Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are

peace.

ALMIGHTY and eternal God, our Creator, Preserver and Benefactor, we desire to begin this day with the acknowledgment of thy power and goodness, and of our obligation to love and serve thee; and we beseech thee to grant us grace to pass the whole of it in thy fear, and in the fulfilment of thy commandments.

O Lord, enable us diligently to perform our respective duties. Let us not waste our time, nor be unfaithful to any trust. Let us have the testimony of our consciences that in simplicity and sincerity we have our conversation in the world. Let truth be ever on our lips. May we perform a kind and Christian part to all who come within our influence.

We also beseech thee to give us patience to bear the several trials and vicissitudes of life with an equal and contented mind. Let us not be perplexed with the cares of this world, nor overwhelmed with unnecessary fears; but let us ever trust thy gracious providence, and hope in thy goodness and mercy.

Bless unto us the afflictive circumstances through which we may pass. May we see thy hand in all thy various dispensations, and know that if we truly love and serve thee all things shall work together for our good.

While we recognize thy loving-kindness in the fair

scenes through which we walk, and amid the bounties of thy liberal hand, may we feel that our trials come from the same infinite goodness from which our blessings flow; may we not be weary of thy correction, nor ever doubt thy love.

We commend to thy fatherly care all our friends and relations. We pray for the rising generation; that thou wouldst be their hope, their refuge, and their strength. Hear the cry of the sick, and the aged, and the afflicted; and grant help and peace to all thy needy and dependent creatures, and pardon to sinful and sinning men, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

XXXIX.

Domestic Relations.

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are foryou for his name's sake.

given

be

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, cause ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

O THOU that hast placed the solitary in families, and made our domestic relations so tender and blessed, unto thee we gather at the beginning of this day. Amid the dark and silent watches of the night our eyes have been closed, and we have rested in refreshing sleep under thine all-present and everwakeful care. Peace and safety have been within our habitation; and with renewed strength we, thy children, come to thee with our thanksgivings, confessions, and prayers.

We thank thee, O God, for all the blessings, personal, domestic and social, which we enjoy. We thank thee for health, and soundness of body and mind; for the delights of home; for the blessed bonds which bind us together; for the tender friendships we have formed, and the kind friends thou hast given us; and for the innocent recreation and pleasures which relieve the labors of life. But, above all, we thank thee for the gift of thy Son Jesus Christ; for his spotless life and his divine example; for his death endured for us; for his glorious resurrection and ascension; and for all the spiritual light and instruction, aid and guidance, rich promises and precious hopes, of his Gospel.

Forgive us, O our Father, that we have not cherished the gratitude due for all thy mercies; that we have too often forgotten the great Giver; that we have surrendered so often and so easily to temptation; that we have been so disobedient to thy laws; that we have been so deficient in the true spirit of thy children, rendering at times not only evil for evil, but evil for good, and living too exclusively for the world and the things of the world. Help us, gracious and holy Being, in our repentance, that it may bring forth in us the good fruits of amendment unto everlasting life.

While this day encircled in the embrace of our beloved home, may our affection for one another be sanctified by an abiding love of thyself and of thy Son; so that we may aid one another on earth in whatever will make us acceptable to thee, and fit us to enter and dwell together in heaven. When separated to our various cares and duties, may thy Holy Spirit enable us to be true to our obligations unto thee, faithful to our engagements, just and diligent in our use of time, conscientious in improving our talents and privileges. May we be forbearing and patient under provocation ; gentle and generous in our tempers; inflexible in every good purpose; and alike through good report and evil report firm and resolved in our adherence to rectitude and truth. May we always bear in mind that thine all-seeing eye is upon us, and that thou judgest not as man judgeth, but judgest the heart.

May we be, therefore, pure in heart, shunning even the appearance of evil, and growing this day and every day in the divine life, according to the perfect pattern of our blessed Saviour.

We pray, heavenly Father, that thou wouldst send down thy best and choicest blessings upon our kindred and friends; and that our friends may be the friends of our God, and true disciples of thy Son. Bless thy church universal. Pity the poor and the afflicted. Heal the sick. Strengthen the weak and the tempted. Deliver the oppressed. Reclaim the sinner. Hasten

the time when all men shall know thee the one living and true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

All which we ask through him who hath taught us in praying unto thee to say,

"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

XL.

Triumph of the Gospel.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,