Our days are as an hand-breadth; they pass away as a dream when one awaketh, and we all do fade as a leaf. Our years are determined with Thee, and the number of our days; and Thou hast appointed our bounds that we cannot pass.

Let us never forget, O Lord, the solemn and affecting truth, that this year we may die.

May we not boast ourselves even of to-morrow, for we know not what a day may bring forth, and there may be but a step between us and death. Enable us to work while it is called to-day, before the night cometh, when no man can work. Whatever good our hand findeth to do, may we do it with all our might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither we are going.

Be merciful unto those who have lived all the years of their life in carelessness and sin. Give them grace to think on their ways and to turn their feet unto Thy testimonies, before the things that belong unto their peace are for ever hidden from their eyes.

Turn the hearts of such as have set their affections on this world and are minding only earthly things. Awaken them to a sense of their danger, by the remembrance that time is short; and that before another night their souls may be required of them. And teach them henceforth to use the world without abusing it, seeing that the fashion of it passeth away.

Touch the minds of all who are putting off their repentance from year to year with the awful thought, that hereafter they may find no place for repentance, though they seek it carefully and with tears. Cause them to see that now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Look in pity upon those who, having once escaped the pollutions of the world, are again entangled therein and overcome, and are now led captive by Satan at his will. Burst their chains of bondage and bring them into the perfect liberty of Thy children. Restore them to the way of righteousness, lest it be better for them that they had never known it. Be gracious unto all who have chosen that good part which none can take from them. Uphold their going in Thy way, and keep them in the path in which they should go. May they go on from strength to strength till every one of them appear before Thee in Zion.

Finally, we beseech Thee to look with special favor upon those the days of whose pilgrimage are drawing to a close, and the time of whose departure is at hand. Even in their old age be Thou with them, and in their hoary hairs do Thou support them. And when Thou hast guided them here by Thy counsel, receive them hereafter to the kingdom of Thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

EASTER.

MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we would this day commemorate Thy wonderful love to us, and to all mankind, in giving Thy Son, not only to die for our sins, but to rise again for our justification; that having overcome the sharpness of death, He might open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

We bless Thee that Thou hast not suffered us to follow a cunninglydevised fable, but that all things which before Thou hadst shown by the mouth of all Thy prophets Thou hast so fulfilled. Our hearts rejoice and our tongue is glad, because Thou hast not left His soul in hell, neither didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption; but hast declared Him to be the Son of God with power, by His resurrection from the dead, saying, This is my beloved Son, to-day have I begotten Him.

The Lord liveth, and blessed be our strong Helper! And praised be the God of our salvation! Our souls do magnify the Lord, and our spirit doth rejoice in Christ our Saviour. Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna to the Prince of Peace! With His own right hand, and with His holy arm, he hath gotten to Himself the victory. By His glorious resurrection, good Lord, deliver us. Deliver us, and take away our sins, for the honor of Thy name. Justify us freely by Thy grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

And grant that, as He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also may walk in newness of life, reckoning ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we follow His example and be made like unto Him; and as He died and rose again for us, so may we who are baptized unto His death, die from sin and rise again unto righteousness, continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living.

Grant, that whenever this vile body shall be committed to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, it may be in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection to eternal life, and may be changed like unto Christ's glorious body, according to the mighty working whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself. Thus do Thou ransom us from the power of the grave, redeem us from the second death. Say unto death, I will be thy plagues, and to the grave, I will be Thy destruction; that so we may rise from the dead to die no more, being Thy children, O God, and the children of the resurrection.

Pour down Thy Spirit from on high on the ministers of Thy blessed

gospel; and while they preach Jesus and the resurrection, let Thy word in their mouth be as life from the dead; that so they who are sleeping in their sins, may awake and arise from the dead, that Christ may give them life.

May those who are living in sin remember, that Thou hast appointed a day in the which Thou wilt judge the world in righteousness by that man whom Thou hast ordained, whereof Thou hast given assurance unto all men, in that Thou hast raised Him from the dead.

Comfort those who are mourning for the loss of beloved friends and relations, departed this life in Thy faith and fear. Teach them to sorrow not, even as others who have no hope, for them that sleep in Thee; believing, that if Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

Deliver those likewise, who, through fear of death are all their lifetime subject unto bondage. And take away from Thy dying servants the bitterness thereof, and enable them to say, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hear us, O Lord, in these our petitions for ourselves and others, for the sake of Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, in whose name and words we further call upon Thee.

Our Father, etc.

The grace of our Lord, etc.

AL

WHIT-SUNDAY.

LMIGHTY God, Thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and upon Thee the eyes of all do wait for their portion in due season, Unto Thee, therefore, do we lift our eyes, O Thou that dwelleth in the heavens. We wait now at Thy footstool for the promise of Thy Spirit, which, as at this time, Thou didst miraculously pour out upon the sons of men, enduing them with divers powers from on high. And we praise Thee for the gracious assurance that He shall remain with Thy people always, even to the end of the world. Without His mighty aid we can do nothing that is rightful. We know not what to pray for as we ought, unless He help our infirmities and make intercession for us, according to the will of God. We have need of His holy inspiration, to think those things that be good; and of His merciful guiding, to enable us to perform the same.

Grant, therefore, we beseech Thee, that He may continually rest upon us as a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and true godliness, a Spirit of holy fear and love, a Spirit of truth, unity, and concord, a Spirit of everlasting consolation and hope.

Grant that we, being regenerate and new created in Christ Jesus unto all good works, may be made more meet for that glorious kingdom, into which Thou hast declared that none can enter who are not born again. Seal us, we pray Thee, with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance. And may the blessed hope of dwelling with Thee be shed abroad in our hearts and abound through His almighty power. Enable us daily to rejoice in this hope of Thy glory, that amidst all the trials and troubles of life it may be to us the anchor of our souls, both sure and steadfast.

Be pleased, O Lord, to hear the voice of our intercession in behalf of our fellow-creatures. Pour out Thy Spirit upon all flesh. Arise, O Lord, in the greatness of Thy strength, and awaken to a life of righteousness those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Send out Thy light and Thy truth to the nations who know not Thy name, and have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Have mercy on Thy people Israel, and fulfil Thy word of promise towards them. A new heart do Thou give them, and a new spirit put within them, and take away the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh. Shed abroad all spiritual blessings on the churches of Thy saints. May they be edified by the truth as it is in Jesus; and walking in Thy fear and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, may they be multiplied exceedingly. Bless all Christian ministers. Endue them with Thy Holy Spirit, enrich them with Thy heavenly grace, and let the words which they speak be applied to the hearts of men in the demonstration of the same Spirit and of power. May He, the Spirit of all truth, convince the faithless, enlighten the blind, instruct the ignorant, direct the inquiring, strengthen the weak, convert the wicked, humble the proud, sanctify the faithful, reclaim the backsliding, comfort the afflicted, and grant unto all the diversity of His gracious operations, severally as they stand in need.

Hear us, O God, in these our prayers and supplications, for the sake of Jesus Christ, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed equal adoration and praise, now and evermore.

A

FAMILY AFFLICTION.

LMIGHTY God, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, our only help in time of need, we flee unto Thee for succor in this season of tribulation and distress. Out of the depths we call unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear our voice. O let Thine ears consider well the voice of our complaint.

We acknowledge, O God, that for our iniquities we are visited and for our sins we are troubled. We are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward, because we have been transgressors from the womb. And if Thou shouldest be extreme to mark what we have done amiss, our present sorrows would only be the beginning of sorrows which should know no end. Wherefore should a living man complain? a man for the punishment of his sins?

But Thou art a gracious and merciful God, full of compassion and of great goodness. Thou hast not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Blessed be Thy name, that Thou not only hast opened unto us a way of escape from the wrath to come, but hast mercifully ordained the sufferings of the present life to work together for good to them that love Thee. Thy wise providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth. Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without Thy knowledge and appointment, and the very hairs of our head are all numbered. Thou assurest us that Thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men but for their profit, that they may be partakers of Thy holiness. Whom Thou lovest, Thou chastenest; and scourgest every son whom Thou receivest.

Thou afflictest us to humble us, and to prove us, and to know what is in our hearts, and whether we will love Thee and keep Thy commandments

or no.

Give us grace, therefore, to consider, in this day of our adversity, wherefore Thou contendest with us and art wroth. Let us not despise Thy chastening, nor faint when we are rebuked of Thee, nor be weary of Thy correction. But let us be still, and know that Thou art God. In patience enable us to possess our souls. Grant that our tribulation may work patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and our hope, let it not make ashamed, but let Thy love be shed abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Ghost given unto us. Let us not cast away our confidence which hath great recompense of reward. Though troubled on every side, let us not be distressed; though perplexed, let us not be in despair; though cast down, let us not be destroyed. And be pleased to cause our light afflictions which are but for a moment, to work out for us a far more exceeding and