long; and whatever thou dost ordain let us receive as from thee, fountain of wisdom and goodness. Prosper us in our lawful pursuits. If success attends our labors, not unto us, but unto thy name, be the praise; if disappointment and calamity overtake us, let us not be cast down nor discomfited, but cheerfully acquiesce, trusting that thou art doing better for us than we can ask or think. Prepare us for life's great changes, and hold us as in the hollow of thy hand. Save us in the hour of sudden temptation; and in the hour of our self-forgetfulness, which, watch as we may, will at times overtake us, do not thou, O God, forsake us. Let no press of business, no fear of loss, no hope of gain, induce us to swerve from thee, our highest good. Under all circumstances of trial let us maintain our integrity, and keep thou our souls in innocency and peace.

We pray for the household into which thou hast gathered us, and the kindred and friends whom thou hast raised around us; up for thy favor to the community in which we live, and thy blessing upon all good enterprises undertaken for the spread of truth and righteousness, and the final welfare of man. With shoes on our feet, and the pilgrim's staff in our hand, with loving words on our lips, and tender sympathies in our hearts, as strangers and sojourners here, knowing not when the Son of man cometh, may we this day press forward towards our final rest and reward, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XI.

Heavenly Aspirations.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.

pure

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the in heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

O THOU, whose form the eye seeth not, whose voice the ear heareth not, whom outward sense discerneth not, so near, so inward, art thou to us. The heart pure from sin evermore seeth thee; the soul alive in love and obedience heareth thy voice in its depths; the mind exercised to discern between good and evil perceives thee, with whom evil cannot dwell, Supreme Good, Parent and Centre of All Good. Open our hearts to behold the unseen presence. Open our ears to hear thine everlasting word. Open our whole souls to take in the breath of thy love. Creator of all, with the return of day come new tokens of thy power and providence. Amidst the darkness and the deep silence, thy Spirit hath encircled and filled nature and

man; thine the sleep which hath relieved our cares, and soothed our hearts, and repaired us with fresh strength. Thine is the morning which we welcome now; thine the sun calling us forth to work, and to rejoice in its light; thine are the hours rising over us with their invitations to action, and society, and rest. Thine, O God, this great nature which embosoms us in its changing beauty forever. May we love thee; may we live in thee.

Father, reveal the deeper mystery of thy presence in our souls. Those secret aspirations, those silent visions, those living attractions which draw us toward thee, and which seek communion with all pure and holy beings, we confess thee, only thee, their source and their end, ourselves thy children, asking to dwell in thy bosom whence we came. Father, reveal thy love within us; we have nothing else to seek.

We bow before thee now, confessing our weakness, our ignorance, our sin. Amidst the world shining with thy beauty, silent and benignant voices sounding to us through heaven and earth, we have yet forgotten thee many times, and disobeyed thy sweet and holy laws. Among thy children we have lived so long, and so often we have failed to do for them the services which we owe from thee. May the remembrance of our errors check all pride, and keep us in sincere lowliness. May the sense of our need forever urge us to thee; that in thy power we may have strength, that from thy wisdom we may receive knowl

may be consecrated to Quicken us with thy discover to us the heav

edge, that by thy Spirit we holiness of heart and deed. life; imbue us with thy love; enly vision, and help us to obey its teaching. Our Maker, draw us into harmony with thine infinite order. Our Father, unite us to thyself and thy great family in heaven and on earth.

Everywhere may thy children see thee; in thee may they know and love each other. May false gods and false worships perish; live thou, supreme and only true God, who art love, in the worship and service of men on earth, and of all souls throughout the universe. So may violence cease, and peace prevail; so may discord pass into communion of hearts; so may slavery and oppression give place to justice and freedom; so may thy sinning and suffering children all rise into service of each other, into one living church. into thy peace soothing every sorrow, and hallowing every joy. So may all hearts enjoy the blessings pronounced by thy dear Son.

Father, accept this our morning prayer. In its spirit enable us to spend the new day, consecrating each hour and every deed and word to thy service. In its spirit enable us to spend the whole day of life; that when its evening shall come, another morning, fairer and brighter than has now risen upon us, may gladden our everlasting course. And to thee, greater and nearer to us than any thought of ours, may we render glory, worship, service, both now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XII.

Love of God in Christ.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God! therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, nor known him.

Little children, let no man deceive him he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, whose eye of love resteth upon us during our defencelesss hours, and unto whom we are ever present, may thy Spirit witness unto our spirits, as we strive to give thanks and pray. This new day is thy gracious gift; for thou art the fountain of all life, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Sacred Providence. Thine is the sweet and pleasant light; the glow of the heavens and the beauty of the earth are thine; and from thee are all the wisdom of our minds, and all the love of our hearts.