Thursday Evening (Third Week)

O GOD, Thou art great and greatly tc be feared, Thy greatness is unsearchable; Heaven is Thy throne,—the earth is Thy footstool. Before Thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry—Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD GOD of Hosts, Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory. Thou art the sovereign director and controller of the wheels of Providence. The Lord reigneth. Man proposeth, but GOD disposeth; and He disposeth wisely and well.

We do bless Thee that we, lost, hell-deserving sinners, are permitted to como with all the load of our great guilt to a Great SAVIOUR. We will arise and go to our Father, and we will say “Father, we have sinned against Heaven and in Thy sight, we are no more worthy to be called Thy children!” But do Thou for Jesus’ sake, Thine own dear Son, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Behold! O GOD, our shield: look upon us in the face of Thine anointed. Wash us in His blood; clothe us with His righteousness: sanctify us in body, soul and spirit, that we may be presented at last faultless before the presence of Thy glory with exceeding joy.

May the life of Jesus be made manifest in our mortal flesh; may the world take knowledge of us that we have been with Him. May our citizenship be more in Heaven; may we bear upon us the lofty impress of those who are born from above for above, —and who declare plainly that they seek a better country. May we be like CHRIST now, remembering that we are soon to be with Him, and that forever.

Whatever be the sphere in which Thy good providence has placed us, may it be our earnest endeavor to use our time, and talents, and opportunities, for Thee. Our probation time must soon be finished: may we work while it is called to day,—the night cometh!

Look in kindness on Thy church universal. Revive Thy work in the midst of the years. Return, O LORD, and visit this vineyard which Thine own right hand hath planted: may every branch be laden with fruit; found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of the LORD JESUS.

Compassionate the afflicted: comfort all that mourn. Be the helper of the helpless,—the refuge of the distressed,—the father of the fatherless. May all mourning the loss of beloved friends be led to bow submissively to Thy sovereign will, and look forward with joyful hearts to that better time and that better world, when the very fountain of these tears shall be forever dried.

Bless each one of us now bending at Thy footstool. [May our children have Thy grace early poured into their hearts. Spare their valued lives ; may they be defended from the snares of a world lying in wickedness. Give them to know that if they seek Thee early Thou wilt be found of them, but if they forsake Thee Thou wilt cast them off forever.] Give us all the heritage of Thy grace and love, and then we shall be rich indeed. Many are saying “ who will show us any good?” May we have but one wish, “ LORD, lift Thou upon us and ours, the light of Thy countenance.” Be with us this night. It is Thou, Lord, only, who makest us to dwell in safety. When we lie down to rest, let the curtain of Thy protecting Providence be drawn around us, and when we awake may we be still with Thee; and all that we ask is in the name, and for the sake of the LORD JESUS. Amen.