possessed of irresistible power and unerring wisdom; of unblemished purity, the most serene benignity, and consum. mate bliss. Thou dwellest in light inaccessible, and art the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning, and from whom all thy creatures derive whatever excellencies or advantages they possess. For thou, O Lord, art the great Source and Original of all our natural powers and capacities; of all our moral attainments and improvements; of all the good we do, and of all the blessings we either en joy or hope for.

I praise Thee for the discoveries thou hast made of thy transcendent glories, in the works of thine hands, "in the heavens above, in the earth beneath, in the infinite varieties of thy creatures around me, and in my own stupendous frame of body and mind." cially would I praise Thee for the brighter discoveries of thy word, and that, al though no man hath seen God at any

But more espe

time, yet the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath declared him unto us, so far as was expedient for us to know him. I adore Thee, O Lord, for all the sacred and important instruetions which he hath communicated con-cerning thy nature and will, thy love and grace; and particularly that he hath brought life and immortality to light, by his glorious gospel, and directed our feet into those paths of righteousness which lead to certain and endless bliss.

N

Shine, O Thou great Parent of light, into my dark and beclouded mind; dis pel the shades of ignorance and error, and give me that spiritual wisdom whereby I may be enabled to discern things that differ, and to approve those things that are excellent. Help me to walk all the day in the light of thy countenance; and in thy light may I see light. Nor let me take up with the bare. knowledge of thy will, but set myself to do it with diligence, fidelity, and zeal. Sanctify me by thy truth; thy word is

truth. Grant that my faith may grow exceedingly; let it purify my heart, and work by love, and bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness.

Make me sensible of the force and efficacy of those motives to holiness and virtue which are set before me in the gospel. Suffer me not, in the midst of that light which beams forth upon me from thence, to sleep, as too many others do; but may I watch and be sober. May I walk as becomes a child of light and of the day, and not as of the night and of darkness. Enable me to work the work of him that hath sent me, while it is day, knowing that the night comes, wherein no man can work. Whatsoever my hand findeth to do for advancing thine honor and interest in the world, for promoting the welfare of others, espe cially of those for whom I ought to be peculiarly concerned, or for securing the salvation of my own soul, may I do it. with all my might, and be careful to make the best improvement I am able,

of whatever portion of time thou mayest add to my earthly pilgrimage.

And

grant that I may walk in that path of the just, which is as the shining light, and will shine more and more unto the perfect day.

Accept of my grateful acknowledg ments, O Lord, for the care thou hast taken of me, and the numberless favors thou hast conferred upon me, from the beginning of my life to the present mo ment, and particularly for the security and repose of the night past: May this day pass over my head in innocence and peace, and every part of it be spent so as to turn to some good account, to myself or others. To thy care and blessing I commend myself, and all that are near and dear to me, entreating that thou wilt keep us always in thy fear, and encom pass us with thy favor. Help us to serve Thee faithfully while we live, and make us happy in Thee, and with Thee, after death, through the mediation of Jesus Christ the Son of thy Love, in whose

name and words I would sum up all my requests for myself and others, to Thee

Our Father who art in heaven;

hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily. bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but de liver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever....AMEN.

XIV-A Prayer for Friday Evening

O BLESSED God, Thou Father of mercies and God of all grace, peace,and consolation! Thou art love; the most benevolent of all beings; the great eternal Fountain of felicity. Thou, and Thou only, art originally, perfectly, and essentially good in thyself, and thou delightest in doing good continually. Thou art