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Prepare us, by all the events of life, for our great and final change; for we know not how soon it may come upon us. May the appointment of Thy sabbaths, and the preaching of Thy word,-may every opportunity of holy meditation, and of public, social, and secret prayer, and all the other means of edification, which we so abundantly possess, concur with the successive events of Thy wise and merciful providence, in so calling off our minds from this earthly scene, that we may be fitted for that everlasting state, on the borders of which we stand. May Thy good Spirit sustain and strengthen us in our last hours: when the shadows of the evening shall come upon us, when age and sickness shall arrive, and human help shall fail, be Thou, O LORD, the strength of our hearts and our portion for evermore; and let an abundant entrance be ministered unto us into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and SAVIOUR.

With these prayers for ourselves, we desire to join our intercessions for others also. Bless our President and all who are in authority: [give wisdom to our houses of Congress ;] and inspire all orders of men with the spirit of cheerful obedience to Thy laws. Save us from public war, as well as from intestine discord. Bless every attempt to spread Thy true Gospel among the nations. Have mercy on all Jews, Turks, infidels, and heretics and so bring them home, blessed LORD, to Thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of true Israelites and crown with Thy continual blessing the labours of the ministers of Thy Gospel in our own favoured country.

Have mercy on all who are troubled in mind, o whom Thou hast visited with any sorrow. Grant unto them peace with Thee, through our Lord JESUS CHRIST; and let the light of Thy countenance be more than a compensation for every worldly sacrifice to which they are called.

Be favourable to the rising generation. Keep them from the follies and vanities of youth; and let them learn to walk in Thy fear, and in the way of Thy commandments.

And, finally, we beseech Thee to take us all under Thy protection, this night. Grant unto these our frail bodies that refreshment which is needful for them; and enable us to lie down, exercising a holy trust in Thee, and having fervent charity towards all men.

We offer up these our imperfect prayers in the name of our blessed Saviour JESUS CHRIST.

Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

THIRD SUNDAY EVENING.

O LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY, who understands the secrets of every heart,—who art also a God of infinite perfection and purity, and claimest not only the outward service of Thy creatures, but requirest truth in the inward parts,—we sinners, who in thought, word, and deed, have offended against Thee, desire most humbly to confess our sins, and to implore Thy merciful forgiveness.

We pray Thee to assist us by Thy Holy Spirit, to know wherein we have sinned against Thee. Give us a deep conviction of the necessity of seriously examining ourselves, and of comparing all our ways with the standard of Thy holy law, that we may thus become acquainted with our transgressions: and, freely con fessing them before that God whom we have offended, may obtain perfect remission, through our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST.

O LORD, we acknowledge that forgetfulness of Thee, and that rebellion of our hearts against Thee, which have been the cause of so many disorders in our lives. We have not honoured Thee as GoD: but have set up our own will as our law; choosing to follow our own vain imaginations. We have neglected Thy written word; we have not duly attended to the instructions of Thy ministers; we have been careless under the means of grace; and little anxious to improve the sabbath to our spiritual edification.

Thou hast called to us by many dispensations of Thy

providence, often reminding us of our latter end. Thou hast shown us the vanity of all our earthly hopes; and hast taught us lessons of wisdom, both by the mercies, and by the afflictions, and all the various trials and disappointments, with which Thou hast visited us. But we have too often repined at Thy dispensations, instead of profiting by them; and have complained of our condition in life instead of turning our thoughts to a happier and better world.

Or if Thou hast multiplied our comforts, how prone have we been to place our chief happiness in these, and not in Thee, who art the Giver! How many and various have been our sins, both secret and open, from our youth until this time! How many have been the sinful thoughts which we have indulged; of which Thou, and Thou only, hast been the witness; for which also unless they are repented of in this world, Thou wilt call us to account in the Day of Judgment! How many rash and angry words, also, have we continually spoken! How often have we injured our neighbours; judging harshly of others, while we hope to be judged mercifully by Thee;-not willing to forgive, though we ourselves hope to be forgiven !

We would confess, O LORD, the ungodliness of our hearts and lives, and the frequent impatience of our spirits. Thou hast appointed our lot in life, and hast ordered all things concerning us: but how little have we adorned the stations in which Thou hast placed us! -how unfaithfully have we employed the talents entrusted to us: and how soon have we been weary in well-doing!

We pray Thee, O LORD, to make us duly sensible of all the sins, whereby we have offended against Thee; and give us grace to repent and turn to Thee; and to believe in the name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST; and to walk in newness of life. We thank Thee, that, on each returning sabbath, there is forgiveness preached to us in our Saviour's name; that we are encouraged to confess our sins; to renew our repentance; and to call upon the LORD, our God. And, O LORD, grant unto us, together with the pardon of our sins, the aid of Thy Spirit, that whatever truths we have heard this day, may make a serious and lasting impression; and that whatever sins have been this day brought to our remembrance, may be repented of and forsaken.

May we be enabled especially to contend against those sins which have most easily beset us. O LORD, bless us in the ensuing week. May it be spent in a manner worthy of our Christian profession, and of these our, supplications unto Thee. Be Thou our counsellor and guide, and our defender in whom we trust. Do Thou guard us throughout the week from all dangers: and continually keep us in all our ways. Do Thou maintain Thy grace in us; and bring us at length to Thine everlasting kingdom, through our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST.

Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

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