SIXTH WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Morning

O GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who keepest covenant with thy people for ever, help us, with the return of another day, to make suitable acknowledgments to Thee for the mercies of the past night. We bless Thee that through the hours of darkness Thou wast our protector from all evil. Now, while the light is shining around us, defend us from every danger, seen and unseen. Hold Thou us up, and we shall be safe.

We this morning renew our vows of obedience and service. Help us to keep them. We would again exercise our dependence upon Thee, and be childlike in our reliance. Give us a confiding heart, that trusts Thee where it cannot trace Thee; and an obedient heart, ready to do thy will without a murmur, and without a doubt. Make us ready thus to submit and deny ourselves, by the remembrance of thy wonderful love to us, in that Thou didst not withhold thy Son, thine only Son, from us. We rejoice that the day of Christ, which Abraham saw afar off with sacred joy, has dawned upon the earth; and that He who dwelt in the bosom of the Father has come into the world to save sinners, even the chief, having laid down his life as a ransom for many. May we, and all men, have that faith in thy blessed Son which shall lead to the saving of the soul. We would look with holy awe upon the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world; and, while we mourn over the transgressions which rendered necessary so costly a sacrifice, we admire and adore the love that so freely gave him up for us all.

Under the influence of grateful feelings, may we faithfully discharge the duties of this day: be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. As Thou hast formed us for thy praise, may we glorify Thee in our body and in our spirit, which are thine. May we recommend religion to all around us, by the evenness of our temper, the gentleness of our spirit, the truthfulness of our words, and the uprightness of our actions. If, during the day, temptation should assail us, and our easily besetting sins should seek to lead us astray, O God, forsake us not. And if, through the weakness of our faith and the deceitfulness of our hearts, we should sin against Thee, cast us not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

Bless the whole world. Where ignorance exists, there send thy light and thy truth. Where sorrow dwells, send consolation. Where affliction and poverty are found, let thy goodness minister to the wants of them that are exercised thereby, and let the trials of earth prepare us for the blessedness of heaven. Grant all these mercies, O God, our loving Father, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.