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er's kingdom; and I will ever rejoice to hear of them, and will earnestly desire, that they may be multiplied until they shall be spread over the whole earth.

Have 1

Can I with

Q. Have I, in view of this resolution, earnestly desired a revival of religion in this place? used all possible exertions to effect one? the prophet say sincerely, O Lord! revive thy the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

work in

R. 72. I will study prudence and economy in all my expenses, that I may be enabled to relieve the wants of the destitute, and contribute towards the benevolent objects of the present day.

Q. What have I given in charity to-day? What is its annual amount? What proportion will my charity bear to my needless expenses?

R. 73. I will avoid an avaricious spirit, as being entirely opposed to the temper of the Gospel, but yet will highly value this world's goods, because they not only promote my own personal happiness, but afford me ability to benefit my fellow creatures, and to advance the cause of the Redeemer.

Q. Is mammon my idol? Why should I eagerly lay hold on the wealth of this world, which I must soon leave behind me? Can it be employed to a nobler purpose, than to advance the virtue and happiness of man, and the kingdom of Christ?

R. 74. I will endeavour to promote the happiness and spiritual good of all, with whom I associate.

Q. Do I daily pray for my friends and kindred, my neighbours and fellow men? Do I seek, in all other possible ways, their conversion and eternal salvation?

R. 75. I will endeavour at all times to realize the immediate presence of God, and to maintain a holy awe of Him, and a constant fear of offending

Q. Do I think, and feel, and speak, and act, as under the omniscient eye of God? Is it my supreme desire to glorify and serve Him? Is His favour my solace and joy?

R. 76. I will endeavour to model my character and conduct, in all respects, after the Gospel.

Q. Has this been my past endeavour? and is it my aim for the future?

R. 77. I will endeavour to recommend the religion of Christ by a mild and amiable deportment. Q. How far does religion shine forth in my conduct? and is it made to appear desirable and attractive by my example?

R. 78. I will regard, with Christian compassion and charity, the spiritual woes and wants of the great human family.

Q. Do I weep over the dying Heathen? and do I most ardently desire to send them the bread and the water of life?

R. 79. I will view with pleasure the many benevolent Societies, which have been formed to promote the temporal and spiritual good of mankind, and will give them my approbation, my prayers, and my pecuniary assistance, so far as I have ability and opportunity.

Q. Have I done so the year past? If the relief of human sufferings, and the spread of the Gospel depend on me and others like me, will not the poor continue to suffer, and sinners continue to die in ignorance and sin?

R. 80. I will call myself to a most solemn account every night before closing my eyes to sleep, for my thoughts, words, and actions during the day past, and will endeavour to rest in peace with God and myself.

Q.

Do I maintain this habit of reflection, and selfexamination?

THE

ASSISTANT TO FAMILY RELIGION. ·

PART IV.

MORNING AND EVENING, AND OCCASIONAL PRAYERS.

Sabbath Morning.

Grant

O THOU Lord of the sabbath! enable us, on this morning of thy holy day, to worship thee in spirit and in truth: May we find it good to draw near to thee in prayer. We thank thee for the consecration of one day in seven to thine immediate service, and that there remaineth unto us the keeping of sabbaths. This is the day, which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice, and be glad in it. us thy gracious presence and blessing. Take off our thoughts from the vanities of time and sense, and place them upon divine and heavenly things. We would cease from our own works, as God on the seventh day did from his, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and honour him, not doing our own ways, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words; but delighting ourselves in the Lord. We confess before thee, O God! our manifold transgressions. With the leper under the law, we cry, Unclean, unclean, and with the humble publican, God! be mer

ciful to us sinners. Like penitent Job, we would abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes. O thou God of salvation! have mercy on us. Make bare thine almighty arm for our deliverance; save us, or we perish. Make us the trophies of thy victorious grace. Wilt thou, who didst at first command light to shine out of darkness, shine in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We bless thee, O God! for our creation and preservation; for the kind care thou hast taken of us from the commencement of our existence to the present moment. We thank thee especially for the gift of thy Son to a lost world, and for the method of salvation by him. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? We will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. We would present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, unto God, which is our reasonable service. When permitted to wait upon thee in thine earthly courts, grant us thy blessing. If thy presence go not with us, wherefore should we go up to thy house? Help us to keep our feet, when we go to the house of God, and to be more ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of fools. Be with all thy worshipping assemblies every where this day. Give them fellowship with thee in thine ordinances, and, while in thy banquetting house, may thy banner over them be love. Let none be disposed unnecessarily to forsake the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is. Impart, unto the Ministers of the Gospel, a double portion of thy Spirit. May they show themselves approved unto God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Bless the Minister of this church and people. Make him wise to win souls unto Christ. May this sabbath be a spiritual birth-day to thousands. Open thou blind eyes, unstop deaf ears, and break hard hearts.

Instruct the ignorant, reclaim the wandering, and edify thy people. We thank thee, gracious Father! for the mercies of the past night, and the light and blessings of this holy morning. Let thy good providence preserve and defend us this day, and thy Holy Spirit guide and comfort us. Prepare us for all the duties and events of subsequent life, and, especially, for death, judgment, and a happy eternity. And now, O thou prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God! hear our supplications, and grant us an answer in peace through Jesus Christ; to whom as the Lamb, that was slain to redeem us to God by his blood, be blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, forever and ever. Amen.

Sabbath Evening.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come! Thy name endureth forever, and thy memorial unto all generations. Help us, at the close of thy holy day, to bow before thee with the profoundest veneration, and to worship thee in the beauty of holiness. We thank thee for the sabbath, which is now passed, and its sacred privileges; that we have been permitted to worship thee in the family, and in the house of our holy solemnities. Accept, through the mediation of the heavenly Advocate, our praises and thanksgivings; hear our supplications; and sanctify to us the instructions of thy word. May what we have this day heard, read, and meditated upon, of a religious nature, deeply impress our minds and do us good, as thy word doth the upright in heart. If we have mispent or profaned in any degree thy holy day, pardon us we beseech thee. May the services of thy people, in all parts of Christendom, come up in acceptable remembrance before thee. Wherein their worship

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