and gone, and with the light of life are extinguished forever. Grant, O God, for this purpose that I may thoroughly realize, how fleeting are wordly riches, how foolish are the lusts of the flesh, how inconstant are the honours of this world, how dangerous the breath of popularity, how vain and transitory is even life, how awful is death and judgment, and how strict will be the scrutiny and stern the account, which I must render unto the Judge of the quick and the dead, of all my thoughts, words and deeds in this probationary state. Teach me by thy holy word and Spirit, that I have no continuing city here; but that I am a pilgrim and stranger here on earth, and to seek my birthright in heaven, and, as I have hitherto, alas! placed my desires upon the vain and trifling things of time and sense, and have thus spent my time and labour in vain; I entreat Thee to incline my heart, to lift its affections to heaven and things divine, and to desire and long for nothing so much, as the gifts and graces of thy Spirit and everlasting life. Grant me grace, O Lord, to partake of that bread which cometh down from heaven, to strengthen me to work out my soul's salvation, with fear and trembling.

And grant, that I may desire the objects of this world, only to increase my

desires after the realities of eternity; that I may employ the good things of this world, only in extending the hand of aid to the poor and needy, and abound more in all good works; that I may desire health, only to be able to serve Thee with more cheerfulness; and strength and power that I may fight manfully against thine and mine enemies, and the prolonging of my days, that I may the longer continue to show forth thy praise in the land of the living.

And, O blessed Saviour, it was on this day, that Thou wert anointed, by the pious Mary, with precious ointment, and thy feet were bathed with tears, against thy burial; 0 I beseech Thee, also, to anoint me more and more, with the oil of gladness, and the influences of thy Spirit, to eternal life.

On this day, also, did the rulers among the Jews, conspire together against thy life; O deliver me now and at all times from the power of mine enemies, break asunder their bands, so that I may serve Thee all the days of my life in righteousness and true holiness, according to thy will.

I commend, finally, all my dearest interests unto Thee; O preserve my life from all sickness and disease-my soul from all sinful dreams, lusts and desires, so that I may rest in Thee, and

rise in the morning with new vigor, to discharge the duties of the day in obedience to thy will and holy commandments. And to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be all the praise, both now and forever.-Amen.

HYMN 35. C. M.-St. John's.

10 God, thy gifts of tender love
Are every evening new ;

And morning mercies from above
Distil like early dew.

2 Thou spread'st the curtain of the

night

To guard our sleeping hours ;

Thy sovereign word restores the light, And wakes our drowsy powers.

3 We yield ourselves to thy command, To Thee devote our days;

For constant blessings from thy hand,
Demand our constant praise.

Morning devotions for Wednesday.

HYMN 36. L. M.-Newton.

1 FROM every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat, 'Tis found beneath the Mercy Seat. 2 There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads, A place than all besides more sweetIt is the blood-bought Mercy Seat.

3 There is a scene where spirits blend, Where friend holds fellowship with

friend;

Tho' sunder'd far-by faith they meet
Around our common Mercy Seat.

4 Ah! whither could we flee for aid, When tempted, desolate, dismay'dOr how the host of hell defeat,

Had suffering saints no Mercy Seat! 5 There! there, on eagle wings we soar; And sin and sense seem all no more, And heaven comes down our souls to greet,

And glory crowns the Mercy Seat.

6 Oh, let my hand forget her skill, My tongue be silent cold and still, This bounding heart forget to beat, If I forget the Mercy Seat.

"The mercy of the Lord hath no end, but is renewed every morning, and great is his faithfulness.”—Lam. 3. 22, 23.

O most merciful God, Thou Father of eternal light and life! I would call upon my soul, and all that is within me, to magnify and adore thy holy name, for permitting me to lay me down under the shadow of thine Almighty wings, and to sleep securely during the past night, and to arise this morning to behold the light of another

day, in the enjoyment of my usual health and strength.

O what is man that Thou shouldest be mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou shouldest set thine heart upon him; Thou hast made all creatures for him, and didst especially, on this day, create two great lights, and didst place the Sun and the Moon in the firmament of heaven, to give light, both by day and by night, and to divide the seasons, years, months and daysto regulate his labours-to invigorate his body-to ripen the fruits of the earth, and to cause the earth to bring forth its products in rich abundance. Nay, Thou didst present him with a light, yet infinitely more brilliant; even the light of thy prophetic word, and in order that he might behold the riches of thy goodness and thy grace, didst Thou cause the sun of righteousness to rise upon him, by his genial rays, to shine into his heart-to illuminate his understanding—to quicken him to diligence in accomplishing thy will, and to make him a participator among the saints in light and glory, of those pleasures, which are at thy right hand forevermore. O God, I would sincerely rejoice in this light, and earnestly desire, that every recess of my soul may be penetrated, by the gracious rays of this sun of righteousness.