; and in Thee may the fatherless find mercy. Remove indisposition and disease from those who are exercised thereby; or assure them of that world where the inhabitant no more says, I am sick.

Be with us all through the changing s.’.enes of life, and at the hour of dissolution; when heart and flesh fail — and fail they soon will — be Thou the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever, li death should be sudden, let it not find us unprepared; if it should be awful m the apprehension, let it be safe in the result; and if we cannot depart in triumph, may we expire in humble hope: say mg with numbers before us, 196 FIFTH WEEK.

A g:uilty weak and helpless worm,

On thy kind arm I fall;
Be thou my strength and righteousness.

My Jesus and my all.

And through eternal aijes, may it be our privilege to unite with those, who are singing, Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kin;^s and priests unto God, and to his Father, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Jimen.