SECOND WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Evening

AGAIN, O God, we are called to thank Thee for thy great mercy towards us. Thou hast ordered our steps through the day, and now in thankfulness and peace we will lay ourselves down to rest, confiding in thy care, who alone makest us to dwell in safety. Forgive, Lord, all that thou hast seen amiss in us. Put it away from before Thee, and cancel the guilt of it for ever. Create in us a clean heart, and renew in us a right spirit. So unfold to us the riches of thy saving grace, that we may live not for ourselves, but for Thee; and let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.

Lord Jesus, Thou wast made in all things like unto us, sin only excepted. As the child, the boy, and the man, Thou hast had experience of our life, and hast set us an example that we may walk in thy steps. Thou wast very God, and yet—oh, inscrutable mystery!—Thou didst grow in wisdom and in favour with God and man. Impart, we beseech Thee, to us the very mind that was in Thee. By thy Holy Spirit, impress on us thy likeness and image. Thou didst choose a lowly state, when angels would have done thy bidding, and all the riches of heaven and earth were at thy command. Make us contented with such things as we have, and enable us to do our duty in whatever station it may please Thee to place us. Thou didst bear the burden of human labour, and thereby hast made it honourable. Be with us in all our work from day to day, and teach us that how lowly soever our place, we may glorify Thee in it by singleness of eye and purity of motive. Thou didst do and suffer in all things the Father’s will. Enable us by thy Spirit to crush every rising passion, and subdue every rebellious temper. Teach the young among us from thy example to be obedient to their parents, to bear meekly the restraints of home, and thus to prove themselves thy faithful servants and disciples, sharing thy cross, and in all things following Thee.

Shelter us, O God, to-night beneath thy protecting wing. We look forward with thankfulness to the rest and peace of the Lord’s day. Oh, prepare us to enjoy the sacred season, and to profit by its services. Prepare also thy ministers for their holy work. Kindle in their hearts a burning zeal for thy glory and a fervent love for souls. Teach them thy truth, that out of their own experience they may teach others. Put a word in their tongues, O God, that shall be useful to all, that the hard heart may be softened, the mourning be comforted, and all thy people edified. Hear us, O Lord, and help and save, for the sake of Jesus, our adorable Lord and Redeemer. Amen.