M I. ERCIFUL Father! look down from Heaven, Thy dwelling-place, upon a little boy who wishes to come and thank Thee for Thy care. I thank Thee for all the blessings of this day. I thank Thee for my loving parents, and brothers and sisters, and so many kind relatives and friends. I thank Thee for my happy home, and for everything Thou hast given me. Help me to think more of Thy love to me, that I may love Thee better. Help me to think more of Jesus, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. May I be one of His little lambs, and have Him for my good Shepherd. May His Holy Spirit dwell within me, and make me grow in Grace every day. Watch over me, and everybody I love, through the hours of darkness, and pardon all my sins: for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. Our Father, which art in Heaven, &c. II. ENTLE Jesus, meek and mild, Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee. Fain I would to Thee be brought; Hold me fast in Thine embrace, Our Father, which art in Heaven, &c. * 圆 III. EAVENLY Father! the day is gone, and I would not forget how many and great Thy mercies have been. Not more than others, I deserve, yet Thou hast given me more. I have had all my wants supplied. I have had food enough and to spare, while others are perishing with hunger. I have had clothing, while others are nearly naked: a home, while many have scarcely a place where they may lay their head: kind parents, while others are fatherless or motherless orphans. have the Bible too, and can read its sweet Story of Peace, while others have never seen or heard of that blessed Book. What shall I render to the Lord for all His gifts to me? Oh, help me, gracious Lord, to give Thee my heart! I know it is a sinful heart: but Thou hast asked me for it and Thou canst make it a holy heart. Let all my sins be forgiven, since Jesus died to put away sin. Write Thy new Name upon my heart, Thy new best Name of Love. Cleanse the thoughts of my heart: endue me with Thy Holy Spirit: enrich me with Thy Heavenly Grace: and grant that I may continue Thine for ever. Bless all whom I love, and keep us in safety through the night; and let our first waking thoughts be of Thy love and goodness to us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Our Father, which art in Heaven, &c. IV. LEST Saviour, let me be a child, BA little child of Thine: Thou hast on infant-spirits smiled, Make me a child in simple ways, Give me a nature pure and true, And day by day by Grace renew, May this sweet spirit ne'er depart Our Father, which art in Heaven, &c. |