LUKE II. 1-33.

MORNING HYMN.

"We would see Jesus."

WHEN streaming from the eastern skies,
The morning light salutes my eyes,
O Sun of Righteousness divine,
On me with beams of mercy shine;
Chase the dark clouds of guilt away,
And turn my darkness into day.

When to heaven's great and glorious King

My morning sacrifice I bring;

And mourning o'er my guilt and shame,
Ask mercy in my Saviour's name;

Then, Jesus, sprinkle with thy blood,
And be my Advocate with God.

As every day thy mercy spares
Will bring its trials and its cares,
O Saviour, till my life shall end,
Be thou my Counsellor and Friend:
Teach me thy precepts all divine;
And be thy great Example mine.

WHEN I can trust my all with God,
In trial's fearful hour,

Bow, all resign'd, beneath his rod,
And bless his sparing power;
A joy springs up amid distress,
A fountain in the wilderness.

Oh! to be brought to Jesus' feet,
Though sorrows fix me there,
Is still a privilege; and sweet
The energies of prayer,

Though sighs and tears its language be,
If Christ be nigh, and smiles on thee.

Then, blessed be the hand that gave,
Still blessed when it takes ;

Blessed be he who smites to save,

Who heals the heart he breaks.

Perfect and true are all his

ways,

Whom heaven adores and death obeys.

ON the morning of another day we come before thee, O thou who didst create the light, and set bounds to darkness. We offer our gratitude to thee for the mercies of the night. We are undeserving of the least manifestation of thy beneficence, for we have violated thy commands. Yet, most Holy Father, we plead for pardon and acceptance, for the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin; grant that it may wash away all our guilt. For the sake of thy well-beloved Son, we implore thee to take our pollution from us, and clothe us in his righteousness. Grant us the operations of thy Spirit, that our minds and hearts may be renewed, and our whole characters sanctified. Be with us during this day; may we spend it in thy fear, and endeavour in all things to promote thy glory. Graciously enable us to resist the temptations to sin with which this life abounds, and give us strength to persevere in the right path, till our days on earth shall close.

Remember in mercy the afflicted among thy people; give them strength equal to their day. May they trust thee, knowing that thou art too wise to err, and too good to be unkind. Sanctify their trials to them and their connexions, and enable them to say, "It was good for me to be afflicted."

Look down in mercy upon thy ministers; grant them wisdom, and that they may act and preach so as shall best promote the welfare of men, and the establishment and increase of thy kingdom on the earth.

Be with all who bear office in thy churches; may they act as in the sight of God. Regard the aged disciples of Jesus for good. May their last days be their best days. Smooth their passage to the tomb, and enable them in the near prospect of death and the grave to rejoice in thee. When they pass through the valley of the shadow of death, may they fear no evil, but find that thou art with them to comfort them, and give to them at last, through the riches of thy mercy by Christ Jesus, an abundant entrance into thy heavenly kingdom. Be with those of thy people who are in the full vigour of life. Whilst occupied with their lawful pursuits, may they remember that the eye of God is ever on them, beholding all their conduct. May they be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Uphold the younger members of thy flock. Guide them into the good old paths, in which the prophets and holy men of God have walked. Preserve them from falling into any of the numerous snares which beset their road. Keep them stedfast in the way in which they should go, and by thy grace pre serve them from bringing a disgrace upon their Christian profession. May their future life be especially consecrated to thy service, and may all their energies be devoted to the promotion of thy glory in the world. Pour out a large measure of thy Spirit upon all nations, and bring them into thy gospel fold. May the knowledge of the Lord soon cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea. Accept our praises and fulfil our petitions, through our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom, with thee, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be everlasting praise. Amen.

O GOD, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; we pray unto thee, for thou hast bid us in all things by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to make our wants known unto God. When we pray thou wilt hear, and while we are yet speaking thou wilt answer. Oh teach us how to pray, and then accept our petitions, for our Redeemer's sake.

We acknowledge the goodness and mercy of another day. As it opened upon us all was uncertain ; but we commended ourselves to thy care, and thou hast watched over us; we trusted in thee, and our confidence has not been in vain. We love the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of our supplication; because he hath inclined his ear unto us, therefore will we call upon him as long as we live. Oh may we watch against every thing that would hinder our petitions. May we never become careless, or proud, or vain. May no temptation prevail against us. Let us never be ashamed, for we have respect unto all thy commandments. Let us not wander from thee. May our prayers be the offering of devout and believing hearts; and grant us thy salvation, O Lord, through our glorious Advocate on high.

O Lord, we thank thee for thy word; bless that word at all times to the enlightenment of our understandings, and to the sanctification and comfort of our hearts: May we meekly receive instruction as from the Spirit of the Lord. We want to learn thy will, to trace