Thursday Evening. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.—Lam. iii. 25. Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.-Micah vii. 18. At that day ye shall ask in My Name, and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God.-St. John xvi. 26, 27. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.-1 Thess. v. 16, 17. B Y the favour of God we are come to the evening of this so much nearer our end. day, and we are Let us seriously consider this, and pray to God to fit us for the hour of death. Let us, with penitent hearts, beseech Him to pardon our sins for His dear Son's sake, and to deliver us from the punishment we have deserved. Let us resolve to amend whatever hath been amiss, and pray for the assisting grace of God and that we may be safe under His protection, who alone can defend us from the power of darkness. O Lord and Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Thy great goodness to us, in sparing us when we deserve punishment, in giving us the necessaries of this life, and in setting before us the happiness of a better. O merciful God, pardon our offences, correct and amend what is amiss in us; that as we grow in years we may grow in grace, and the nearer we come to our latter end the better we may be prepared for it. In the midst of life we are in death. Lord, grant that these thoughts may make us careful how we live, that we may escape the bitter pains of eternal misery. Take from us all ignorance, hard ness of heart, and too much carefulness for the things of this life. Make us to submit ourselves to Thy good pleasure, and put our whole trust in Thy mercy. Give us a true knowledge of ourselves, of the corruption of our nature, and the necessity of Thy gracious help to save us from ruin. And may the Spirit of Christ ever live and rule in us; possessing our souls with a sincere love of Thee, O God, with an earnest desire to please Thee, and with a dread of offending Thee. Sanctify us wholly, we beseech Thee, that our spirits and souls and bodies, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive all that have injured us, and pardon our many offences against our neighbour. Bless, we beseech Thee, O God, all those whom Thy Providence hath set over us, whether in Church or State; and give us grace to honour and obey them for conscience sake. Defend us from all adversi ties which may happen to our bodies, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt our souls; and prepare us to receive with an humble resignation whatever Thy Providence shall think best for us. And, finally, we beseech Thee to give us grace, that we may lead and end our lives in Thy faith and fear, and to Thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, etc. The grace, etc. FRIDAY MORNING.. Come, let us join our cheerful songs "Worthy the Lamb that died!" they cry, "To be exalted thus: " Worthy the Lamb! our lips reply, For He was slain for us. Jesus is worthy to receive Honour and power Divine, And blessings, more than we can give, The whole creation join in one To bless the sacred Name Of Him that sits upon the throne, |