Monday Evening — Week 5

O Thou, whose name alone is Jehovah. Thou art the Most High over all the earth; and Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens. All thy works praise Thee, O Lord, and thy saints bless Thee. Thou art our fathers' God, and we will exalt Thee ; Thou art our own God, and early will we seek Thee, for in thy favour is life.

Open Thou our lips, and our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Thou hast made us, and not we ourselves. Thine eye did see our substance yet being imperfect, and in thy book all our members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there were none of them. Thou hast taught us more than the beasts of the field, and made us wiser than the fowls of the air. There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. Thy providence has watched over us from our birth, supplied all our wants, arranged all our affairs, and determined the bounds of our habitation.

And O, what reason have we to exclaim, The lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, yea, we have a goodly heritage. We live in a land of religious privileges. How superior are our advantages to those of thine ancient people the Jews. The Sun of Righteousness, which was below the horizon to them, has risen upon us with healing in his wings ; and we are all the children of the day. Let us not therefore sleep as do others ; but while we have the light may we walk in the light, lest darkness come upon us.

May we ever be impressed with the conviction, that where much is given much will be required, and that our greatest danger results from our distinguishing advantages - our sabbaths, our sanctuaries, the scriptures of truth, the preaching of the gospel, and all the events which have urged our attention to it.

What more could have been done for us than Thou hast done? And yet how little fruit have we brought forth! How well do we deserve to be cut down as cumberers of the ground and cast into the fire. Yet, O Lord, spare us at the intercession of the Vinedresser ; for his sake renew our season of trial, and employ fresh means for our improvement, and accompany them with a divine power. Convince us of our sin and danger. Awaken in us the solemn inquiry, What must I do to be saved? And let not our concern, when awakened, lead us into any refuge of lies, or induce us to build on any false foundation ; but may we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and find his rest to be glorious.

Produce in us that brokenness of heart, and that selfdespair, which will render the faithful saying worthy of all acceptation, and make the Savior precious to us as He is to all them that believe. May He be delightful to us in all his offices ; may we love Him in his commands, as well as in his promises ; may we wear his yoke and carry his burden ; and find his yoke easy and his burden light. Make us in our views, principles, and dispositions, new creatures ; may we shine in all the beauties of holiness; and reflect the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. Explain to us thy secret which is with them that fear Thee ; and show us thy covenant in its provisions and stability ; and in every distress may this be all our salvation and all our desire.

With affections weaned from the world, and with evidences bright for heaven, all the days of our appointed time may we wait till our change comes ; may we die, supported by the consolations of the gospel, and surrounded with the glory of God, and have an entrance ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior.

Prepare us for our passage as well as for our end. While we are here may we fulfil the duties and bear with firmness the trials of our respective stations ; may we glorify our Father who is in heaven, and serve our generation according to his will.

Continue thy goodness to us as a family. Remember our absent friends. Let thy ministers enjoy thy presence, and thy churches be filled with thy glory. Let this nation be under thy care, and ever prove the seat of learning and science ; of civil and religious freedom ; of social blessedness ; and of gospel privileges ; and be the source of usefulness to the ends of the earth.

May princes come out of Egypt. May Ethiopia stretch forth her hands unto God. And may all nations whom Thou hast made come and worship before Thee.

For thine, O God, is the power; and thine shall be the glory, through our Lord and Savior. Amen.