the operations of thy grace, and to delight in thy word as testifying of Christ. Lord, help us to mix faith with what we read and with what we hear of thy blessed gospel. May we in such wise read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the truth, that we may have hope. We have too much neglected what thou sayest; make us humble and penitent on this account. Take not from us the Scriptures of truth, but still grant us the privilege which, in studying them, we this day enjoy. Let them be the man of our counsel in this the house of our pilgrimage. May the young pertaining to this family take thy word as their heritage for ever; and help each one of us to obtain from it the doctrine, the reproof, the correction, the instruction in righteousness that we severally require; and let each and all here present, and all who are dear to us, exemplify, in a life of faith and holiness, the purity and excellence of the truth as it is in Jesus. And oh that thy word may be translated into every language and dialect. May all read in their own tongues the wonderful works of God. Let thy gospel be preached every where. Overthrow every form of error; let the gods that have not made the heavens and this earth, perish from under the heavens and from off the face of this earth, and may the children of men in every land hear of Christ and rejoice in his salvation.

O our Father, we commend ourselves to thy care to-night. Watch over our habitation, and preserve our persons from harm. Pardon the sins of this day, receive us graciously, and love us freely; so will we render to thee our praise, through Jesus Christ, our Strength and Redeemer. Amen.

LUKE II. 39-52; III. 1-22.

MORNING HYMN.

"Therefore are they before the throne," &c. Rev. vii. 15-17.

WHAT are these in bright array,

This innumerable throng,
Round the altar, night and day,

Hymning one triumphant song?

Worthy is the Lamb once slain
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain,

New dominion every hour!

These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now before the throne of God,
Seal'd with his Almighty name.

Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor palms in every hand,
Through their dear Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.

Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living fountains lead.

Joy and gladness banish sighs;
Perfect love dispels all fears;
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away the tears.

LUKE IV. 1-32.

EVENING HYMN.

"Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

SAVIOUR! breathe an evening blessing
Ere repose our spirits seal.

Sin and want we come confessing;

Thou canst save and thou canst heal.
Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrow past us fly,
Angel-guards from thee surround us,
We are safe if thou art nigh.

Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from thee;
Thou art he who, never weary,
Watchest where thy people be.

Should swift death this night o'ertake us,
And our couch become our tomb,
May the morn in heaven awake us,
Clad in light and deathless bloom.

THOU great and infinitely glorious God, thou art the inhabitant of eternity, but thou dwellest with him also who is of an humble, contrite heart, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite.

We would bow with humility before thee. We call to mind our sins, and our heart is broken and contrite. Oh look upon us mercifully in Jesus Christ thy Son, and may we feel that, being pardoned through him, we can approach thee with acceptance, and lay hold of the promises of thy word. We thank thee for the sacrifice and intercession of thy beloved Son. We bless thee that thou hast laid help on him who is mighty. We died in our first father's fall second Adam, the Lord from heaven.

we live by the Thanks be to

God for his unspeakable gift. Oh may the Holy Ghost take of the things of Christ, and show them unto us. We need a Saviour; may we feel our need still and more deeply. We see in Christ all that meets our necessities as guilty, helpless, and polluted. May his righteousness justify us. May his Spirit renew our hearts. By living faith may we partake in the blessings of his death; and in our renewed hearts and holier life may we show the power of his resurrection. Oh that we may be found in Christ, clothed with his righteousness and saved by his grace.

O Lord, we read thy word, and we thank thee for the privilege. We draw nigh to thee in prayer, and we adore the riches of thy mercy in that thou art a

prayer-hearing God. Open our understandings that we may receive the word of truth, and sanctify our spirits, that we may hold intercourse with thee in prayer and in praise. We would wait upon thee in thine ordinances. While we do so, may we renew our strength. Prepare us for every duty and for every trial. Guide us in each perplexing path, and suffer us never to forsake thee. Oh grant us now and at all times the light of thy countenance, and may thy favour be our portion. Dwell in this house, O Lord, and may each one of us be gladdened by thy smile. In all our duties and relations may our eye be single to thy glory. Let thy love be shed abroad in every heart, and may we love thee, O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer. Help us to cherish right affections towards one another; and towards all around us may we act and feel as it becometh disciples of the Redeemer. Lead us in thy truth and teach us, and at last bring us to thy kingdom and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We remember affectionately our friends and relations; let the mercy which we supplicate for ourselves be bestowed upon them as they may severally need. Watch over their health, protect all their interests, sanctify their hearts, and may they all be written in the Lamb's book of life. Give success to the good word of thy grace, and let thy churches prosper. Oh send out thy light and thy truth, and may the name of Christ be every where known and adored. ask these mercies for his sake, and through his media

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