SECOND WEEK.—THURSDAY. — Evening

O HOLY God! help us to draw near to Thee with lowly reverence and godly fear. We glorify Thee as the King eternal, immortal, invisible, who hast revealed thyself to us in the person of thy Son. We rejoice that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, partaking of our sorrows, and acquainted with our griefs. We adore the providence that turned from him the wrath of Herod, and preserved a life so precious to the world. May our rulers desire, in all honesty, to know and worship him, and worthily magnify his holy name. We bless Thee that we have thy Word, as the star that leads us to the Saviour. May it shine in every dark place!

Help us now, O God, like the wise men of old, to approach unto Jesus, and to offer to him the homage of our hearts as our King, and worship him as God over all. May he control all our thoughts and affections, that we may always live to his glory. May the corruptions of our nature be entirely subdued, our tempers be sanctified, and our dispositions be brought into harmony with the mind of Christ. May our thoughts be pure, and our words truthful and loving. May we hate sin with a perfect hatred, as that which thou abhorrest, and which brings misery and ruin to men. Pardon all our transgressions, for the sake of thy dear Son, whose atoning blood we plead as the ground of our hope of forgiveness. Let it be our delight to do the will of our Father who is in heaven. To this end may we grow in the knowledge of thy Word and will; and, with deeper convictions of obligation and duty, more heartily serve and love Thee.

Make this home a scene of domestic peace and happiness, where the law of kindness and forbearance shall reign, and where selfishness shall be unknown. Abide with us at all seasons and under all circumstances. Sanctify the sorrows of life to all who are called to bear them; especially overrule for good the bereavements that so often desolate our dwellings. May parents who, like Rachel, mourn over the death of their children, be comforted by the assurance that of such is the kingdom of heaven. May all who are spared to us live before Thee as thy children; and when the hour of our departure comes, receive us, O God, to thyself; and grant that we and all dear to us may for ever be with the Lord.

Graciously watch over us during the night on which we have entered. Suffer no evil to befall us, no plague to come nigh our dwelling. May the morning find us prepared for the duties of the new day. Grant us these blessings, and all others that we need, but have forgotten to ask, for the sake of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.