mercies blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity, and cleanse us from all our sin. Pardon our want of love to Thee, and our undue love of this present evil world. Truly our souls cleave to the dust; quicken Thou us, O Lord, according to Thy Word. May the constraining love of Christ alone rule and direct our hearts. Forgive, also, our many offences against our neighbour; and enable us in future to do unto others as we would they should do unto us. Thou hast taught us, O Lord, that all our doings without charity are nothing worth. Send the Holy Ghost, therefore, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, which is the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever thinks that he lives, is counted dead before Thee. May the sun never rise or go down on our wrath; but make us more largely partakers of the love which thinketh no evil, but which beareth all things believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, and disposeth us to cover a multitude of sins. Blot out likewise the offences which we daily commit against each other as members of the same household and do Thou, O God of peace, deliver us from every practice which may prevent our dwelling together as brethren, and as heirs together of the grace of life. Enable us to watch over our hearts, that we be not easily provoked, except unto love and to good works. Remove all wickedness utterly out of our dwelling, and from among us. Give us grace to come before Thee with clean hands and a pure heart; and let no secret or open abominations prevent our prayers from being accepted by Thee. And now, Lord, in lying down to take our rest, we would commend not only ourselves, but all others, to Thy covenanted mercies in Christ Jesus. Look in compassion on a fallen world: turn sinners from the error of their ways. Have pity upon Thy Church and people. Pardon and heal our many divisions; and teach all who profess and call themselves Christians, to love one another, even as they are loved of Thee. Comfort all who mourn, especially those who mourn for sin. Give them everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. Shed abundantly Thy blessing on all our household, and on all those among whom we dwell. Take us and them under Thy Fatherly protection; and bless and keep us, this night and evermore, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, etc. TUESDAY MORNING. Mo HYMN. When this passing world is done, When we stand before the throne, When the praise of heaven we hear, Not till then, how much we owe. OST blessed and gracious Lord, who delightest in showing mercy to those who honour Thy beloved Son, help us to renounce all self-dependence, and trusting exclusively in that complete atonement which He has made upon the cross, may we come into Thy presence this morning. We desire to humble ourselves before Thee on account of our sins. Goodness and mercy have indeed followed us all the days of our lives. Thou hast commended Thy love to us, in that Thou hast given Thy Son for our sins; and yet we have requited Thy gracious lovingkindness by ingratitude and rebellion. We would abhor ourselves, O Lord, on account of sin and we earnestly long to be delivered from its dominion. We feel that holiness is happiness; and while we mourn over our utter inability to conquer even one sin, we cry unto Thee, our Father, and knock at Thy door this morning, that Thou mayest be entreated to come forth, and give us a Father's blessing. We ask not for riches or honours, or good things of this world. We know that these things cannot calm the troubled mind, nor ease the burdened conscience, nor subdue the corruptions within us. But we pray Thee to give us the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, to enable us to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with power. Condemn sin in our members; and as those members have too long been employed as instruments of unrighteousness, may they now and ever be employed unceasingly in Thy happy service. May we desire that no darling sin be retained; but may we be enabled, by the Spirit, to crucify every unholy affection and every wicked lust. Give us, we beseech Thee, the mind that was in Christ Jesus; and to that end, give us the Spirit that was in Him. O, for more of the life of God in our hearts,—the hidden life of Jesus. Lord, confirm and strengthen in us whatever Thou thyself hast planted; and root out of us all things that offend against the holiness that becomes Thy faithful followers. Look down, O Lord, in mercy on any of us, now kneeling before Thee, who may be as yet unconverted by the Holy Spirit; who love the world in preference to the Saviour; and who follow its ways instead of the paths of holiness. Show us our danger, and reveal to us our loss. Convince us that this broad road leads to the ruin of souls. Display before us the love and beauty of Jehovah Jesus; that our affections may be withdrawn from all unworthy objects, and centred only upon Him. Blessed Redeemer, so manifest Thy love to each of us, that we may esteem Thee the Chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. And may we be so filled by Thy love, that our hearts may dwell upon Thee, and our lips praise Thee, all the day long. And while we pray to Thee for those things of which we stand in need, help us to bless Thee |