Winter

—O Thou God of nature and providence; manifold are thy works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all, and all are full of thy goodness. The welfare of thy creatures requires the severity of winter as well as the pleasures of spring. We adore thy hand in all. Thou givest snow like wool; Thou scatterest the hoar frost like ashes; Thou sendest abroad thine ice like morsels: who can stand before thy cold?

But we bless Thee for a house to shelter us, for raiment to cover us, for fuel to warm us, and for all the accommodations that render life, even at this inclement season, not only tolerable but full of comfort.

May we be grateful; and may we be pitiful. May we reflect on the condition of those who are the victims of every kind of privation and distress—and waste nothing, hoard nothing—but hasten to be the ministers of mercy, and the disciples of Him who went about doing good.

O let the rich now deservedly prize their wealth, and use it as the instrument of usefulness. May they be willing to communicate, ready to distribute; and enjoy the blessing of him that is ready to perish, and make the widow’s heart to sing for joy.