SECOND WEEK.—MONDAY. — Morning

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, since it is appointed unto all men once to die, so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Raise us by thy Spirit from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness. Renew us in thine own image. Let not self-pleasing nor man-pleasing be our aim; but in singleness and purity of heart may we please Thee. Oh, that we may live soberly, righteously, and godly this day. Oh, that our life may be hid with Christ in God; that neither the cares of the family or of business, neither the duties of our calling nor the pleasures of the world, may make us earthly-minded or earthly-hearted, but that we may walk in the Spirit, as those whose citizenship is in heaven. Help us by thy grace so to watch, and pray, and wait, that when death comes to us we may have nothing to do but to die. Take us, when we die, to thyself. Give us now the earnest of thine indwelling Spirit, to assure us that, in the day of the Lord, mortality shall be swallowed up of life. We would find in Jesus, who died and rose again for us, our rest and comfort, and the ark of our salvation. We rejoice in the glorious hope that our portion shall be with the children of the resurrection, who can die no more. Strengthen us, O our God, that we may fear no evil in the prospect of death. Thou givest grace to live. Thou wilt give grace to die.

We commend ourselves to thy fatherly care this day. Prepare us for every duty, every care, and every temptation. Teach us to use the world as not abusing it. We would enjoy thy gifts thankfully, cheerfully, and moderately.

Above all, give us pardon and peace, that we may walk before Thee and with Thee in faith and holiness. We have many who are dear to our hearts; some near, some afar off. Visit them with thy mercy, preserve them from harm, guide them safely amid all the dangers of their earthly pilgrimage, and grant that in thy goodness they and we may meet at last in thy kingdom. May this household live in love to-day. Let no angry temper, no unruly tongue, no sinful lust mar our peace and unity. Give us a spirit of forbearance and meekness. May our love to Thee bind us more closely in love to one another. Have mercy upon all men. Bless thy Church’s work in this and in every land. Quicken her missionary zeal. Multiply her missionaries a thousand fold, and cheer their hearts in the midst of trial and opposition. Stablish and bless thy true churches already formed amid the darkness of other lands. Hasten the coming of thy kingdom, and let the whole earth be filled with thy glory. We ask it for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.