To Thee, O God, the adorable Author of my existence, I owe eternal thanksgiving. It is by Thee I live, in Thee I move, and from Thee I have my being. It is through Thy goodness that my soul thinks and reflects, in a healthy body; it is to Thee alone that I owe all the pleasures which the surrounding creatures afford me. It is by Thy command that all nature inspires me with joy. Thou waterest the earth, that it may be fruitful; and that I perish not through lack of sustenance. Thou art he whom I and all intelligent beings adore; Thy goodness, wisdom, and providence I bless, and recommend myself to Thy paternal care for the future. Thou knowest all men, Thou hast Thy eye upon them, and observest all their actions. Thou dost not desire that we should pass our time in darkness and distress; and that we should consider our existence as a curse; Thou permittest us to enjoy, with a grateful heart, the innocent pleasures of life.

When the bird in the air astonishes me with the rapidity of its flight, the elegance of its form, and the sweetness of its notes, is it not right that I should consider it as Thy work, that its songs are so many hymns to its Creator, and that they should excite me to praise Thee? Thou providest food for it as well as for me. It is nourished by seeds, which Thou causest to grow for it, as I am by the corn, which appears to rot in the earth, but which at Thy command, becomes the support of my life. Thou sendeth the rain and the beams of the sun upon the earth, to cause it to produce the most delicious fruit, while the utmost of my efforts could not produce a single blade of grass! It is not merely the necessaries of life which Thou grantest us, Thou givest us besides what the world calls fortune, riches, and happiness. Thou directest events so, that even those which appear the

most unfortunate, often contribute to our happiness. In a word, after having formed us in so admirable a manner, Thou preservest us by a continual series of miracles.

O that the precious though short hours of my earthly pilgrimage, those hours which can never return,-may be employed in such a manner as may best answer the design of my existence, that when I leave this world I. may enter into a more blessed state, and be better able to fathom the mysteries of nature and grace!

-STURM'S REFLECTIONS.

God, my strength, to Thee I pray,
Turn not Thou Thine ear away;

Gracious to my cry attend,

While the suppliant knee I bend.

Grant me, Lord, Thy peace and light,
To direct my steps aright,

To protect, in trial's hour,

From the world's ensnaring power.

Cleanse me from the guilt that lies
Wrapt within my heart's disguise ;
Let me thence, by Thee renewed,
All presumptuous sin exclude.

Let my tongue, from rashness free,
Speak the words approved by Thee;
And to Thine all-searching eyes
Let my thoughts accepted rise.

Hear, and to my soul display
Mercy's all enlivening ray;
Let it lead, in faith and love,
Onward to a home above.*

From Mary Carpenter's Meditations.

MERRICK.

Father of all! we bow to Thee,

Who dwell'st in heaven adored,

But present still, through all thy works, The universal Lord.

For ever hallow'd be thy name

By all beneath the skies;

And may Thy kingdom still advance
Till grace to glory rise.

A grateful homage may we yield,
With hearts resign'd to Thee;

And, as in heaven Thy will is done,
On earth so let it be.

From day to day, O may we own
The hand that feeds us still;

Give us our bread, and teach to rest
Contented in Thy will.

Our sins O teach us to confess

And may they be forgiven;

To others let us mercy show

And beg the same from heaven.

Still let Thy grace our life direct,
From evil guard our way;
And in temptation's fatal path
Permit us not to stray.

The kingdom, pow'r, and glory-all

Alone belong to Thee;

Thine from eternity they were,

And Thine shall ever be.*

From Chambers's Infant Education.

Father of our feeble race!

Wise, beneficent, and kind!
Spread o'er nature's ample face,
Flows thy goodness unconfin'd;
Musing in the silent grove,

Or the busy haunts of men,
Still we trace thy wond'rous love,
Claiming large returns again.

Lord! what off'ring shall we bring,
At Thine altars when we bow;
Hearts, the pure unsullied spring
Whence the kind affections flow:
Soft compassion's feeling soul,
By the melting eye exprest;
Sympathy, at whose controul

Sorrow leaves the wounded breast.

Willing hands to lead the blind,
Bind the wounded, feed the poor;
Love embracing all our kind,
Charity with liberal store :
Teach us, O Thou heavenly king,
Thus to show our grateful mind,
Thus the accepted off'ring bring,
Love to Thee, and all mankind. *

-J. TAYLOR,

O Lord, Thy heavenly grace impart,
And fix my frail, inconstant heart;
Henceforth my chief desire shall be,
To dedicate myself to Thee.
To Thee, my God! To Thee.

From Mary Carpenter's Meditations.

Whate'er pursuits my time employ,

One thought shall fill my soul with joy;
That silent, secret thought shall be,
That all my hopes are fixed on Thee,
On Thee, my God! on Thee.

Thy glorious eye pervadeth space;
Thy presence, Lord! fills every place;
And wheresoe'er my lot may be,
Still shall my spirit cleave to Thee,
To Thee, my God! to Thee.

Renouncing every worldly thing,
Safe 'neath the covert of Thy wing,

My sweetest thought henceforth shall be,
That all I want I find in Thee,

In Thee, my God! in Thee. *

• From Mary Carpenter's Meditations.

J. F. OBERLIN.