And may my prayers sincere ascend to heaven,

That, ere I'm placed beneath the lowly sod,
Eternal life may to my soul be given,
And my glad spirit then rejoice with God.

For the Fourth Sunday after
Trinity.

ST. LUKE vi. 36.-Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is merciful.-Sce Gospel for the day.

How great is the mercy that's shown by our God,

Though offended and slighted by men!

He knows all their weakness, He pities their

woes,

And He spares them again and again.

When sorry for sin, for His mercy we pray, He will hear us for Jesus' dear sake,

Though He justly might punish; and when we repent,

We shall then His kind favour partake.

For the animals, too, He has shewn much regard,

And may children His creatures abuse? He loves not the cruel, and will not be pleased,

If they any ill treat or misuse.

By instinct He guides them, provides them with food,

And with clothing just suited to each; Of wool, hair, or feathers, all wondrously made,

His great care and His goodness to teach.

We cannot give life to the least crawling

worm,

Then, Oh! why should we torture or hurt

Any creature, the Lord in his wisdom has

made,

Or his provident kindness pervert?

If we are offended we must not revenge,
But live with our brethren in love;
For if we forgive not, God will not forgive,
He will ever such conduct reprove.

We cannot give health, or one comfort restore,

If affliction our friends should befall;

We may sooth their sorrows and give them relief,

And shew mercy and kindness to all.

For the Fifth Sunday after
Trinity.

1 SAM. xvii. 45.-Then said David, Thou comest against me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. See First Lesson for the Evening Service.

GOLIAH, champion of the heathen host, Sent by the Philistines to conquer Saul, Trusting his giant strength, with vaunting boast

And bitter taunts, did Israel appal.

God heard the boaster, who His power defied; He knew His people's fears, and succour sent; None against God may stand in stubborn pride,

All rebels He decrees to punishment.

To prove the battle was the Lord's, not man's There came against him not a giant foe;God the deliverance by a stripling plann'dA youth, to crush his power resolved to go.

Young David kept his father's sheep, nor higher

His wishes rose; but when by Jesse sent, That he his brother's welfare might inquire, Calmly into the battle-field he went.

He heard the giant's boast, his armour view'd,

But felt no fear, nor feared the heathen band;

God was not with them, and he rightly

knew,

God could deliver by a feeble hand.

Goliah's giant bulk, with coat of mail
Was guarded o'er, his forehead only bare;
David a stone, with aim that did not fail,
Sent with his sling, and saw it enter there.