and bringing ourselves under Thy divine government, there is safety in every time of trouble, for—
"Thou canst curb the fury of the wave;
From plots of wickedness know'st how to save:
Submissive bowing to Thy holy will,
To fear our Father is to fear no ill."[1]
To trust in Thy name is to be encompassed with Thy protection; for they that fear the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.
Lord, we desire to thank Thee for the revelation of Thy holy Word, in which Thou hast manifested Thyself in power and great glory. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
INFINITE and omnipresent Lord, we desire humbly to approach Thy merey-seat this evening: we glorify Thy name, for Thou alone art holy; O assist us to worship Thee with becoming reverence, and to express our gratitude for all Thy benefits, in terms befitting the infinity of Thy goodness.
We acknowledge our many transgressions: we confess with deep contrition that while light has been vouchsafed us, we have preferred to walk in darkness; while Thy goodness has unceasingly bestowed benefits upon us, we have made those benefits subservient to our own evils, we have put darkness for light, and evil for good; and yet Thou, O Lord, bearest with us. Thou art still the same all-merciful, all-good, and all-gracious God. Help us, 0 Lord, to acquire a due sense of Thy mercy, and O help us to show our gratitude for Thy forbearance and love by newness of spirit. Give unto us the faith which worketh by love.
O Thou who art infinite in love in wisdom and in power, by whom the universe was created and continues to be sustained and preserved, what can we do to set forth Thy goodness? How shall we demean ourselves so as to secure the promise given to those who overcome, of "life for evermore"? The words of an Apostle instruct us, that "this is life eternal, to know Thee, the only true God, even Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." O Lord, we beseech Thee, confirm us in this truth. We acknowledge Thee as God over all, blessed for evermore. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
THURSDAY MORNING.
O LORD God Almighty, through Thy mercy we have enjoyed refreshing sleep; and the light of a new day awakens us to new duties, and calls for our gratitude unto Thee for the continuance of Thy love towards us. We would begin this day by supplicating Thee for such knowledge as shall guide us safely through its duties. In Thee are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge: to whom else, then, can we apply? Thy wisdom distributes the stream through multitudinous channels; every man is appointed a medium of commu-
- ↑ Slightly altered from Racine.
