MOST

FRIDAY MORNING.

HYMN.

Oh, help us Lord! In all our need,
Thy heavenly succour give:
Help us in thought, and word, and deed,
Each hour on earth we live.

Oh, help us! when our spirits bleed
With contrite anguish sore;

And when our hearts are cold and dead,
Oh, help us, Lord, the more!

Oh, help us Jesu, from on high!
We know no help but Thee;
Oh, help us so to live and die,

As Thine in heaven to be!

OST gracious and merciful Jesus, whose name is Love, and who hast declared that love to one another is the mark whereby Thy true disciples shall be known to all men, we bless Thee for that domestic love which reigns in this house and family. May it continue to shed through it unceasing comfort, and be manifested by every suitable office of kindness from day to day. Teach us to cherish that supreme love to Thee, which Thou claimest as our best Friend, and by which the tenderness of nature will be rendered more holy and delightful. May we testify that we love Thee by keeping Thy commandments.

May we receive the truth in the love of it, that we may be saved. May we remember Thy words with care, ponder them in our hearts, and live under their influence.

May a father's commandment in this house, and a mother's law, be ever animated by the Spirit, guided by the wisdom, and enforced by the authority of Thy Holy Word. And may the children here bind Thy testimony continually upon their heart, and tie it about their neck; that when they go it may lead them, when they sleep it may keep them, and when they awake it may talk with them. May they find that the commandment is a lamp, the law a light, and that reproofs of instruction are the ways of life. May all under this roof be the objects of Thy Father's love, and on us may His special blessing rest. In that love may we find comfort amidst the enmity of the world, and the inconstancy of human friendship: and, instead of complaining, amidst the disappointments and trials of life, that the Lord has forsaken us, may we trace in them the wisdom of His discipline, and listen to His earnest invitation to repent and to amend our ways.

Come to us, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, and, according to Thy gracious promise, may Thy Father come with Thee. Come to us, ere

we conflict with temptation, to gird us with strength. Come to us in the dark and stormy night, to whisper to us,-"Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid." Come to us in the scene of duty, to purify our motives, and to quicken our zeal. In the season of perplexity, vouchsafe us Thy guidance; and when dear friends are leaving us, and earthly ties are bursting asunder, come to us, even through the deep waters, and say to us, "My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed."

Blessed Saviour, we pray Thee ever to make Thine abode with us. Thou art the hope of the Israel of God, the Saviour in time of trouble; why shouldest Thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man, that turneth aside to tarry for a night. May Thy residence with us be gracious and constant, and let the sense of Thy presence keep folly from our dwelling and sin from our hearts: may it stimulate every service, and heighten every enjoyment. None can supply to us the want of Thy presence with us; none can be to us what thou art. Thou dost not shun the house of the contrite because it is mean, nor the cottage of the mourner because of his sorrows. Thou comest ever to satisfy the longing soul, and to fill the hun

gry soul with gladness. Oh! that Thou wouldest this day rend the heavens and come down to this habitation, in the light of Thy Word, in the power of devotion, and in the comforts of Thy Spirit; and may we rise up and go forth to our various occupations in Thy strength, and meet around Thy throne of grace in the evening, in tranquillity and love and mutual joy. And may the Lord preserve our going out and coming in, from this time forth even for ever

more.

We pray for the pardon of all our sins, through the merits of His blood who commended His love to us, by dying for us when we were yet sinners; and we beseech Thee to grant unto all sinners opportunity and means of repentance. Strengthen the yet weak in faith, that they may endure temptation, and raise up them that fall. Grant perseverance and advancement in holiness to those who now love and fear Thee, and enable them to bring forth much fruit, to the praise of the glory of Thy grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

FRIDAY EVENING.

HYMN.

When tossed on life's tempestuous sea,
Oh! who shall prove the sinner's friend?
Where shall the wanderer's refuge be,
Oh! whither shall his prayer ascend?
Father, to Thee! for Thou canst save:
Thy love shall shine a beacon ray,
Thy mercy shall illume the grave,
Thy grace console in sorrow's day.

Oh! guide us Father! God of love!
Guide us in sin's tempestuous night;
Darkness around, and storms above,

We look to Thee for help and light.
Ne'er didst Thou scorn the humble prayer,
Breathed by repentance, fervently;
Guard us, oh Father, from despair,

Teach us to rest our hearts on Thee.

GRACIOUS Father, in approaching Thy throne of grace, we rejoice in the character of Him who sits on it, as merciful and good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all those who call upon Him. In the most perilous case Thou art mighty to save; and though our wants are varied and constant, Thou keepest mercy for numberless petitioners, and for all their diverOur unworthiness is great,

sified necessities.