Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/275

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

in thy presence? Yet, Lord, we know that thy love exceeds our wants, thy pity extends far beyond our thoughts, and thy changeless mercy is the very centre of all our brightest hopes. O help us to put away our evils of will, that our affections, being purified by Thee, the Truth may so enlighten our minds, that we may be guided in all our ways. Give us to see and acknowledge that while we love our inward iniquities, cherishing them in our hearts, thy Truth, though uttered by the lips, still remains inactive—the light shines in our darkness, but the darkness comprehends it not. Thou hast taught us that "the LAMP of the body is the eye," and that if the eye be evil, the body is full of darkness. O God! cleanse by thy truth, in each of us, the understanding, the spiritual lamp of the soul, which Thou hast given; so shall thy light not be hid in our darkness, but shall shine through in the life, shedding a glory round our path, enabling us thereby to praise and glorify Thee for ever.

Our Father, &c.


Saturday Evening.

MOST adorable Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have too often rebelled against Thee, and have not obeyed thy laws; we would now approach thy mercy-seat, and in humility of heart adore Thee, by offering at thy shrine our evening sacrifice of prayer and praise. O righteous Father, whose all-pervading providence preserves in living harmony and beauty the vast creation that thou hast brought forth,