E have no just name by which to call thee who art above all human thoughts, as high as the heavens of infinite space are above and beyond the limits which bound our earthly vision and our human knowledge.

We have often called thee God, and Father, Maker and Provider, but in this we have not known thee except according to our finite faculties and comprehension.

But by so much as thou dost surpass our comprehension, by so much have we reason to rejoice, and to trust our destiny in thy hands.

We rejoice that thou art in all things and everywhere, so that not a sparrow falls to the ground without thy agency, and even the hairs of our head are all numbered.

We rejoice that while by reason of thy ignorance, clouds and darkness seem to be round about thee, yet it must be that thou art light, and that in thee can be no darkness.

We rejoice that while many things seem imperfect here, yet could we see the end of all, as even from the beginning thou dost see it, then would all which is beyond human control appear related to ends that are divinely great and good.

We would worship thee in the thought that nothing is better for us than that thy will be done; nothing better for us than to submit to the course

of Nature, and to pass into thy hands when this life, this earthly course, is ended.

We look on to the future to see thee fulfill more and more a purpose of good, making it true that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

We thank thee for the thought, that "we cannot go where universal love smiles not around, from seeming evil still educing good, and thence better, and better still in infinite progression."

In these days of affliction, may it be ours to rest in hope, to bear with patience, and to go forward unto what remains of labor and awaits us of change, sustained by an unfaltering trust.

And as we commit our dear ones to thy hands when this earthly course is run, may we not forget how great a blessing they have been to us; how it is better for us and the world that they should have come and gone, than if we had not had them here. May it be ours to cherish their memories, to imitate their virtues, to take up the work of their lives and carry it forward, and to take up our own work of life with new diligence and zeal, that so what they have helped the world to gain in righteousness and true prosperity, may be ground of still higher gain and still richer good.

And now, while we forget none of the good things which are behind, may we all look forward to the

things which are before, to the good work of life which remains to be done, to the exercise of our high calling as servants of humanity, to the fulfillment of every duty amid the things seen which are temporal, and thus to wise provision for the things which are not seen and eternal.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. For thine is the

power, and the glory forever. Amen.'

FATHER! Make the light of thy countenance to shine upon these mourners whom this sad affliction hath visited. May they be enabled to see such a portion of thy perfect ways as to rise above their grief to a peaceful contemplation of thy character. May they repose on the bosom of thy infinite love; and have such faith in thee-in the wisdom of thy government, and in the overruling power wherewith thou controlest all events, that they shall be able to say, "thy grace is sufficient for us," and "let thy will be done." Although great (and sudden) calamity hath come upon them and there seems to be an unusual darkness, although fond hopes are cut off and tender ties are roughly severed, yet may they believe that thou knowest all, and that such is thy wisdom, such thy love and power, that thou couldst not allow

such things to be, except it were to work out in the end some great and essential good.

Looking beyond this seeming evil and confusion, may they see that there must be harmony in the workings of thy Providence, and that as not a sparrow falleth to the ground without thy notice, so no child of thine, so no child, no dear friend of theirs, can be stricken down without the concurrence of a divine law that is just, nor without the overruling of a divine power that is loving and kind. Although they may not be able to see the necessary connection and dependence of all events, although no human wisdom is able to fathom and explain the mystery of all our sufferings and trials, yet thou seest all, and thou canst do no wrong. Hence may they cast themselves in faith upon thee, and beholding the light of thy presence in all the good that exists, and by faith seeing thee as the perfect Father, may they rest in the conclusion that even here is no exception to the truth that over all events thou rulest for the sake of those whom thou lovest as thy children.

O Lord! In thy light may they see light; in thy goodness find blessing; and wilt thou lift the light of thy countenance upon them, and give them peace. Amen.

UR Father who art in heaven: we thank thee for our life, since thou art the light of our life, our refuge from every storm, and our abiding place forever.

We thank thee for life; and why should we not thank thee also for death, so manifestly a part of thy plan, so often a release from pain, so often a sweet sleep and rest to the exhausted frame, and the laying down of burdens after the work on earth has been faithfully done.

We thank thee for the hope of our natures and the faith of our souls which dwell on the possibilities that are fairer than eye hath seen, greater than ear hath heard, and better than hath entered into the heart of man to desire.

We thank thee that in all of us is life that cannot die; and that we are able to gain some glimpses of the law which makes such death as we are subject to a condition of unfolding and divineness.

We cannot forget to thank thee now for the life of the dear friend which we feel is still continued unto us, still living in our lives, in our thoughts, in our memories, and in the world he has done so much to improve and bless.

We cannot think of him without a desire to honor him, or without the impulse to bid him fair and glorious speed towards all that he hoped for and aspired unto in what lies beyond the threshold, where for a season we are parted from him.