Make us, we beseech Thee, truly thankful that we are preserved to the return of this sacred season; and let our gratitude be shown by our solemn observance of the

same.

Help us so to feel the evil of our sins, and the burden of our guilt, that we may more worthily esteem thy great mercy in sending Christ Jesus, thy adorable Son, to deliver us from everlasting death.

And while we make mention of thy great goodness and long-suffering mercy toward us, we especially implore thy blessing on the privileges and ordinances of this day. O let not any good impression produced thereby on our hearts be "as the morning cloud, and the early dew, which passeth away."

Truly our religious advantages are very many; yet we have to lament our coldness, and our want of love to Thee, our Gracious Father. Pardon our many and grievous sins, most merciful God, for the sake of thy beloved Son.

Let the tidings of salvation through the

name of our Redeemer, fill us with love and joy, and quicken us in running the way of thy commandments. May these precious truths so abide in our hearts, that we may thankfully join the praises of the angelic host, ascribing from our inmost souls, Glory to God in the highest," and ever seeking to promote "peace on earth and good will towards men."

66

O Thou, who didst, as at this time, give thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon Him for man's salvation, we adore Thee that "unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given," who is the Saviour, Christ the Lord. Give us, we pray Thee, of thine abundant grace, that we may follow his blessed steps, doing thy will, and "glorifying Thee in our bodies and our spirits, which are thine." Keep us, Almighty Father, from everything hurtful, and from everything unbecoming our profession at this joyous season. "Let our moderation be known unto all men," and our rejoicing be always in the Lord. Let each member of this family so behold the nativity and

humiliation of thy Son, to become a sacrifice for sin, that we may loathe all sin, and love Him, who so loved us, and gave him

self for us.

As "the Day-spring from on high hath visited us," let not any of us love darkness, but by thy merciful guidance, may we "walk in the light, as Thou art in the light."

Be pleased, gracious Father, to make this a time of refreshing to us through the Incarnate Word. Out of his fulness of grace and truth supply our needy souls: and thus enlarge our hearts to love Thee, the God of love, and to love all our fellowmen, whom Thou hast redeemed through the incarnation of thy beloved Son.

Cause, O God, the true light to shine into every unconverted heart. Have compassion on all those who have never heard of the coming of our blessed Lord in the flesh. Through the preaching of the Gospel of thy grace, may many in all lands be delivered from their sins, to "serve Thee without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life."

Mercifully with thy favour look upon the whole Christian world. May all that name the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Especially preserve them from turning this sacred season into an occasion of revellings and unholy mirth. Let them rejoice, as Christians, in Christ their Saviour; and let thy grace teach them to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts.

Vouchsafe thy blessing to all thy faithful ministers. Make their labours to be very useful to the souls of men. May they so preach Jesus, as a Saviour born into this world, and so set forth his Almighty power and his boundless grace for the deliverance of sinners, that in the day of his second coming, multitudes may appear as their crown of rejoicing in his presence.

Hear us, O our God, in these and all our supplications, through our only Mediator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.

O Thou High and Lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, with whom a thousand years are as one day, and one day as a thousand years, we, thy creatures, whom thy hand has formed, and thy providence has sustained from our childhood to this hour, desire to approach Thee with reverence and godly fear, and at the same time we would come before Thee with the voice of praise and thanksgiving.

We thank Thee that through thy good hand upon us, we have been preserved to the evening of this day, and that notwithstanding our utter unworthiness, we are still permitted to come into thy presence at the close of another year, and to address Thee as our Father in Christ Jesus, and the God of our salvation.

Help us by thy Holy Spirit to humble ourselves before Thee. May He bring to our remembrance our manifold sins, and