Whitsunday — Evening

O Thou author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, and whose service is perfect freedom ; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, and give us grace whereby we may serve Thee acceptably, with reverence and with godly fear.

We adore Thee as the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. Thou art the maker of our earth ; and Thou art the maker of man upon it; and Thou madest man upright in the possession of thy image and the enjoyment of thy presence. But man being in honour, abode not. Our first father sinned ; and we have borne his iniquity. We have gone astray from our birth; and in numberless instances have evinced ourselves to be the degenerate offspring of a fallen original — and there is no health in us. As transgressors of thy law, we are under the curse ; and did our deliverance depend upon ourselves, we must lie down in endless despair. We admit, in all its extent, the testimony of thy word against us ; but admire with gratitude, the developement of a plan of mercy and grace, divinely appropriate to all our wants and woes, and uniting the highest display of thy highest glory with the salvation of sinners.

Adored be the benevolence that led the Son of thy love, before the foundation of the world to say, Lo ! I come to do thy will, O God ; thy law is within my heart. Blessed be the day when the angels saw Him who was rich for our sakes becoming poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. Blessed be the hour, when the Prince of Life bore our sins in his own body on the tree ; and having obtained eternal redemption for us, ascending up on high, leading captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men, even the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them We rejoice that Christianity was originally preached, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven ; and in the demonstration of the Spirit was so firmly established, that the gates of hell can never prevail against it. We praise Thee that at so early a period the sun of righteousness, in the knowledge of the gospel, arose with healing under his wings, upon this distinguished land, and said, Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. And O what reason have we to be thankful if this gospel has come to us not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

For we bless Thee that though miracles have ceased, yet thy Spirit is insured to thy people to the end of the world, as the source of light and life, and peace and joy giving testimony to the word of thy grace, and working in the souls of men to will and to do of thy good pleasure.

O Thou Author of all good, save us, we beseech Thee, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. May we be found in the number of those who are born of the Spirit, and give evidence of it by our walking after the Spirit, and our minding the things of the Spirit. Instead of judging ourselves by dreams, fancies, and impressions, may we prove what is acceptable unto the Lord, and remember that the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness of truth.

We desire, O God, to acknowledge our entire dependence upon Thee. Whatever time we have been engaged in thy service, we are still in the body, and feel our need of the continuance of those counsels, supports, and consolations, which have ever been afforded us. Cast us not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

In all the dangers to which we are exposed, uphold us by thy free Spirit ; and may we not think it enough to be preserved from falling, but may we go forward, and be always abounding in the work of the Lord. Strengthen us with might by thy Spirit, in the inner man, for every purpose of the christian life and may we be satisfied with no attainment, till we are filled with all the fulness of God.

Awaken the careless ; convince of their error and guilt all those who deny or vilify the work of thy grace; and plant in their consciences the conviction, that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his.

Pour the spirit of grace and of supplication upon all our congregations. Bless the ministry of the gospel, and make it the ministration of the Spirit, and the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth.

But how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard ? And how can they hear without a preacher ? How many are there, who by the wretchedness of their condition, if not by their actual desire, are saying, Come over and help us !

Hast Thou not commanded us to pray, that thy kingdom may come ? Hast not Thou promised that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the seas ?

May we encourage our expectation by reviewing what Thou hast already accomplished, and remembering that Thou art a God of truth, and the Almighty. May we therefore realize in our minds the delightful period when the heathen shall cast their idols to the moles and to the bats ; when Mahometanism and Antichrist shall perish ; when the Jews shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn ; and among Protestants, every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

But why are thy chariot-wheels so long in coming? Why does the whole creation groan and travail in pain together until now ? How many would say, Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy Word — could their eyes see thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people ; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

While using the means, may we trust in thy wisdom, as well as thy faithfulness ; and hear the voice saying, I the Lord will hasten it in his time.

And to God the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed the kingdom, power and glory, both now and for ever. Amen.