FORTY-FIRST WEEE, 297
Thy presence, and still to receive all the blessings which Thy presence oun bestow. Help us deeply and devoutly to reveronce Thy divine perfeotions, that not only when we are worshipping at Thy footstool, but when we mingle with the world and are engaged in onr worldly duties, the temper and apirit which Thou hast set before us may in all things distinguish us. Whatever we behold of goodness, may we remember that the sourse of it isin Thee, and give Thee all the glory. Wherever the purity of truth displays its brightness may we still raice our eyes to Thee; and in the light, with which as a garment Thou clothest Thyself, may we behold all true wisdom, the purity and brightness of which is 'but dimly reffected in the most perfect intelligence that man can display. Thou art indeed the only true light, and by the rays of Thy wisdom man is alone led to the eternal source of goodness, of which Thou art the essence. Help us. O Lord, to do our duty thie day; guide us even to the end. Amen. Our Father, eto.
FRIDAY EVENING.
GREAT and omnipotent Redeemer, whose love and mercy has encircled us through this another day, whose power hath protected us, whose bounty hath supplied our wants, we humbly acknowledge Thy goodness, and pray for grateful hearts, that Thy mercies may be kept in constant remembrance.
Lord, we pray Thee give unto us discerning spirits, that we may be preserved from falling into extremes of any kind. The road to eternal blessedness is a strait and narrow way, and we feel the necessity of constant watchfulness to prevent our halting or fainting in our progress. Even zeal itself may be attended with mischief, if it be not regulated by discretion and moderation. O help us to guard against the influence of enthusiastic spirits, who strive to infuse into our souls a desire for those appearances of truth and holiness, which make clean the outside of the cup and platter, leaving the inside full of extortion and excess.
Alas! how frequently have we become the subjects of such spiritual delusions! how have we neglected the internal purification of the soul, to make way for the external garb of sanctity and holiness! how frequently, by the performance of external religious duties, have we trusted in our own righteousness aud despised others! how lamentably have we failed in obedience to the divine precept which requires righteousness in the inward parts. Lord, we beseech Thee, preserve us from all spiritual delusions; in Thee alone do we trust. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
SATURDAY MORNING.
O GOD of love, of truth, infinite Creator, adorable Redeemer and Saviour, by Thy free mercy are we sustained. Thou hast protested us through the night season, and again does the light of day fall revivingly upon our eyes. Blessed be Thy name for this new mercy; make us sensible of it; and O make us grateful for this and every other benefit showered down upon us.
