ment to the end designed, and then there is a gradual decline before a new state can be entered upon. In the grateful vicissitude of the seasons, there is nothing sudden. Winter does not suddenly suceed autumn, but autumn gradually and progressively merges into winter. As the seasons advance, and the earth becomes clothed with beauty, and emits the most grateful fragrance; one flower passes-away and another flower comes, and a succession of life presents itself, confirmatory of the laws of divine order, and instructive to man, who beholds with attention the series of beneficent arrangement which marks the wisdom of Thy providence. O heavenly Father, help us to apply the knowledge which is thus imparted unto us from the field of creation for the improvement of our own souls.
Our Father, etc.
THURSDAY EVENING,
EF isa good thing to draw near unto Thee, @ Lord. When the heart feels a desire for Thy presence, and the understanding perceives that nothing can be successfully pursued without Thy gnidanoe, then is there the humility to receive instruction, and the meekness to profit by it, which bows the heavens, and causes the High and Holy One to come down and dwell with the contrite, to revive the spirit of the humble. Conscious of our own frailty, we cannot say that we approach Thee in this spirit, but we earnestly implore Thine aid to assist us in acquiring it. © how glorious is Thy presence! who ean enter it without solemn awe? who can presume to approach it but with a deep sense of the condescending goodness and loving-kindness which stoops to the low and fallen condition of man? To draw near in spirit to the Bupreme Governor of the universe, to approach Him whom all the angels of heaven worship, to converse with Him in prayer, to ask His gracious aid, and to know that whatsoever we ask in His nama we shall receive, is indeed to participate in the most exalted privileges which can be conferred upon as. How wonderful is the love which, by the light of the divine humanity, brings the glory of the Father forth to view. While in Thy gracious presence, we crnnot but imbibe a portion of the influences of Thy Spirit; and going forth from it to our pillows we cannot but feel safety to what state soever we may be called; for the conviction remains hes the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge, en. Our Father, ate.
FRIDAY MORNING. () LORD most merciful and gracious, we megnity Thy neme; Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is pare and upright; jnst and true are Thy ways. Thon King of sainta.
With cheerful hearts, yet with solemn awe, we approach Thee this morming,—an awe.inspired by Thy greatness, springing not from any feeling of fury that isin Thee,—for no passions can agitate Thes in whom all perfoction centres,—but inspired by Thy goodness and holiness, in permitting us who have so repeatedly sinned againat Thee to come into
