Monday Evening (First Week)

O GOD ALMIGHTY, who hast mercifully shielded us during another day, we desire, ere we retire to rest, to commit ourselves, soul and body, to Thee in well-doing, as unto a Faithful Creator. Glory be to our GOD for all the blessings of the light; and now that the curtain of night is again drawn around us, do Thou keep us, King of kings, beneath thine own over-shadowing wings. It is Thou only who makest us to dwell in safety.

We acknowledge Thee as our daily Benefactor and Guardian. Thine is the air we breathe, the food we eat, the raiment with which we are clothed. But far above all Thine other gifts, we bless Thee for Thy mightiest pledge of mercy to a fallen world,—JESUS, the son of Thy Love! He is our only Saviour. We rejoice to think that He is at this moment “ undertaking” for all his people. We rejoice to think of Him as our “ Wonderful, Counsellor,”—ever living—ever loving— always the same; others growing strange, He never—others changeable, He immutable.

May we be clothed with His likeness as well as with His righteousness. Sanctify us, body, soul, and spirit. Make us gentle and patient, and meek, and thankful, and forgiving. Take away all pride, vain glory and hypocrisy—all absorbing love of the world and worldly things. Set our renewed affections on things above. Let us be jealous over ourselves. One indulged sin is enough to forfeit Thy favor—one idol retained is enough to drive Thee from the throne of our heart. Do Thou come and reign there supreme. May our souls become undefiled altars, whence the incense-offering of gratitude and thanksgiving is ever ascending. May life become one grand and habitual preparation for eternity. O give us to know that holy and happy living is holy and happy dying

Give us all zeal in the performance of our relative duties. Let us feel that whatever Thou hast given us, whether talent, or wealth, or influence—all are trusts to be laid out for Thee—to bring in a revenue of glory to Thy holy name, and promote the well-being of those around us.

Visit Thy church—the vineyard which Thine own right hand hath planted. May grace, and mercy, and peace be upon all the Israel of God. Bless our own household ;—may every heart be brought daily nearer Heaven. Impress on us the solemn thought that time lost cannot be recalled Let us not leave undone for a dying hour what may be best done, and it may be, only done now. May all our friends at a distance enjoy the friendship of a never-distant GOD. Guard them, guide them provide for them. May they and we together be invisibly traversing the same Zionward path. May the rainbow of Thy Covenant love lighten our passage through the dark valley. May it be ours at last to have an abundant entrance ministered into that better land, where GOD shall rest in His love, and rejoice over His people with singing. Hear us, LORD, for the sake of Thy dear Son, our only Lord and Saviour, who, when He was on earth, taught us thus to pray, saying—

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.