IN ADVERSITY.

O Thou, who art the Father of our spirits, and the God of all hope and consolation, we desire to put our trust and confidence in thee, although thou art pleased to visit us with affliction. We know, O God, that often in mercy thou dost chasten thy servants for their good, to wean them from this world, and fit them for a better. We know that the various troubles of this mortal life are thy wise appointment, designed to discipline our minds to virtue, and to raise us above the world.

We pray, O God, that, in the season of adversity and trial, we may deeply consider the ends of thy wise and righteous administration. May we carefully examine our ways, lest we may have inadvertently offended against thy holy laws: and wherein we have done amiss, enable us by thy grace steadfastly to resolve that we will do so no more. Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us, and know our thoughts; and see if there evil way in us; and lead us in the way

be any

everlasting, for thy mercy's sake.

If we have been heretofore too much engrossed by the pursuits of a vain and perish

ing world, henceforth, we beseech thee, enable us to fix our thoughts and affections upon a more enduring substance, upon that inheritance which is beyond the grave, and which hath been promised to all the faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, for whom we bless thee, and through whom we would ascribe to thy Divine Majesty everlasting praises. Amen.

PRAYER IN PROSPEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

Father of Mercies, we bless thee, in that we have tasted and seen that thou art very gracious to us; that thou hast crowned us with loving-kindness, and visited us with the refreshing dews of thy bounty. While gladness arises within our souls, and prosperity attends our ways, may we not be high-minded, but fear: remembering, that by thy favour only we can stand secure, and that, if thou hidest thy face, we are troubled. May we therefore rejoice with trembling, considering that the days of man are few and chequered with evil, and that all things are mutable and transitory. Thou alone art perfect and unchangeable, without variable

ness, or even the shadow of a turning. May we, therefore, make it our chief concern to secure an interest in thy favour, by the faithful discharge of our various duties, and a diligent improvement of the talents which Thou hast committed to our care. We know, O God, that all things, whether prosperous or adverse, will work together for our good, if we love Thee and keep thy commandments. Grant, we beseech thee, that by thus acting we may obtain thy favour here, which is better than life; and that hereafter we may have an entrance ministered to us abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

IN PROSPECT OF A JOURNney.

Most Merciful and Gracious God, we desire to commend ourselves to thy care and blessing in the journey that lies before us. If thy presence go not forth with us, let us not depart hence. Direct our course for us, and be with us in the way in which we shall go. Keep us, O God, from every evil to which we may be exposed. Keep us, expecially, from all manner of sin. May we

set thee, the Lord, always before us; and may a sense of thy presence with us be a source of unspeakable comfort, as we walk by the way, as we lie down, and as we rise. up. Let it please Thee to watch over and protect this habitation in the absence of thy servants, and in thine own due time to restore them to their family and friends in health, in safety and peace, and with thankful hearts to thee, the Father of all mercies, the God of all love and consolation; to whom be ascribed, through Jesus Christ, everlasting praises. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AFTER A SAFE JOURNEY.

Lord, what shall we render unto thee for all thy benefits? Thou hast been with us in our going out and our coming in, and hast defended us from all evil; and we now return to our home in quietness and peace, having experienced many mercies at thy hands. We desire, O Lord, to feel the constraining power of thy goodness on our hearts, and to honour Thee in all our ways. Forgive, we beseech thee, whatever we may have said or done amiss since we left this

place. Forgive, that we have loved Thee so little, who hast so wonderfully loved us. Shed abroad thy love in our hearts, that we may love Thee even with our whole soul. Dispose us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and to place our affections where alone true joys are to be found. And now that we are returned to the regular business of our station, let it please thee, O God, graciously to prosper and bless us, and enable us faithfully to discharge the sacred duties of our home. Keep us and our dwelling, and all that belongs to us, from all evil. Let the eye of the Lord our God be upon us for good, and may he establish the work of our hands for us; and to his holy name be everlasting praise ascribed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR ABSENT FRIENDS.

Merciful Father, we thank thee that thou permittest us to intercede with thee for our absent friends. We rejoice to think that they dwell, together with us, in the hollow of thy hand; and that, when we can reach them in no other manner, we can reach them by prayer.