sions are very many and very heinous. Our poor endeavours this day to do thy will have been defiled by our weakness and corruption. While we wished to do well, evil was present with us; and we acknowledge with grief and humiliation that if Thou shouldst enter into judgment with thy servants, if Thou shouldst deal with us according to our deservings, our services must all be rejected, and we could only look for thy wrathful indignation. But, gracious Father, thou knowest that we put no confidence in anything we do. Thou knowest that we only dare to come before Thee through the mediation of thy blessed Son. Thou knowest that it is His righteousness we plead, and that alone; and that all our hopes of acceptance rest on thy covenanted mercies in Him. For His sake then, O Lord, receive us, and for His sake be merciful to us. Grant that all our offences may be blotted out in His blood, and may we find mercy and peace with Thee through Him.

And not only forgive us what is past, but help us to amend for the time to come.

Grant us, most merciful Father, such help

from thy Spirit, that we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the whole armour of light, and daily show forth thy praise.

We thank thee, O Lord, that in addition to all thy other mercies, Thou hast permitted us to pray for others as well as for ourselves; and we humbly commend to thy goodness and care all who are near and dear to us. We beseech Thee to take them, and us, and all things belonging to us, under thy fatherly protection this night. Preserve us both in soul and body from all things that may be hurtful. Grant us the refreshment of sleep, and may we rise in the morning fitter for thy service and for the duties of our calling.

These, and all other necessary blessings, we ask in the name of Him, who died that we might live, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

FRIDAY MORNING.

O Almighty and most gracious God, who art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity, we are indeed utterly unworthy to come into thy presence, or to take thy sacred name upon our lips.

But in the exceeding riches of thy grace and mercy, Thou hast been pleased to provide a way whereby we may have access to Thee. Through the mediation of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, we are not only permitted, but we are invited to draw nigh to thy throne, in full assurance of faith, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need. O that we may be enabled this morning to worship Thee in spirit and in truth, with a deep feeling of humility, reverence, and godly fear.

We know not how to pray as we ought, or what to pray for graciously instruct us;

may thy Holy Spirit and for the sake of

thy dear Son, through whom alone we can approach Thee, may our prayers be heard and answered.

We confess with shame and contrition how greatly we have sinned against Thee; -how, day after day, we have left undone what we ought to have done, and have done what we ought not to have done. We are verily guilty in thy sight; but we beseech Thee, to accept us in thy beloved Son, to cleanse us in His blood, to clothe us in His righteousness, and to make us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

We are now going forth to meet the temptations, and to discharge the duties of another day, and Thou knowest what poor, weak, and sinful beings we are ; how prone to depart from Thee, and how utterly unable to stand in our own strength. We humbly pray Thee, therefore, most gracious Lord, to take us under thy care and protection. Do Thou make our hearts to be the temple of the Holy Ghost. Do thou endue us with wisdom and strength from above; and may

power

we both perceive and know what things we ought to do, and have grace and faithfully to fulfil the same. May every unholy temper and disposition be mortified in us. May we lay aside all wrath and bitterness and evil-speaking. May we never venture to undertake anything, without looking up to Thee for direction and guidance; and may our daily walk and conversation be such as becometh the gospel of Christ. May we walk in the light, as He is in the light, and have fellowship with Him, and know, to our peace and comfort, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.

And grant, O Lord, that while passing through this evil world, we may be kept continually "leaning on the Beloved," and find our strength equal to our day. May we ever entertain a holy hatred of sin. May no temptation come upon us unawares; but in the midst of our daily occupations may we be found watching unto prayer.

We humbly and heartily thank Thee for the mercies of the past night, and for all