them desirous to serve as servants of Christ. Incline them to do the will of God from the heart. Suffer in them no deceit or dishonesty to prevail over uprightness and truth. Suffer in them no sloth, or slandering; no foolish conversation, no waste of their own time, or of our goods. Make them ready to oblige, kind to each other, faithful and affectionate to us. And let not us either fail to give them what is just and equal, what is gentle, considerate, and kind. That when we shall cease to live together on earth, we may meet with joy in that heavenly household, where all we shall be as brethren, and One be our Master, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

6. A Prayer for Ourselves.

O God, by whose favour we are made one flesh, give unto us Thy blessing, that we may help to set forward the salvation of each other. Let Thy Holy Spirit strengthen us to keep the vows we are bound by to each other and to Thee. Grant that we may live together in love and peace, reminded ever, by the union we enjoy, of the spiritual marriage which is betwixt Christ and his church. Give us, if it be Thy will, such length of days as that we may see our children grown up in Christian grace. Or

if otherwise, do Thou, who art a Father to the fatherless, provide better for their welfare here and hereafter. Continue to us such share of this world's goods as we may best use to Thy glory. And whatever may here befal us, make us to be joint inheritors of Thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

No. IV.

On saying Grace before and after Meals.

"EVERY creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Tim. 4. 4, 5.)

If you would live in the world without being conformed to it, lose not any means of edification which the customs of the world allow, such as is the saying of grace. This is usually practised only at the chief meal of the day. You may do well however to repeat within yourself, at any meal, the reflections here suggested. Learn them by heart, and so think them over seriously, part before and part after each grace that is said. This will prevent you from talking up to the first word of grace, or renewing the conversation the moment grace is over. The pause of a few seconds you thus help to make in the general conversation, will both encourage him that says grace to utter it with more devotion, and enable yourself more profitably to fix your thoughts on the prayer and the praises offered.

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To "pray without ceasing. In every thing to give thanks," is the counsel of the apostle, is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5. 17, 18. Obey this counsel, perform this will in all things; that thus, "your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

God bless what we receive, through Jesus Christ. He that giveth us our daily bread bless it in the increase of health and strength, to be devoted to his service; and making the soul to hunger and thirst after righteousness, nourish it with all goodness, fill it with all spiritual grace, and enable it through Christ to live for ever! God bless what we receive; teach us to improve by all his gifts, turn to our profit all his dispensations, of abundance or want, of grace bestowed or for a time withheld; through Jesus Christ, through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, who giveth to all who believe in Him, the bread of life, his Holy Spirit ; and maketh all things work together for good to them that love God.

God be praised through Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for all his mercies, for the comforts of this life, for the hopes of the next; for the support of the body, for the redemption of the soul; for his sure covenant that both shall be saved through Christ, from sickness to health, from weakness to power, from dishonour to glory! God be praised by every creature that enjoys his bounty, in heaven above, in earth beneath, by all mankind, nor least of all by me. Through Jesus Christ; in my life by devotion to his will; in my lips by a conversation according to his word; in my heart by an exceeding love of Him, of his goodness, his mercy, his truth, and of those whom He called his brethren, and commanded me for his sake to esteem mine own!

No. V.

Thoughts for the Dying.

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My days are numbered. God thou knowest my frailty. Enable me to bear the thought of standing before the judgment seat of Christ. Many have been the sins of the years that are past. Many are the infirmities of the hours that remain. But more are the merits of Christ Lord. Many more the mercies of God my Saviour. I am weak; but He is my strength. I am weary; but He is my support He is near me; why then should I faint? He is on my side; of what then shall I be afraid? The way is narrow; but He is my guide. The passage dark; but He is my light. The grave is lonely; but my Friend is there. The gate is hard to enter; but He will let me in.

Oh my soul, what shall I there see? What things invisible shall I then behold? Spirits! But they are those of just men made perfect. Angels! but they are to bear me to the bosom of Abraham. Oh my soul, what shall I there know? My sins! nay these are to be there blotted out. Myself! nay I must then become one with God. Can I know the eternal the almighty Spirit? Can I see face to face the Holy One and the Just? He is great, and I am vain. He is good, and I am sinful. I am sinful, and He is pure. I am sin; but He is love.

God is love. That which alone has here made me happy, that which alone here gives me peace, that which in my friends I here most enjoy; that shall I enjoy in Him for ever. He is

God is love. He is my Comforter; God is love. God is love. Where love is, there is no fear. Where God is, there is heaven. Grieve not, my friends, for I hope to be there. Fear not, my soul, for there is salvation. Faint not, my soul, but have faith in God. Weep not, my friends, for I have faith through Christ. Weep not. But let us pray that we may have hope more lively, faith more firm, love more fervent. Let us pray that as we have lived in holy fear, we may meet hereafter, with Christ, in glory.

The Prayer.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit to us Thy afflicted servants; who desire at this time most entirely to acknowledge Thy many and great mercies. Give us the heart to feel truly thankful for being bound together by thy Providence in one family, and by thy gracious Gospel in one household of faith. Long have we been permitted to enjoy these blessings; and humbly would we praise Thee, both for the dispensation which first bestowed them, and for that which interposes to suspend them for a while. Amen.

Grant that our apprehended separation may make us mindful of the great end for which we have been united; and, as it quickens our sense of each other's love, may move also in our reluctant hearts the more devoted affection towards Thee. Amen.

Grant that whosoever of us shall first enter into Thy presence, may there receive the fulness of joy, there obtain the crown of glory, the dwell with Thee for ever. Amen.