Prayers for the Use of Families

Much of my time has run to waste,
And I, perhaps, am near my home;
But he forgives my follies past;

He gives me strength for days to come. 3 I lay my body down to sleep;

Peace is the pillow for my head; While well appointed angels keep

Their watchful stations round my bed. 4 Thus, when the night of death shall come, My flesh shall rest beneath the ground, And wait thy voice to break my tomb,

With sweet salvation in the sound.

HYMN. C. M.

1 DREAD Sov'reign, let my ev'ning song
Like holy incense rise;
Assist the offering of my tongue
To reach the lofty skies.

2 Through all the dangers of the day
Thy hand was still my guard;
And still to drive my wants away,
Thy mercy stood prepar❜d.

3 Perpetual blessings from above
Encompass me around,

But oh! how few returns of love
Hath my Redeemer found!

4 What have I done for him who died
To save my guilty soul?
Alas! my sins are multiplied,
Fast as my minutes roll!

5 Yet, with this guilty heart of mine,
Lord, to thy cross I flee,

And to thy grace my soul resign,
To be renew'd by thee.

1 GREAT God, to thee my ev'ning song
With humble gratitude I raise;

Oh let thy mercy tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise.

2 My days unclouded as they pass,
And ev'ry gently rolling hour,
Are monuments of wondrous grace,

And witness to thy love and pow'r.
3 Thy love and pow'r, celestial guard,
Preserve me from surrounding harm:
Can danger reach me while the Lord
Extends his kind, protecting arm?
4 Let this blest hope my eyelids close;
With sleep refresh my feeble frame;
Safe in thy care may I repose,

And wake with praises to thy name.

HYMN. L. M.

1 GLORY to thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, oh keep me, King of kings,
Beneath thine own almighty wings.
2 Forgive me Lord, for thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3 Let my blest guardian, while I sleep,
His watchful station near me keep,
My heart with love celestial fill,

And guard me from th' approach of ill.

4 Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
Teach me to die, that so I may
Rise glorious at the awful day.

1 INDULGENT God, whose bounteous care O'er all thy works is shown,

Oh let my grateful praise and prayer
Arise before thy throne.

2 What mercies has this day bestow'd!
How largely hast thou blest!
My cup with plenty overflow'd,
With cheerfulness my breast.

3 Now may soft slumber close my eyes,
From pain and sickness free;
And let my waking thoughts arise,
To meditate on thee.

4 Thus bless each future day and night, Till life's vain scene is o'er;

And then to realms of endless light,
Oh let my spirit soar,

1 ANOTHER day is past,
The hours forever fled;
And time is bearing me away,
To mingle with the dead.
2 My mind in perfect peace

My Father's care shall keep;
I yield to gentle slumber now,
For thou canst never sleep.
3 How blessed, Lord, are they
On thee securely stayed!
Nor shall they be in life alarmed,
Nor be in death dismayed.

1 THE day is past and gone,
The ev'ning shades appear;
Oh, may I ever keep in mind,
The night of death draws near.
2 Lord, keep me safe this night,
Secure from all my fears;
May angels guard me while I sleep,
Till morning light appears.

3 And when I early rise,

To view th' unwearied sun,
May I set out to win the prize,
And after glory run.

4 Lord, when my days are past,
And I from time remove,

O may I in thy bosom rest,
The bosom of thy love.

1 SOFTLY now the light of day
Fades upon my sight away;
Free from care-from labour free,
Lord, I would commune with thee.
2 Soon, for me, the light of day
Shall for ever pass away:

Then from sin and sorrow free,
Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee!

HYMN. C. M.

Evening Prayer and Praise.

1 INDULGENT Father, by whose care, I've pass'd another day,

Let me this night thy mercy share;
O, teach me how to pray.

2 Show me my sins, that I may mourn
My guilt before thy face;
Direct me, Lord, to Christ alone,
And save me by thy grace.

3 Let each returning night declare
The tokens of thy love;

And ev'ry hour thy grace prepare
My soul for joys above.

4 And when on earth I close mine eyes,
To sleep in death's embrace,
Let me to heav'n and glory rise,
To see thy smiling face.

HYMN. 7's.

Evening Communion with God.
1 NOW, from labour and from care,
Twilight shades have set me free;
In the work of praise and pray'r,
Lord, I would converse with thee.
O, behold me from above,
Fill me with a Saviour's love.
2 Sin and sorrow, guilt and wo,
Wither all my earthly joys;
Nought can charm me here below,
But my Saviour's melting voice.
Lord, forgive; thy grace restore;
Make me thine for evermore.

3 For the blessings of this day,
For the mercies of this hour,
For the gospel's cheering ray,
For the Spirit's quick'ning pow'r,
Grateful notes to thee I raise;
O, accept my song of praise.

1 IN mercy, Lord, remember me,
Through all the hours of night,
And grant to me most graciously
The safeguard of thy might.
2 With cheerful heart I close my eyes
Since thou wilt not remove;

Oh, in the morning let me rise
Rejoicing in thy love!

3 Or, if this night should prove the last, Ánd end my transient days;

Lord, take me to thy promis'd rest,
Where I may sing thy praise.