2 'APR 84 OXFORD PARTING WORDS ΤΟ YOUNG PERSONS ON LEAVING SCHOOL, WITH SHORT PRAYERS AND HYMNS TO BE USED IN PRIVATE. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TRACT COMMITTEE. LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE; SOLD AT THE DEPOSITORIES: 77, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS; AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1402. f. 3. PARTING WORDS. MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND, You are now going to leave us, and to enter upon the duties of life. The world is before you and according as you behave you will be happy or miserable, both in this world and the next. You have been carefully taught the duties of a Christian;-but remember that you cannot perform them without God's help,and that help will never be granted unless you earnestly pray for it. Never forget this.-If you go forth in the morning without offering up your prayers to God, you will be like a soldier going out to battle without his arms; so that, if any temptation besets you during the day, you are almost sure to be overcome. The prayers in this little book are intended to assist you in your duty of praying to God, every night and morning of your life; but before you kneel down to pray, think' for a 1 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself.-Ecclus. xviii. 23. few moments, and examine yourself,-whether you repent truly of your former sins; whether you stedfastly purpose to lead a new life; whether you have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of His death; and whether you are in charity will all men. Our blessed Lord and Saviour has taught us that there are two great commandments, which contain all the rest: The first:-OUR DUTY TO GOD. The second:-OUR DUTY TO OUR NEIGH BOUR. Call these duties often to mind; keep them constantly in your memory; and never forget how well and wisely they are explained in the two questions you have been so often asked, and have so often answered, in your Catechism. "What is thy duty towards God?" "What is thy duty towards thy neighbour?" Put these two questions often to yourself, and answer them as if in God's presence, at night when you lie down to sleep, and in the daytime when you are at your work; and especially when you are tempted to commit any kind of sin. Remember "The eyes of the Lord are "in every place, beholding the evil and the "good 2." 2 Prov. xv. 3. THE BEST OF ALL PRAYERS IS THE LORD'S PRAYER. It was taught us by our blessed Lord Himself. It is intended to guide us in our prayers, and to be the rule and standard of our desires. THE BEST OF ALL DAYS IS THE LORD'S DAY.-Remember therefore that you keep it holy. Sabbath-breaking is one of the greatest and most dangerous of sins. It is the constant confession of those who come to prison or to the gallows-what brought me here was Sabbath-breaking. Turn to your Bible, and you will see that it is God Himself who says, “Keep "the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the "Lord thy God hath commanded thee 3." -"Blessed is the man that doeth this, "and the son of man that layeth hold "on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from "polluting it, and keepeth his hand "from doing any evil."-"Every one "that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting "it, and taketh hold on My covenant, even "them will I bring to My holy mountain, "and make them joyful in My House of "Prayer "." 5 99 Never neglect therefore to go to Church, God's House of Prayer, twice if possible, but once at least every Sunday; and keep • Isa. lvi. 2. 3 Deut. v. 12. " Isa. lvi. 6, 7. |