SCRIPTURE LESSON. ND it came to pass, that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus: and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.-Acts xxii: 6-13. PRAYER. FATHER, send down Thy spirit like a ray of light upon our path, and deliver us from evil. Keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears, and our souls from death. In the midst of health may we remember Thee, our Witness and Judge, and use every blessing as a sacred gift. In the darkness as well as in the light, may we trace the working of Thy power, and consider that the same Being, the Lord, gracious and merciful, gives and takes away; and still may we bless Thy name. Amen. SCRIPTURE LESSON. OD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds: who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. And Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest: and they shall all wax old as doth a garment: and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Heb. i: 1-12. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.Phil. ii: 10, 11. PRAYER. VER blessed Father, we would tender to Thee our gratitude that Thou didst send Thy son, to give him self a ransom for our sins. We rejoice in his love, which was stronger than death; in his benevolence, which no ingratitude could weary; in his mercy, which extended to all men; in his humility, which made him one with the lowly and poor; and in his fidelity, which led him forward amid every discouragement. Especially do we rejoice that he will fail not nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth: till he has restored the last wanderer, wiped the tears from every eye, conquered death, and exalted all to a state of endless glory. Amen. SCRIPTURE LESSON. ET all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. -Eph. iv: 31,32. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are buiided together for a habitation of God through the spirit.Eph. ii; 19-22. PRAYER. UPREME Father, who art the law-giver of heaven and earth; we rejoice to know that Thy laws are all right eous; that they are formed by infinite wisdom to secure the highest happiness to the whole world. We bless Thee that they are impartial and just, and destined to equalize the condition of society, and bind Thy children together by the strongest ties which can link heart to heart. We praise Thee for their perfect adaptation to our state and wants, for their power to guard from sin, and secure to individuals, families and nations, the greatest blessings which can be enjoyed on earth. We thank Thee for their restraining power; that they warn us of danger, and unfold the fearful consequences of sin. We rejoice that Thy laws are all wise and good; that they are the security and happiness of all who render cheerful obedience, and pray that all intelligent beings may obey and serve Thee. Amen. SCRIPTURE LESSON. ROM the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the nations: and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the people, saith the Lord of Hosts. Mal. i: 11. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels: and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. - Mal. iii: 16-18. The Lord will not cast off forever: though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according unto the multitude of his mercies, for he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lam. iii: 31-33. PRAYER. FATHER, we implore Thy grace and protection for this day. Keep us temperate in our habits, and diligent in our several callings. Grant us patience under any afflictions Thou shalt see fit to lay on us, and minds always contented with our present condition. Give us grace to be just and upright in all our dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all men, according to our abilities and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways. Defend us from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and all things belonging to us, under thy Fatherly care and protection. Amen. SCRIPTURE LESSON. LL the ends of the world shall remember and turn again unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord's, and He is the Governor among the nations. Send forth thy light and thy truth, O Lord: Let them lead us to thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacle, even unto God, our exceeding joy. Thou wilt show us the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and thy faithfulness is above the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep. How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God. Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.-Sundry Psalms. PRAYER. UR Father in heaven, we praise the hand that gave us life, and crowns us with daily joy and blessing. We bless the love which takes note of all our wants, and which sent Jesus to the world with messages of grace, and precepts of wisdom. We rejoice in the mercy which looks kindly upon us, though we are unthankful and evil. May we have that abiding trust in Thee, which will give rest to our souls. Order our steps by Thy law, and make us prize righteousness more than riches wisdom more than pleasure. May we be content with little, rightly obtained, rather than strive after much, by wicked means. May we remember the Heaven whose gates are open to us all, and dwell there continually. May we be rich in heavenly treasure, and may our hearts be filled with peace. Bless us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |