the transgressions either of this day or of our former lives; but be Thou pleased to receive us into Thy favour, and to adopt us into Thy family, as members of Christ, as children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. And vouchsafe unto us the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may be enabled to love Thee with all our hearts; and faithfully to perform Thy righteous will. We beseech Thee to renew us in the spirit of our minds. Help us to put off that old man, which is corrupt according to the flesh; and to put on that new man which is created after Thine own image in righteousness and true holiness. Deliver us from blindness and hardness of heart; from too great a love of this present world; as well as from coldness and indolence in Thy service. May Thy blessed Spirit produce in us a deep and sincere repentance; and make us fruitful in every good word and work.

We also pray Thee to enable us to put our whole confidence in Thee. May we commit all our concerns into Thy merciful hands, who art ever ready to protect those who sincerely love and serve Thee. Let Thy watchful providence defend us by night and by day, in adversity and prosperity, in sickness and in health; and, whenever the awful hour of our death shall draw near, may we find our consolations in CHRIST abound.

We most humbly address Thee, in behalf of all those for whom it is our duty to pray. We would intercede with Thee for our native land, that it may still be favoured with the light of Thy Gospel; and that the seeds of divine knowledge sown in it may bring forth abundant fruit. Bless the President of these United

States, and all in authority; and give them wisdom to fulfil the arduous duties to which they are called. Have mercy on all who are in any sorrow; on the widows, and the fatherless, and on those who have none to help them. Look down with compassion on those who suffer from the calamities of war. Be merciful to our dear friends and relations. Let the light of Thy Gospel shine into all their hearts. Grant, that they may be now united with us in the bonds of Christian love; and that we may all be members of Thy blessed family in heaven.

We pray Thee to take us under Thy care this night. We are unable to protect ourselves; but Thou, Lord, art ever present with us. O hear us from heaven Thy dwelling-place; and, for Thy mercy's sake, bestow upon us more than we are able to ask, or think, or are worthy to receive.

We present these our humble and imperfect prayers, in the name of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

10*

FIFTH EVENING.

ALMIGHTY AND Everlasting GOD, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, yet hast promised forgiveness to all those who repent of the evil which they have done,—we draw near to Thee under a deep sense of our unworthiness, for we have transgressed in thought, word, and deed; and when we look back on our past lives, we are confounded by the multitude of our offences. Many have been the sins, of which Thou, and Thou only, hast been the witness. O LORD, save us from that wrath which we have merited. Thou willest not the death of a sinner; but, rather, that he should turn from his wickedness and live. Fulfil towards each of us those gracious promises which Thou hast made in JESUS CHRIST and enable us to rejoice, in the sense of Thy favour here, and in the hope of eternal life in the world to come.

And lest, through our frailty, we should again yield to the power of our manifold temptations, grant unto us both the guidance of Thy providence and the help of Thy Holy Spirit. Put into our hearts good desires; and enable us, by Thy grace, to bring the same to good effect. Correct whatever is amiss in us. Deliver us from pride and vanity, and from the too great love of earthly things; from that fear of man which bringeth a snare, and from all inordinate indulgence. Save us from envy, hatred, and malice. Let not the sun go down upon our wrath. Let us go to rest, this night, full of charity and benevolence; and maintaining a

conscience void of offence towards Thee and towards all men. May our hearts be a fit habitation for Thy Spirit; and may our souls and bodies be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.

With these prayers for ourselves, we offer up our intercessions for others also. Let the light of Thy Gospel shine upon all mankind. Have mercy on this land. Bless our President, and all in authority under him. Strengthen their hands, that they may effectually repress wickedness and vice; and maintain Thy true religion among us. Give grace to all ministers of the Gospel, that they may both preach Thy word, and be examples of virtue and godliness. Send down Thy blessing, both temporal and spiritual, upon our several relations and friends; and unite with us in Christian bonds those who are already joined to us by the ties of nature and affection. Be merciful to those who are in any trouble of mind, body, or estate.

Regard in tender compassion the young of this family. May they daily learn the fear of the Lord; and may they ever walk in Thy commandments.

We now beseech Thee to continue to us Thy gracious protection through this night. Into Thy hand we commend our bodies, and our souls; our temporal, and our eternal interests. Thou, O LORD, neïther slumberest nor sleepest:-O take us all under Thy special care-defend us from every danger; and grant us such refreshing sleep, that we may be fitted for the duties of the following day. And give us grace so to live, that we may never be afraid to die; but that whether we live, we may live unto the Lord; or whether we

die, we may die unto the Lord :—all which we ask in the name, and through the mediation of JESUS CHRIST, our blessed Saviour.

Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

SIXTH EVENING.

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLIVING GOD, Author of our being, supporter of our lives, and source of all our hopes both in this world and in that which is to come :-we lift up our evening prayer to Thee, in acknowledgment of Thy divine goodness, and of our continual dependence upon Thee.

We thank Thee for Thy merciful protection this day. By Thee have we been sustained ever since we were born; and by Thy gracious care we are now enabled to lie down in peace. Blessed be Thy name if we have been in any measure preserved from evil. We are exposed to dangers on every side; to innumerable ills, which afflict the body; and to many sorrows of the mind. We live in the midst of an ensnaring world; our own hearts are ever ready to deceive us; and our great spiritual adversary goeth about seeking whom he may devour. O LORD, our hope and confidence are only in Thee. Be Thou unto us a rock of defence, that we may be saved from the power of our enemies. In