Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.-Ephes. 4:29-31. A LMIGHTY GOD, our Father and Preserver, Who, having refreshed us with night's slumber, hast awakened us to the duties of a new day, grant us, we humbly beseech Thee, Thy heavenly presence, that we may be able to do our work as in the great Taskmaster's eye. O Thou Who hast redeemed us through Thy mercy, be pleased to defend us by Thy grace from the evil without us, and within. Save us from the power of our own lusts; the subtle suggestions of our own thoughts; the treachery of our own hearts; and cause Thy face to shine upon us, O Thou in Whose presence there is no night, that this day and all our days may be pure and holy, and that we may walk in the light as children of the light. We beseech Thee to hear us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. REV. T. B. McCORKINDALE, M.A., And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.-John 14:13-16. ALMIGHTY GOD and Heavenly Father, Who hast safely preserved us through sleep and darkness, and hast brought us again to light and the joy of living, we adore Thy name and bless Thee for Thy mercies daily renewed. Let Thy truth guide our footsteps, and Thy Spirit rule in our hearts through all the changes of this fleeting life, that we never be surprised into sin or error, but preserved with calmness and courage in the way set before us, having always a conscience without offense and without recrimination. Accept the dedication of our full and hearty service of body, soul and spirit, not regarding our thoughtlessness and distractions, but sustain us in our purpose of righteousness and true holiness, that we may live to the glory and praise of Thy Holy Name, through Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. BISHOP CLELAND K. NELSON, Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust. Ps. 40: 4. OUR UR gracious Lord, we beseech Thee to so guide and bless us this day, that we may become more like Thy Blessed Son, in all the gracious and wonderful perfections of His being. We earnestly pray that we may possess the mind of Christ-the mind of perfect humility; that His cross of self-denial and sacrifice may be willingly assumed and carried as one of the coveted privileges of the Christian life; that we may enjoy the Spirit of Christ, for we have learned that numan wisdom is not sufficient to equip us to meet the demands of life and service; that we may possess the purity of Christ, in Whom there was found no fault; that the confidence of Christ may be ours, the confidence which perfect faith ensures; that the joy of Christ may fill our souls, the joy of perfect peace-peace enjoyed because there exists between Thy heart and ours nothing to create division or friction. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may so live as to be fit to represent Thy dear Son as ambassadors; that we may be epistles known and read of all men, as telling the story of a wonderful redemption; that the influence of our lives may be such that men may constantly take knowledge of us that we have been with Christ Jesus and have learned of Him. Amen. REV. GEORGE R. STAIR, Portland, Maine. I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God. OUR Heavenly Father, we come to Thee this morn ing with praise and thanksgiving for Thy care and love. We are grateful for the temporal blessings Thou hast given us, and for the loved ones we have to enjoy. We thank Thee for the gift of Thy Son, and for the Holy Spirit. We ask Thee to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Be with us this day, and help us to be kind and courteous. Help us to be more like Thee. May our eyes be opened to the opportunities for serving Thee and helping others to know Thee, Whom to know aright is life eternal. May Thy Spirit be with those, at home or abroad, who preach or teach salvation, and grant that the word preached may not return unto Thee void. Be with those in authority, and may they rule with justice and equity. Comfort "as one whom his mother comforteth" those in trouble and sorrow, and strengthen those in sickness. Our Father, hear our petition, and keep us this day without sin, for the sake and in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen. CLARENCE B. MITCHELL, All the ways of a man are the Lord weigheth the spirits. Lord, and thy thoughts shall 2-3. Οι clean in his own eyes; but Commit thy works unto the be established.-Prov. 16: UR Father, Who art in Heaven, Thou art our Father, though we are of the earth, and impure in Thy sight. Thou dost love us, and we are Thy children. Thy goodness is shown in that Thou hearest our prayers. We thank Thee for so many tokens of Thy favor and abiding love. Help us to live as Thy children should live every day that we tarry here. May we learn more of Thee as the days rush on into eternity. May all our powers and service be devoted to Thee. May it be our constant joy to serve Thee and follow where Thou dost lead. Thou dost always design the best possible course for us-therefore we are safe in doing Thy will. Teach us Thy way, and help us to keep our feet therein. In the hard places of life's pathway, help us, Lord, for we are weak, and sometimes we fall. "We need Thee every hour." Keep us from falling into sin. Save us now and evermore, for the sake of Jesus, our Master. Amen. REV. W. W. VAN DUSEN, |