THIRD SATURDAY EVENING. ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, in whose favour is life, and in whose presence there are joys for ever; whom angels and archangels continually adore; and whom all Thy saints in heaven delight to worship; we, who are not worthy to take Thy name into our lips, whose foundation is in the dust, whose very natures are unholy, and whose daily and hourly sins testify against us, desire, nevertheless, to join with all the heavenly host, in blessing and praising and magnifying Thy holy name; imploring, at the same time, that the light of Thy reconciled countenance may shine upon us; and that we may be pardoned and accepted in Thy sight. O GOD, we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we glorify Thy name, that Thou hast not left us in our low estate; but hast sent salvation to us. We adore Thee for Thine infinite love and mercy, that Thou hast not spared Thine only-begotten Son, but hast freely given Him up for us all; that this Lamb hath been slain, and this atoning sacrifice hath been made for the sins of the world; and that God is in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing our trespasses unto us. O LORD, we lament that we have felt during the past week so little love to Thee, who hast done such great things for us. We lament that earthly things have carried away our thoughts; and that sin hath had such dominion over us; and that the Gospel of our salvation hath had so little power to make us humble and thankful, spiritual and heavenly-minded, patient and meek, and diligent in well-doing. We now beseech Thee to bless unto us Thy approaching sabbath. May our hearts be warmed with love to Thee. May our prayers and our praises ascend with acceptance to the throne of Thy grace. May heavenly things occupy our thought; and may the world lessen in our esteem. O GOD, we lament with shame and sorrow before Thee, that, notwithstanding all the means of grace, we have so little improved our time and talents,-have so little honoured Thee by our lives, or advanced in true holiness. Day after day, we propose to amend our lives, to repent of all our past sins, and to forsake them henceforth for ever:-but how soon do our hearts again return to the world; and our temptations again come upon us, and overpower us; for our own utmost strength is weakness. To Thee, the GoD of all might and mercy, do we, therefore, now pray for grace to serve Thee. Thy face, O LORD, would we seek; on Thee do we humbly wait; beseeching Thee to deliver us from the power and dominion of our sins, and to make Thy strength perfect in our weakness. Make us, henceforth, to be more fervent in prayer, and more conscious of our entire dependence on Thee, and of our infinite obligations to Thee; that, so obtaining from Thee the efficacious help of Thy Holy Spirit, we may be established in Thy most holy ways; and may be carried safely through all the dangers and trials of this mortal life; till at length we shall sit down with CHRIST in His heavenly kingdom. We offer up these our imperfect prayers, in the name of that blessed Mediator. Our Father, &c. The grace of our Lord, &c. FOURTH SATURDAY EVENING. ALMIGHTY AND MOST MERCIFUL GOD, unto whom ali hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid, we beseech Thee to look down on us, Thy servants, who are here assembled to worship Thy holy name. We thank Thee for Thy daily goodness towards us; for Thou hast made us to abound with the comforts of this life; and hast delivered us out of many dangers to which we have been exposed. Thou hast also blest us with opportunities of religious knowledge; and hast set continually before us the glorious hope of everlasting life. Thou hast guided us by Thy providence ; and, after many years of goodness and mercy, hast brought us to the conclusion of another week. We desire, O LORD, humbly to confess our manifold sins and trespasses against Thee. We have erred and strayed from Thy ways, like lost sheep. We have often wandered from the right path, through our ignɔ rance and folly; our pride and vanity; our eager, selfish, and covetous desires; our blindness, and prejudice, and hardness of heart. Too often have we called evil, good; and good, evil; and shut our eyes against the truth. O LORD, pardon these and all our transgressions, for JESUS CHRIST's sake; and make us to be, henceforth, more watchful and circumspect, more faithful and upright, more earnest to know our duty, as well as more diligent to perform it. Save us from a life of unprofitableness and sloth. Let us remember that Thou wilt require an account of the talents committed to us; and that to whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required. Now, while we have life and a measure of health and strength, let us avail ourselves of those opportunities, which we possess of doing good in this evil world: and let us endeavour to abound more and more in every useful and benevolent work. We beseech Thee to prepare our minds for Thy service on the approaching sabbath. Deliver us from all eager thoughts concerning the things of this life; and enable us on Thy sacred day to give our undivided attention to the great concerns of eternity. May we rejoice in every return of this holy season; and may we go forth with willing feet to the worship of Thy sanctuary. We commend to Thy gracious care our several friends and relations. Save them from the dangers of this evil world: sanctify them to Thyself; and prepare them both by the events of Thy merciful providence, and by the guidance of Thy good Spirit, for that day, when both we, and they, shall be summoned to appear before Thee. We pray Thee to have mercy on the poor, the sick, and the afflicted; and to dispose the hearts of many to have compassion upon them. Bless the President of these United States and all in authority. Give wisdom to our Houses of Congress. Inspire our clergy with the spirit of true religion; and unite us all in the bonds of a common faith, one with another. Put an end to war and discord throughout the world. Do Thou, who art the God of love, dispose the nations to unity and concord; and so order all events, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other blessings we humbly ask in the name of JESUS CHRIST, our only Saviour. Our Father, &c. The grace of our Lord, &c. FIFTH SATURDAY EVENING. O LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY, who art our Creator and Preserver, and our daily Benefactor, assist us now to thank Thee, according to Thy will, for the mercies of the past day; enable us to confess our sins, with devout and contrite hearts; and teach us to pray, with fervent |