he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. But whilst goodness and mercy have followed us hitherto, may we not presume on them for the future, if we remain indifferent to the claims of thy authority, and the endearments of thy love. May we ever remember that where much is given, much will be required; and that our greatest danger arises from our great advantages. What more could have been done for us, than thou hast done? And yet, how little fruit have we brought forth! How well do we deserve to be cut down as cumberers of the ground, and cast into the fire. Yet, O Lord God, spare us we beseech thee a little longer, and inay thy forbearance and continued goodness lead us to repentance. To-morrow is thy holy Sabbath, do thou prepare our minds for its solemnities and its duties, do thou lead us to thy holy hill and to thy tabernacle, and may we be found in the spirit whilst worshipping at thy footstool and hearing thy word. May it be to us a day of rest from all worldly cares and sinful thoughts; a devout meditation on thy wondrous works-a day of blessed anticipation of those endless years, which will be as a ceaseless Sabbath to all those who shall be faithful unto death. We commit to thy gracious care this night ourselves and all our friends wherever they are. Be thou the friend of the needy, the support of the sick and dying, and the health of all that put their trust in thee; and grant that when the Saturday evening of life may come, we, and all to whom we are connected in the bonds of kindred and friendship, may be able to leave every mortal care, and close the period of toil and trouble by falling asleep in Jesus, and open our eyes on the rest that remains for thy people. Amen. Our Father, which art, &c. The grace of our Lord, &c. OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. CHRISTMAS-DAY. ALMIGHTY GOD, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and lovingkindness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation; that we have been born in a Christian land, where the true light shineth. We bless thee for our preservation, that thou hast fed and sustained us by thy providential care and bounty; that whilst many, like their Lord and Master, have not where to lay their heads, we have comfortable houses to dwell in,. and nourishing food wherewith to sus tain us; may we feel thankful for all these mercies. But, above all, we bless thee for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory. Thanks be unto thy Name, O Lord, that to us a Son has been born, to us a Saviour has been given, that the government is upon his shoulders, and that his name is Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Blessed be thy name, that thou hast thus fulfilled thy promise, that a virgin should conceive and bear a son, and that when the fulness of the time was come, thou didst send forth thy Son, made of a woman, made under the law, |