ing, I am still liable to error in judgment. Give thy servant then an understanding heart, that I may discern rightly between good and evil, and while I exercise discipline with firmness, enable me also to remember mercy. Cause me to walk before thee in truth and righteousness, that I may not regard the person of the mighty and be afraid of his power, nor despise the person of the poor, and reject his petition; but that doing justice to all men and showing consideration and kindness, I may receive mercy from thee, and love, duty, and service from those who are under my care; through thy merits O Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.

A prayer to be used by Officers with their troops or Commanders with their Crews.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the High and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost govern all things both in heaven and earth; look down with mercy upon these thy servants who are placed under my authority, and committed to my charge. Sanctify them with thy grace, preserve them by thy providence, guard them from all the evils to which they are exposed, direct them in the ways of peace and righteousness by the aid and guidance of thy Holy Spirit, make them partakers of all thy blessings and graces in this world,

and fit them for the glory and enjoyment of that which is to come. Be Thou the light of their minds, that they may understand their dutytheir counsel in all their doubts-their strength against all temptations-their wisdom-to direct and govern them in all that belongs to the state of life in which thy providence has placed them. Give O Lord, thy blessing unto thy word, that they may read and hear it with meek hearts and due reverence, receive it with pure affection, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. May it become effectual to the conversion and salvation of those who are still in their sins, and confirm and strengthen those who have already forsaken them. May its dreadful threatenings and judgments arouse the ungodly to repentance, and its gracious promises quicken their obedience. Cause them O God, rightly to understand and constantly to walk in the way of thy commandments, and lead them to life everlasting.

Almighty God, who hast set me in a place of authority and made me a guide to others, suffer me not to go astray myself. Grant that I may never follow the inclinations of corrupted nature nor govern myself according to the maxims of an evil world, but give me the spirit and character of a true disciple of thy Son Christ Jesus.

O Holy Spirit of grace, sanctify my heart that no base or impure thoughts, no low or covetous

affections may lodge there. Govern my tongue that no corrupt communications may proceed out of my mouth. Guard my eyes, purify my hands,

guide my feet.

Conduct my whole life, that by all the instances and proofs of a good example I may lead the people committed to my care in the ways of righteousness and truth, and that no irregularity in my life and conversation may be a cause of grief or offence to others.

O Blessed Jesus the Prince of peace and God of love, make me an instrument of peace and good will among those over whom I am placed; that by thy gracious assistance I may root out all strife and variance, all hatred and malice, all ungodliness and vice, and that we may live together in quietness and love.

Bless O God the discipline of this (ship) portion of the army entrusted to my hands, and make it effectual to the correction of the restless and turbulent, and to the encouragement of them that do well. Assist me by thy Good Spirit to apply a proper cure to every disorder, that I may reprove with firmness and authority and yet without bitterness, censure with equity, and punish with compassion.

Pass by and pardon O Lord, the imperfections and sins of which any of us may have been guilty, and give us grace to consider that by thy merciful goodness we are blessed with the comforts of

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which we are unworthy, and delivered from the evils which we have most justly deserved.

May we all gratefully acknowledge thy love to us, may we meditate on thy tender mercies, may we magnify and adore the ways of thy providence, according to thy wonted goodness O Lord, preserve us for the time to come. May the same watchful providence which has heretofore defended us from innumerable dangers, guard and protect us through the remainder of our days, and may we so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that we may finally come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with Thee, world without end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Another for the Same in Time of Peace

LORD God of Hosts, who rulest in the armies

of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, we humbly beseech thee so to conduct and defend this army (fleet or ship) by thy watchful providence and mighty power, that whatever it may undertake for the protection of thy people, may be prosperous and blessed. Direct and lead us all in security and peace, grant wisdom and counsel to thy servant the Commander, resolution and firmness to my officers, and a hearty good will and cheerful obedience to all who are subject to our control. If in the pursuit of our lawful objects we are brought unexpectedly into action, give us prudence and courage and bless the battle with success. But if it be thy gracious will O Lord, preserve us from this painful necessity, and grant us the opportunity of effecting the purposes of Justice and Peace without bloodshed and misery. Guard us from contagious diseases, from the violence of enemies, and from sudden death; from evil accidents or crafty designs; from treachery within or surprise without; from carelessness in our duty, from confusion and fear, from restlessness and disorder, from mutiny and crime. Give us a happy and honourable return to our station and friends, that the country may be blessed by