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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..33e3e9f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50916 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50916) diff --git a/old/50916-8.txt b/old/50916-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e7e6d0c..0000000 --- a/old/50916-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2683 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Evening Incense, by John Ross Macduff - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Evening Incense - -Author: John Ross Macduff - -Release Date: January 14, 2016 [EBook #50916] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVENING INCENSE *** - - - - -Produced by Heiko Evermann, Chris Pinfield, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -Apparent typographical errors have been corrected, as have -inconsistencies in the use of hyphens. - -A Table of Contents has been inserted to assist the reader. - -Italics are indicated by _underscores_. Small capitals have been -replaced by full capitals. - - - - - EVENING INCENSE. - - BY THE AUTHOR OF - - "MORNING AND NIGHT WATCHES," - "WORDS OF JESUS," etc., etc. - - PHILADELPHIA: - H. HOOKER, CHESTNUT & EIGHTH STREETS. - 1856. - - - KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, - 9 Sansom Street. - - - - -"And thou shalt make an ALTAR to burn INCENSE upon: - -"And thou shalt put it ... before the MERCY-SEAT that is over the -testimony, where I will meet with thee. - -"And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at EVEN, he shall burn INCENSE upon -it."--Exod. xxx. 1, 6, 8. - - - - - "The star-lit sky's a temple-arch, - The calm, still, evening air - Is glorious with the spirit-march - Of messengers of prayer. - - "Are gentle moon, or kindling sun, - Or stars unnumbered, given - As shrines to burn earth's incense on-- - The altar-fires of heaven? - - "Nay! pale away must moon and sun, - And star by star decline; - O be, Thou ever living One, - Thy 'GOLDEN ALTAR'--mine!" - - - - -EVENING INCENSE. - - -The writer has endeavored in the following pages to comply with -frequent requests made to him to prepare a small volume of _Evening_ -Prayers, suitable as a companion to the "_Morning_ Watches." - -May He with whom is "the residue of the Spirit," "cause His Angel to -fly swiftly" and touch us in the time of our Evening Oblation; and may -all that is amiss in thought and word be lost in the fragrant -incense-cloud which ascends from the Golden Altar before the Throne! - - -_December, 1855._ - - - - - Table of Contents - - - Evening Page - - I. FOR COMMUNION WITH GOD. 7 - II. FOR PARDONING GRACE. 10 - III. FOR RENEWING GRACE. 13 - IV. FOR SANCTIFYING GRACE. 16 - V. FOR RESTRAINING GRACE. 19 - VI. FOR RESTORING GRACE. 22 - VII. FOR QUICKENING GRACE. 26 - VIII. FOR IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. 29 - IX. FOR PEACE IN BELIEVING. 32 - X. FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION. 35 - XI. FOR WEANEDNESS FROM THE WORLD. 38 - XII. FOR GRATITUDE FOR THE PAST. 41 - XIII. FOR TRUST FOR THE FUTURE. 44 - XIV. FOR KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. 47 - XV. FOR GUIDANCE IN PERPLEXITY. 50 - XVI. FOR VICTORY OVER SIN. 53 - XVII. FOR THE LIFE OF FAITH. 56 - XVIII. FOR THE DAILY DEATH. 60 - XIX. FOR RENUNCIATION OF SELF. 63 - XX. FOR A CHILD-LIKE SPIRIT. 66 - XXI. FOR HEAVENWARD PROGRESS. 69 - XXII. FOR HUMILITY OF HEART. 72 - XXIII. FOR FIRMNESS IN TEMPTATION. 75 - XXIV. FOR COMPOSURE IN TRIAL. 78 - XXV. FOR ACTIVITY IN DUTY. 81 - XXVI. FOR THE SPIRIT'S TEACHING. 85 - XXVII. FOR THE WORLD'S CONVERSION. 88 - XXVIII. FOR THE CHURCH'S REVIVAL. 91 - XXIX. FOR SUPPORT IN DEATH. 94 - XXX. FOR PREPARATION FOR JUDGMENT. 97 - XXXI. FOR MEETING IN HEAVEN. 100 - - - - -FIRST EVENING. - -FOR COMMUNION WITH GOD. - -"Abide with us; for it is towards evening, and the day is far -spent."--Luke xxiv. 29. - - -O God, I desire to approach Thy throne of Grace on the evening of this -day, beseeching Thee to grant me Thy benediction and blessing. The -shadows of night have once more gathered around me; may no shadow of -sin or unbelief darken my soul, or interrupt my communion with Thee. -"It is not night if Thou art near." Let me enter the inner chamber of -Thy presence, and experience conscious fellowship with Thee my Father -in Heaven. - -Do Thou graciously forgive all the sins of the past day, its sins of -omission and of commission, of thought, and word, and deed. Hide me -anew in the clefts of the Smitten Rock. I confidently repose my -everlasting interests on the finished work and righteousness of a -tried Redeemer. May I know more and more of the attractive power of -His Cross--the adaptation of His character and work to all the wants -and weaknesses, the sorrows and infirmities, of my tried and suffering -and tempted nature. May I live more under the sovereign motive of love -to Him, and experience more the happiness of life spent in His service. - -Gracious Lord! may a sense of Thy favor penetrate with its leavening -power every duty in which I engage, lessening every cross and -sweetening every care. Take what Thou wilt away, but take not Thyself; -no earthly good can compensate for the loss of Thy friendship. -Existence would be one vast blank without Thee. Give me to realize the -blessedness of unfaltering dependence on Thy covenant mercy, knowing -that all which befalls me is the pledge and dictate of unerring love, -and that nothing can come wrong that comes from Thy hand. - -Thus while my daily walk is hallowed and brightened by Thy presence -and fellowship, may I be enabled to look calm and undismayed on the -unknown and chequered future, feeling that even over the gloomy -portals of the grave, with Thee as my Portion and Heritage, I can -write, "To die is gain!" Meanwhile do Thou fit me for every duty, -prepare me for every trial. If Thou givest me the "full cup," give me -grace to carry it with a steady hand. If Thou sendest adversity, let -me regard it as Thine own gracious discipline, to wean me from earth -and train me for glory. - -May it be my great ambition, through the help of Thy Blessed Spirit, -to attain a gradual resemblance to the character and conformity to the -will of my adorable Redeemer. May I be clothed with humility. May I be -daily becoming more meek and gentle, more contented and thankful, more -submissive and resigned, watching against anything in my heart or -conduct that I know would be displeasing to Thee, making it my meat -and my drink to do Thy holy will. - -Thou unslumbering Shepherd of Israel, vouchsafe Thy guardian care to -all near and dear to me: shield them from danger: give Thine angels -charge over them; sanctify them body, soul, and spirit; seal them unto -the day of eternal redemption. - -May we all lie down to sleep this night in Thy fear, and awake in Thy -favor, fitted for the duties of a new day. And all I ask is for Jesus' -sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -SECOND EVENING. - -FOR PARDONING GRACE. - -"For Thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is -great."--Ps. xxv. 11. - - -Gracious God! do Thou look down upon me this night in Thy great mercy. -May I have now the inner sunshine of Thy presence! Ere I retire to -rest, let me pitch my tent near Thyself, and enjoy the tokens of Thy -favor and blessing. Thy loving-kindness has been new to me every -morning, and Thy faithfulness every night. - -I desire to render Thee the thank-offering of a grateful heart. My -life is one wondrous attestation to Thy patience and forbearance. The -kindness of the best earthly friend has been nothing to Thine. Thou -mightest long ere now have left me to reap the fruits of my own guilty -estrangement, withdrawing the grace and Spirit I have so long -resisted, executing against me the awful doom of the cumberer. But I -am still spared, a living monument of mercy. Thy ways are not as man's -ways, nor Thy thoughts as man's thoughts. - -Lord, I would seek anew this night to close with the alone Sovereign -remedy! Jesus! there is no other prop but Thee to support a sinking -soul and a sinking world. There is nothing between me and everlasting -destruction but Thy glorious work and finished righteousness. I -rejoice to think that it is all I need--living or dying, for time or -for eternity. O blot out in Thy precious blood my many, many sins. -Nothing in my own hands I bring; I cling simply to Thy cross. Mercy -and truth have there met together; righteousness and peace have -embraced each other. Reposing in what Thou has done, and in what Thou -art still willing to do, I can rejoicingly say, "Return unto thy rest, -O my soul." - -Bring me to live more habitually under the constraining influence of -redeeming love. Purchased at such a price, may I be willing freely to -consecrate soul and body to Thy service. Let me feel that the -bitterest of all trials is the forfeiture of Thy favor and love, and -the loftiest joy is the assured possession of Thy gracious friendship. -May my spirit be brought into blessed unison with Thine. May I become -more gentle, and resigned, and submissive, and unselfish; more -heavenly-minded; more Saviour-like. May I be led to regard _all_, even -Thy darkest dealings to me here, as needful parts in Thy plan of -stupendous wisdom. May I rest contented in the assurance that what I -know not now I shall know hereafter. - -Unite me to all my dear friends, and them to me, in the bonds of -Christian love. Amid all the fluctuations of this mortal life, may we -ever have grace given us to cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of -heart. Treading the same pilgrim-journey, may we arrive at last at the -same pilgrim-home. - -I would retire to rest this night with my eye on the opened fountain. -O give me that peace of Thine which the world knoweth not of, which -the world cannot give, and, blessed be God, which the world cannot -take away! Abide with me, for it is towards evening, and the day is -far spent. Give thine angels charge over me during the unconscious -hours of sleep, and, when all my evenings and mornings shall be -finished, may it be mine to wake up with Thyself in glory everlasting, -through Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -THIRD EVENING. - -FOR RENEWING GRACE. - -"Renew a right spirit within me."--Psalm li. 10. - - -Blessed God, I desire anew to end this night with Thee! Do Thou -enkindle my soul as with a live coal from off Thy holy altar! Let all -unhallowed and obtrusive thoughts and cares be set aside, that I may -enjoy a season of fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus -Christ. - -I rejoice to think that I have such a Friend to repair to--such a -never-failing refuge in every season of perplexity and trouble; -vicissitude is written on all around me, but "Thou art the same." -Though often, alas! I have changed towards Thee, Thou hast never -changed towards me. Thou didst love me from the beginning, and that -love remains to this hour, infinite, unalterable! - -Lord, I am mourning over my many and grievous backslidings, my base -and unworthy requital of all Thine unmerited kindness. Bring me in -poverty of Spirit, with deep conscious unworthiness, to say, "God be -merciful to me a sinner." Give me a realizing sense of the evil of -sin, and my own sin in particular. I feel that I have no abiding and -depressing consciousness of my guilt. How little of genuine, heartfelt -contrition do I experience! How often I _appear_ to be humble and -penitent when I am _not_! How do my very prayers condemn me; and my -confessions of sin need themselves to be confessed! - -Oh renew me in the spirit of my mind.--May all old things pass away; -may all things be made new. Transform me by the indwelling power of -Thy quickening Spirit. May affections now alienated from Thee be -reclaimed to Thy service. May I seek to be more animated by the -sovereign motive of love to Him, whose I am, and whom it is alike my -duty and my privilege to obey. Knowing that this is Thy will -concerning me, even my sanctification, may it be my constant ambition -to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour -Jesus Christ. - -I have in myself no might, no power, no sufficiency, to do any of -these things. My sufficiency is of Thee. Do Thou make Thy grace -sufficient for me, and perfect strength in weakness. Keep me from all -evil that would be likely to grieve me. Wean me from all that is -fleeting and perishable here, and may all Thy dealings towards me -issue in the confirmed habit of a holy life. If Thou sendest -affliction, let me regard it as Thine own way of dispensing spiritual -blessing, and bow with lowly submission to Thy sovereign appointments. - -Bless all my beloved friends. Keep them as the apple of Thine eye. -Hide them under the shadow of Thy everlasting wings. Sanctify trial to -all in sorrow. Let the widow and the fatherless put their trust in -Thee. Succor the poor and him that hath no helper. Support the aged. -Sustain the dying. May we all bear one another's burdens and so fulfil -the law of Christ. - -As the pillar of cloud has been with me by day, so may the pillar of -fire be with me this night. Watch over me during the unconscious hours -of sleep, and when I awake may I be still with Thee. And all I ask is -for the sake of Jesus Christ, my only Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -FOURTH EVENING. - -FOR SANCTIFYING GRACE. - -"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth."--John xvii. 17. - - -Blessed Lord, do Thou bend Thy pitying eye of love and mercy upon me -this evening. Draw Thou near to me as I venture once more on praying -and on pleading ground. I desire to feel that I am one night nearer -glory. Oh, enable me to feel, as night after night is silently -stealing over my head, that my seasons and opportunities of grace are -fleeting fast away, and that soon the night cometh, wherein I can work -no more. - -Alas! O God, how little have I improved the time that is past! I am a -wonder to myself, that with all my deep ingratitude and utter vileness -I am yet permitted to approach Thy footstool: I have sinned against -light and love--warning and mercy--grace and privilege. The retrospect -of life is a retrospect of guilt. I mourn over my manifold -shortcomings--the alienation of my heart from Thee--the fitfulness of -my spiritual frames--the ebbings and flowings in the tide of my love. -When tried by the lofty and unerring standard of Thy law, how are my -best actions and duties marred with defilement! How much self-seeking -and self-glorying--how little animated by the predominating motive of -love to Thee, and singleness of eye to Thy service! - -Blessed Jesus! I flee anew to the pavilion of Thy love. I have no -other hope, no other refuge, but in Thy finished work--Thy matchless -atonement--Thy spotless righteousness. There is in Thee an -all-sufficiency for every want. Finite necessities cannot exhaust -Infinite fullness. Let me hear Thy voice saying, "Thy sins, which are -many, are all forgiven thee!" O sprinkle me with Thy blood; sanctify -me, body, soul, and spirit. Transform me more and more into Thine own -image. May I know more and more the happiness of true holiness--that I -am really blessed in seeking to walk so as to please God. May the -power of grace wax stronger and stronger, and the power of sin wax -weaker and weaker. May trials and crosses become light and easy to me -when borne in a spirit of meek, unrepining submission to the Divine -will. May this quiet every doubt and misgiving, "Your heavenly Father -knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Lord, may every -providential dealing prove a heart-searcher, testing the reality of my -love to Thee, and my meetness and preparedness for Thy heavenly -kingdom. - -Extend, Lord, Thy cause and Gospel everywhere. Strengthen Thy -missionary and ministering servants. May they ever hear the sound of -their Master's footsteps behind them. May thy churches walk in the -fear of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. - -Bless all my beloved friends wherever they are; do Thou be their -Almighty Protector and Guide. Let the angel come at this the time of -evening incense, touching all our hearts, and granting us an answer to -our several petitions. Let us rise to-morrow refreshed for Thy -service; and fitted for whatsoever in Thy good providence we may be -called either to do or to suffer. Hear me, gracious God, for the sake -of Him whom Thou hearest always. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -FIFTH EVENING. - -FOR RESTRAINING GRACE. - -"Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins."--Psalm xix. 13. - - -Blessed God, Thou hast in Thy mercy permitted me to see the close of -another day. With what unwearying watchfulness has Thou been -compassing my path!--defending me from danger, guarding me from -temptation, hedging up my way with thorns, "preventing me with the -blessings of Thy goodness!" There is no friend in the world I have -like Thee; none so able, none so willing to be my friend. If I have -been successful in resisting sin, it is all Thy blessed grace which -has enabled me. From how many slippery places has Thou rescued me! -When often on the brink of the precipice, ready to fall, Thy -interposing hand has saved me from inevitable destruction. When -through my own weakness and unwatchfulness I must now have been -wandering in hopeless alienation from Thee, Thou hast mercifully not -suffered the bruised reed to be broken, nor the smoking flax to be -quenched. - -Lord, my earnest prayer is that Thy grace may still be made sufficient -for me. May no spiritual foe be allowed to invade my peace or endanger -my safety. Let Thy love be restored to its rightful ascendancy in my -affections. May no rival be allowed to usurp its place. May I ever -exercise a holy jealousy over this truant, wandering, deceitful heart; -seeking day by day to subdue unmortified sin. - -May all Thy dispensations issue in my sanctification. Let me seek no -unruffled path; may the cross be willingly carried. Thou lovest me too -well to give me my own way. Whatever Thy will and Thy dealings may be, -be it mine cheerfully and rejoicingly to acquiesce in them, knowing -them to be the dictate of infinite wisdom and unchanging love. May all -my worldly business and engagements be interfused and hallowed with -the blessed sense and assurance of Thy favor! Walking all the day in -the light of Thy countenance, I must be safe! - -God of Bethel--God of all the families of the earth, vouchsafe Thy -richest benediction on all near and dear to me. Give thine angels -charge over them; let their names be written among the living in -Jerusalem; and oh, may we all seek in our several spheres to glorify -Thee on earth, either by active duty or by patient endurance; -exemplifying in our daily walk the meek and lowly, the unselfish and -self-denying, spirit of Him, who hath left us an example that we -should follow His steps. - -Hasten the coming of Thy Son's kingdom. Arise, O God, and plead Thine -own cause. "Save Thy people, bless Thine inheritance, feed them also -and lift them up for ever." - -The curtain of night is again drawn around me. If it be Thy will, -spare me to see the light and enjoy the comforts of a new day; may I -seek anew to enjoy them in Thee; may every blessing be doubly sweet to -me, bearing the impress of Thy love in Jesus. Guide me _in_ life, -_through_ death, _into_ glory, for the sake of Him in whom is all my -hope, and to whom, with Thee the Father, and Thee, ever-blessed -Spirit, one God, be ascribed all blessing and honor and glory and -praise, world without end. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -SIXTH EVENING. - -FOR RESTORING GRACE. - -"Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation."--Ps. li. 12. - - -Blessed God, I rejoice to know that the gates of prayer are ever -open;--that for the sake of Jesus Christ, my adorable Redeemer, Thou -art waiting to be gracious, not willing that any should perish. - -Come in the plenitude of Thy love this evening, that I may feel it to -be good for me to draw near to God! Scatter my darkness, Thou better -Sun, with the brightness of Thy rising. Give me filial confidence in -approaching the mercy-seat, rejoicing in the mightiest of all Beings -as my Father and Friend. - -Blessed Jesus! I would exercise a simple confidence and trust in Thy -finished work, I would seek to wash anew in the opened fountain of Thy -blood, to repose anew in the faithful saying which never can cease, to -the sin-stricken, sin-burdened soul, to be worthy of all acceptation, -that Thou didst come into the world to save the chief of sinners. - -I have to mourn, O Lord, my constant proneness to depart from -Thee--the instability of my best purposes of obedience. Unsupported by -Thy grace I must fall. There is nothing, O Thou great Intercessor -within the veil, but Thine omnipotent pleadings between me and -irretrievable ruin. But Thou hast prayed, and art even now praying, -for me that my faith fail not. Oh if I am still prone to start aside, -like a deceitful bow, do Thou bring me back again! Reclaim my truant -heart from its wanderings. I would cast myself with simple dependence -on Thy grace for the future. This is sufficient for all wants and -equal to all exigencies. Thine everlasting arms are lower than my -deepest necessities. Adorable Saviour, I may well cast my every care -on Thee, for these cares Thou makest Thine own. Thou hast a heart to -feel for those who have often no heart to feel for themselves. Oh let -me ever seek to hear Thy directing voice and to hear no other. - -Do Thou carry on within me Thine own work in thine own way. Thou, -Great Shepherd of Israel, canst not lead me wrong. I delight to trace -Thy guiding love in the past, and I may well trust Thee still; going -up through the wilderness may I lean on Thine arm; when I come to die -may the gloom of the dark valley be lighted with the rays of Thy love, -and may I hear Thy voice whispering in gentle accents, "Fear not, for -I am with thee." Be gracious to all my beloved friends. Train them -also, by Thy good Spirit, for eternity. Fit them for every duty. Arm -them against every temptation. Dispose them to fear Thy glorious name, -and to live from day to day under the powers and influences of a world -to come. Compassionate the afflicted; comfort the bereaved; support -the dying. - -Lord, take the charge of me during the silent watches of another -night. May I rise on the morrow to renew my work and warfare on earth, -looking forward to the time when the twilight of this world shall melt -into everlasting day, and when nothing shall evermore mar or interrupt -the blessedness of endless communion with Thee: through Jesus Christ, -my only Lord and Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -SEVENTH EVENING. - -FOR QUICKENING GRACE. - -"Quicken me after Thy loving kindness, so shall I keep the testimony -of Thy mouth."--Psalm cxix. 88. - - -O God, on this the close of another day, I desire to approach the -footstool of Thy throne. Glory be to Thy holy name that I can enjoy -freedom of access into Thy presence, and with the confidence of a -child unburden and unbosom to Thee all my wants and sins, my sorrows -and infirmities, my perplexities and cares. - -Lord, how unworthy I am of the least of all Thy mercies! What -righteous cause hast Thou to cut me down as a cumberer of the ground. -How cold my love, how unfrequent my prayers! How full my heart of -pride and vain-glory, self and sin! How little have I habitually -realized Thy nearness and sought Thy favor as my chief good! There is -enough of coldness and formality in my best approaches to Thy -footstool to lead Thee in Thy wrath to spurn me forever away, and to -mingle my blood with my sacrifices! - -I cast myself as a worthless unworthy sinner at the feet of Jesus. I -need daily, hourly washing at that fountain which He has opened for -sin and for uncleanness. Wash me, gracious Lord, fully, freely, and -forever. Let me know the blessedness of "no condemnation." Deepen my -contrition on account of my sin. I am apt to palliate its enormity, to -invent vain excuses for its commission, to hide its heinousness from -myself, and to hide it from Thee. Let me see all sin, and my own sin -in particular, in the light of Calvary's cross. May I hate it with a -perfect hatred, and resolve in Thy grace that it henceforth have no -dominion over me. Oh quicken me by the indwelling of Thy blessed -Spirit. May I seek to be progressing in the divine life. May my -pathway heavenward be brightened by a lively sense of reconciliation -through the blood of the everlasting covenant. - -Let me lean on Thy heavenly arm, seeking Thy glory with singleness of -eye. May it be my greatest grief to give Thee pain, my greatest joy -and happiness to do Thy will. Keep me from all hard thoughts and -unrighteous surmises regarding Thy dealings. May I see them all as -designed to quicken my steps in the heavenly way, to bring me nearer -Thyself, and to impart an increasing meetness for glory. Let Thy -kingdom come, let Thy blessed Gospel triumph over the pride and -superstition and will-worship of man. Put an end to war and discord, -and may all the ends of the earth see Thy salvation. Bless Thy -ministering servants; may they be valiant for the truth, and have no -fear but the fear of God. - -Be the Guide and Guardian of all whom I love. Preserve their bodies -from danger and their souls from sin. Watch over them and me this -night; be about our bed as Thou hast been about our path. Night after -night as I retire to rest may I think of the deeper darkness of the -night of death, which must, sooner or later encompass me. Reposing in -the merits of my gracious Redeemer, may I be enabled to look _beyond_ -death and the grave, to that morning without clouds, when I shall -awake in His likeness, and be ushered into the full vision and -fruition of Thee my God; and all that I ask or hope for is for His -sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -EIGHTH EVENING. - -FOR IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. - -"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto -all and upon all them that believe."--Rom. iii. 22. - - -Almighty God, Father of all mercies, I desire to draw near into Thy -sacred presence on this the evening of another day, under a deep sense -of my own great unworthiness. What am I, guilty, sinful, polluted, -that I should be permitted to take Thy name into my lips, or so much -as lift up my eyes to the place where Thou in glory dwellest! - -I desire to renounce all dependence on myself. I come with all the -great burden of my great guilt to a great Saviour. I seek to bring the -unrighteousness of an unworthy creature to the infinite righteousness -and everlasting faithfulness of a tried Redeemer. Where would I have -been, Blessed Jesus! this night, _but for Thee_! All I am, and all I -have, I owe to Thy free, sovereign, unmerited grace. All my temporal -mercies are sweetened to me as flowing from Thy cross, and bearing on -them the image and superscription of Thy love. And for every spiritual -blessing I enjoy, and every spiritual hope I entertain, I desire -doubly to adore thee, Thou Great Author and Finisher of my faith! Whom -have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none in all the earth I desire -besides Thee. Thou alone canst fill up the aching voids of my heart. -In vain can I look to a transient world, or to the perishable -creature, for solid peace and permanent enjoyment. All my well-springs -are in Thyself; with Thee for my portion I am independent of every -other. - -I desire this night to obtain a lively and humbling view of my own -spiritual poverty and deep creature destitution, that I may rejoice in -the fullness and all-sufficiency of that righteousness which is unto -all and upon all them that believe. In that righteousness I would seek -to live, and in that righteousness I would seek to die. There is -nothing else between me and everlasting ruin. But for Thee, Thou great -Covenant-Angel standing in the breach, the fire of God would break -forth and mingle my blood with this my evening sacrifice! But I "will -greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He -hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me -with a robe of righteousness." I take Thee, O adorable Saviour, as -mine only, mine wholly; mine for all wants and all exigencies. I -rejoice in the inexhaustible riches treasured up in Thee--that Thy -fullness is adequate to supply all my present necessities; and out of -that fullness I may still continue receiving, and that for ever and -ever! - -Lord, look in great kindness on all whom I love. Pity a perishing -world. Arrest the careless; reclaim the wandering; strengthen the -feeble. Hasten Thy Son's coming and kingdom. How long shall the -wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? Save Thy people; bless -Thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up for ever. - -Let the curtain of Thy protecting providence be drawn around me this -night. Let me fall asleep at peace with Thee, ready, if need be, to -awake up in glory. And all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -NINTH EVENING. - -FOR PEACE IN BELIEVING. - -"Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our -Lord Jesus Christ."--Rom. v. 1. - - -Gracious God, I would seek to end another day with Thee; I would -desire to look up to Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son, -and to be made partaker of that peace which passeth all understanding. -There is no other refuge for the sin-stricken, woe-worn spirit. In -vain amid other portions and meaner joys can I say to my soul "peace, -peace." There is no peace! But reposing, blessed Saviour, on Thy -finished work and everlasting righteousness, I have a peace which the -world knows not of, and which enables me to rise superior to all the -vicissitudes and changes of this changing life. - -I desire to remember with a grateful heart that this peace has been -purchased for me by the blood of the cross--that it is made as sure as -everlasting power and wisdom and faithfulness can make it. O Thou -great Prince, who hast power with God and dost prevail, I would lift -the undivided eye of faith to Thy bleeding sacrifice! Do Thou dispel -every disquieting fear with the thought that Thou hast done all, and -suffered all, and procured all for me. Being justified by faith, I -have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice in the -plenitude of Thy promises, that they are all yea and amen to them that -believe. Man's word may fail, man's faithfulness may falter, but "the -word of the Lord is tried," Thy faithfulness is unto all generations! - -O God, enable me to rejoice more and more in Thee as my everlasting -portion. May I know nothing to compare with the enjoyment of Thy -favor. Other props may be removed, other refuges may prove refuges of -lies, but Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. - -Give me grace to be active in Thy service while it is called to-day. -Opportunities are fleeting. The night cometh wherein none of us can -work. May simple believing be followed by the earnest cultivation of -every Christian virtue, and by progressive advancement in the heavenly -life. May I faithfully employ the talents Thou hast intrusted to me, -and seek never to be weary in well doing. Preserve me from every -unholy temper and unchristian deed. May I be gentle and meek, patient -and forgiving, kind and benevolent, living in charity towards all men. - -On all my beloved friends I supplicate Thy richest blessing. Protect -them with Thy favor as with a shield. Sanctify them, body, soul, and -spirit. Seal them unto the day of eternal redemption. - -Bless all poor afflicted ones. Let them receive largely out of the -wells of Thine own everlasting consolation. Let them see Thy sovereign -hand alone in their trials, and say with unrepining submission, "The -Lord's will be done!" - -Lord, take the charge of me through the silent watches of the night. -May I fall asleep listening to the gracious benediction, "Peace be -unto you." And when the gates of the morning are opened, may it be to -hear anew Thy voice saying, "My presence will go with you." Hear, -accept, and answer me, for the Redeemer's sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TENTH EVENING. - -FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION. - -"Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, -Father."--Rom. viii. 15. - - -Blessed Lord! I desire to draw near this night with holy boldness to -the footstool of Thy throne, rejoicing that I can look up to Thee as -my Father in heaven. "Behold what manner of love is this the Father -hath bestowed on me, that I should be called a child of God." Thou -mightest have righteously left me orphaned, friendless, portionless -for ever. But in the midst of wrath Thou hast remembered mercy: the -kindness of no earthly parent, O God, could equal thine. Thou hast -borne with all my obstinacy, all my perverseness, and waywardness, and -ingratitude. I am at this hour the monument of a love as wondrous as -it is undeserved. - -Oh teach me to cultivate more and more a spirit of child-like -obedience to Thee; to cherish a holy fear of offending so kind and -forgiving and beneficent a Father. Whilst Thou art strewing my -wilderness path with unmerited blessings, may I be enabled to rise -above every earthly gift and mercy to the better inheritance I have in -Thee, the bountiful Bestower of all! Let me feel every created -blessing to be doubly sweet, as emanating from a Father's hand, and -being a proof and pledge of a Father's love. Let the hour of prayer be -doubly hallowed by the thought that I am permitted to haunt a Father's -presence, and pour my wants into a Father's ear. Let the season of -sorrow be sweetened by the thought that the rod is in a Father's hand, -and that the voice, though apparently rough, is the tender whispering -of parental love. - -Blessed Jesus! I desire to remember that it is Thou and Thou only who -hast not left me "comfortless." It is Thou who hast devised and -completed a way by which "Thy banished" may not be "expelled" from a -Father's presence. Thou hast opened a door of welcome to the chief of -sinners. It is Thy blessed voice and Thy glorious work which utter the -gracious declaration, "In my Father's house there are many mansions." -Oh let me lean with a more simple and entire dependence on Thee; let -me live from day to day with an unfaltering trust in Thy mercy. May -every new evening, as it finds me laying the incense-offering of -gratitude and love on Thine altar, find me also a stage nearer my -Father's house, nearer _home_, and nearer _Thee_. - -Take all my beloved friends under Thy shadowing wings this night. The -darkness can not screen them from Thee; the curtains of night can not -exclude Thy kind and watchful eye. Guide, guard, protect them, and -bring them all at last to Thy heavenly kingdom. - -Bless Thy Church everywhere; lengthen her cords and strengthen her -stakes. Be a wall of fire around Thy Zion and the glory in the midst -thereof. Clothe her priests with salvation, let her saints and people -shout aloud for joy. - -Bless those on whom Thou hast laid Thine afflicting hand. May they -take refuge in the arms that are chastising them, and be enabled to -say in unmurmuring submission, "The Lord's will be done." Hear me, -gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, my blessed Lord and -Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -ELEVENTH EVENING. - -FOR WEANEDNESS FROM THE WORLD. - -"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."--John -xvii. 16. - - -O God, I desire to come into Thy gracious presence this night, -beseeching Thee to bless me. Let my prayer come before Thee as -incense. May the incense-offering of gratitude and thanksgiving ascend -from a grateful heart. How manifold are the proofs I have to recount -of kindness on thy part! how deep the ingratitude I have to mourn on -my own! My sins have reached unto the clouds; they are more in number -than the sand of the sea. - -Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. I cannot evade Thy -righteous scrutiny; all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him -with whom I have to do! Lord, I have to lament the proneness of this -evil heart of unbelief ever to depart away from Thee, the living God. -I mourn the debasing influence of earthly things; the fascinating -power of a present evil world. How inclined to conform to its evil -maxims and unholy practices! How often am I found ranged among those -who "mind earthly things;" my soul cleaving to the dust, instead of -soaring upwards to Thyself, my alone satisfying portion! - -Lord, it is my earnest prayer that Thou wouldst wean me from the -world. Keep me from over-anxiety about the things that are seen--from -being over-careful and troubled about earth's "many things," to the -exclusion of the one thing needful! Break every alluring worldly -spell; disenchant things temporal of their false and delusive charm; -disengage me by all the salutary discipline of Thy providence from -what is fleeting, uncertain, transient, perishable; and unite me to -the things which cannot be shaken, but which remain forever! May my -citizenship be more in heaven; imbibing more of the pilgrim spirit, -may I declare plainly that I seek a better country. - -May the sins of the past day be forgiven; may the blood of sprinkling -wash their guilt away. May I be driven nearer and closer to Him who is -the true refuge and portion, and Saviour of His people. I rejoice to -think that He has a balm for every wound, a comfort for every bosom, a -solace for every tear. May it be mine to go up through the wilderness -leaning on His arm. May Thy Holy Spirit carry on His own work of -sanctification within me. May He enlighten, quicken, comfort, -strengthen me; and mould me in gradual conformity to Thy divine will. - -Bless all connected with me, by whatever tie. When earth's separations -are at an end, do Thou take me and all dear to me to the enjoyment of -Thy presence and love in Thine own everlasting kingdom. Let the pillar -of Thy presence be over us this night. Guard me during sleep's -unconscious hours. Let no unquiet dreams disturb my repose; may I -compose myself to rest under the sweet assurance that Thou the Lord -sustainest me; and when I awake, may I be still with Thee, through -Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWELFTH EVENING. - -FOR GRATITUDE FOR THE PAST. - -"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."--Psalm -ciii. 2. - - -O God Almighty, do Thou draw near to me at this time in Thy great -mercy, and accept of this my Evening Sacrifice! I bless Thee for all -that gladdens my earthly lot, for food and raiment, for friends and -home, for health of body and soundness of mind. Lord, I delight to -trace the wondrous way by which Thou hast hitherto led me! Thou hast -compassed my path and my lying down. Thou hast supplied my -ever-recurring necessities. My wants have been infinite, but infinite -too has been the gracious supply. With a grateful heart I would set up -my Ebenezer, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped me." And -remembering Thy faithfulness in the past, I would confidently trust -Thee for the future. - -May I thankfully employ the manifold gifts of Thy bounty. Impress upon -me the feeling that I am but a steward, responsible to Thee for all I -possess. Let me not selfishly appropriate the varied means of -usefulness thou hast put within my power, but willingly employ these -in Thy service for the good of others. When Thou comest to demand a -reckoning, may I be able to give a faithful account of my stewardship, -paying Thee Thine own with usury. - -Lord, while I bless Thee for the other proofs and tokens of Thy love, -far above all would I bless Thee for _Jesus_. Where would I have been -this night but for _Him_? How dreary would have been the past! How -dismal and hopeless the future! Thanks, eternal Thanks be unto God for -His unspeakable gift! Let me feel, more than I _have_ done, the -exceeding riches of Thy grace in Thy kindness toward me through Christ -Jesus. Let all Thy dealings only serve to confirm my love to Him, and -to lead me to cleave to Him with fuller purpose of heart. May he have -my undivided homage. Let no earthly gift or blessing supplant the -Giver, but may every rill of creative bliss be doubly sweet to me as -flowing from His atoning sacrifice. - -I rejoice in the midst of trial and perplexity to think of Thee, Thou -tried and suffering _One_. I rejoice that amid my sorrows I can -remember _Thine_, that amid my very tears, I can remember _Jesus -wept_. Thou canst enter into all the peculiarities of Thy people's -case, for Thou wert in "_all_ points tempted." Let me feel, even amid -the changes of life, that what I am apt to call vicissitudes, are the -sovereign decrees and allotments of Thine infinite wisdom; and what I -cannot comprehend now, be it mine to wait the disclosures of that -blessed morning when, standing at the luminous portals of Heaven, I -shall joyfully acknowledge that the Lord hath done all things well. - -Bless my beloved friends; may they be growing in thy fear and favor; -may they all at last, as sheaves in thy heavenly garner, be found unto -praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. - -I commend myself, gracious God, to Thy care; let me retire to rest -this night in the blessed consciousness of Thy favor; and if spared to -see the light of a new day, fit me for whatsoever Thou hast in store -for me. And all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -THIRTEENTH EVENING. - -FOR TRUST FOR THE FUTURE. - -"I will trust, and be not afraid."--Isaiah xii. 2. - - -O God, Thou makest the outgoings of the evening and the morning to -rejoice over me. I thank Thee for Thy sparing mercy during the past -day. While multitudes of my fellow-men have been called away into an -eternal world, I am still preserved in the land of the living, and in -the place of hope. It is of Thy compassions alone that I am not -consumed. - -My way Zionward may well be studded with Ebenezers, testifying "the -Lord hath helped me." I may well set to my seal that God is true. The -pillar of Thy presence has guided me through many a perplexing path. -Thy love has smiled through many a threatening cloud. Thy restraining -grace has arrested me in many a slippery way; when "my soul was among -lions," how often has the Lord "sent his angel" to rescue me and shut -the lions' mouths. I am this night a marvel and miracle of Thy -patience, and forbearance, and mercy. - -Lord, I joyfully take all these past kindnesses as tokens for the -future. To Thee I would confidingly commit the unknown morrow, and -cleave to Thy guiding arm with full purpose of heart. The lot is -thrown into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is of the Lord; O, -be it my joy and privilege, thus reposing in Thy covenant -faithfulness, to say, "Undertake Thou for me." Looking forward to that -time when all Thy inscrutable dealings will be unfolded, when inner -meanings and purposes now undiscerned by the eye of sense will be -brought to light, and all discovered to be full of infinite love. - -Keep me from dishonoring Thee by the workings of unbelief; I am prone -to trust my own wisdom, O give me teachableness of spirit and -simplicity of faith, waiting patiently on Thee; leaving all that -concerns me and mine to Thy better direction. - -Blessed Jesus! I would seek to cleave closer and closer to Thy cross. -I have no trust but in Thy finished work. Other refuges may fail, but -I am as secure in Thee as everlasting love and wisdom and power can -make me. O cleanse every guilty stain away in thy most precious blood. -Let me live day by day at the opened fountain, and feel that I _only_ -"live" while _there_. Thus simply relying on Thy justifying grace, may -I seek to walk in Thy footsteps and to imbibe Thy spirit. May I follow -Thee, O Lamb of God, whithersoever Thou seest meet to lead me. May I -never feel as if I would wish one jot or tittle regarding me altered, -when the reins of empire are in Thy hands. - -Take my beloved friends under Thy special care. Watch over them, -provide for them, decide for them. In all their ways may they -acknowledge Thee, and in all things seek Thy honor and glory. - -Pity the afflicted. Stay Thy rough wind in the day of Thy east wind. -Let them rejoice that every bitter drop in the cup of life is -appointed by Thee. May they submissively drink it, saying, "Thy will -be done!" - -Hear, Lord, the voice of my supplications, when Thou hearest, forgive, -and grant me an answer in peace, seeing all that I ask is in the name -and for the sake of Jesus Christ, my only Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -FOURTEENTH EVENING. - -FOR KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. - -"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the -fellowship of His sufferings."--Phil. iii. 10. - - -Almighty God, do Thou draw near to me this night in Thy great mercy. -What am I, that infinite unworthiness and nothingness should be -permitted to stand in the presence of infinite purity, majesty, and -glory? Lord, I dare not have ventured to bow at thy footstool in my -own merits. I am poor and wretched, and miserable, and blind, and -naked. Enter not in judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight no -flesh living can be justified. - -But, adored be Thy name, I have an all-sufficient ground of confidence -wherewith to approach Thee. I bless Thee, that by the doing and dying -of Jesus, Thou hast opened up a way of reconciliation to the chief of -sinners. Oh, enable me to know more fully the adaptation of His person -and work to all the necessities and exigencies of my character and -circumstances. Let me know him in His infinite Godhead, as "mighty to -save;" in His spotless humanity, as mighty to compassionate. Let me -know Him in all His offices, as my Prophet, my Priest, my King; my -Kinsman-Redeemer within the veil, my Refuge in trouble, my Guide in -perplexity, my Support in death, my Portion through eternity. I -rejoice, blessed Jesus, at the hidden springs of life resident in -Thee! Thou art suited to all the varied wants and circumstances, and -trials of Thy people--for every moment of need, for every diversity of -situation. I can mourn no real blank, if I have Thy presence and -blessing. - -O Thou, better than the best of earthly friends, who, though enthroned -amid the hosannas of angels, hast still Thy human sympathy unaltered -and unchanged, draw near to me this night, and breathe upon me, and -say, "Peace be unto thee." Let me know the melting energy of Thy love, -and the attractive power of Thy cross. May I keep the unwavering eye -of faith steadily directed to Thy all-glorious sacrifice. Be Thou the -habitual object of my contemplation, the source of holiest joy, the -animating principle of obedience. May all creature love be -subordinated to Thine. May my temper, my walk, my conversation, be -regulated in accordance with Thy blessed will and holy example. May -this be the lofty aim and ambition of life, to act so as to please -Jesus. - -Bless my dear friends, may they too be led to count all but loss for -the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord, whom to -know is life eternal. Pity the careless; reclaim the backsliding; -comfort the sorrowful; sustain the dying. May the Lord arise and have -mercy on Zion; may He show that the time to favor her, yea, the set -time, is come! - -Ere I lay my head on my nightly pillow, I would lay anew my guilt on -the head of the Divine Surety; may I fall asleep under the blessed -sense of sin forgiven, and look forward to that blessed day when -earth's night-shadows shall have vanished forever, and when I shall be -enabled more fully "to know the love of Christ which passeth -knowledge." And all I ask or hope for is for His sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -FIFTEENTH EVENING. - -FOR GUIDANCE IN PERPLEXITY. - -"Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul -unto Thee."--Psalm cxliii. 8. - - -O God, Thy favor is life, Thy loving-kindness is better than life. Thy -mercies have been new to me every morning, and Thy faithfulness every -night. Thou hast watched over me from the earliest years of infancy -with more than a Father's care. The kindness of the kindest on earth -has been coldness itself when compared with Thine. I rejoice that I -can thus trace in a wondrous past the visible footsteps of Thy love, -and fearlessly trust and repose in Thee for the future. - -Thou art a rich provider. None so able, none so willing to guide me in -every perplexity, to extricate me from every difficulty, and to -befriend me amid the fitful changes of life. What a safe anchorage is -this amid the world's restless surges of vicissitude, "The Lord -reigneth!" Do Thou enable me wholly to follow the Lord my God; to -follow Thee not only in smooth places, but even when the path is rough -and the way thorny. May I confide in the wisdom of all Thine -allotments. I rejoice that all the changes Thou orderest for Thy -covenant people are changes for the _better_, and not for the _worse_. - -O blessed Jesus! Thou who art the true pillar of cloud by day, and of -fire by night, do Thou precede me ever in all my wilderness -wanderings. May I encamp only where Thou leadest me. May I strike my -tent only when Thou speakest that I "go forward." Let me experience -the conscious happiness of knowing no will but Thine, and of being -solicitous in all things to follow the guiding voice and footsteps of -the Great Shepherd of the flock. If there be aught in Thy providence -perplexing me now, I would say in child-like simplicity, "I am -oppressed, undertake Thou for me!" "My heart is overwhelmed, lead me -to the Rock that is higher than I." Hide me in the crevices of that -smitten Rock; let me know the safety and joy of being shielded -_there_, until earth's calamities be overpast. - -Graciously forgive all the sins of this past day--the sins of thought, -word and deed; all my selfishness and uncharitableness; all my pride -and vain-glory; all my censoriousness and inconsideration of the -wishes and feelings of others. Blessed Jesus! let me follow more -closely Thy holy footsteps, and drink more deeply of Thy heavenly -spirit. - -Bless all in sorrow, sanctify to them their trials, may they see and -own a "need be" in them all. Prepare the dying for death, and spare -useful lives. - -Take all belonging to me this night under the shield of Thy protecting -providence, let them ever commit their way onto Thee, and do Thou -bring it to pass. Hold up their goings in Thy word, that their -footsteps may not stumble. - -Watch over me during the unconscious hours of sleep; and when all my -days and nights on earth are finished, may it be mine to enjoy Thy -presence in a cloudless, nightless Heaven; through Jesus Christ, my -blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -SIXTEENTH EVENING. - -FOR VICTORY OVER SIN. - -"Sin shall not have dominion over you."--Rom. vi. 14. - - -O God, Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Evil cannot -dwell with Thee, fools cannot stand in Thy presence. Thou hast -solemnly declared, "Thou canst by no means clear the guilty," and that -"though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not escape unpunished." - -Lord, I rejoice that I can draw near to Thee in the name of Him by -whom the guilty _have_ been cleared; and through whom it is that a -holy and righteous and sin-hating God can yet be holy and just, in the -very act of justifying the ungodly. - -I desire to adore Thee for all Thy creative and providential goodness. -Thou hast loaded me with Thy benefits. The past is paved with love. I -see in the retrospect of life nothing but amazing, unmerited kindness, -mercy upon mercy! Amid manifold changes there has been no change in -_Thee_, no altered looks, no fainting or weariness or estrangement. -Amid the wanderings of my own fitful spirit I can write over every -remembrance of the past, _But_ "_Thou_ art the same!" - -I desire with penitence of soul to mourn my own ingratitude and sin, -the desperate wickedness and deceitfulness of my own evil heart, the -power of corruption, the mastery of self, the alienation of my -affections from Thee their rightful Sovereign and Lord. What an easy -prey have I often fallen in the hour of temptation--by thought and -word and deed dishonoring Thy name and basely requiting Thy love! -Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and am no more -worthy to be called Thy child! - -Give me genuine contrition for the past, inspire me with new purposes -of obedience for the future. Without Thy favor and reconciliation, in -peace I cannot live, in peace I dare not die! My cry would be, "More -grace, more grace!" Let me be gaining every day fresh victories over -sin; may my soul be daily nurtured by the influence of heaven-born -principles. May I know the expulsive power of the new implanted -affection of love to Thee. Dethrone the world. Subjugate the power of -sin. Give me greater tenderness of conscience; may I jealously guard -every avenue to temptation, and be ready ever with the reply to the -seductions of the tempter, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin -against God?" - -Let me be willing to forego anything rather than forsake Thy ways. Be -it my habitual purpose and desire to cleave unto Thee the Lord with -full purpose of heart. Let me hallow all life's duties and engagements -with Thy favor, looking forward to that time when _my_ will and -_Thine_, blessed God! shall be one, and when there shall be no more -sin to interrupt the interchange of love and devotedness. - -Bless all my dear friends; may the blessing of Jacob's God, the God of -all the families of the earth, rest upon them. Give them all needful -temporal blessings. Fill their souls with peace and joy in believing. -May they and I look forward with joyful anticipation to that "morning -without clouds," which knows no change nor vicissitude, when there -shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, because there will -be no more sin; and all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -SEVENTEENTH EVENING. - -FOR THE LIFE OF FAITH. - -"The life which I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of -God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."--Gal. ii. 20. - - -O God, I desire to draw near unto Thy blessed presence on this the -evening of another day, adoring Thee for all the loving-kindness Thou -art continually making to pass before me. May I ever be enabled to -look up to Thee as the Author and Bestower of all my mercies. May no -created good ever be suffered to dispossess Thee of my affections. May -all that I enjoy, alike temporal and spiritual, be traced to Thee, the -Fountain of all happiness. May prosperity be hallowed by receiving it -as a pledge of Thy favor, and may trial lose its bitterness by the -consciousness that every thorn in my path is permitted by Thee, and -every bitter drop in the cup appointed by Thee. - -May I thus seek, O God, from day to day, to live a life of simple -faith and dependence on Thy grace; with confiding love may I commit my -every care and want and perplexity to Thy better direction, feeling -sweetly assured that Thou wilt guide me by a _right_ way to the city -of habitation. - -Above all would I seek a renewed interest in those covenant blessings -which Christ died to purchase and which He is exalted to bestow. All -my hope is in Him; weak, helpless, perishing, I flee to Him, as the -help and hope and portion of all who seek Him. Hide me, O blessed -Jesus, in Thy wounded side. I would overcome alone through the blood -of the Lamb. Wash me thoroughly in Thy precious blood. May I hear -Thine own voice of pardoning love saying, "Your sins which are many -are all forgiven." - -After all Thou hast done for me, let me harbor no guilty and unworthy -suspicions of Thy faithfulness. Let me feel assured that tender love -regulates all Thy allotments. Thou art pledged to use the dealing and -discipline best suited for Thy people's case, and what will best -effect Thine own will concerning them, even their sanctification. -Carry on within me Thine own work in Thine own way. Fortify me against -temptation; let me not surrender myself to the base compliances of a -world lying in wickedness. But, strong in the Lord and in the power of -His might, may I know that He who is with me is greater far than all -that can be against me. Oh enkindle afresh my expiring, languishing -love; let me live more under the influence of "things not seen," -having the eye of faith more upwards and homewards, looking for that -blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of the great God my Saviour. - -Let Thy kingdom come! Arise, O God, and plead Thine own cause. May all -the ends of the earth soon be gladdened with the Gospel's joyful -sound! - -Bless all in sorrow, all bereaved of near and dear friends; may they -see no hand in their trials but Thine. Thou givest us our blessings; -and when Thou seest meet Thou revokest the grant. Let us see love in -every threatening wave, all rolling at _Thy_ bidding. - -Lord, take the charge of me this night. Abide with me, blessed -Saviour, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Oh, may it -be mine to feel that each successive evening as it brings me nearer -eternity, is ripening me for its never-ending joys. And all I ask is -for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -EIGHTEENTH EVENING. - -FOR THE DAILY DEATH. - -"I die daily."--1 Cor. xv. 31. - - -O God Almighty, Father of all mercies, God of all grace, I beseech -Thee to look down upon me at this time in Thy great kindness; let me -feel it to be good for me to draw near unto God. - -I desire to come acknowledging my great unworthiness. Forgive, -gracious Lord, my many, many sins of thought, word, and deed; wash out -all the defilements of the day. If I were to be tried by the doings of -any single hour, how would I stand condemned! I am a miracle of mercy; -kept, sustained, upheld, moment by moment, by the power of God. - -Blessed Saviour! where could I have been this night _but_ for _Thee_? -Thou art praying for me, as for Thy faltering disciple of old, that my -faith fail not. I _do_ rejoice to think that the same hand that was -once outstretched for me on _the_ cross is now lifted up in pleading -love before the Throne, and that He who is _for_ me is greater far -than all that can be _against_ me! Oh strengthen me with all might by -Thy Spirit in the inner man. Subdue my corruptions, crucify all -remaining sin. Let me die to the world; let me not imbibe its false -maxims, conform to its sinful tastes, or accord with its evil -practices. Let self in all its manifold forms be crucified, and God -exalted. Come, Lord! search me, try me, prove me, and see if there be -any wicked way in me. Let me maintain a constant and habitual hatred -of those sins that do more easily beset me; may I exercise a holy -jealousy over my own heart. Let no prosperity be strengthening my ties -earthward, and weakening my ties heavenward. If Thou givest me much of -worldly good, may I write upon it all, "the things which are seen are -temporal." May it be my exalted ambition to use it for Thy glory. If -Thou sendest trial, let it issue in the peaceable fruits of -righteousness, producing a child-like acquiescence in Thy present -dealings. Let me never forget my pilgrim attitude. Let me be ever -looking forward to that joyous time when, "clean escaped" from the -corruptions that are in the world, I shall stand "faultless before the -Throne." Meanwhile, make me more heavenly-minded, copying the example -of Him who was meek and lowly in heart. - -Let me be gentle and forgiving, let me not harbor unkind suspicions of -others, but consider myself, lest I also be tempted. O give me the -_character_ of Heaven on this side of death, that when I come to pass -through the swellings of Jordan I may be prepared for the joyous -welcome awaiting me on the shores of glory, "Enter thou into the joy -of thy Lord!" - -Have mercy on a world lying in wickedness! Pity the careless; arouse -the slumbering; support the weak; succour the poor and those that have -no helper. Bless Thy Church everywhere. May Thy ministering servants -hide _themselves_, that their Lord may be exalted. - -Take the charge of me and of all near and dear to me this night. Keep -me, O keep me, King of kings, beneath Thine own Almighty wings. Lying -down in Thy fear may I awake in Thy favor, fitted for all the duties -of a new day; and all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -NINETEENTH EVENING. - -FOR RENUNCIATION OF SELF. - -"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of -ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."--2 Cor. iii. 5. - - -O God! do Thou bend Thy pitying eye upon me this night, as I venture -once more into Thy sacred presence. What mercy it is that, with all my -great unworthiness, a throne of grace is still open, and a God of -grace is still waiting to be gracious! - -I come to Thee in deep creature-destitution, bringing nothing in my -hands, but simply cleaving, blessed Jesus, to Thy cross; looking away -from my guilty self and my guilty doings to Thee, who hast done all -and suffered all for me, I rejoice to think that Thou hast broken -every chain of condemnation--that Thou hast satisfied the requirements -of a broken law; and having overcome the sharpness of death, Thou hast -opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. - -Oh let me not continue in sin because all this wondrous grace abounds. -Let me not think lightly of the accursed thing which was the cause of -all Thine untold and unutterable anguish. I know, Lord, that I am apt -at times to plead vain excuses for my sins. I am unwilling to think -them, and to think myself, so vile as I really am, in Thy pure and -holy eye. - -My heart is deceitful; but "Thou art greater than my heart." Oh bring -me in self-renouncing lowliness to cry out, "God be merciful to me a -sinner." Let me cling to no remnants of my own self-righteousness. Let -me see that my best actions are marred with defilement and mingled -with impure and unworthy motives. - -Enable me to aim more and more at the conquest of self. Show me the -plague of my own heart. Keep me from all that is unamiable and -selfish, from all that is unkind and uncharitable, and that would -exalt myself at the expense of others. Keep me holy. Keep me -lowly.--Lead me through the valley of humiliation. May life become -more one grand effort to crucify sin and to please God. Take, gracious -Saviour, my whole heart, and make it Thine; occupy it without a rival. -May there be no competing affection. Keep me from alienating existence -from its great end, by living to myself. May this be the -superscription on all my thoughts, and duties, and engagements--"I am -not my own, I am bought with a price." - -May whatever be Thy time be mine. May I not murmur at deferred -blessings or disappointed hopes. May my own will be resolved into the -will of Him who knows best what to give and what to withhold. - -May the Lord have mercy upon Zion. May showers of blessing descend on -Thy holy hill. Hasten the glories of the latter day, when Jesus shall -take to Himself His great power and reign! - -Bless all my dear friends; may those ties which may be so soon severed -here be rendered indissoluble by grace. Guard their couch and mine -this night; give us refreshing sleep, lying down in Thy fear, and -awaking in Thy favor, fitted for all the duties of a new day. And all -we ask or hope for is for the Redeemer's sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTIETH EVENING. - -FOR A CHILD-LIKE SPIRIT. - -"My soul is even as a weaned child."--Psalm cxxxi. 2. - - -O Lord, I rejoice that I am permitted with filial confidence to -approach Thy blessed presence. What a privilege it is to have such -liberty of access to the Mercy-seat--to look upwards to Thee, the -Infinite One, whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain, and call Thee -my Father and my God! Earthly love may grow cold or changeable, or -perish; but "Thou art the same." The mercy of God is from everlasting -to everlasting. Like as a father pitieth his children, so doth the -Lord pity them that fear Him. - -Alas! I have to mourn too often an unthankful spirit amid all Thy -manifold mercies. I have been rebellious and wayward, ungrateful and -selfish. Thou mightest righteously have surrendered me to my own -perverse will; left me to the fruit of my own ways, and to be filled -with my own devices. It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not -consumed! Infinite is my want, but infinite too is my help. I would -seek to stand before Thee, O God, in the nothingness of the creature, -and to know the boundless resources treasured up for me in the great -Redeemer. Unite me to Him by a living faith, as Thine own child by -adoption; may it be my great desire to glorify Thee, my Father in -Heaven; cherishing towards Thee a spirit of filial love and -devotedness, seeking to do only what will please Thee, and having a -salutary fear of offending so kind and forbearing a Parent. - -Oh keep me from any sullen fretfulness, or unbelieving misgivings, -under the strokes of Thy chastening hand. Let there be no hard -construction of Thy dealings. May I see all Thy chastisements tempered -with gracious love--_all_ to be needful discipline. Give me an -unwavering trust and confidence in Thy faithfulness. Nothing befalls -me but by Thy direction; nothing is appointed but what is for my good. - -Let Thy varied dealings conform me to the image of my adorable Lord. -Let me be willing to suffer patiently for _Him_ who so willingly and -so patiently suffered for _me_. Let me not so much seek to have my -afflictions removed as to have grace given me to glorify Thee in them, -and in the spirit of a weaned child to say, "Even so, Father!" O may -my heart become a living temple, my life a living sacrifice, breathing -the incense of gratitude and love. Let me give myself no rest until in -this soul of mine I find a place for the Lord, an habitation for the -mighty God of Jacob. - -Do Thou sanctify trial to all the sons and daughters of sorrow. Draw -near to those bereaved of beloved relatives. Do Thou Thyself -compensate for every earthly loss. May they know that Thou art -faithful who hast promised, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the -end of the world." - -Have mercy on Thy whole Church. Heal divisions. Bless Thy preached -word. Strengthen Thy ministering servants, that they may be enabled to -proclaim the whole counsel of God. - -Take the charge of me, and of all near and dear to me, this night. -Give Thine angels charge over us. May no unquiet dreams disturb our -rest, and when we awake may we be still with Thee. And all I ask is -for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-FIRST EVENING. - -FOR HEAVENWARD PROGRESS. - -"The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and -more onto the perfect day."--Proverbs iv. 18. - - -O God, I bless Thee that Thou hast spared me during another day, and -permitted the shadows of another evening to gather around me in peace. -It is Thou, Lord, only who makest me to dwell in safety. Enable me to -live from day to day as the pensioner on Thy bounty; to feel my -dependence; to receive every created blessing and gift direct from Thy -hand, and to seek to have all of them sweetened and hallowed as the -pledges of Thy covenant love in Jesus. - -I bless Thee, gracious God, for the richer tokens of Thy redeeming -grace in Him. I bless Thee that His infinite merit has come in the -place of my infinite demerit, that in Him there is "no condemnation;" -that in His precious blood I have a secure shelter from the terrors of -Thy righteous law and the accusations of a guilty conscience. May I -know more and more the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of -His sufferings. May my every hope of pardon centre in His cross. May I -be living from day to day under the constraining influence of His -love, and experience now a sweet foretaste of that everlasting -communion which awaits me in His presence hereafter. - -Lord, quicken me in my heavenly way; let me not loiter or linger on -the road. Let this be my habitual feeling and watchword, "I am -journeying." May I seek to mark my progressive advancement in the -divine life, my increasing conformity to the image and will of Thee, -my God. Keep me humble, cherishing a constant sense of my dependence -on Thee. Oh in every step Zionward, may I be led to cry, "_Hold Thou_ -me up, and I shall be safe." Let there be no longer any halting between -two opinions, any wavering or indecision. May I regard life as a great -mission to please Thee. Let my animating wish be to be nearer Thee -now, ere I come to be with Thee for ever in glory everlasting. Walking -heavenwards, may I feel I am walking homewards. - -May I spend each day as if possibly it were my last, so that should -the midnight cry break upon my ears, "Prepare to meet Thy God," it -might be to me no unexpected summons, but as an angel whispering, "The -Master is come and calleth for thee." - -Look down in mercy on the dark places of the earth full of the -habitations of horrid cruelty. How long shall the wicked, how long -shall the wicked triumph? Go forth with Thy missionary servants in -heathen lands; may they witness much of Thy power; may Thy word still -be mighty as ever to the pulling down of Satan's strongholds. Give thy -Churches at home grace to be more faithful in the fulfilment of the -great commission of their Great Head--"Go ye into all the world and -preach the Gospel to every creature!" - -Take all my beloved friends this night under Thy guardian care. Shield -them from all danger; and if Thou art pleased to spare us till -to-morrow, may we rise refreshed and invigorated for the duties of a -new day. And all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-SECOND EVENING. - -FOR HUMILITY OF HEART. - -"He giveth grace unto the humble."--James iv. 6. - - -O God, Thou art great and greatly to be feared. Thy greatness is -unsearchable. Thou art seated on a throne that is high and lifted up; -myriads of blessed spirits cease not day nor night to celebrate Thy -praise in their ever-triumphant hymn, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord -God of hosts." - -But I rejoice to think that though Heaven is Thy dwelling-place Thou -deignest to dwell in the humble and contrite heart; no sacrifice dost -Thou so love as that of the broken spirit; no incense so prized by -Thee as the incense of a grateful, believing soul, which, oppressed -with its own unworthiness and sin, reposes with unwavering trust in -the work and righteousness of the Great Surety. - -Lord, on this ever-living, ever-loving Saviour I desire wholly to -lean. As helpless, hopeless, friendless, portionless, I cast myself on -Him who is Helper of the helpless and Friend of the friendless. There -is nothing but Thy sacrifice and intercession, O Thou Lamb of God, -between me and everlasting destruction. O wash every crimson and -scarlet stain away in Thy precious blood. Let me lie low at the foot -of Thy cross. Give me a lowly estimate of myself, and a lofty view of -Thy all-glorious work and finished righteousness. I have no other hope -of mercy, and, blessed be Thy name, I _need_ no other. - -While I take Thee as my Saviour, may I be enabled to follow Thee also -as my pattern; conscious of the supreme enthronement of Thy love in my -heart, may I feel superior to all the fluctuations and changes of a -changing world. May I live as the chartered heir of a better -inheritance; while in the world, may I seek not to be of it. May I -diffuse around me the noiseless influence of a heavenly life, -subordinating all I do to Thy glory. Lord, enable me to be useful in -the sphere in which Thou hast placed me, to work while it is called -to-day, remembering that there is no work nor device nor labor in the -grave whither I am going. - -Bless all in sorrow. Sanctify their trials. Keep us ever from the -guilty atheism of looking to second causes. May we ever rejoice in the -elevating assurance that "the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth," and that -Thou orderest all things wisely and well. May the Holy Spirit the -Comforter pour his own balm into every bleeding heart. - -Have mercy on a world lying in wickedness. Hasten that glorious period -when creation, now groaning and travailing in sin, shall be delivered -from the bondage of corruption and be translated into the glorious -liberty of the children of God. Let Thy word everywhere have free -course and be glorified. May Jesus, faithfully "lifted up" by the -attractive power of his cross, draw all men unto him. - -Let Thy best benediction rest on my friends. The Lord watch between -them and me when we are absent one from another. May we experience Thy -guardian care this night; and if spared to awake in the morning, may -it be to spend a new day in Thy service, through Jesus Christ, our -blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-THIRD EVENING. - -FOR FIRMNESS IN TEMPTATION. - -"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."--James iv. 7. - - -O God, Thou art from everlasting to everlasting. Loving me at the -beginning, Thou hast promised to love me even unto the end. -Notwithstanding all the fitful changes of my own changing heart -towards _Thee_, there _has_ been, and _can_ be, no shadow of turning -in Thy covenant faithfulness towards _me_. I am at this hour the -monument of Thy mercy--a living comment on the words, "Thy ways are -not as man's ways, nor Thy thoughts as man's thoughts." - -If I have been enabled in any degree to resist the assaults of -temptation, it is all Thy doing. I am "kept by the power of God." -Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul must long ere now have dwelt -in silence. By the grace of God I am what I am. - -Lord, indulged and cherished sin unfits me for the enjoyment of Thy -service and favor. I have to lament my proneness to evil, the natural -bias of my heart to that which is opposed to Thy pure and holy will. -When I would do good, sin is too often present with me. I feel the -power of my spiritual adversaries. If left to myself and my own -unaided resources, I must often hopelessly resign the conflict. - -But I rejoice to think that there is help and hope and strength at -hand. I would look to Him who is now bending upon me an eye of -unchanging love from the throne. All Thy ascension glories, blessed -Redeemer, have not obliterated the tenderness of Thy humanity. Thou -art "that same Jesus;" Thou, the abiding Friend, art still left -changeless among the changeable; and when Satan often desires to have -me, that he might sift me as wheat, it is Thy intercessory prayer that -saves me from utter ruin. Thou art pleading for me, that my faith fail -not! Oh may I be found invincible in the hour of temptation, being -made more than conqueror through Him that loved me. Sheltered in Thee -the true Refuge, the wicked one will touch me not. - -Let me not trifle with my own soul or with the momentous interests of -eternity. Let me every day be living under the realizing consciousness -that Thy pure eye is upon me. Keep me from all that is at variance -with Thy gracious mind. Keep me from unchristian tempers, from an -unholy or inconsistent or uneven walk. By a Christ-like demeanor may I -exhibit the sanctifying and transforming influence of the Gospel on my -own soul, that others may take knowledge of me that I have been with -Jesus. - -God of Bethel! do Thou take under Thy protecting providence all -related to me by endearing ties. However far we may be separated from -one another, let us never be separated from Thee. Let us often rejoice -in this our common meeting-place; that around Thy mercy-seat in spirit -we can assemble, and lay our evening incense in the one Golden Censer -of our gracious High Priest! - -Take charge of me this night, defend me from all danger; whether I -wake or sleep, may I live together with Thee; and all that I ask or -hope for is in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, my only -Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-FOURTH EVENING. - -FOR COMPOSURE IN TRIAL. - -"Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight."--Matt. xi. 26. - - -O God, I come into Thy presence this night, rejoicing that amid all -earth's vicissitudes, I have in Thee a rock that cannot be shaken. -Thou doest according to Thy will in the armies of Heaven, and among -the inhabitants of the earth! Thou doest all things well, and nothing -but what _is_ well. There is no finite wisdom in Thy dealings. All is -the result of combined faithfulness, power, and love. Let me repose in -the righteous ordinations of Thy will. If Thou withhold from me -earthly blessings, let me feel that the very denial is precious -because it is Thy sovereign pleasure. Covenant love and wisdom cannot -lead or teach me wrong; every burden is imposed by Thee. The lot may -be thrown into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the -Lord. - -O Thou who turnest the shadow of death into the morning, may every -wilderness-storm only drive me nearer Thyself, my true shelter. Thou -takest the sting from every cross, the bitterness from every cup. Let -me recognise in all that befalls me the tokens of a Father's love; and -if sense and sight should at times fail to descry "the bright light in -the cloud," may I see written over every dark trial Thine own -unanswerable challenge, "He that spared not his own Son, but gave Him -up to the death for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give -us all things?" - -Lord! the end of all Thy sovereign dealings is to subjugate my wayward -will, and to unfold more of the preciousness of Jesus. Blessed Spirit -of all grace! do Thou take of the things that are Christ's and show -them unto my soul. Let me not stagger at the promises through -unbelief. Let me see nothing but love in the past, love in the -present, and love looming through the mists of a cloudy future. Thou, -O God, art seated by every furnace; all is meted out, all is provided -for; all has a "need be" in it! Magnify the power of Thy grace in me, -by a sweet spirit of patient submission to Thy righteous ordinations. -May I seek to have no other prayer than this, "Father, glorify Thy -name." Impart Thou that inner sunshine which no outward darkness or -trial can obscure. May the peace of God, which passeth understanding, -keep my heart. - -May Thy Holy Spirit shed abroad His blessed influences over the whole -Church. Revive Thy work, O God, in the midst of the years. In wrath -remember mercy. May Thy ministers be more faithful. May Thy people be -more close and consistent in their walk with Thee. May the young be -growing up in Thy fear and favor; may the aged find in Thee the staff -of their declining years. May the sick and afflicted pillow their head -on Thy promises. May the dying fall asleep in Jesus. - -I commend myself, my friends, and all belonging to me, to Thy paternal -care and keeping; and when earth's long night-watches of trial and -sorrow are ended, may I wake up in the sorrowless morning of glory, to -enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with Thyself. Through Jesus Christ, my -only Lord and Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-FIFTH EVENING. - -FOR ACTIVITY IN DUTY. - -"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the -Lord."--Romans xii. 11. - - -Lord, I come to Thee this night rejoicing in the thought that Thou -faintest not, neither are weary: Thou art ever good, and doing me -good. Thine arm is never shortened, Thine ear is never heavy. The -gates of prayer are ever open. The Throne of the Heavenly Grace is -ever accessible, none of Thy children need perish with hunger! - -May the darkness now gathering around me be as the shadow of Thine -infinite presence. I take comfort in the thought that the Shepherd of -Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps; that He is ever bending over me -his watchful, untiring eye, compassing my path and my lying down, and -holding up my doings that my footsteps do not stumble. - -Lord, how sad is the contrast of Thine unwearied and unwearying -watchfulness, with my negligence and inactivity in Thy service. How -little have I sought to promote Thy glory. How little have I felt the -solemnity and responsibility of being a steward in Thy household! Let -me be more zealous for Thy honor in the future. Let me seek more than -I have ever yet done, to ask in the midst of life's duties and -engagements, its perplexities and trials, in simple faith, "Lord! what -wouldst thou have me to do?" Let me feel that duty is a delight when -done for Thee. Keep me from further relaxing my diligence. Let me not -mock Thee any longer with the wrecks of a worn affection. Let there be -no half-surrender of the heart and life to Thee, but may soul and body -be consecrated as living sacrifices, and may I have the growing -experience that active obedience in Thy service is self-rewarding. - -Lord! I have indeed a vast work to do and a brief time to do it in. -May opportunities and talents, while I have them, be cheerfully given -to Thee. May the warning words oft sound in my ear, "Work while it is -called today, for the night cometh wherein no man can work." Oh -prepare me for my Saviour's coming. Forbid that I should be found -among the slothful servants or the faithless stewards who are -squandering their Lord's money, and are living, forgetful that a time -of reckoning is at hand! May I be so waiting and so watching, and so -working, that the cry may never break too soon or too suddenly on my -ears--"Behold, the Judge standeth before the door!" - -Send forth thy gracious Spirit into a world lying in wickedness. -Scatter the darkness that is now brooding over the nations. Bless all -thy ministering servants; may they be valiant for the truth; may the -Lord send His own angel to stand by them, and to shut the mouths of -every adversary. - -Bless all my friends; may they too be working out their own salvation -with fear and trembling, and so be found at last prepared for the -appearing and kingdom of Jesus. - -Take me under Thy protecting care this night; vouchsafe me a season of -refreshing repose; spare me to awake in Thy favor; and may every -returning morning find me better prepared for the glorious noon-day of -immortality; through Jesus Christ, my ever-living Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-SIXTH EVENING. - -FOR THE SPIRIT'S TEACHING. - -"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of -God."--Rom. viii. 14. - - -O Lord, Thou art the God of my life and the length of my days. There -is no real happiness independent of Thee. Thy favor is life. In vain -can I seek for any satisfying portion in an unsatisfying world. If -bereft of Thee I am bereaved indeed. But with Thy countenance shining -upon me, I must be safe, I must be happy. - -Do Thou pour down upon me the gifts and graces of Thy Holy Spirit. May -he "garrison" my heart. May He write on its blood-besprinkled lintels -the superscription, "Holiness to the Lord." Oh may this soul of mine -become a living temple, an "habitation of God through the Spirit." Let -me not trifle with convictions. Let me not grieve by my hardness and -impenitency that gracious Agent, whereby I am sealed unto the day of -redemption; but may all my affections be willingly surrendered to His -service. By His omnipotent energy may every high thought and lofty -imagination be brought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus. May I -be enabled to lean upon Him in the extremity of my weakness. Fill me -with all joy and peace in believing that I may abound in hope through -the power of the Holy Ghost; fitted for Thy service here, and for the -enjoyment of Thee forever hereafter. - -I pray for the outpouring of the same blessed Spirit on the whole -Church. May He descend like rain upon the mown grass, and as showers -that water the earth. Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe -upon the slain in the valley! Hasten that glorious period when the -year of Thy redeemed shall come, when the earth shall be full of the -tabernacles of the righteous, in which the voice of joy and melody -will continually be heard! - -Oh that there were more in me of the mind of my gracious Saviour, on -whom the Spirit was poured without measure. May I, like Him, be more -meek and gentle, more amiable and forgiving, overcoming evil with -good.--Transform me into the same image from glory to glory, by the -Lord the Spirit. - -Hide all my friends under the shadow of Thy wings. Put Thy good Spirit -also into their hearts. May He guide them into all the truth, and -reveal to them more and more of the preciousness of Jesus. - -Let all poor afflicted ones rejoice in the presence and consolations -of the promised Comforter; may He pour oil and wine into their wounds; -may He strengthen them in the midst of all their tribulations, and -enable them in lowly resignation to say, "The Lord's will be done." -Teach us all to repose in that will as the best; and to make it day by -day our aim and ambition to attain a greater conformity to it. - -Lord, take the charge of me through the watches of the night. Under -the blessed sense of Thy presence and favor I would compose myself to -rest, and when I awake, may I be still with Thee. And all I ask is for -Jesus' sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-SEVENTH EVENING. - -FOR THE WORLD'S CONVERSION. - -"The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters -cover the sea."--Isaiah xi. 9. - - -O God, I desire to draw near into Thy blessed presence, beseeching -Thee to lift upon me the light of Thy countenance and grant me a -Father's blessing. I am utterly unworthy of Thy mercies. And it is -only in Jesus, the Son of Thy love, that I dare venture to cast myself -at Thy footstool. - -I rejoice to think that in Him there is an open door of welcome; that -He has by His doing and dying satisfied the demands of Thy righteous -law, and magnified all Thy glorious attributes. I would bury all my -sins in the ocean-depths of His redeeming love. Oh let me now know the -blessedness of _living_, and at last the blessedness of _dying_, at -peace with Thee, in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection to -eternal life. - -Darkness is still covering the lands, and gross darkness the people. -Lord, do Thou have mercy on a world lying in wickedness. I rejoice to -think of all Thy glorious promises concerning the latter day. That -this creation of ours, now groaning and travailing in bondage under -sin, is yet to be delivered from the yoke of corruption, and to be -translated into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Glorify Thy -great name in the salvation of sinners! Hasten the period of predicted -glory, when all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God; -when from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the -Lord's name is to be praised. May Thine own omnipotent Spirit brood -over the darkness, as He did over chaos of old, and say, "Let there be -light, and there will be light." May gladsome voices soon be heard -proclaiming, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of -the Lord is risen upon thee." - -Oh may I know personally something of that compassionate yearning over -ruined souls and a ruined world that my Saviour had. Let me be -prodigal in devising means for the extension of His kingdom and the -good of my fellow-men. I would pray the Lord of the harvest that He -would send forth laborers to the harvest. Stand by Thy missionary -servants. May they have many souls for their hire. May mountains of -difficulty be levelled before them; may crooked things be made -straight and rough places plain, and may the glory of the Lord be -revealed. Let them exercise simple faith in the power of Thy word and -the efficacy of Thy grace. May they feel that these are mighty as they -ever were to the pulling down of strongholds. - -Arouse Thy churches to greater zeal. May Jesus, faithfully lifted up -by His servants, by the attractive power of His cross draw all men -unto Him. May they be the honored instruments of preparing many gems -for Immanuel's crown, who will be found unto praise and honor and -glory at His second appearing. - -Lord, guard me through the silent watches of the night; be the defence -and protection of my friends and relatives; may they too dwell under -the shadow of Thy wings and experience the sleep of Thy beloved; and -when the night of earth's ignorance shall vanish away, may we all wake -up in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ, our only Lord and -Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS AS - THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-EIGHTH EVENING. - -FOR THE CHURCH'S REVIVAL. - -"Revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--Hab. iii. 2. - - -O God, Thou hast permitted me in Thy great mercy to see another -evening. How many of my fellow-men have this day slept the sleep of -death, and are now beyond the reach of grace and privilege! I am still -spared, all unworthy though I be, a monument of Thy forbearance and -love. - -I desire to make acknowledgment of my many and grievous offences. They -are more in number than the sand of the sea;--sins against light, and -mercy, and warning; sins committed against the kindest of Benefactors, -the most indulgent of Parents. - -I would seek anew to take refuge in the offered shelter of the Gospel, -and to rejoice anew in the faithful saying that Jesus Christ came into -the world to save the chief of sinners. Oh may I be enabled -confidingly to repose in His matchless sacrifice, and with lively -appropriating faith to say, "He loved _me_ and gave Himself for _me_!" - -Lord, carry on Thine own work within me. Quicken my languid and -languishing affections by the omnipotent agency of Thy Holy Spirit. -Let me not live at a guilty distance from Thy favor; but may I covet a -close and habitual walk with Thee, and feel the sustaining power of -Thy grace in my heart. - -Revive Thy work in Thine own Church universal, Thou great High Priest, -who walketh in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Do Thou feed -every lamp with the oil of Thy grace. Let them burn with a clearer, -holier, more steady and consistent flame. As lights set in the world, -may they diffuse Thy glory; and feel the honor of being instrumental -in shedding abroad a Saviour's love. - -Oh may the Lord arise and have mercy upon Zion. May the time to favor -her, yea, the set time, soon come. As there is but one Shepherd, so -may there soon be but one sheep-fold. Let Thy churches no longer -continue apart from one another in unholy estrangement, but live in -the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; holding fast that -which they have, that no man take their crown. Spirit of all grace, -come in all the plenitude of Thy love and mercy. Breathe upon every -portion of Thy visible Church, and say, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost!" -"Awake, O north wind! come, thou south! blow upon our garden, that the -spices thereof may flow out." May Thy gracious influences descend like -rain upon the mown grass, and as showers that water the earth. - -Bless all Thy faithful ministers. May peace be upon them and upon the -whole Israel of God. Direct their hearts and the hearts of all Thy -faithful people into Thy love, and into the patient waiting for -Christ. - -Comfort all in sorrow. May they see a "need be" written on all their -trials. May they look beyond the long night-watch of earth to the -glories of that eternal morning when clouds and darkness shall for -ever flee away. - -Take charge of me while I sleep, and as evening after evening comes -round may I feel that a day has been spent for Thee. Hear me, gracious -Lord, for the Redeemer's sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS AS - THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -TWENTY-NINTH EVENING. - -FOR SUPPORT IN DEATH. - -"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will -fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort -me."--Ps. xxiii. 4. - - -O God, I come to Thee this night through Jesus Christ, the Son of Thy -love, beseeching Thee to have mercy upon me, and to impart unto me -that Peace of Thine which passeth all understanding. Blessed be Thy -great and glorious name for those hopes full of immortality which have -been opened up to me in the Gospel. I rejoice in Christ as the great -Abolisher of death. I rejoice that the rainbow of covenant -faithfulness spans the entrance to the dark valley; that all that is -terrible in the last enemy is in Him taken away, and that I can regard -these closing hours of existence as the introduction and doorway into -everlasting bliss. - -Give me grace, O God, to be living in constant preparation for death. -Let me not unprofitably squander my present golden moments. Let me -_live_ while I _live_--let me live a dying life. Let me feel that life -is a trust given me by Thee. O Thou Great Proprietor of my being, may -this all important talent of time be more consecrated to Thy glory. -Let it not be mine, when the hour of death arrives, to bewail, when it -is too late, lost and forfeited opportunities. Let me not leave till -then, what best can be done and what only _may_ be done now. May it be -my earnest endeavor while it is called today to secure a saving -interest in the everlasting covenant, and then I need not fear how -soon the silver cord may be loosed and the golden bowl broken. Through -Jesus the darkness has been taken from death, and to His own true -people its shadows will melt and merge into the brightness of eternal -day. - -Thou art ever giving me impressive remembrances that "at such an hour -as I think not," the summons may come, "Prepare to meet Thy God." The -race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Verily every -moment there may be but a step between me and death. Let me be so -living a life of habitual faith in the Son of God that this step may -be changed into a step between me and glory. - -Lord, prepare all who may now be laid on dying couches for their great -change. May their eyes be directed to Jesus. Pillowing their heads on -his exceeding great and precious promises, may they fall asleep in the -glorious hope of a joyful resurrection. - -Bless all in sorrow; those who have recently been bereaved of near and -dear friends, who may have been called recently to the brink of the -tomb, consigning their loved ones to the narrow house appointed for -all living. May they be enabled to fix their sorrowing gaze on the -brighter prospects beyond death and the grave, and anticipate that -glorious hour when, reunited to death-divided friends, they will be -able to exult together in the song, "O death, where is thy sting? O -grave, where is thy victory?" - -Take the charge of me this night. Watch over me during the unconscious -hours of sleep, and when I too come to the long night and slumber of -death, may it be the gentle rest of Thy beloved, a falling asleep in -the arms of everlasting love, looking forward to the joyful waking -time of immortality, through Jesus Christ my only Saviour. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -THIRTIETH EVENING. - -FOR PREPARATION FOR JUDGMENT. - -"Prepare to meet thy God."--Amos iv. 12. - - -O God, Thou art daily loading me with Thy benefits. Thou art making -the outgoings of the evening and morning to rejoice over me, giving me -unnumbered causes for gratitude and thankfulness. No earthly friend -could have loved and cared for me like Thee. Oh may the life Thou art -thus preserving by Thine unceasing bounty be unreservedly dedicated to -Thy praise. - -Lord, keep me mindful that I am soon to be done with this world, that -I am fast borne along the stream of time to an endless futurity. "It -is appointed unto all once to die, and after death the judgment." May -I be living in a constant state of preparedness for that solemn hour -when small and great shall stand before God, and the books shall be -opened. Educate me for eternity. Let me not be frittering away these -fleeting but precious moments. Impress on me the solemn conviction -that "as men live so do men die," that as death leaves me so will -judgment find me. Oh let death leave me falling asleep in Jesus, -united to Him by a living faith, that so judgment may find me seated -at His right hand, listening to the joyous welcome, "Come, ye blessed -of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation -of the world." - -Blessed Jesus, all my hope of a glorious resurrection centres in Thee. -I look to Thee as the strong tower which cannot be shaken. I flee anew -to the holy sanctuary of Thy covenant love. Sheltered there, amid a -dissolving earth, and burning worlds, I shall be able joyfully to -utter the challenge, "Who shall separate me from the love of Christ?" -Meanwhile may I seek to "occupy" till my Lord comes. Keep me from all -negligence and unwatchfulness. Trim my flickering lamp. Let me live -with Thy Judgment-throne in view. Whether waking or sleeping, may I -bear about with me the thought that I must soon give an account of -myself to God. May I feel that all the talents and means Thou hast -given me are trusts to be laid out for Thee. When thou comest to -demand a reckoning, may I not be among the number of those who have -hid their talent in the earth, and have the cheerless retrospect of a -misspent time. - -Lord! bless my friends, reward my benefactors, forgive my enemies. -Sanctify sorrow to all the sons and daughters of trial. May the torch -of Thy love light up their gloomy prospects. May every providential -voice sound loud in their ears, "Arise and depart ye, for this is not -your rest!" - -Gracious God, watch over me during the night, and grant that at last, -when all earth's evenings and mornings shall have passed away, I may, -on the great day-break of glory, wake up in Thy likeness, through Him -in whom is all my hope, and to whom, with Thee, O Father, and Thee, -ever blessed Spirit, one God, be everlasting praise, honor, and glory, -world without end. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - - - -THIRTY-FIRST EVENING. - -FOR MEETING IN HEAVEN. - -"Meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in -light."--Col. i. 12. - - -O God, I come into Thy gracious presence on this the close of another -day, beseeching Thee to accept of my evening sacrifice. May this my -unworthy prayer come up before Thee perfumed with the fragrant incense -of the Saviour's adorable merits. It is my comfort to know, O Thou -blessed Intercessor within the veil, that Thou art even now appearing -in the presence of God for me! The names of Thy covenant people are -engraven on Thy breastplate, and, all unworthy in themselves, they are -accepted in the Beloved. - -My special prayer to Thee this night is, that by Thy grace I may be -made meet for Thy blood-bought inheritance in Glory. Transform me by -the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost; may I be dying daily unto sin, -and living daily unto righteousness. Make me more heavenly-minded. -Give me more of a pilgrim attitude and a pilgrim spirit. May I ever -feel that my true home is above, that I am here but a wayfarer and -sojourner, as all my fathers were. May I attain, as I advance nearer -heaven, the blessed habit of a holy life, bearing about with me the -lofty impress of one who is born _from_ above and _for_ above, -declaring plainly that I seek "a better country." - -Let me not arraign the appointments of Infinite wisdom, but patiently -await the disclosures of the great day. Keep me from a hasty spirit -under dark dispensations. I am no judge as to what fancied mercies are -best withholden. Let me look to every trial as an appointed messenger -from the Throne whispering in my ears, "Be ye also ready!" May I -delight often to anticipate that happy time when I shall suffer no -more, and sin no more; when Thou shalt no longer teach me by -mysterious dispensations and a crossed will; when all shall be "a sea -of glass" without one disturbing ripple, and I shall trace with joyous -heart the long line of unbroken love and unchanging faithfulness! Anew -I would wash in the atoning fountain. Anew I would take refuge "in the -faithful saying." O blot out all the sins of the bygone day. Let them -not rise up in the Judgment to condemn me. Let me close my eyes this -night listening to the Saviour's own voice--"Your sins which are many -are all forgiven you." - -May the Lord arise and have mercy upon Zion. May the streams of Thy -grace make glad the city of God. Build up her broken walls; restore -her ruined towers; may her watchmen be men of faith and men of prayer; -making mention of the Lord, and keeping not silence, till He -establish, and till he make Jerusalem again a praise in the earth. - -Lord, bless my friends. Let us exult in those ties which survive the -uncertain ones of earth, and look forward to the hour when we shall -come to stand at last faultless before Thy Throne. Oh, prepare us all -for the breaking of that eternal day--that "morning without clouds," -when in Thy light we shall see light--when the love of Christ shall be -enthroned supremely in every heart, when the glory of Christ will form -the animating motive and principle of life that shall never end: and -all I ask is for His sake. Amen. - - "LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE." - - -THE END. - - - - -BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED - -BY H. HOOKER. - - -A PLAIN COMMENTARY ON THE FOUR HOLY GOSPELS, intended chiefly for -devotional reading. Complete from the London edition. In two volumes, -8vo. Price $4, in muslin, gilt; in half calf, $5 50, two volumes in -one; in two volumes, half calf, $6. - -This is esteemed the best Commentary on the Holy Gospels ever -published for general use. It is a mine of devotional thought and -inspiration; beautiful and simple in style, and bringing to bear on -the elucidation of the sacred text the choicest learning, both ancient -and modern. It should find a welcome in every Christian family. - - -SERMONS BY THE REV. ALEXANDER H. VINTON, D. D. In one volume. 12mo., -$1. - -SERMONS BY THE REV. A. CLEVELAND COXE. In one volume, 12mo., $1. - -SERMONS BY THE RIGHT REV. GEORGE BURGESS, D. D. In one volume, 12mo., -$1. - -SEARCH OF TRUTH; a Manual of Instruction concerning the Way of -Salvation. By Rev. James Craik. 12mo., 75 cents. - -THE BOY TRAINED TO BE A CLERGYMAN. By Rev. John N. Norton. 18mo., 37 -cents. - -DR. WORDSWORTH ON THE INSPIRATION AND CANON OF HOLY SCRIPTURE. 18mo., -$1 50. - -DR. WORDSWORTH ON THE APOCALYPSE. 8vo., $2. - -THE EPISCOPATE; ITS HISTORY, DUTIES, &c., &c. By Hugh Davey Evans, -LL.D. 12mo., 62 cents. - -Two very desirable editions of THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER. Just -completed. - -THE BOOK OF THE HOMILIES OF THE CHURCH. In one volume, 8vo., $2 25. - - -TWENTY-EIGHT LECTURES ON THE MORNING PRAYER: by Rev. Robert A. Hallam, -D. D., Rector of St. James' Church, New London, Conn. - -"The Rev. Dr. Hallam's Lectures on the Morning Prayer are a valuable -addition to the working material for ordinary parish instruction. He -goes carefully, judiciously, moderately, through all the parts of the -Morning Prayer, including the Litany, and draws out with great -richness and fulness the admirable order, the wonderful connection of -spirit and beauty, the deep inner life, of that inestimable Office. -There is also a sufficient infusion of liturgical learning to make the -volume very instructive to the great bulk of all our congregations. - -With all its wise moderation of statement, there is a warm glow in the -language of Dr. Hallam's book, a fervor in the feeling, and even an -eloquence of expression in many places, which cannot but produce in -all its readers a more full and harmonious appreciation of our -incomparable Liturgy. It will make the worship of our congregations a -wonderfully more _reasonable, holy and living_ sacrifice unto God, -inspiring it with a deeper and truer life wherever its healthful -influence extends."--_Church Journal._ - -"A work of great merit, remarkable in its adaptations to defend and -commend the Church. Let it be read for information about the Church -and the improvement of devotional spirit in her members."--_Banner of -the Cross._ - -"The book of Dr. Hallam is the best book we have seen to put into the -hands of persons desiring to understand the Church." - -"The mode of treating the subject gives it full right to a place among -works on _practical religion_. The leading object of the Lectures is -to show that this was the design and intent of the Service, and that -none who enter into its spirit can fail of being improved by its use. -There is also something in the manner in which our author treats his -subject--so much of his own agreeable peculiarities of thought and -style characterizing it, as to throw an air of freshness over the -subject itself, rendering the perusal as pleasant as it is profitable. -In doctrine and usage, Dr. H. follows the golden mean, the _via media_ -which has ever marked the course of the Church."--_The Calendar._ - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Evening Incense, by John Ross Macduff - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVENING INCENSE *** - -***** This file should be named 50916-8.txt or 50916-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/1/50916/ - -Produced by Heiko Evermann, Chris Pinfield, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Evening Incense - -Author: John Ross Macduff - -Release Date: January 14, 2016 [EBook #50916] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVENING INCENSE *** - - - - -Produced by Heiko Evermann, Chris Pinfield, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div id="tnote"> - -<p>Transcriber's Note.</p> - -<p>Apparent typographical errors have been corrected, as have -inconsistencies in the use of hyphens.</p> - -<p>A Table of Contents has been inserted to assist the reader.</p> - -</div> - -<div id="frontm"> - - <h1>EVENING INCENSE.</h1> - - <p class="small">BY THE AUTHOR OF</p> - - <p>"MORNING AND NIGHT WATCHES,"<br /> - "WORDS OF JESUS," etc., etc.</p> - - <p class="small">PHILADELPHIA:<br /> - H. HOOKER, CHESTNUT & EIGHTH STREETS.<br /> - 1856.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="print-pub">KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS,<br /> - 9 Sansom Street.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div id="exodus"> - -<p>"And thou shalt make an <small>ALTAR</small> to burn <small>INCENSE</small> upon:</p> - -<p>"And thou shalt put it ... before the <small>MERCY-SEAT</small> -that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.</p> - -<p>"And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at <small>EVEN</small>, he shall -burn <small>INCENSE</small> upon it."—Exod. xxx. 1, 6, 8.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"The star-lit sky's a temple-arch,</div> - <div class="verse indent">The calm, still, evening air</div> - <div class="verse">Is glorious with the spirit-march</div> - <div class="verse indent">Of messengers of prayer.</div> - </div> - - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Are gentle moon, or kindling sun,</div> - <div class="verse indent">Or stars unnumbered, given</div> - <div class="verse">As shrines to burn earth's incense on—</div> - <div class="verse indent">The altar-fires of heaven?</div> - </div> - - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">"Nay! pale away must moon and sun,</div> - <div class="verse indent">And star by star decline;</div> - <div class="verse">O be, Thou ever living One,</div> - <div class="verse indent">Thy '<span class="smcap">Golden Altar</span>'—mine!"</div> - </div> - -</div> -</div> - -<p class="gap-above center large">EVENING INCENSE.</p> - -<p>The writer has endeavored in the following -pages to comply with frequent requests made to -him to prepare a small volume of <i>Evening</i> Prayers, -suitable as a companion to the "<i>Morning</i> -Watches."</p> - -<p>May He with whom is "the residue of the -Spirit," "cause His Angel to fly swiftly" and -touch us in the time of our Evening Oblation; -and may all that is amiss in thought and word be -lost in the fragrant incense-cloud which ascends -from the Golden Altar before the Throne!</p> - -<p class="small"><i>December, 1855.</i></p> - -<h2>Table of Contents</h2> - -<table id="toc" summary="ToC"> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">Evening</td> - <td></td> - <td class="numb">Page</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">I.</td> - <td>FOR COMMUNION WITH GOD.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">II.</td> - <td>FOR PARDONING GRACE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">III.</td> - <td>FOR RENEWING GRACE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">IV.</td> - <td>FOR SANCTIFYING GRACE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">V.</td> - <td>FOR RESTRAINING GRACE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">VI.</td> - <td>FOR RESTORING GRACE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">VII.</td> - <td>FOR QUICKENING GRACE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">VIII.</td> - <td>FOR IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">IX.</td> - <td>FOR PEACE IN BELIEVING.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">X.</td> - <td>FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XI.</td> - <td>FOR WEANEDNESS FROM THE WORLD.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XII.</td> - <td>FOR GRATITUDE FOR THE PAST.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XIII.</td> - <td>FOR TRUST FOR THE FUTURE.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XIV.</td> - <td>FOR KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XV.</td> - <td>FOR GUIDANCE IN PERPLEXITY.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XVI.</td> - <td>FOR VICTORY OVER SIN.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XVII.</td> - <td>FOR THE LIFE OF FAITH.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XVIII.</td> - <td>FOR THE DAILY DEATH.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XIX.</td> - <td>FOR RENUNCIATION OF SELF.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XX.</td> - <td>FOR A CHILD-LIKE SPIRIT.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXI.</td> - <td>FOR HEAVENWARD PROGRESS.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXII.</td> - <td>FOR HUMILITY OF HEART.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXIII.</td> - <td>FOR FIRMNESS IN TEMPTATION.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXIV.</td> - <td>FOR COMPOSURE IN TRIAL.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXV.</td> - <td>FOR ACTIVITY IN DUTY.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXVI.</td> - <td>FOR THE SPIRIT'S TEACHING.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXVII.</td> - <td>FOR THE WORLD'S CONVERSION.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXVIII.</td> - <td>FOR THE CHURCH'S REVIVAL.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXIX.</td> - <td>FOR SUPPORT IN DEATH.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXX.</td> - <td>FOR PREPARATION FOR JUDGMENT.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="numb">XXXI.</td> - <td>FOR MEETING IN HEAVEN.</td> - <td class="numb"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td> -</tr> - -</table> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">{7}</a></div> - -<h2>FIRST EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR COMMUNION WITH GOD.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Abide with us; for it is towards evening, and the day -is far spent."—Luke xxiv. 29.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I desire to approach Thy throne of -Grace on the evening of this day, beseeching -Thee to grant me Thy benediction and blessing. -The shadows of night have once more gathered -around me; may no shadow of sin or unbelief -darken my soul, or interrupt my communion -with Thee. "It is not night if Thou art near." -Let me enter the inner chamber of Thy presence, -and experience conscious fellowship with -Thee my Father in Heaven.</p> - -<p>Do Thou graciously forgive all the sins of -the past day, its sins of omission and of commission, -of thought, and word, and deed. Hide -me anew in the clefts of the Smitten Rock. I -confidently repose my everlasting interests on -the finished work and righteousness of a tried -Redeemer. May I know more and more of the -attractive power of His Cross—the adaptation -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">{8}</a></span> -of His character and work to all the wants and -weaknesses, the sorrows and infirmities, of my -tried and suffering and tempted nature. May -I live more under the sovereign motive of love -to Him, and experience more the happiness of -life spent in His service.</p> - -<p>Gracious Lord! may a sense of Thy favor -penetrate with its leavening power every duty -in which I engage, lessening every cross and -sweetening every care. Take what Thou wilt -away, but take not Thyself; no earthly good -can compensate for the loss of Thy friendship. -Existence would be one vast blank without -Thee. Give me to realize the blessedness of -unfaltering dependence on Thy covenant mercy, -knowing that all which befalls me is the pledge -and dictate of unerring love, and that nothing -can come wrong that comes from Thy hand.</p> - -<p>Thus while my daily walk is hallowed and -brightened by Thy presence and fellowship, may -I be enabled to look calm and undismayed on -the unknown and chequered future, feeling that -even over the gloomy portals of the grave, with -Thee as my Portion and Heritage, I can write, -"To die is gain!" Meanwhile do Thou fit me -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">{9}</a></span> -for every duty, prepare me for every trial. If -Thou givest me the "full cup," give me grace -to carry it with a steady hand. If Thou sendest -adversity, let me regard it as Thine own gracious -discipline, to wean me from earth and train me -for glory.</p> - -<p>May it be my great ambition, through the -help of Thy Blessed Spirit, to attain a gradual -resemblance to the character and conformity to -the will of my adorable Redeemer. May I be -clothed with humility. May I be daily becoming -more meek and gentle, more contented and -thankful, more submissive and resigned, watching -against anything in my heart or conduct -that I know would be displeasing to Thee, -making it my meat and my drink to do Thy -holy will.</p> - -<p>Thou unslumbering Shepherd of Israel, vouchsafe -Thy guardian care to all near and dear to -me: shield them from danger: give Thine -angels charge over them; sanctify them body, -soul, and spirit; seal them unto the day of -eternal redemption.</p> - -<p>May we all lie down to sleep this night in -Thy fear, and awake in Thy favor, fitted for the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">{10}</a></span> -duties of a new day. And all I ask is for -Jesus' sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>SECOND EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR PARDONING GRACE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"For Thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; -for it is great."—Ps. xxv. 11.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gracious God!</span> do Thou look down upon -me this night in Thy great mercy. May I -have now the inner sunshine of Thy presence! -Ere I retire to rest, let me pitch my tent near -Thyself, and enjoy the tokens of Thy favor and -blessing. Thy loving-kindness has been new to -me every morning, and Thy faithfulness every -night.</p> - -<p>I desire to render Thee the thank-offering of -a grateful heart. My life is one wondrous -attestation to Thy patience and forbearance. -The kindness of the best earthly friend has -been nothing to Thine. Thou mightest long -ere now have left me to reap the fruits of my -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">{11}</a></span> -own guilty estrangement, withdrawing the grace -and Spirit I have so long resisted, executing -against me the awful doom of the cumberer. -But I am still spared, a living monument of -mercy. Thy ways are not as man's ways, nor -Thy thoughts as man's thoughts.</p> - -<p>Lord, I would seek anew this night to close -with the alone Sovereign remedy! Jesus! -there is no other prop but Thee to support a -sinking soul and a sinking world. There is -nothing between me and everlasting destruction -but Thy glorious work and finished righteousness. -I rejoice to think that it is all I need—living -or dying, for time or for eternity. O blot -out in Thy precious blood my many, many sins. -Nothing in my own hands I bring; I cling -simply to Thy cross. Mercy and truth have -there met together; righteousness and peace -have embraced each other. Reposing in what -Thou has done, and in what Thou art still -willing to do, I can rejoicingly say, "Return -unto thy rest, O my soul."</p> - -<p>Bring me to live more habitually under the -constraining influence of redeeming love. Purchased -at such a price, may I be willing freely -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">{12}</a></span> -to consecrate soul and body to Thy service. -Let me feel that the bitterest of all trials is the -forfeiture of Thy favor and love, and the loftiest -joy is the assured possession of Thy gracious -friendship. May my spirit be brought into -blessed unison with Thine. May I become -more gentle, and resigned, and submissive, and -unselfish; more heavenly-minded; more Saviour-like. -May I be led to regard <i>all</i>, even -Thy darkest dealings to me here, as needful -parts in Thy plan of stupendous wisdom. May -I rest contented in the assurance that what I -know not now I shall know hereafter.</p> - -<p>Unite me to all my dear friends, and them to -me, in the bonds of Christian love. Amid all -the fluctuations of this mortal life, may we ever -have grace given us to cleave unto the Lord -with full purpose of heart. Treading the same -pilgrim-journey, may we arrive at last at the -same pilgrim-home.</p> - -<p>I would retire to rest this night with my eye -on the opened fountain. O give me that peace -of Thine which the world knoweth not of, which -the world cannot give, and, blessed be God, -which the world cannot take away! Abide -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">{13}</a></span> -with me, for it is towards evening, and the day -is far spent. Give thine angels charge over me -during the unconscious hours of sleep, and, -when all my evenings and mornings shall be -finished, may it be mine to wake up with Thyself -in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ -my only Lord and Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THIRD EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR RENEWING GRACE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Renew a right spirit within me."—Psalm li. 10.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Blessed God,</span> I desire anew to end this -night with Thee! Do Thou enkindle my soul -as with a live coal from off Thy holy altar! -Let all unhallowed and obtrusive thoughts and -cares be set aside, that I may enjoy a season of -fellowship with the Father and with His Son -Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p>I rejoice to think that I have such a Friend -to repair to—such a never-failing refuge in -every season of perplexity and trouble; vicissitude -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">{14}</a></span> -is written on all around me, but "Thou -art the same." Though often, alas! I have -changed towards Thee, Thou hast never -changed towards me. Thou didst love me from -the beginning, and that love remains to this -hour, infinite, unalterable!</p> - -<p>Lord, I am mourning over my many and -grievous backslidings, my base and unworthy -requital of all Thine unmerited kindness. -Bring me in poverty of Spirit, with deep conscious -unworthiness, to say, "God be merciful -to me a sinner." Give me a realizing sense of -the evil of sin, and my own sin in particular. -I feel that I have no abiding and depressing -consciousness of my guilt. How little of genuine, -heartfelt contrition do I experience! How -often I <i>appear</i> to be humble and penitent -when I am <i>not</i>! How do my very prayers -condemn me; and my confessions of sin need -themselves to be confessed!</p> - -<p>Oh renew me in the spirit of my mind.—May -all old things pass away; may all things -be made new. Transform me by the indwelling -power of Thy quickening Spirit. May affections -now alienated from Thee be reclaimed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">{15}</a></span> -to Thy service. May I seek to be more animated -by the sovereign motive of love to Him, -whose I am, and whom it is alike my duty and -my privilege to obey. Knowing that this is -Thy will concerning me, even my sanctification, -may it be my constant ambition to be growing -in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and -Saviour Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p>I have in myself no might, no power, no sufficiency, -to do any of these things. My sufficiency -is of Thee. Do Thou make Thy grace -sufficient for me, and perfect strength in weakness. -Keep me from all evil that would be -likely to grieve me. Wean me from all that is -fleeting and perishable here, and may all Thy -dealings towards me issue in the confirmed -habit of a holy life. If Thou sendest affliction, -let me regard it as Thine own way of dispensing -spiritual blessing, and bow with lowly submission -to Thy sovereign appointments.</p> - -<p>Bless all my beloved friends. Keep them as -the apple of Thine eye. Hide them under the -shadow of Thy everlasting wings. Sanctify -trial to all in sorrow. Let the widow and the -fatherless put their trust in Thee. Succor the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">{16}</a></span> -poor and him that hath no helper. Support -the aged. Sustain the dying. May we all -bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law -of Christ.</p> - -<p>As the pillar of cloud has been with me by -day, so may the pillar of fire be with me this -night. Watch over me during the unconscious -hours of sleep, and when I awake may I be still -with Thee. And all I ask is for the sake of -Jesus Christ, my only Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>FOURTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR SANCTIFYING GRACE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth."—John xvii. 17.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Blessed Lord,</span> do Thou bend Thy pitying -eye of love and mercy upon me this evening. -Draw Thou near to me as I venture once more -on praying and on pleading ground. I desire -to feel that I am one night nearer glory. Oh, -enable me to feel, as night after night is silently -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">{17}</a></span> -stealing over my head, that my seasons and opportunities -of grace are fleeting fast away, and -that soon the night cometh, wherein I can work -no more.</p> - -<p>Alas! O God, how little have I improved the -time that is past! I am a wonder to myself, -that with all my deep ingratitude and utter -vileness I am yet permitted to approach Thy -footstool: I have sinned against light and love—warning -and mercy—grace and privilege. -The retrospect of life is a retrospect of guilt. -I mourn over my manifold shortcomings—the -alienation of my heart from Thee—the fitfulness -of my spiritual frames—the ebbings and flowings -in the tide of my love. When tried by the -lofty and unerring standard of Thy law, how are -my best actions and duties marred with defilement! -How much self-seeking and self-glorying—how -little animated by the predominating -motive of love to Thee, and singleness of eye to -Thy service!</p> - -<p>Blessed Jesus! I flee anew to the pavilion -of Thy love. I have no other hope, no other -refuge, but in Thy finished work—Thy matchless -atonement—Thy spotless righteousness. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">{18}</a></span> -There is in Thee an all-sufficiency for every -want. Finite necessities cannot exhaust Infinite -fullness. Let me hear Thy voice saying, "Thy -sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee!" -O sprinkle me with Thy blood; sanctify me, -body, soul, and spirit. Transform me more and -more into Thine own image. May I know more -and more the happiness of true holiness—that I -am really blessed in seeking to walk so as to -please God. May the power of grace wax -stronger and stronger, and the power of sin wax -weaker and weaker. May trials and crosses -become light and easy to me when borne in a -spirit of meek, unrepining submission to the -Divine will. May this quiet every doubt and -misgiving, "Your heavenly Father knoweth -that ye have need of all these things." Lord, -may every providential dealing prove a heart-searcher, -testing the reality of my love to Thee, -and my meetness and preparedness for Thy -heavenly kingdom.</p> - -<p>Extend, Lord, Thy cause and Gospel everywhere. -Strengthen Thy missionary and ministering -servants. May they ever hear the sound -of their Master's footsteps behind them. May -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">{19}</a></span> -thy churches walk in the fear of God and in the -comfort of the Holy Ghost.</p> - -<p>Bless all my beloved friends wherever they -are; do Thou be their Almighty Protector and -Guide. Let the angel come at this the time of -evening incense, touching all our hearts, and -granting us an answer to our several petitions. -Let us rise to-morrow refreshed for Thy service; -and fitted for whatsoever in Thy good providence -we may be called either to do or to suffer. -Hear me, gracious God, for the sake of Him -whom Thou hearest always. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>FIFTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR RESTRAINING GRACE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous -sins."—Psalm xix. 13.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Blessed God,</span> Thou hast in Thy mercy permitted -me to see the close of another day. -With what unwearying watchfulness has Thou -been compassing my path!—defending me from -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">{20}</a></span> -danger, guarding me from temptation, hedging -up my way with thorns, "preventing me with -the blessings of Thy goodness!" There is no -friend in the world I have like Thee; none so -able, none so willing to be my friend. If I -have been successful in resisting sin, it is all -Thy blessed grace which has enabled me. -From how many slippery places has Thou -rescued me! When often on the brink of the -precipice, ready to fall, Thy interposing hand -has saved me from inevitable destruction. -When through my own weakness and unwatchfulness -I must now have been wandering -in hopeless alienation from Thee, Thou hast -mercifully not suffered the bruised reed to be -broken, nor the smoking flax to be quenched.</p> - -<p>Lord, my earnest prayer is that Thy grace -may still be made sufficient for me. May no -spiritual foe be allowed to invade my peace or -endanger my safety. Let Thy love be restored -to its rightful ascendancy in my affections. -May no rival be allowed to usurp its place. -May I ever exercise a holy jealousy over this -truant, wandering, deceitful heart; seeking day -by day to subdue unmortified sin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">{21}</a></span> -May all Thy dispensations issue in my sanctification. -Let me seek no unruffled path; may -the cross be willingly carried. Thou lovest me -too well to give me my own way. Whatever -Thy will and Thy dealings may be, be it mine -cheerfully and rejoicingly to acquiesce in them, -knowing them to be the dictate of infinite -wisdom and unchanging love. May all my -worldly business and engagements be interfused -and hallowed with the blessed sense and -assurance of Thy favor! Walking all the day -in the light of Thy countenance, I must be -safe!</p> - -<p>God of Bethel—God of all the families of -the earth, vouchsafe Thy richest benediction -on all near and dear to me. Give thine angels -charge over them; let their names be written -among the living in Jerusalem; and oh, may -we all seek in our several spheres to glorify -Thee on earth, either by active duty or by -patient endurance; exemplifying in our daily -walk the meek and lowly, the unselfish and -self-denying, spirit of Him, who hath left us -an example that we should follow His steps.</p> - -<p>Hasten the coming of Thy Son's kingdom. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">{22}</a></span> -Arise, O God, and plead Thine own cause. -"Save Thy people, bless Thine inheritance, -feed them also and lift them up for ever."</p> - -<p>The curtain of night is again drawn around -me. If it be Thy will, spare me to see the -light and enjoy the comforts of a new day; -may I seek anew to enjoy them in Thee; may -every blessing be doubly sweet to me, bearing -the impress of Thy love in Jesus. Guide me -<i>in</i> life, <i>through</i> death, <i>into</i> glory, for the sake -of Him in whom is all my hope, and to whom, -with Thee the Father, and Thee, ever-blessed -Spirit, one God, be ascribed all blessing and -honor and glory and praise, world without end. -Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>SIXTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR RESTORING GRACE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation."—Ps. li. 12.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Blessed God,</span> I rejoice to know that the -gates of prayer are ever open;—that for the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">{23}</a></span> -sake of Jesus Christ, my adorable Redeemer, -Thou art waiting to be gracious, not willing -that any should perish.</p> - -<p>Come in the plenitude of Thy love this evening, -that I may feel it to be good for me to -draw near to God! Scatter my darkness, Thou -better Sun, with the brightness of Thy rising. -Give me filial confidence in approaching the -mercy-seat, rejoicing in the mightiest of all -Beings as my Father and Friend.</p> - -<p>Blessed Jesus! I would exercise a simple confidence -and trust in Thy finished work, I would -seek to wash anew in the opened fountain of -Thy blood, to repose anew in the faithful saying -which never can cease, to the sin-stricken, -sin-burdened soul, to be worthy of all acceptation, -that Thou didst come into the world to -save the chief of sinners.</p> - -<p>I have to mourn, O Lord, my constant proneness -to depart from Thee—the instability of my -best purposes of obedience. Unsupported by -Thy grace I must fall. There is nothing, O -Thou great Intercessor within the veil, but -Thine omnipotent pleadings between me and -irretrievable ruin. But Thou hast prayed, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">{24}</a></span> -art even now praying, for me that my faith fail -not. Oh if I am still prone to start aside, like -a deceitful bow, do Thou bring me back again! -Reclaim my truant heart from its wanderings. -I would cast myself with simple dependence on -Thy grace for the future. This is sufficient for -all wants and equal to all exigencies. Thine -everlasting arms are lower than my deepest -necessities. Adorable Saviour, I may well cast -my every care on Thee, for these cares Thou -makest Thine own. Thou hast a heart to feel -for those who have often no heart to feel for -themselves. Oh let me ever seek to hear Thy -directing voice and to hear no other.</p> - -<p>Do Thou carry on within me Thine own -work in thine own way. Thou, Great Shepherd -of Israel, canst not lead me wrong. I -delight to trace Thy guiding love in the past, -and I may well trust Thee still; going up -through the wilderness may I lean on Thine -arm; when I come to die may the gloom of the -dark valley be lighted with the rays of Thy -love, and may I hear Thy voice whispering in -gentle accents, "Fear not, for I am with thee." -Be gracious to all my beloved friends. Train -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">{25}</a></span> -them also, by Thy good Spirit, for eternity. -Fit them for every duty. Arm them against -every temptation. Dispose them to fear Thy -glorious name, and to live from day to day -under the powers and influences of a world to -come. Compassionate the afflicted; comfort -the bereaved; support the dying.</p> - -<p>Lord, take the charge of me during the silent -watches of another night. May I rise on the -morrow to renew my work and warfare on -earth, looking forward to the time when the -twilight of this world shall melt into everlasting -day, and when nothing shall evermore mar -or interrupt the blessedness of endless communion -with Thee: through Jesus Christ, my only -Lord and Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">{26}</a></div> - -<h2>SEVENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR QUICKENING GRACE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Quicken me after Thy loving kindness, so shall I keep -the testimony of Thy mouth."—Psalm cxix. 88.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> on this the close of another day, I -desire to approach the footstool of Thy throne. -Glory be to Thy holy name that I can enjoy -freedom of access into Thy presence, and with -the confidence of a child unburden and unbosom -to Thee all my wants and sins, my sorrows -and infirmities, my perplexities and cares.</p> - -<p>Lord, how unworthy I am of the least of all -Thy mercies! What righteous cause hast -Thou to cut me down as a cumberer of the -ground. How cold my love, how unfrequent -my prayers! How full my heart of pride and -vain-glory, self and sin! How little have I -habitually realized Thy nearness and sought -Thy favor as my chief good! There is enough -of coldness and formality in my best approaches -to Thy footstool to lead Thee in Thy wrath to -spurn me forever away, and to mingle my -blood with my sacrifices!</p> - -<p>I cast myself as a worthless unworthy sinner -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">{27}</a></span> -at the feet of Jesus. I need daily, hourly -washing at that fountain which He has opened -for sin and for uncleanness. Wash me, gracious -Lord, fully, freely, and forever. Let me know -the blessedness of "no condemnation." Deepen -my contrition on account of my sin. I am apt -to palliate its enormity, to invent vain excuses -for its commission, to hide its heinousness from -myself, and to hide it from Thee. Let me see -all sin, and my own sin in particular, in the -light of Calvary's cross. May I hate it with a -perfect hatred, and resolve in Thy grace that it -henceforth have no dominion over me. Oh -quicken me by the indwelling of Thy blessed -Spirit. May I seek to be progressing in the -divine life. May my pathway heavenward be -brightened by a lively sense of reconciliation -through the blood of the everlasting covenant.</p> - -<p>Let me lean on Thy heavenly arm, seeking -Thy glory with singleness of eye. May it be -my greatest grief to give Thee pain, my greatest -joy and happiness to do Thy will. Keep me -from all hard thoughts and unrighteous surmises -regarding Thy dealings. May I see them -all as designed to quicken my steps in the heavenly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">{28}</a></span> -way, to bring me nearer Thyself, and to -impart an increasing meetness for glory. Let -Thy kingdom come, let Thy blessed Gospel -triumph over the pride and superstition and will-worship -of man. Put an end to war and discord, -and may all the ends of the earth see Thy -salvation. Bless Thy ministering servants; may -they be valiant for the truth, and have no fear -but the fear of God.</p> - -<p>Be the Guide and Guardian of all whom I -love. Preserve their bodies from danger and -their souls from sin. Watch over them and me -this night; be about our bed as Thou hast been -about our path. Night after night as I retire -to rest may I think of the deeper darkness of -the night of death, which must, sooner or later -encompass me. Reposing in the merits of my -gracious Redeemer, may I be enabled to look -<i>beyond</i> death and the grave, to that morning -without clouds, when I shall awake in His -likeness, and be ushered into the full vision and -fruition of Thee my God; and all that I ask or -hope for is for His sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">{29}</a></div> - -<h2>EIGHTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of -Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe."—Rom. -iii. 22.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Almighty God,</span> Father of all mercies, I desire -to draw near into Thy sacred presence on this -the evening of another day, under a deep sense -of my own great unworthiness. What am I, -guilty, sinful, polluted, that I should be permitted -to take Thy name into my lips, or so -much as lift up my eyes to the place where -Thou in glory dwellest!</p> - -<p>I desire to renounce all dependence on myself. -I come with all the great burden of my -great guilt to a great Saviour. I seek to bring -the unrighteousness of an unworthy creature -to the infinite righteousness and everlasting -faithfulness of a tried Redeemer. Where would -I have been, Blessed Jesus! this night, <i>but for -Thee</i>! All I am, and all I have, I owe to Thy -free, sovereign, unmerited grace. All my temporal -mercies are sweetened to me as flowing -from Thy cross, and bearing on them the image -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">{30}</a></span> -and superscription of Thy love. And for every -spiritual blessing I enjoy, and every spiritual -hope I entertain, I desire doubly to adore thee, -Thou Great Author and Finisher of my faith! -Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is -none in all the earth I desire besides Thee. -Thou alone canst fill up the aching voids of my -heart. In vain can I look to a transient world, -or to the perishable creature, for solid peace and -permanent enjoyment. All my well-springs are -in Thyself; with Thee for my portion I am -independent of every other.</p> - -<p>I desire this night to obtain a lively and -humbling view of my own spiritual poverty and -deep creature destitution, that I may rejoice in -the fullness and all-sufficiency of that righteousness -which is unto all and upon all them that -believe. In that righteousness I would seek to -live, and in that righteousness I would seek to -die. There is nothing else between me and -everlasting ruin. But for Thee, Thou great -Covenant-Angel standing in the breach, the fire -of God would break forth and mingle my blood -with this my evening sacrifice! But I "will -greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">{31}</a></span> -joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with -the garments of salvation, He hath covered me -with a robe of righteousness." I take Thee, O -adorable Saviour, as mine only, mine wholly; -mine for all wants and all exigencies. I rejoice -in the inexhaustible riches treasured up in Thee—that -Thy fullness is adequate to supply all -my present necessities; and out of that fullness -I may still continue receiving, and that for ever -and ever!</p> - -<p>Lord, look in great kindness on all whom I -love. Pity a perishing world. Arrest the careless; -reclaim the wandering; strengthen the -feeble. Hasten Thy Son's coming and kingdom. -How long shall the wicked, how long -shall the wicked triumph? Save Thy people; -bless Thine inheritance; feed them also, and -lift them up for ever.</p> - -<p>Let the curtain of Thy protecting providence -be drawn around me this night. Let me fall -asleep at peace with Thee, ready, if need be, to -awake up in glory. And all I ask is for Jesus' -sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">{32}</a></div> - -<h2>NINTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR PEACE IN BELIEVING.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with -God through our Lord Jesus Christ."—Rom. v. 1.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gracious God,</span> I would seek to end another -day with Thee; I would desire to look up to -Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved -Son, and to be made partaker of that peace -which passeth all understanding. There is no -other refuge for the sin-stricken, woe-worn -spirit. In vain amid other portions and meaner -joys can I say to my soul "peace, peace." -There is no peace! But reposing, blessed Saviour, -on Thy finished work and everlasting -righteousness, I have a peace which the world -knows not of, and which enables me to rise -superior to all the vicissitudes and changes of -this changing life.</p> - -<p>I desire to remember with a grateful heart -that this peace has been purchased for me by -the blood of the cross—that it is made as sure -as everlasting power and wisdom and faithfulness -can make it. O Thou great Prince, who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">{33}</a></span> -hast power with God and dost prevail, I would -lift the undivided eye of faith to Thy bleeding -sacrifice! Do Thou dispel every disquieting -fear with the thought that Thou hast done all, -and suffered all, and procured all for me. Being -justified by faith, I have peace with God through -the Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice in the plenitude -of Thy promises, that they are all yea and -amen to them that believe. Man's word may -fail, man's faithfulness may falter, but "the -word of the Lord is tried," Thy faithfulness is -unto all generations!</p> - -<p>O God, enable me to rejoice more and more -in Thee as my everlasting portion. May I -know nothing to compare with the enjoyment -of Thy favor. Other props may be removed, -other refuges may prove refuges of lies, but -Thou art the strength of my heart and my -portion for ever.</p> - -<p>Give me grace to be active in Thy service -while it is called to-day. Opportunities are -fleeting. The night cometh wherein none of us -can work. May simple believing be followed -by the earnest cultivation of every Christian -virtue, and by progressive advancement in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">{34}</a></span> -heavenly life. May I faithfully employ the -talents Thou hast intrusted to me, and seek -never to be weary in well doing. Preserve me -from every unholy temper and unchristian deed. -May I be gentle and meek, patient and forgiving, -kind and benevolent, living in charity -towards all men.</p> - -<p>On all my beloved friends I supplicate Thy -richest blessing. Protect them with Thy favor -as with a shield. Sanctify them, body, soul, -and spirit. Seal them unto the day of eternal -redemption.</p> - -<p>Bless all poor afflicted ones. Let them receive -largely out of the wells of Thine own -everlasting consolation. Let them see Thy -sovereign hand alone in their trials, and say -with unrepining submission, "The Lord's will -be done!"</p> - -<p>Lord, take the charge of me through the -silent watches of the night. May I fall asleep -listening to the gracious benediction, "Peace -be unto you." And when the gates of the -morning are opened, may it be to hear anew -Thy voice saying, "My presence will go with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">{35}</a></span> -you." Hear, accept, and answer me, for the -Redeemer's sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we -cry, Abba, Father."—Rom. viii. 15.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Blessed Lord!</span> I desire to draw near this -night with holy boldness to the footstool of Thy -throne, rejoicing that I can look up to Thee as -my Father in heaven. "Behold what manner -of love is this the Father hath bestowed on me, -that I should be called a child of God." Thou -mightest have righteously left me orphaned, -friendless, portionless for ever. But in the -midst of wrath Thou hast remembered mercy: -the kindness of no earthly parent, O God, could -equal thine. Thou hast borne with all my obstinacy, -all my perverseness, and waywardness, -and ingratitude. I am at this hour the monument -of a love as wondrous as it is undeserved.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">{36}</a></span> -Oh teach me to cultivate more and more a -spirit of child-like obedience to Thee; to cherish -a holy fear of offending so kind and forgiving -and beneficent a Father. Whilst Thou art -strewing my wilderness path with unmerited -blessings, may I be enabled to rise above every -earthly gift and mercy to the better inheritance -I have in Thee, the bountiful Bestower of all! -Let me feel every created blessing to be doubly -sweet, as emanating from a Father's hand, and -being a proof and pledge of a Father's love. -Let the hour of prayer be doubly hallowed by -the thought that I am permitted to haunt a -Father's presence, and pour my wants into a -Father's ear. Let the season of sorrow be -sweetened by the thought that the rod is in a -Father's hand, and that the voice, though apparently -rough, is the tender whispering of -parental love.</p> - -<p>Blessed Jesus! I desire to remember that it -is Thou and Thou only who hast not left me -"comfortless." It is Thou who hast devised -and completed a way by which "Thy banished" -may not be "expelled" from a Father's presence. -Thou hast opened a door of welcome to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">{37}</a></span> -the chief of sinners. It is Thy blessed voice -and Thy glorious work which utter the gracious -declaration, "In my Father's house there are -many mansions." Oh let me lean with a more -simple and entire dependence on Thee; let me -live from day to day with an unfaltering trust -in Thy mercy. May every new evening, as it -finds me laying the incense-offering of gratitude -and love on Thine altar, find me also a stage -nearer my Father's house, nearer <i>home</i>, and -nearer <i>Thee</i>.</p> - -<p>Take all my beloved friends under Thy -shadowing wings this night. The darkness -can not screen them from Thee; the curtains -of night can not exclude Thy kind and watchful -eye. Guide, guard, protect them, and bring -them all at last to Thy heavenly kingdom.</p> - -<p>Bless Thy Church everywhere; lengthen her -cords and strengthen her stakes. Be a wall of -fire around Thy Zion and the glory in the midst -thereof. Clothe her priests with salvation, let -her saints and people shout aloud for joy.</p> - -<p>Bless those on whom Thou hast laid Thine -afflicting hand. May they take refuge in the -arms that are chastising them, and be enabled to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">{38}</a></span> -say in unmurmuring submission, "The Lord's -will be done." Hear me, gracious Father, for -the sake of Jesus Christ, my blessed Lord and -Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>ELEVENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR WEANEDNESS FROM THE WORLD.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the -world."—John xvii. 16.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I desire to come into Thy gracious -presence this night, beseeching Thee to bless -me. Let my prayer come before Thee as incense. -May the incense-offering of gratitude -and thanksgiving ascend from a grateful heart. -How manifold are the proofs I have to recount -of kindness on thy part! how deep the ingratitude -I have to mourn on my own! My sins -have reached unto the clouds; they are more -in number than the sand of the sea.</p> - -<p>Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. -I cannot evade Thy righteous scrutiny; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">{39}</a></span> -all things are naked and open unto the eyes of -Him with whom I have to do! Lord, I have -to lament the proneness of this evil heart of unbelief -ever to depart away from Thee, the -living God. I mourn the debasing influence of -earthly things; the fascinating power of a present -evil world. How inclined to conform to its -evil maxims and unholy practices! How often -am I found ranged among those who "mind -earthly things;" my soul cleaving to the dust, -instead of soaring upwards to Thyself, my alone -satisfying portion!</p> - -<p>Lord, it is my earnest prayer that Thou -wouldst wean me from the world. Keep me -from over-anxiety about the things that are -seen—from being over-careful and troubled -about earth's "many things," to the exclusion -of the one thing needful! Break every alluring -worldly spell; disenchant things temporal of -their false and delusive charm; disengage me -by all the salutary discipline of Thy providence -from what is fleeting, uncertain, transient, -perishable; and unite me to the things which -cannot be shaken, but which remain forever! -May my citizenship be more in heaven; imbibing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">{40}</a></span> -more of the pilgrim spirit, may I declare -plainly that I seek a better country.</p> - -<p>May the sins of the past day be forgiven; -may the blood of sprinkling wash their guilt -away. May I be driven nearer and closer to -Him who is the true refuge and portion, and -Saviour of His people. I rejoice to think that -He has a balm for every wound, a comfort for -every bosom, a solace for every tear. May it -be mine to go up through the wilderness leaning -on His arm. May Thy Holy Spirit carry -on His own work of sanctification within me. -May He enlighten, quicken, comfort, strengthen -me; and mould me in gradual conformity to -Thy divine will.</p> - -<p>Bless all connected with me, by whatever tie. -When earth's separations are at an end, do Thou -take me and all dear to me to the enjoyment of -Thy presence and love in Thine own everlasting -kingdom. Let the pillar of Thy presence be -over us this night. Guard me during sleep's -unconscious hours. Let no unquiet dreams -disturb my repose; may I compose myself to -rest under the sweet assurance that Thou the -Lord sustainest me; and when I awake, may I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">{41}</a></span> -be still with Thee, through Jesus Christ, my -only Lord and Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWELFTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR GRATITUDE FOR THE PAST.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His -benefits."—Psalm ciii. 2.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God</span> Almighty, do Thou draw near to me -at this time in Thy great mercy, and accept of -this my Evening Sacrifice! I bless Thee for -all that gladdens my earthly lot, for food and -raiment, for friends and home, for health of -body and soundness of mind. Lord, I delight -to trace the wondrous way by which Thou hast -hitherto led me! Thou hast compassed my -path and my lying down. Thou hast supplied -my ever-recurring necessities. My wants have -been infinite, but infinite too has been the gracious -supply. With a grateful heart I would -set up my Ebenezer, saying, "Hitherto hath -the Lord helped me." And remembering Thy -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">{42}</a></span> -faithfulness in the past, I would confidently -trust Thee for the future.</p> - -<p>May I thankfully employ the manifold gifts -of Thy bounty. Impress upon me the feeling -that I am but a steward, responsible to Thee -for all I possess. Let me not selfishly appropriate -the varied means of usefulness thou hast -put within my power, but willingly employ these -in Thy service for the good of others. When -Thou comest to demand a reckoning, may I be -able to give a faithful account of my stewardship, -paying Thee Thine own with usury.</p> - -<p>Lord, while I bless Thee for the other proofs -and tokens of Thy love, far above all would I -bless Thee for <i>Jesus</i>. Where would I have been -this night but for <i>Him</i>? How dreary would -have been the past! How dismal and hopeless -the future! Thanks, eternal Thanks be unto -God for His unspeakable gift! Let me feel, -more than I <i>have</i> done, the exceeding riches of -Thy grace in Thy kindness toward me through -Christ Jesus. Let all Thy dealings only serve -to confirm my love to Him, and to lead me to -cleave to Him with fuller purpose of heart. -May he have my undivided homage. Let no -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">{43}</a></span> -earthly gift or blessing supplant the Giver, but -may every rill of creative bliss be doubly sweet -to me as flowing from His atoning sacrifice.</p> - -<p>I rejoice in the midst of trial and perplexity -to think of Thee, Thou tried and suffering -<i>One</i>. I rejoice that amid my sorrows I can remember -<i>Thine</i>, that amid my very tears, I can -remember <i>Jesus wept</i>. Thou canst enter into -all the peculiarities of Thy people's case, for -Thou wert in "<i>all</i> points tempted." Let me -feel, even amid the changes of life, that what I -am apt to call vicissitudes, are the sovereign -decrees and allotments of Thine infinite wisdom; -and what I cannot comprehend now, be it mine -to wait the disclosures of that blessed morning -when, standing at the luminous portals of Heaven, -I shall joyfully acknowledge that the Lord -hath done all things well.</p> - -<p>Bless my beloved friends; may they be -growing in thy fear and favor; may they all at -last, as sheaves in thy heavenly garner, be found -unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing -of Jesus Christ.</p> - -<p>I commend myself, gracious God, to Thy -care; let me retire to rest this night in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">{44}</a></span> -blessed consciousness of Thy favor; and if -spared to see the light of a new day, fit me for -whatsoever Thou hast in store for me. And all -I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THIRTEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR TRUST FOR THE FUTURE.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"I will trust, and be not afraid."—Isaiah xii. 2.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thou makest the outgoings of the -evening and the morning to rejoice over me. -I thank Thee for Thy sparing mercy during -the past day. While multitudes of my fellow-men -have been called away into an eternal -world, I am still preserved in the land of the -living, and in the place of hope. It is of Thy -compassions alone that I am not consumed.</p> - -<p>My way Zionward may well be studded with -Ebenezers, testifying "the Lord hath helped -me." I may well set to my seal that God is -true. The pillar of Thy presence has guided me -through many a perplexing path. Thy love has -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">{45}</a></span> -smiled through many a threatening cloud. Thy -restraining grace has arrested me in many a -slippery way; when "my soul was among -lions," how often has the Lord "sent his angel" -to rescue me and shut the lions' mouths. I am -this night a marvel and miracle of Thy patience, -and forbearance, and mercy.</p> - -<p>Lord, I joyfully take all these past kindnesses -as tokens for the future. To Thee I would confidingly -commit the unknown morrow, and cleave -to Thy guiding arm with full purpose of heart. -The lot is thrown into the lap, but the whole -disposing of it is of the Lord; O, be it my joy -and privilege, thus reposing in Thy covenant -faithfulness, to say, "Undertake Thou for me." -Looking forward to that time when all Thy inscrutable -dealings will be unfolded, when inner -meanings and purposes now undiscerned by the -eye of sense will be brought to light, and all -discovered to be full of infinite love.</p> - -<p>Keep me from dishonoring Thee by the -workings of unbelief; I am prone to trust my -own wisdom, O give me teachableness of spirit -and simplicity of faith, waiting patiently on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">{46}</a></span> -Thee; leaving all that concerns me and mine -to Thy better direction.</p> - -<p>Blessed Jesus! I would seek to cleave closer -and closer to Thy cross. I have no trust but in -Thy finished work. Other refuges may fail, but -I am as secure in Thee as everlasting love and -wisdom and power can make me. O cleanse -every guilty stain away in thy most precious -blood. Let me live day by day at the opened -fountain, and feel that I <i>only</i> "live" while -<i>there</i>. Thus simply relying on Thy justifying -grace, may I seek to walk in Thy footsteps and -to imbibe Thy spirit. May I follow Thee, O -Lamb of God, whithersoever Thou seest meet to -lead me. May I never feel as if I would wish -one jot or tittle regarding me altered, when the -reins of empire are in Thy hands.</p> - -<p>Take my beloved friends under Thy special -care. Watch over them, provide for them, -decide for them. In all their ways may they -acknowledge Thee, and in all things seek Thy -honor and glory.</p> - -<p>Pity the afflicted. Stay Thy rough wind in -the day of Thy east wind. Let them rejoice -that every bitter drop in the cup of life is appointed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">{47}</a></span> -by Thee. May they submissively drink -it, saying, "Thy will be done!"</p> - -<p>Hear, Lord, the voice of my supplications, -when Thou hearest, forgive, and grant me an -answer in peace, seeing all that I ask is in the -name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, my only -Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>FOURTEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, -and the fellowship of His sufferings."—Phil. iii. 10.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Almighty God,</span> do Thou draw near to me -this night in Thy great mercy. What am I, that -infinite unworthiness and nothingness should -be permitted to stand in the presence of infinite -purity, majesty, and glory? Lord, I dare not -have ventured to bow at thy footstool in my -own merits. I am poor and wretched, and -miserable, and blind, and naked. Enter not in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">{48}</a></span> -judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight no -flesh living can be justified.</p> - -<p>But, adored be Thy name, I have an all-sufficient -ground of confidence wherewith to approach -Thee. I bless Thee, that by the doing -and dying of Jesus, Thou hast opened up a way -of reconciliation to the chief of sinners. Oh, -enable me to know more fully the adaptation of -His person and work to all the necessities and -exigencies of my character and circumstances. -Let me know him in His infinite Godhead, as -"mighty to save;" in His spotless humanity, -as mighty to compassionate. Let me know Him -in all His offices, as my Prophet, my Priest, my -King; my Kinsman-Redeemer within the veil, -my Refuge in trouble, my Guide in perplexity, -my Support in death, my Portion through eternity. -I rejoice, blessed Jesus, at the hidden -springs of life resident in Thee! Thou art -suited to all the varied wants and circumstances, -and trials of Thy people—for every moment of -need, for every diversity of situation. I can -mourn no real blank, if I have Thy presence and -blessing.</p> - -<p>O Thou, better than the best of earthly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">{49}</a></span> -friends, who, though enthroned amid the hosannas -of angels, hast still Thy human sympathy -unaltered and unchanged, draw near to -me this night, and breathe upon me, and say, -"Peace be unto thee." Let me know the melting -energy of Thy love, and the attractive -power of Thy cross. May I keep the unwavering -eye of faith steadily directed to Thy all-glorious -sacrifice. Be Thou the habitual object -of my contemplation, the source of holiest joy, -the animating principle of obedience. May all -creature love be subordinated to Thine. May -my temper, my walk, my conversation, be -regulated in accordance with Thy blessed will -and holy example. May this be the lofty aim -and ambition of life, to act so as to please -Jesus.</p> - -<p>Bless my dear friends, may they too be led -to count all but loss for the excellency of the -knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord, whom to -know is life eternal. Pity the careless; reclaim -the backsliding; comfort the sorrowful; sustain -the dying. May the Lord arise and have mercy -on Zion; may He show that the time to favor -her, yea, the set time, is come!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">{50}</a></span> -Ere I lay my head on my nightly pillow, I -would lay anew my guilt on the head of the -Divine Surety; may I fall asleep under the -blessed sense of sin forgiven, and look forward -to that blessed day when earth's night-shadows -shall have vanished forever, and when I shall -be enabled more fully "to know the love of -Christ which passeth knowledge." And all I -ask or hope for is for His sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>FIFTEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR GUIDANCE IN PERPLEXITY.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for -I lift up my soul unto Thee."—Psalm cxliii. 8.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thy favor is life, Thy loving-kindness -is better than life. Thy mercies have been new -to me every morning, and Thy faithfulness -every night. Thou hast watched over me from -the earliest years of infancy with more than a -Father's care. The kindness of the kindest on -earth has been coldness itself when compared -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">{51}</a></span> -with Thine. I rejoice that I can thus trace in -a wondrous past the visible footsteps of Thy -love, and fearlessly trust and repose in Thee for -the future.</p> - -<p>Thou art a rich provider. None so able, -none so willing to guide me in every perplexity, -to extricate me from every difficulty, and to -befriend me amid the fitful changes of life. -What a safe anchorage is this amid the world's -restless surges of vicissitude, "The Lord -reigneth!" Do Thou enable me wholly to -follow the Lord my God; to follow Thee not -only in smooth places, but even when the path -is rough and the way thorny. May I confide in -the wisdom of all Thine allotments. I rejoice -that all the changes Thou orderest for Thy -covenant people are changes for the <i>better</i>, and -not for the <i>worse</i>.</p> - -<p>O blessed Jesus! Thou who art the true -pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night, do -Thou precede me ever in all my wilderness -wanderings. May I encamp only where Thou -leadest me. May I strike my tent only when -Thou speakest that I "go forward." Let me -experience the conscious happiness of knowing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">{52}</a></span> -no will but Thine, and of being solicitous in all -things to follow the guiding voice and footsteps -of the Great Shepherd of the flock. If there -be aught in Thy providence perplexing me now, -I would say in child-like simplicity, "I am oppressed, -undertake Thou for me!" "My heart is -overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher -than I." Hide me in the crevices of that smitten -Rock; let me know the safety and joy of -being shielded <i>there</i>, until earth's calamities be -overpast.</p> - -<p>Graciously forgive all the sins of this past -day—the sins of thought, word and deed; all -my selfishness and uncharitableness; all my -pride and vain-glory; all my censoriousness -and inconsideration of the wishes and feelings -of others. Blessed Jesus! let me follow more -closely Thy holy footsteps, and drink more -deeply of Thy heavenly spirit.</p> - -<p>Bless all in sorrow, sanctify to them their -trials, may they see and own a "need be" in -them all. Prepare the dying for death, and -spare useful lives.</p> - -<p>Take all belonging to me this night under -the shield of Thy protecting providence, let -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">{53}</a></span> -them ever commit their way onto Thee, and do -Thou bring it to pass. Hold up their goings -in Thy word, that their footsteps may not -stumble.</p> - -<p>Watch over me during the unconscious hours -of sleep; and when all my days and nights on -earth are finished, may it be mine to enjoy -Thy presence in a cloudless, nightless Heaven; -through Jesus Christ, my blessed Lord and -Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>SIXTEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR VICTORY OVER SIN.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Sin shall not have dominion over you."—Rom. vi. 14.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thou art of purer eyes than to behold -iniquity. Evil cannot dwell with Thee, fools -cannot stand in Thy presence. Thou hast -solemnly declared, "Thou canst by no means -clear the guilty," and that "though hand join in -hand, the wicked shall not escape unpunished."</p> - -<p>Lord, I rejoice that I can draw near to Thee -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">{54}</a></span> -in the name of Him by whom the guilty <i>have</i> -been cleared; and through whom it is that a -holy and righteous and sin-hating God can yet -be holy and just, in the very act of justifying -the ungodly.</p> - -<p>I desire to adore Thee for all Thy creative -and providential goodness. Thou hast loaded -me with Thy benefits. The past is paved with -love. I see in the retrospect of life nothing -but amazing, unmerited kindness, mercy upon -mercy! Amid manifold changes there has been -no change in <i>Thee</i>, no altered looks, no fainting -or weariness or estrangement. Amid the wanderings -of my own fitful spirit I can write over -every remembrance of the past, <i>But</i> "<i>Thou</i> art -the same!"</p> - -<p>I desire with penitence of soul to mourn my -own ingratitude and sin, the desperate wickedness -and deceitfulness of my own evil heart, -the power of corruption, the mastery of self, the -alienation of my affections from Thee their -rightful Sovereign and Lord. What an easy -prey have I often fallen in the hour of temptation—by -thought and word and deed dishonoring -Thy name and basely requiting Thy love! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">{55}</a></span> -Father, I have sinned against heaven and before -Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy -child!</p> - -<p>Give me genuine contrition for the past, inspire -me with new purposes of obedience for the -future. Without Thy favor and reconciliation, -in peace I cannot live, in peace I dare not die! -My cry would be, "More grace, more grace!" -Let me be gaining every day fresh victories over -sin; may my soul be daily nurtured by the influence -of heaven-born principles. May I know -the expulsive power of the new implanted affection -of love to Thee. Dethrone the world. -Subjugate the power of sin. Give me greater -tenderness of conscience; may I jealously guard -every avenue to temptation, and be ready ever -with the reply to the seductions of the tempter, -"How can I do this great wickedness and sin -against God?"</p> - -<p>Let me be willing to forego anything rather -than forsake Thy ways. Be it my habitual -purpose and desire to cleave unto Thee the -Lord with full purpose of heart. Let me hallow -all life's duties and engagements with Thy -favor, looking forward to that time when <i>my</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">{56}</a></span> -will and <i>Thine</i>, blessed God! shall be one, and -when there shall be no more sin to interrupt -the interchange of love and devotedness.</p> - -<p>Bless all my dear friends; may the blessing -of Jacob's God, the God of all the families of -the earth, rest upon them. Give them all -needful temporal blessings. Fill their souls -with peace and joy in believing. May they and -I look forward with joyful anticipation to that -"morning without clouds," which knows no -change nor vicissitude, when there shall be no -more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, because -there will be no more sin; and all I ask is for -Jesus' sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>SEVENTEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR THE LIFE OF FAITH.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"The life which I live in the flesh I live by the faith of -the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for -me."—Gal. ii. 20.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I desire to draw near unto Thy -blessed presence on this the evening of another -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">{57}</a></span> -day, adoring Thee for all the loving-kindness -Thou art continually making to pass before me. -May I ever be enabled to look up to Thee as -the Author and Bestower of all my mercies. -May no created good ever be suffered to dispossess -Thee of my affections. May all that I -enjoy, alike temporal and spiritual, be traced -to Thee, the Fountain of all happiness. May -prosperity be hallowed by receiving it as a -pledge of Thy favor, and may trial lose its bitterness -by the consciousness that every thorn -in my path is permitted by Thee, and every -bitter drop in the cup appointed by Thee.</p> - -<p>May I thus seek, O God, from day to day, to -live a life of simple faith and dependence on -Thy grace; with confiding love may I commit -my every care and want and perplexity to Thy -better direction, feeling sweetly assured that -Thou wilt guide me by a <i>right</i> way to the city -of habitation.</p> - -<p>Above all would I seek a renewed interest -in those covenant blessings which Christ died -to purchase and which He is exalted to bestow. -All my hope is in Him; weak, helpless, perishing, -I flee to Him, as the help and hope and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">{58}</a></span> -portion of all who seek Him. Hide me, O -blessed Jesus, in Thy wounded side. I would -overcome alone through the blood of the Lamb. -Wash me thoroughly in Thy precious blood. -May I hear Thine own voice of pardoning love -saying, "Your sins which are many are all forgiven."</p> - -<p>After all Thou hast done for me, let me harbor -no guilty and unworthy suspicions of Thy -faithfulness. Let me feel assured that tender -love regulates all Thy allotments. Thou art -pledged to use the dealing and discipline best -suited for Thy people's case, and what will -best effect Thine own will concerning them, -even their sanctification. Carry on within me -Thine own work in Thine own way. Fortify -me against temptation; let me not surrender -myself to the base compliances of a world -lying in wickedness. But, strong in the Lord -and in the power of His might, may I know -that He who is with me is greater far than all -that can be against me. Oh enkindle afresh -my expiring, languishing love; let me live -more under the influence of "things not -seen," having the eye of faith more upwards -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">{59}</a></span> -and homewards, looking for that blessed hope, -even the glorious appearing of the great God -my Saviour.</p> - -<p>Let Thy kingdom come! Arise, O God, and -plead Thine own cause. May all the ends of -the earth soon be gladdened with the Gospel's -joyful sound!</p> - -<p>Bless all in sorrow, all bereaved of near and -dear friends; may they see no hand in their -trials but Thine. Thou givest us our blessings; -and when Thou seest meet Thou revokest the -grant. Let us see love in every threatening -wave, all rolling at <i>Thy</i> bidding.</p> - -<p>Lord, take the charge of me this night. -Abide with me, blessed Saviour, for it is toward -evening and the day is far spent. Oh, -may it be mine to feel that each successive -evening as it brings me nearer eternity, is -ripening me for its never-ending joys. And -all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">{60}</a></div> - -<h2>EIGHTEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR THE DAILY DEATH.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"I die daily."—1 Cor. xv. 31.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God Almighty,</span> Father of all mercies, -God of all grace, I beseech Thee to look down -upon me at this time in Thy great kindness; -let me feel it to be good for me to draw near -unto God.</p> - -<p>I desire to come acknowledging my great -unworthiness. Forgive, gracious Lord, my -many, many sins of thought, word, and deed; -wash out all the defilements of the day. If I -were to be tried by the doings of any single -hour, how would I stand condemned! I am -a miracle of mercy; kept, sustained, upheld, -moment by moment, by the power of God.</p> - -<p>Blessed Saviour! where could I have been -this night <i>but</i> for <i>Thee</i>? Thou art praying for -me, as for Thy faltering disciple of old, that -my faith fail not. I <i>do</i> rejoice to think that -the same hand that was once outstretched for -me on <i>the</i> cross is now lifted up in pleading -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">{61}</a></span> -love before the Throne, and that He who is <i>for</i> -me is greater far than all that can be <i>against</i> -me! Oh strengthen me with all might by -Thy Spirit in the inner man. Subdue my corruptions, -crucify all remaining sin. Let me -die to the world; let me not imbibe its false -maxims, conform to its sinful tastes, or accord -with its evil practices. Let self in all its -manifold forms be crucified, and God exalted. -Come, Lord! search me, try me, prove me, -and see if there be any wicked way in me. -Let me maintain a constant and habitual -hatred of those sins that do more easily beset -me; may I exercise a holy jealousy over my -own heart. Let no prosperity be strengthening -my ties earthward, and weakening my ties -heavenward. If Thou givest me much of -worldly good, may I write upon it all, "the -things which are seen are temporal." May -it be my exalted ambition to use it for Thy -glory. If Thou sendest trial, let it issue in -the peaceable fruits of righteousness, producing -a child-like acquiescence in Thy present dealings. -Let me never forget my pilgrim attitude. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">{62}</a></span> -Let me be ever looking forward to that -joyous time when, "clean escaped" from the -corruptions that are in the world, I shall -stand "faultless before the Throne." Meanwhile, -make me more heavenly-minded, copying -the example of Him who was meek and -lowly in heart.</p> - -<p>Let me be gentle and forgiving, let me not -harbor unkind suspicions of others, but consider -myself, lest I also be tempted. O give -me the <i>character</i> of Heaven on this side of -death, that when I come to pass through the -swellings of Jordan I may be prepared for the -joyous welcome awaiting me on the shores of -glory, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!"</p> - -<p>Have mercy on a world lying in wickedness! -Pity the careless; arouse the slumbering; support -the weak; succour the poor and those that -have no helper. Bless Thy Church everywhere. -May Thy ministering servants hide <i>themselves</i>, -that their Lord may be exalted.</p> - -<p>Take the charge of me and of all near and -dear to me this night. Keep me, O keep me, -King of kings, beneath Thine own Almighty -wings. Lying down in Thy fear may I awake -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">{63}</a></span> -in Thy favor, fitted for all the duties of a new -day; and all I ask is for Jesus' sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>NINETEENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR RENUNCIATION OF SELF.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything -as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."—2 Cor. iii. 5.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God!</span> do Thou bend Thy pitying eye upon -me this night, as I venture once more into Thy -sacred presence. What mercy it is that, with -all my great unworthiness, a throne of grace is -still open, and a God of grace is still waiting to -be gracious!</p> - -<p>I come to Thee in deep creature-destitution, -bringing nothing in my hands, but simply -cleaving, blessed Jesus, to Thy cross; looking -away from my guilty self and my guilty doings -to Thee, who hast done all and suffered all for -me, I rejoice to think that Thou hast broken -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">{64}</a></span> -every chain of condemnation—that Thou hast -satisfied the requirements of a broken law; and -having overcome the sharpness of death, Thou -hast opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.</p> - -<p>Oh let me not continue in sin because all this -wondrous grace abounds. Let me not think -lightly of the accursed thing which was the cause -of all Thine untold and unutterable anguish. I -know, Lord, that I am apt at times to plead -vain excuses for my sins. I am unwilling to -think them, and to think myself, so vile as I -really am, in Thy pure and holy eye.</p> - -<p>My heart is deceitful; but "Thou art greater -than my heart." Oh bring me in self-renouncing -lowliness to cry out, "God be merciful to -me a sinner." Let me cling to no remnants of -my own self-righteousness. Let me see that -my best actions are marred with defilement and -mingled with impure and unworthy motives.</p> - -<p>Enable me to aim more and more at the conquest -of self. Show me the plague of my own -heart. Keep me from all that is unamiable and -selfish, from all that is unkind and uncharitable, -and that would exalt myself at the expense of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">{65}</a></span> -others. Keep me holy. Keep me lowly.—Lead -me through the valley of humiliation. -May life become more one grand effort to crucify -sin and to please God. Take, gracious Saviour, -my whole heart, and make it Thine; occupy it -without a rival. May there be no competing -affection. Keep me from alienating existence -from its great end, by living to myself. May -this be the superscription on all my thoughts, -and duties, and engagements—"I am not my -own, I am bought with a price."</p> - -<p>May whatever be Thy time be mine. May I -not murmur at deferred blessings or disappointed -hopes. May my own will be resolved into the -will of Him who knows best what to give and -what to withhold.</p> - -<p>May the Lord have mercy upon Zion. May -showers of blessing descend on Thy holy hill. -Hasten the glories of the latter day, when Jesus -shall take to Himself His great power and reign!</p> - -<p>Bless all my dear friends; may those ties -which may be so soon severed here be rendered -indissoluble by grace. Guard their couch and -mine this night; give us refreshing sleep, lying -down in Thy fear, and awaking in Thy favor, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">{66}</a></span> -fitted for all the duties of a new day. And all -we ask or hope for is for the Redeemer's sake. -Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWENTIETH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR A CHILD-LIKE SPIRIT.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"My soul is even as a weaned child."—Psalm cxxxi. 2.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O Lord,</span> I rejoice that I am permitted with -filial confidence to approach Thy blessed presence. -What a privilege it is to have such liberty -of access to the Mercy-seat—to look upwards to -Thee, the Infinite One, whom the Heaven of -Heavens cannot contain, and call Thee my -Father and my God! Earthly love may grow -cold or changeable, or perish; but "Thou art -the same." The mercy of God is from everlasting -to everlasting. Like as a father pitieth -his children, so doth the Lord pity them that -fear Him.</p> - -<p>Alas! I have to mourn too often an unthankful -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">{67}</a></span> -spirit amid all Thy manifold mercies. I have -been rebellious and wayward, ungrateful and -selfish. Thou mightest righteously have surrendered -me to my own perverse will; left me -to the fruit of my own ways, and to be filled -with my own devices. It is of the Lord's mercies -that I am not consumed! Infinite is my -want, but infinite too is my help. I would seek -to stand before Thee, O God, in the nothingness -of the creature, and to know the boundless resources -treasured up for me in the great Redeemer. -Unite me to Him by a living faith, as -Thine own child by adoption; may it be my -great desire to glorify Thee, my Father in Heaven; -cherishing towards Thee a spirit of filial -love and devotedness, seeking to do only what -will please Thee, and having a salutary fear of -offending so kind and forbearing a Parent.</p> - -<p>Oh keep me from any sullen fretfulness, or -unbelieving misgivings, under the strokes of -Thy chastening hand. Let there be no hard -construction of Thy dealings. May I see all -Thy chastisements tempered with gracious love—<i>all</i> -to be needful discipline. Give me an unwavering -trust and confidence in Thy faithfulness. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">{68}</a></span> -Nothing befalls me but by Thy direction; -nothing is appointed but what is for my -good.</p> - -<p>Let Thy varied dealings conform me to the -image of my adorable Lord. Let me be willing -to suffer patiently for <i>Him</i> who so willingly -and so patiently suffered for <i>me</i>. Let me not -so much seek to have my afflictions removed as -to have grace given me to glorify Thee in them, -and in the spirit of a weaned child to say, -"Even so, Father!" O may my heart become -a living temple, my life a living sacrifice, breathing -the incense of gratitude and love. Let me -give myself no rest until in this soul of mine I -find a place for the Lord, an habitation for the -mighty God of Jacob.</p> - -<p>Do Thou sanctify trial to all the sons and -daughters of sorrow. Draw near to those bereaved -of beloved relatives. Do Thou Thyself -compensate for every earthly loss. May they -know that Thou art faithful who hast promised, -"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end -of the world."</p> - -<p>Have mercy on Thy whole Church. Heal -divisions. Bless Thy preached word. Strengthen -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">{69}</a></span> -Thy ministering servants, that they may be -enabled to proclaim the whole counsel of God.</p> - -<p>Take the charge of me, and of all near and -dear to me, this night. Give Thine angels -charge over us. May no unquiet dreams disturb -our rest, and when we awake may we be -still with Thee. And all I ask is for Jesus' -sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWENTY-FIRST EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR HEAVENWARD PROGRESS.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"The path of the just is as the shining light, which -shines more and more onto the perfect day."—Proverbs -iv. 18.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I bless Thee that Thou hast spared -me during another day, and permitted the -shadows of another evening to gather around -me in peace. It is Thou, Lord, only who makest -me to dwell in safety. Enable me to live -from day to day as the pensioner on Thy bounty; -to feel my dependence; to receive every created -blessing and gift direct from Thy hand, and to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">{70}</a></span> -seek to have all of them sweetened and hallowed -as the pledges of Thy covenant love in Jesus.</p> - -<p>I bless Thee, gracious God, for the richer -tokens of Thy redeeming grace in Him. I bless -Thee that His infinite merit has come in the -place of my infinite demerit, that in Him there -is "no condemnation;" that in His precious -blood I have a secure shelter from the terrors of -Thy righteous law and the accusations of a -guilty conscience. May I know more and more -the power of His resurrection and the fellowship -of His sufferings. May my every hope of pardon -centre in His cross. May I be living from -day to day under the constraining influence of -His love, and experience now a sweet foretaste -of that everlasting communion which awaits me -in His presence hereafter.</p> - -<p>Lord, quicken me in my heavenly way; let -me not loiter or linger on the road. Let this -be my habitual feeling and watchword, "I am -journeying." May I seek to mark my progressive -advancement in the divine life, my increasing -conformity to the image and will of Thee, -my God. Keep me humble, cherishing a constant -sense of my dependence on Thee. Oh in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">{71}</a></span> -every step Zionward, may I be led to cry, -"<i>Hold Thou</i> me up, and I shall be safe." Let -there be no longer any halting between two -opinions, any wavering or indecision. May I -regard life as a great mission to please Thee. -Let my animating wish be to be nearer Thee -now, ere I come to be with Thee for ever in -glory everlasting. Walking heavenwards, may -I feel I am walking homewards.</p> - -<p>May I spend each day as if possibly it were -my last, so that should the midnight cry break -upon my ears, "Prepare to meet Thy God," it -might be to me no unexpected summons, but as -an angel whispering, "The Master is come and -calleth for thee."</p> - -<p>Look down in mercy on the dark places of -the earth full of the habitations of horrid cruelty. -How long shall the wicked, how long shall the -wicked triumph? Go forth with Thy missionary -servants in heathen lands; may they witness -much of Thy power; may Thy word still be -mighty as ever to the pulling down of Satan's -strongholds. Give thy Churches at home grace -to be more faithful in the fulfilment of the great -commission of their Great Head—"Go ye into -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">{72}</a></span> -all the world and preach the Gospel to every -creature!"</p> - -<p>Take all my beloved friends this night under -Thy guardian care. Shield them from all danger; -and if Thou art pleased to spare us till -to-morrow, may we rise refreshed and invigorated -for the duties of a new day. And all I ask -is for Jesus' sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWENTY-SECOND EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR HUMILITY OF HEART.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"He giveth grace unto the humble."—James iv. 6.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thou art great and greatly to be -feared. Thy greatness is unsearchable. Thou -art seated on a throne that is high and lifted -up; myriads of blessed spirits cease not day nor -night to celebrate Thy praise in their ever-triumphant -hymn, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord -God of hosts."</p> - -<p>But I rejoice to think that though Heaven is -Thy dwelling-place Thou deignest to dwell in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">{73}</a></span> -the humble and contrite heart; no sacrifice dost -Thou so love as that of the broken spirit; no -incense so prized by Thee as the incense of a -grateful, believing soul, which, oppressed with -its own unworthiness and sin, reposes with unwavering -trust in the work and righteousness of -the Great Surety.</p> - -<p>Lord, on this ever-living, ever-loving Saviour -I desire wholly to lean. As helpless, hopeless, -friendless, portionless, I cast myself on Him -who is Helper of the helpless and Friend of the -friendless. There is nothing but Thy sacrifice -and intercession, O Thou Lamb of God, between -me and everlasting destruction. O wash every -crimson and scarlet stain away in Thy precious -blood. Let me lie low at the foot of Thy cross. -Give me a lowly estimate of myself, and a lofty -view of Thy all-glorious work and finished righteousness. -I have no other hope of mercy, and, -blessed be Thy name, I <i>need</i> no other.</p> - -<p>While I take Thee as my Saviour, may I be -enabled to follow Thee also as my pattern; conscious -of the supreme enthronement of Thy love -in my heart, may I feel superior to all the fluctuations -and changes of a changing world. May -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">{74}</a></span> -I live as the chartered heir of a better inheritance; -while in the world, may I seek not to be -of it. May I diffuse around me the noiseless -influence of a heavenly life, subordinating all -I do to Thy glory. Lord, enable me to be useful -in the sphere in which Thou hast placed me, -to work while it is called to-day, remembering -that there is no work nor device nor labor in -the grave whither I am going.</p> - -<p>Bless all in sorrow. Sanctify their trials. -Keep us ever from the guilty atheism of looking -to second causes. May we ever rejoice in -the elevating assurance that "the Lord God -Omnipotent reigneth," and that Thou orderest -all things wisely and well. May the Holy Spirit -the Comforter pour his own balm into every -bleeding heart.</p> - -<p>Have mercy on a world lying in wickedness. -Hasten that glorious period when creation, now -groaning and travailing in sin, shall be delivered -from the bondage of corruption and be translated -into the glorious liberty of the children of -God. Let Thy word everywhere have free -course and be glorified. May Jesus, faithfully -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">{75}</a></span> -"lifted up" by the attractive power of his cross, -draw all men unto him.</p> - -<p>Let Thy best benediction rest on my friends. -The Lord watch between them and me when -we are absent one from another. May we experience -Thy guardian care this night; and if -spared to awake in the morning, may it be to -spend a new day in Thy service, through Jesus -Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWENTY-THIRD EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR FIRMNESS IN TEMPTATION.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."—James -iv. 7.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thou art from everlasting to everlasting. -Loving me at the beginning, Thou -hast promised to love me even unto the end. -Notwithstanding all the fitful changes of my -own changing heart towards <i>Thee</i>, there <i>has</i> -been, and <i>can</i> be, no shadow of turning in Thy -covenant faithfulness towards <i>me</i>. I am at this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">{76}</a></span> -hour the monument of Thy mercy—a living -comment on the words, "Thy ways are not -as man's ways, nor Thy thoughts as man's -thoughts."</p> - -<p>If I have been enabled in any degree to resist -the assaults of temptation, it is all Thy doing. -I am "kept by the power of God." Unless the -Lord had been my help, my soul must long ere -now have dwelt in silence. By the grace of God -I am what I am.</p> - -<p>Lord, indulged and cherished sin unfits me -for the enjoyment of Thy service and favor. I -have to lament my proneness to evil, the natural -bias of my heart to that which is opposed to -Thy pure and holy will. When I would do -good, sin is too often present with me. I feel -the power of my spiritual adversaries. If left -to myself and my own unaided resources, I must -often hopelessly resign the conflict.</p> - -<p>But I rejoice to think that there is help and -hope and strength at hand. I would look to Him -who is now bending upon me an eye of unchanging -love from the throne. All Thy ascension -glories, blessed Redeemer, have not obliterated -the tenderness of Thy humanity. Thou art -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">{77}</a></span> -"that same Jesus;" Thou, the abiding Friend, -art still left changeless among the changeable; -and when Satan often desires to have me, that -he might sift me as wheat, it is Thy intercessory -prayer that saves me from utter ruin. Thou art -pleading for me, that my faith fail not! Oh -may I be found invincible in the hour of temptation, -being made more than conqueror through -Him that loved me. Sheltered in Thee the true -Refuge, the wicked one will touch me not.</p> - -<p>Let me not trifle with my own soul or with -the momentous interests of eternity. Let me -every day be living under the realizing consciousness -that Thy pure eye is upon me. Keep -me from all that is at variance with Thy gracious -mind. Keep me from unchristian tempers, from -an unholy or inconsistent or uneven walk. By -a Christ-like demeanor may I exhibit the sanctifying -and transforming influence of the Gospel -on my own soul, that others may take knowledge -of me that I have been with Jesus.</p> - -<p>God of Bethel! do Thou take under Thy -protecting providence all related to me by endearing -ties. However far we may be separated -from one another, let us never be separated from -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">{78}</a></span> -Thee. Let us often rejoice in this our common -meeting-place; that around Thy mercy-seat in -spirit we can assemble, and lay our evening incense -in the one Golden Censer of our gracious -High Priest!</p> - -<p>Take charge of me this night, defend me from -all danger; whether I wake or sleep, may I live -together with Thee; and all that I ask or hope -for is in the name and for the sake of Jesus -Christ, my only Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWENTY-FOURTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR COMPOSURE IN TRIAL.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy -sight."—Matt. xi. 26.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I come into Thy presence this night, -rejoicing that amid all earth's vicissitudes, I -have in Thee a rock that cannot be shaken. -Thou doest according to Thy will in the armies -of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the -earth! Thou doest all things well, and nothing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">{79}</a></span> -but what <i>is</i> well. There is no finite wisdom in -Thy dealings. All is the result of combined -faithfulness, power, and love. Let me repose -in the righteous ordinations of Thy will. If -Thou withhold from me earthly blessings, let -me feel that the very denial is precious because -it is Thy sovereign pleasure. Covenant love -and wisdom cannot lead or teach me wrong; -every burden is imposed by Thee. The lot may -be thrown into the lap, but the whole disposing -thereof is of the Lord.</p> - -<p>O Thou who turnest the shadow of death into -the morning, may every wilderness-storm only -drive me nearer Thyself, my true shelter. Thou -takest the sting from every cross, the bitterness -from every cup. Let me recognise in all that -befalls me the tokens of a Father's love; and if -sense and sight should at times fail to descry -"the bright light in the cloud," may I see -written over every dark trial Thine own unanswerable -challenge, "He that spared not his -own Son, but gave Him up to the death for us -all, how shall He not with Him also freely give -us all things?"</p> - -<p>Lord! the end of all Thy sovereign dealings -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">{80}</a></span> -is to subjugate my wayward will, and to unfold -more of the preciousness of Jesus. Blessed -Spirit of all grace! do Thou take of the things -that are Christ's and show them unto my soul. -Let me not stagger at the promises through unbelief. -Let me see nothing but love in the -past, love in the present, and love looming -through the mists of a cloudy future. Thou, O -God, art seated by every furnace; all is meted -out, all is provided for; all has a "need be" in -it! Magnify the power of Thy grace in me, -by a sweet spirit of patient submission to Thy -righteous ordinations. May I seek to have no -other prayer than this, "Father, glorify Thy -name." Impart Thou that inner sunshine -which no outward darkness or trial can obscure. -May the peace of God, which passeth -understanding, keep my heart.</p> - -<p>May Thy Holy Spirit shed abroad His blessed -influences over the whole Church. Revive Thy -work, O God, in the midst of the years. In -wrath remember mercy. May Thy ministers be -more faithful. May Thy people be more close -and consistent in their walk with Thee. May -the young be growing up in Thy fear and favor; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">{81}</a></span> -may the aged find in Thee the staff of their declining -years. May the sick and afflicted pillow -their head on Thy promises. May the dying -fall asleep in Jesus.</p> - -<p>I commend myself, my friends, and all belonging -to me, to Thy paternal care and keeping; -and when earth's long night-watches of -trial and sorrow are ended, may I wake up in -the sorrowless morning of glory, to enjoy uninterrupted -fellowship with Thyself. Through -Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Saviour. -Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>TWENTY-FIFTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR ACTIVITY IN DUTY.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the - Lord."—Romans xii. 11.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lord,</span> I come to Thee this night rejoicing in -the thought that Thou faintest not, neither are -weary: Thou art ever good, and doing me good. -Thine arm is never shortened, Thine ear is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">{82}</a></span> -never heavy. The gates of prayer are ever open. -The Throne of the Heavenly Grace is ever accessible, -none of Thy children need perish -with hunger!</p> - -<p>May the darkness now gathering around me -be as the shadow of Thine infinite presence. I -take comfort in the thought that the Shepherd -of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps; that He -is ever bending over me his watchful, untiring -eye, compassing my path and my lying down, -and holding up my doings that my footsteps do -not stumble.</p> - -<p>Lord, how sad is the contrast of Thine unwearied -and unwearying watchfulness, with my -negligence and inactivity in Thy service. How -little have I sought to promote Thy glory. How -little have I felt the solemnity and responsibility -of being a steward in Thy household! Let me -be more zealous for Thy honor in the future. -Let me seek more than I have ever yet done, to -ask in the midst of life's duties and engagements, -its perplexities and trials, in simple -faith, "Lord! what wouldst thou have me to -do?" Let me feel that duty is a delight when -done for Thee. Keep me from further relaxing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">{83}</a></span> -my diligence. Let me not mock Thee any longer -with the wrecks of a worn affection. Let there -be no half-surrender of the heart and life to -Thee, but may soul and body be consecrated as -living sacrifices, and may I have the growing -experience that active obedience in Thy service -is self-rewarding.</p> - -<p>Lord! I have indeed a vast work to do and -a brief time to do it in. May opportunities -and talents, while I have them, be cheerfully -given to Thee. May the warning words oft -sound in my ear, "Work while it is called today, -for the night cometh wherein no man can -work." Oh prepare me for my Saviour's -coming. Forbid that I should be found among -the slothful servants or the faithless stewards -who are squandering their Lord's money, and -are living, forgetful that a time of reckoning is -at hand! May I be so waiting and so watching, -and so working, that the cry may never -break too soon or too suddenly on my ears—"Behold, -the Judge standeth before the door!"</p> - -<p>Send forth thy gracious Spirit into a world -lying in wickedness. Scatter the darkness that -is now brooding over the nations. Bless all -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">{84}</a></span> -thy ministering servants; may they be valiant -for the truth; may the Lord send His own -angel to stand by them, and to shut the mouths -of every adversary.</p> - -<p>Bless all my friends; may they too be working -out their own salvation with fear and trembling, -and so be found at last prepared for the -appearing and kingdom of Jesus.</p> - -<p>Take me under Thy protecting care this -night; vouchsafe me a season of refreshing repose; -spare me to awake in Thy favor; and -may every returning morning find me better -prepared for the glorious noon-day of immortality; -through Jesus Christ, my ever-living -Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">{85}</a></div> - -<h2>TWENTY-SIXTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR THE SPIRIT'S TEACHING.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the -sons of God."—Rom. viii. 14.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O Lord,</span> Thou art the God of my life and -the length of my days. There is no real happiness -independent of Thee. Thy favor is -life. In vain can I seek for any satisfying -portion in an unsatisfying world. If bereft of -Thee I am bereaved indeed. But with Thy -countenance shining upon me, I must be safe, -I must be happy.</p> - -<p>Do Thou pour down upon me the gifts and -graces of Thy Holy Spirit. May he "garrison" -my heart. May He write on its blood-besprinkled -lintels the superscription, "Holiness -to the Lord." Oh may this soul of mine -become a living temple, an "habitation of God -through the Spirit." Let me not trifle with -convictions. Let me not grieve by my hardness -and impenitency that gracious Agent, whereby -I am sealed unto the day of redemption; but -may all my affections be willingly surrendered -to His service. By His omnipotent energy may -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">{86}</a></span> -every high thought and lofty imagination be -brought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus. -May I be enabled to lean upon Him in the extremity -of my weakness. Fill me with all joy -and peace in believing that I may abound in -hope through the power of the Holy Ghost; -fitted for Thy service here, and for the enjoyment -of Thee forever hereafter.</p> - -<p>I pray for the outpouring of the same blessed -Spirit on the whole Church. May He descend -like rain upon the mown grass, and as showers -that water the earth. Come from the four -winds, O Breath, and breathe upon the slain in -the valley! Hasten that glorious period when -the year of Thy redeemed shall come, when the -earth shall be full of the tabernacles of the -righteous, in which the voice of joy and melody -will continually be heard!</p> - -<p>Oh that there were more in me of the mind -of my gracious Saviour, on whom the Spirit -was poured without measure. May I, like -Him, be more meek and gentle, more amiable -and forgiving, overcoming evil with good.—Transform -me into the same image from glory -to glory, by the Lord the Spirit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">{87}</a></span> -Hide all my friends under the shadow of Thy -wings. Put Thy good Spirit also into their -hearts. May He guide them into all the truth, -and reveal to them more and more of the preciousness -of Jesus.</p> - -<p>Let all poor afflicted ones rejoice in the presence -and consolations of the promised Comforter; -may He pour oil and wine into their -wounds; may He strengthen them in the midst -of all their tribulations, and enable them in -lowly resignation to say, "The Lord's will be -done." Teach us all to repose in that will as -the best; and to make it day by day our aim -and ambition to attain a greater conformity -to it.</p> - -<p>Lord, take the charge of me through the -watches of the night. Under the blessed sense -of Thy presence and favor I would compose -myself to rest, and when I awake, may I be -still with Thee. And all I ask is for Jesus' -sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">{88}</a></div> - -<h2>TWENTY-SEVENTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR THE WORLD'S CONVERSION.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, -as the waters cover the sea."—Isaiah xi. 9.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I desire to draw near into Thy blessed -presence, beseeching Thee to lift upon me the -light of Thy countenance and grant me a Father's -blessing. I am utterly unworthy of Thy -mercies. And it is only in Jesus, the Son of -Thy love, that I dare venture to cast myself at -Thy footstool.</p> - -<p>I rejoice to think that in Him there is an -open door of welcome; that He has by His -doing and dying satisfied the demands of Thy -righteous law, and magnified all Thy glorious -attributes. I would bury all my sins in the -ocean-depths of His redeeming love. Oh let -me now know the blessedness of <i>living</i>, and at -last the blessedness of <i>dying</i>, at peace with -Thee, in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection -to eternal life.</p> - -<p>Darkness is still covering the lands, and gross -darkness the people. Lord, do Thou have mercy -on a world lying in wickedness. I rejoice to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">{89}</a></span> -think of all Thy glorious promises concerning -the latter day. That this creation of ours, now -groaning and travailing in bondage under sin, is -yet to be delivered from the yoke of corruption, -and to be translated into the glorious liberty of -the sons of God. Glorify Thy great name in -the salvation of sinners! Hasten the period of -predicted glory, when all the ends of the earth -shall see the salvation of God; when from the -rising of the sun to the going down of the same, -the Lord's name is to be praised. May Thine -own omnipotent Spirit brood over the darkness, -as He did over chaos of old, and say, "Let -there be light, and there will be light." May -gladsome voices soon be heard proclaiming, -"Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the -glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."</p> - -<p>Oh may I know personally something of that -compassionate yearning over ruined souls and a -ruined world that my Saviour had. Let me be -prodigal in devising means for the extension of -His kingdom and the good of my fellow-men. -I would pray the Lord of the harvest that He -would send forth laborers to the harvest. Stand -by Thy missionary servants. May they have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">{90}</a></span> -many souls for their hire. May mountains of -difficulty be levelled before them; may crooked -things be made straight and rough places plain, -and may the glory of the Lord be revealed. -Let them exercise simple faith in the power of -Thy word and the efficacy of Thy grace. May -they feel that these are mighty as they ever -were to the pulling down of strongholds.</p> - -<p>Arouse Thy churches to greater zeal. May -Jesus, faithfully lifted up by His servants, by -the attractive power of His cross draw all men -unto Him. May they be the honored instruments -of preparing many gems for Immanuel's -crown, who will be found unto praise and honor -and glory at His second appearing.</p> - -<p>Lord, guard me through the silent watches of -the night; be the defence and protection of my -friends and relatives; may they too dwell under -the shadow of Thy wings and experience the -sleep of Thy beloved; and when the night of -earth's ignorance shall vanish away, may we all -wake up in glory everlasting, through Jesus -Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">{91}</a></div> - -<h2>TWENTY-EIGHTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR THE CHURCH'S REVIVAL.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Revive Thy work in the midst of the years."—Hab. -iii. 2.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thou hast permitted me in Thy great -mercy to see another evening. How many of -my fellow-men have this day slept the sleep of -death, and are now beyond the reach of grace -and privilege! I am still spared, all unworthy -though I be, a monument of Thy forbearance -and love.</p> - -<p>I desire to make acknowledgment of my many -and grievous offences. They are more in number -than the sand of the sea;—sins against light, -and mercy, and warning; sins committed against -the kindest of Benefactors, the most indulgent -of Parents.</p> - -<p>I would seek anew to take refuge in the -offered shelter of the Gospel, and to rejoice -anew in the faithful saying that Jesus Christ -came into the world to save the chief of sinners. -Oh may I be enabled confidingly to repose in -His matchless sacrifice, and with lively appropriating -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">{92}</a></span> -faith to say, "He loved <i>me</i> and gave -Himself for <i>me</i>!"</p> - -<p>Lord, carry on Thine own work within me. -Quicken my languid and languishing affections -by the omnipotent agency of Thy Holy Spirit. -Let me not live at a guilty distance from Thy -favor; but may I covet a close and habitual -walk with Thee, and feel the sustaining power -of Thy grace in my heart.</p> - -<p>Revive Thy work in Thine own Church universal, -Thou great High Priest, who walketh in -the midst of the golden candlesticks. Do Thou -feed every lamp with the oil of Thy grace. Let -them burn with a clearer, holier, more steady -and consistent flame. As lights set in the -world, may they diffuse Thy glory; and feel -the honor of being instrumental in shedding -abroad a Saviour's love.</p> - -<p>Oh may the Lord arise and have mercy upon -Zion. May the time to favor her, yea, the set -time, soon come. As there is but one Shepherd, -so may there soon be but one sheep-fold. Let -Thy churches no longer continue apart from one -another in unholy estrangement, but live in the -unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; -holding fast that which they have, that no man -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">{93}</a></span> -take their crown. Spirit of all grace, come in -all the plenitude of Thy love and mercy. -Breathe upon every portion of Thy visible -Church, and say, "Receive ye the Holy -Ghost!" "Awake, O north wind! come, thou -south! blow upon our garden, that the spices -thereof may flow out." May Thy gracious influences -descend like rain upon the mown grass, -and as showers that water the earth.</p> - -<p>Bless all Thy faithful ministers. May peace -be upon them and upon the whole Israel of God. -Direct their hearts and the hearts of all Thy -faithful people into Thy love, and into the patient -waiting for Christ.</p> - -<p>Comfort all in sorrow. May they see a -"need be" written on all their trials. May -they look beyond the long night-watch of earth -to the glories of that eternal morning when -clouds and darkness shall for ever flee away.</p> - -<p>Take charge of me while I sleep, and as -evening after evening comes round may I feel -that a day has been spent for Thee. Hear me, -gracious Lord, for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">{94}</a></div> - -<h2>TWENTY-NINTH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR SUPPORT IN DEATH.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow -of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; -Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."—Ps. xxiii. 4.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I come to Thee this night through -Jesus Christ, the Son of Thy love, beseeching -Thee to have mercy upon me, and to impart -unto me that Peace of Thine which passeth all -understanding. Blessed be Thy great and glorious -name for those hopes full of immortality -which have been opened up to me in the Gospel. -I rejoice in Christ as the great Abolisher -of death. I rejoice that the rainbow of covenant -faithfulness spans the entrance to the dark valley; -that all that is terrible in the last enemy -is in Him taken away, and that I can regard -these closing hours of existence as the introduction -and doorway into everlasting bliss.</p> - -<p>Give me grace, O God, to be living in constant -preparation for death. Let me not unprofitably -squander my present golden moments. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">{95}</a></span> -Let me <i>live</i> while I <i>live</i>—let me live a dying -life. Let me feel that life is a trust given me -by Thee. O Thou Great Proprietor of my -being, may this all important talent of time be -more consecrated to Thy glory. Let it not be -mine, when the hour of death arrives, to bewail, -when it is too late, lost and forfeited opportunities. -Let me not leave till then, what best can -be done and what only <i>may</i> be done now. May -it be my earnest endeavor while it is called today -to secure a saving interest in the everlasting -covenant, and then I need not fear how soon the -silver cord may be loosed and the golden bowl -broken. Through Jesus the darkness has been -taken from death, and to His own true people -its shadows will melt and merge into the brightness -of eternal day.</p> - -<p>Thou art ever giving me impressive remembrances -that "at such an hour as I think not," -the summons may come, "Prepare to meet Thy -God." The race is not to the swift nor the -battle to the strong. Verily every moment -there may be but a step between me and death. -Let me be so living a life of habitual faith in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">{96}</a></span> -the Son of God that this step may be changed -into a step between me and glory.</p> - -<p>Lord, prepare all who may now be laid on -dying couches for their great change. May -their eyes be directed to Jesus. Pillowing their -heads on his exceeding great and precious promises, -may they fall asleep in the glorious hope -of a joyful resurrection.</p> - -<p>Bless all in sorrow; those who have recently -been bereaved of near and dear friends, who -may have been called recently to the brink of -the tomb, consigning their loved ones to the -narrow house appointed for all living. May -they be enabled to fix their sorrowing gaze on -the brighter prospects beyond death and the -grave, and anticipate that glorious hour when, -reunited to death-divided friends, they will be -able to exult together in the song, "O death, -where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy -victory?"</p> - -<p>Take the charge of me this night. Watch -over me during the unconscious hours of sleep, -and when I too come to the long night and -slumber of death, may it be the gentle rest of -Thy beloved, a falling asleep in the arms of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">{97}</a></span> -everlasting love, looking forward to the joyful -waking time of immortality, through Jesus -Christ my only Saviour. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THIRTIETH EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR PREPARATION FOR JUDGMENT.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Prepare to meet thy God."—Amos iv. 12.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> Thou art daily loading me with Thy -benefits. Thou art making the outgoings of -the evening and morning to rejoice over me, -giving me unnumbered causes for gratitude and -thankfulness. No earthly friend could have -loved and cared for me like Thee. Oh may the -life Thou art thus preserving by Thine unceasing -bounty be unreservedly dedicated to Thy -praise.</p> - -<p>Lord, keep me mindful that I am soon to -be done with this world, that I am fast borne -along the stream of time to an endless futurity. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">{98}</a></span> -"It is appointed unto all once to die, and after -death the judgment." May I be living in a -constant state of preparedness for that solemn -hour when small and great shall stand before -God, and the books shall be opened. Educate -me for eternity. Let me not be frittering -away these fleeting but precious moments. -Impress on me the solemn conviction that "as -men live so do men die," that as death leaves -me so will judgment find me. Oh let death -leave me falling asleep in Jesus, united to Him -by a living faith, that so judgment may find me -seated at His right hand, listening to the joyous -welcome, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, -inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the -foundation of the world."</p> - -<p>Blessed Jesus, all my hope of a glorious resurrection -centres in Thee. I look to Thee as the -strong tower which cannot be shaken. I flee -anew to the holy sanctuary of Thy covenant -love. Sheltered there, amid a dissolving earth, -and burning worlds, I shall be able joyfully to -utter the challenge, "Who shall separate me -from the love of Christ?" Meanwhile may I -seek to "occupy" till my Lord comes. Keep -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">{99}</a></span> -me from all negligence and unwatchfulness. -Trim my flickering lamp. Let me live with -Thy Judgment-throne in view. Whether waking -or sleeping, may I bear about with me the -thought that I must soon give an account of -myself to God. May I feel that all the talents -and means Thou hast given me are trusts to be -laid out for Thee. When thou comest to demand -a reckoning, may I not be among the -number of those who have hid their talent in -the earth, and have the cheerless retrospect of a -misspent time.</p> - -<p>Lord! bless my friends, reward my benefactors, -forgive my enemies. Sanctify sorrow to -all the sons and daughters of trial. May the -torch of Thy love light up their gloomy prospects. -May every providential voice sound loud -in their ears, "Arise and depart ye, for this is -not your rest!"</p> - -<p>Gracious God, watch over me during the -night, and grant that at last, when all earth's -evenings and mornings shall have passed away, -I may, on the great day-break of glory, wake -up in Thy likeness, through Him in whom is -all my hope, and to whom, with Thee, O Father, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">{100}</a></span> -and Thee, ever blessed Spirit, one God, be everlasting -praise, honor, and glory, world without -end. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>THIRTY-FIRST EVENING.<br /> - -<span class="small">FOR MEETING IN HEAVEN.</span></h2> - -<p class="center small">"Meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints -in light."—Col. i. 12.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">O God,</span> I come into Thy gracious presence -on this the close of another day, beseeching -Thee to accept of my evening sacrifice. May -this my unworthy prayer come up before Thee -perfumed with the fragrant incense of the Saviour's -adorable merits. It is my comfort to -know, O Thou blessed Intercessor within the -veil, that Thou art even now appearing in the -presence of God for me! The names of Thy -covenant people are engraven on Thy breastplate, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">{101}</a></span> -and, all unworthy in themselves, they -are accepted in the Beloved.</p> - -<p>My special prayer to Thee this night is, -that by Thy grace I may be made meet -for Thy blood-bought inheritance in Glory. -Transform me by the indwelling power of the -Holy Ghost; may I be dying daily unto sin, -and living daily unto righteousness. Make -me more heavenly-minded. Give me more of -a pilgrim attitude and a pilgrim spirit. May -I ever feel that my true home is above, that I -am here but a wayfarer and sojourner, as all -my fathers were. May I attain, as I advance -nearer heaven, the blessed habit of a holy life, -bearing about with me the lofty impress of one -who is born <i>from</i> above and <i>for</i> above, declaring -plainly that I seek "a better country."</p> - -<p>Let me not arraign the appointments of -Infinite wisdom, but patiently await the disclosures -of the great day. Keep me from a -hasty spirit under dark dispensations. I am -no judge as to what fancied mercies are best -withholden. Let me look to every trial as an -appointed messenger from the Throne whispering -in my ears, "Be ye also ready!" May -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">{102}</a></span> -I delight often to anticipate that happy time -when I shall suffer no more, and sin no more; -when Thou shalt no longer teach me by mysterious -dispensations and a crossed will; when -all shall be "a sea of glass" without one disturbing -ripple, and I shall trace with joyous -heart the long line of unbroken love and unchanging -faithfulness! Anew I would wash -in the atoning fountain. Anew I would take -refuge "in the faithful saying." O blot out -all the sins of the bygone day. Let them not -rise up in the Judgment to condemn me. Let -me close my eyes this night listening to the -Saviour's own voice—"Your sins which are -many are all forgiven you."</p> - -<p>May the Lord arise and have mercy upon -Zion. May the streams of Thy grace make -glad the city of God. Build up her broken -walls; restore her ruined towers; may her -watchmen be men of faith and men of prayer; -making mention of the Lord, and keeping not -silence, till He establish, and till he make -Jerusalem again a praise in the earth.</p> - -<p>Lord, bless my friends. Let us exult in -those ties which survive the uncertain ones of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">{103}</a></span> -earth, and look forward to the hour when we -shall come to stand at last faultless before Thy -Throne. Oh, prepare us all for the breaking -of that eternal day—that "morning without -clouds," when in Thy light we shall see light—when -the love of Christ shall be enthroned -supremely in every heart, when the glory of -Christ will form the animating motive and -principle of life that shall never end: and all -I ask is for His sake. Amen.</p> - - <p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br /> - INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br /> - AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p> - -<p id="end">THE END.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2><span class="smaller">BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED</span><br /> -<span class="x-small">BY</span><br /> - H. HOOKER.</h2> - -<p><span class="smcap">A Plain Commentary on the Four Holy -Gospels</span>, intended chiefly for devotional reading. -Complete from the London edition. In two volumes, -8vo. Price $4, in muslin, gilt; in half calf, -$5 50, two volumes in one; in two volumes, half -calf, $6.</p> - -<p>This is esteemed the best Commentary on the -Holy Gospels ever published for general use. It -is a mine of devotional thought and inspiration; -beautiful and simple in style, and bringing to bear -on the elucidation of the sacred text the choicest -learning, both ancient and modern. It should find -a welcome in every Christian family.</p> - -<p class="gap-above"><span class="smcap">Sermons by the Rev. Alexander H. Vinton, -D. D.</span> In one volume. 12mo., $1.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sermons by the Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe.</span> In -one volume, 12mo., $1.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sermons by the Right Rev. George Burgess, -D. D.</span> In one volume, 12mo., $1.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Search of Truth</span>; a Manual of Instruction concerning -the Way of Salvation. By Rev. James -Craik. 12mo., 75 cents.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Boy Trained to be a Clergyman.</span> By -Rev. John N. Norton. 18mo., 37 cents.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Wordsworth on the Inspiration and -Canon of Holy Scripture.</span> 18mo., $1 50.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Wordsworth on the Apocalypse.</span> 8vo., -$2.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Episcopate; its History, Duties</span>, &c., &c. -By Hugh Davey Evans, LL.D. 12mo., 62 cents.</p> - -<p>Two very desirable editions of <span class="smcap">The Book of -Common Prayer</span>. Just completed.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Book of the Homilies of the Church.</span> In -one volume, 8vo., $2 25.</p> - -<p class="gap-above"><span class="smcap">Twenty-Eight Lectures on the Morning -Prayer</span>: by Rev. Robert A. Hallam, D. D., Rector -of St. James' Church, New London, Conn.</p> - -<p>"The Rev. Dr. Hallam's Lectures on the Morning -Prayer are a valuable addition to the working -material for ordinary parish instruction. He goes -carefully, judiciously, moderately, through all the -parts of the Morning Prayer, including the Litany, -and draws out with great richness and fulness the -admirable order, the wonderful connection of spirit -and beauty, the deep inner life, of that inestimable -Office. There is also a sufficient infusion of liturgical -learning to make the volume very instructive -to the great bulk of all our congregations.</p> - -<p>With all its wise moderation of statement, there -is a warm glow in the language of Dr. Hallam's -book, a fervor in the feeling, and even an eloquence -of expression in many places, which cannot but -produce in all its readers a more full and harmonious -appreciation of our incomparable Liturgy. -It will make the worship of our congregations a -wonderfully more <i>reasonable, holy and living</i> sacrifice -unto God, inspiring it with a deeper and truer -life wherever its healthful influence extends."—<i>Church -Journal.</i></p> - -<p>"A work of great merit, remarkable in its adaptations -to defend and commend the Church. Let -it be read for information about the Church and -the improvement of devotional spirit in her members."—<i>Banner -of the Cross.</i></p> - -<p>"The book of Dr. Hallam is the best book we -have seen to put into the hands of persons desiring -to understand the Church."</p> - -<p>"The mode of treating the subject gives it full -right to a place among works on <i>practical religion</i>. -The leading object of the Lectures is to show that -this was the design and intent of the Service, and -that none who enter into its spirit can fail of being -improved by its use. There is also something in -the manner in which our author treats his subject—so -much of his own agreeable peculiarities of -thought and style characterizing it, as to throw an -air of freshness over the subject itself, rendering -the perusal as pleasant as it is profitable. In doctrine -and usage, Dr. H. follows the golden mean, -the <i>via media</i> which has ever marked the course of -the Church."—<i>The Calendar.</i></p> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Evening Incense, by John Ross Macduff - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EVENING INCENSE *** - -***** This file should be named 50916-h.htm or 50916-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/1/50916/ - -Produced by Heiko Evermann, Chris Pinfield, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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