I PRAY not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. JOHN Xvii. 15. ABIDE in meo'ershadow by thy love Each half-formed purpose and dark thought of sin, And keep my soul as thine, calm and divine. As some rare perfume in a vase of clay All heaven's own sweetness seems around it thrown. CHRIST, who art the Way, the Truth, and the Life, enlighten our souls, and purify our consciences, that we may ever have thee for our guardian and protector, and be guided by thee all our life long. Amen. CONSIDER the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. yet MATT. vi. 28, 29. How lovely are the common things of God, A. E. H. MOST gracious God, we yield thee unfeigned thanks and praise, for all thy mercies in crowning the year with thy goodness, and in all the beauties with which thou dost gladden our eyes and delight our hearts. Add unto them all spiritual blessings, we beseech thee, for Christ's sake. Amen. HE that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself JOHN xiv. 21. to him. So near, so very near to God, For in the person of his Son I am as near as he. So dear, so very dear to God, I cannot dearer be; The love wherewith he loves his Son. WE offer and present to thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee, humbly beseeching thee that we may be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction and made one body with Christ, that he may dwell in us and we in him; for his blessed Name's sake. Amen. THOU shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. PSALM lxxiii. 24. As God leads me, so my heart No grief nor fear my soul shall part From his dear breast. In sweet belief I know Which way my life doth go- L. GEDICKE. LET the prayers of thy suppliants, O Lord, come up to the ears of thy mercy; and that we may obtain what we ask, make us ever to ask what pleases thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PUT ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. ROM. xiii. 14. O WONDROUS Lord! my soul would be ARTHUR CLEaveland Coxe. GRACIOUS Saviour, give us grace that we may always imitate thy humility, resignation, purity, patience, charity, and all virtues, that we may be well-pleasing to thee, and may become daily more like thee. Amen. |