Lord, the Lord God Merciful and Gracious, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin,-though thou wilt by no means clear the guilty."

Blessed be thy name, that, while we confess our sins, we feel that "thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins," for thou breathest with the still small voice of hope over the bosoms of those who are sincerely penitent,-and givest them an earnest of that peace which is, in its richest effusion, the portion of those who are devoted to thy service.

And, oh! thanks be to thy name for the confirmation given to us of this forgiveness, by the mission of thy beloved Son,-who came among us "full of grace and truth,"—who published " peace on earth, and good-will to men,”—and who is now our Intercessor with thee, for whose sake thou wilt withhold from us no good gift.

He hath also left us a pledge of his love in those symbols of his body and blood, which he has commanded all his followers to receive, and by spreading a table before them, and inviting them to be his guests, he has graciously intimated, that those who so put themselves under his protection "shall be loved of the Father" for his sake.

Thanks be unto God for this great consolation, and good hope through grace. "Now will I sing of the mercy of the Lord, and of his faithfulness to all generations." Every day will I bless thee, and will exalt thy name with songs of joyfulness. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name.”

Lord, help me to advance to the more public services of this day of humiliation in the same spirit which this hour of prayer has awakened. "May I enter thy gates with thanksgiving, and thy courts with the voice of praise." May I join humbly and fervently with the multitude of thy people in making confession of my sins before thee;— and, oh! "may thy word be sweet unto my taste."

And grant, O Lord, a blessing on all the duties of this day, may I be prepared by its services for the solemn work of commemorating the death of my Redeemer,—and grant, that, having kept this season holy unto the Lord, thy Spirit may descend in rich abundance into my heart, and I may have cause to look back to the good influences which this day of humiliation has imparted to me, through all the days of my future life.

I go forward in thy strength, O thou who art "the Hearer of Prayer." "Lord, be merciful unto

me, and bless me, and cause thy face to shine on me," for thy beloved Son's sake. Amen.

III.

FOR THE EVENING OF A DAY OF HUMILIATION.

ROMANS Vii. 21. I find a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

REFLECTION.

NOTHING, perhaps, is better fitted to show to a reflecting mind the extent and indestructible wickedness of the human heart, than a review of those solemn seasons which we set apart for making confession of our offences, and for retiring for a time from all the follies, and vanities, and sins of life. For it is by means of such a retrospect of our holy services, that we perceive how much sin mingles even with our attempts to confess our transgressions, and how constantly the innate folly and wickedness of our hearts are polluting

and debasing even the purest offering which we can present unto God.

These thoughts forcibly suggest themselves to me, while I retrace the course of my thoughts and actions during the day which is about to close. It has been a day destined to humiliation for my sins, and to a serious examination of my own heart and ways;-and surely, if the heart of man be capable of keeping itself, for any time, from folly and from vice, it ought to show this power during the time which it has voluntarily devoted to the confession of its iniquities,—and when it is under as sincere a purpose as it can at any time be supposed to form, of devoting itself to a zealous fulfilment of the commandments of God.

Yet how much imperfection and vanity do I perceive mingling with the course of my thoughts, and polluting my sacrifice, during the services, both private and public, of this day of humiliation!—and how strongly is it pressed upon me by this retrospect, that, even for my holy services, I have much reason to pray that God would not be strict to mark mine iniquities, but would look on me in pity, for my Redeemer's sake!

Still, amidst all this consciousness of my weakness