TWENTIETH WEEK.—FRIDAY. — Morning

O HOLY, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, in whose sight the heavens themselves are not clean, how shall we, miserable sinners of the earth, presume to approach thy footstool? We bless Thee that Thou hast provided a new and living way in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, and that Thou hast invited us to draw near, through Him, with boldness to thy throne of grace. Help us to seek Thee this morning with godly reverence, and to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Help us, O Holy Ghost, in all our infirmities, and enable us to pray with devout sincerity of heart.

We thank Thee, O heavenly Father, that Thou hast kept us through the past night in perfect safety, and raised us up refreshed with health and strength, and surrounded with new tokens of thy providence. Teach us ever to remember with grateful hearts that all these blessings flow directly from Thee. But, above all, we thank and praise Thee for our spiritual privileges, and especially that we have been permitted once more to read a portion of thy Holy Word. May we prize its sacred teaching; may we love to meditate upon its truths. Give us grace to honour thy Sabbaths, to attend with profit all thine ordinances, to devote to thy service the first-fruits of all our labour, and to dedicate ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, to thy service. Thou hast told us to-day how thy children of old did tabernacle in booths in the wilderness. Lord, these things remind us that here we have no abiding city, that we also are pilgrims and strangers upon earth. Give us such faith in Jesus, and such confidence in his finished work upon the cross, that when our earthly tabernacle of the flesh is dissolved, we may be able to look with bright assurance to that building of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, prepared for them that love Thee.

And now, Lord, we go forth to the duties of another day. Hold Thou up our goings in thy paths, that our footsteps slip not. Make our bodies the temple of thy Holy Spirit to-day. Purify our minds; subdue our tempers; sanctify all our conversation. In our contact with the world, keep us amidst temptation. In all our dealing, may we do unto others as we would they should do unto us. Remove all eye-service. Make us diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving Thee, O Lord, our God, so that whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we may try and do all to thy honour and glory.

Bless our Queen and country. Bless all the faithful ministers of thy Gospel. Bless especially our dear relatives and friends; and receive us all hereafter into thine own eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.