education, and civil rights, of culture and humanity, of a clear conscience, and a quiet life. People. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness; and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! Minister. Through Thee, O God, have we been holden up ever since we were born. In our need Thou hast clothed, and fed us, and given us friends, and comfort and health, and freedom from anxious care. In time of sorrow Thou hast refreshed us, pitied our misery, and with Holy Books instructed our ignorance, and sustained us in infirmity. People. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! : Minister. In all our wanderings, Lord, Thou dost accompany us, with the assistances and admonitions, the restraints and inspirations, of Thy Holy Spirit, and by the example of the good, and the wise counsels of our loving friends, dost seek to dissuade us from folly and save us from sin, if, so be, we may turn and recover ourselves, and do Thy will, and be what in our hearts we deepest wish, and share at last Thy blessedness in the joy and peace of Heaven. People. We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord; we adore the wisdom of Thy Providence, and bless Thee for Thy loving care. O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord praise Him and magnify Him for ever. A CONFESSION. + Almighty and most merciful Father, unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, we confess the deep ingratitude of our manifold transgressions of Thy holy laws. We deplore our sins and errors, and the faults, which in time past we have committed, by thought and feeling, in word and deed, against ourselves and one another, against Heaven and before Thee. God be merciful to us. Look upon us graciously. Excuse our errors, forgive us our sins, and grant us Thy heavenly grace that we may lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us, and bring all our thoughts and wishes into captivity to the obedience of our Saviour Christ. Lord, we already know how little avails whatever other learning we possess, if we have not that true knowledge of Thee and Thy beloved Son, which is our Eternal life. Thou hast made us for Thyself. Help us to see more perfectly that, without Thee, there is nothing that can satisfy our deepest need; that, in wandering away from Thee, we leave everything that is truly good and blessed, and lose ourselves in darkness and despair. Father, here we offer and present ourselves to Thee. Accept the poor, imperfect offering. Take us as we are, and make us better, and more worthy Thee. Bless and consecrate us, body, soul, and spirit, that in very deed and truth we may be, as living temples, devoted to Thee and Thy service from this time forth and forevermore. Amen. A MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER. Infinite Spirit, impelled by Thy inspiration and the uplift of Thy almighty power we come, to worship Thee in Thy wisdom and justice, to adore Thy holiness and purity, to be gladdened by Thy love, and blessed by our communion with Thee. We live in Thee, we taste Thy bounty, we breathe Thine air, Thy power sustains us. Thy wisdom guides, Thy justice rules, Thy goodness preserves us, Thy love blesses, and keeps us safe for ever. What can we give Thee, Lord, that Thou hast not in Thyself, save our love, our sympathy, and our obedient service? We praise Thee, O God, although we cannot praise Thee as we would. We warm ourselves in Thy love, and bow before Thee with humility, that we may be the better prepared for the duties of our daily life; to endure its trials, bear its crosses, and triumph in its lasting joys. We bless Thee for the wondrous world wherein our lot is cast, whether it shine in the light of the sun, or be covered with cloud, and visited by tempest. Be |