TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O GOD, the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, from Thee cometh every good and perfect gift. Thou openest thy hand, and suppliest the wants of every living thing. We are the witnesses of thy bounty and preserving care, in having commenced the various engagements of the day, in having had health and strength of body and of mind vouchsafed for their performance, in having tasted of thy goodness during its passing hours, and in now being gathered around this family altar, with one mouth and with one heart to present our oblation and sacrifice of praise, which we offer, and which we humbly pray may be accepted, through our only Advocate and Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pity us, O Lord, and pardon all errors of judgment, all the infirmities of the flesh, the want of seasonable recollection, and the foolish prejudices into which we may have been betrayed; and through the blood of the Lamb who taketh away the sin of the world, pardon and absolve every one before Thee from all iniquity, transgression, and sin. O Christ, save us both now and evermore! Renew in us right spirits. Restore unto us the joys of thy salvation, and uphold us with thy free Spirit; then shall we teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Henceforth may we serve Thee acceptably in holiness and in righteousness all our days.

May the Gospel run, and the name of Jesus, Messiah, the Lord and Saviour, be glorified in all lands. May all nations be blessed in Him, and all peoples, kindreds, and languages call Him blessed. Greatly increase the success which has been already vouchsafed, and hasten the times of salvation for which Thou hast caused all thy servants in successive ages to look.

Finally, we commend to thy gracious protection thy servant, our Sovereign, the Royal Family, and all who are in authority. Grant to us, and to all the subjects of this realm, to live honest and peaceable lives, and to dwell in charity with all men.

We are now about to separate and retire to rest. May our sleep be sweet, because Thou, Lord, sustainest us. But if through pain of body or any other cause, we lie awake any portion of the night, may our meditations be profitable. May we commune with the Father of our spirits, the Fountain of all consolation. Preserve us from all dangers. Give us to rise refreshed with sleep, and then, as now, gratefully to record thy tender mercies; thus spending our short and uncertain life in the assured hope of resting with Thyself and with all thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour; to whom be all honour and glory. Amen.