I humbly acknowledge, that Thou hast laid me under infinite obligations to exalt Thee above all objects in the universe; inasmuch as thou hast given me a preference to all other creatures ; that I am solemnly bound to love Thee with all my heart, because of thy lov. ing-kindness and tender compassion, exhibited continually towards me, and for making all other creatures subservient to my best interests; and to return Thee unceasing praises and thanksgivings, as well as an unwavering obedience to all thy commandments, because thy tender mercies are renewed unto me every morning, and thy faithfulness returns every evening. I am, therefore, ashamed and confounded, when I reflect upon my past life and conduct, how utterly negligent I have been in the discharge of my duties towards Thee; for how can I plead any excuse for my ingratitude and disobedience towards Thee? Shall I seek refuge under pretended ignorance of Thee and thy will; but how can I, inasmuch as the heavens declare thy glory and the firmament showeth forth thy handy work? Shall I plead ignorance of thy laws? Why Thou hast put thy word into my mouth, and hast engraven thy laws upon my heart. Shall I say that I have never heard of the light of thy gospel, when I know that it has

come into the world and hath shined into darkness. O no, blessed God, the reason, alas! is, that I have loved darkness better than light, because my deeds were evil. And because of my evil deeds, Thou mightest have justly cast me into outer darkness, where there is nothing but weeping and gnashing of teeth. But with Thee there is forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared. There is yet balm in Gilead to heal all my wounds; there is balm and healing in Christ Jesus, in his merits and obedience—salvation in his blood-hope in his resurrection—joy in his ascension into heaven-nay, everlasting comfort in his sitting at the Father's right hand, as my intercessor. O Thou divine Advocate! be pleased to manage all my dearest interests and concerns. O blessed Saviour, out of whose opened side, there flows a pure and cleansing stream-purify Thou me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Bless me with that peace which Thou hast promised to all thy dear people, that my heart may be relieved, alike from fear and despair. Reconcile me with thy Father and my Father, with thy God and my God.

And as all my hope is in thy unmerited mercy, O may that mercy be a pattern for my continued imitation, in forgiving those who trespass against

me-in sympathizing with the weak and afflicted, to assist them in their necessities, comfort them under their crosses and tribulations, and aid them to bear their cross with patience. O Parent in heaven, may I, as thy obedient child, continually tread in thy footsteps, and as Thou didst, on this day, create the sun, which has just arisen to shine again, on the just and on the unjust, do Thou likewise, enable me to let the light of my knowledge, and the quickening rays of my love, expand towards all, but especially to the household of faith. As mine eyes now behold the precious light of the sun, so be pleased to draw off my thoughts and desires from the vain and ignoble things of time and sense, and place them on heaven and things divine, so that they may ever find their chief pleasure and happiness in Thee.

And as the sun thaws the snow and ice, so in like manner, O Lord, melt Thou my icy and frozen heart, by the rays of thy grace, into true and unfeigned repentance. As the sun dispels and purifies all the dense fogs and injurious vapors, which float in the air, so may the gracious influence of thy good Spirit, dispel and banish from my benighted understanding, all the moral mists and fogs of error and unbelief, and purify the desires of my heart from

all manner of sin. As the sun runs his undeviating course in the heavens, so as to turn neither to the right nor the left, even so be pleased, O Lord, to guide and govern me, that I may continually, run the way of thy commandments, and never wander astray, into the forbidden paths of sin.

As the sun continually ascends higher and higher, until it arrives at its meridian splendour, so enable me, O Lord, to increase continually in grace, righteousness and true holiness, that I also, may shine as a light of the world, and be without spot and blemish, in the midst of a perverse and ungodly generation, so that I may in due time, shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of thy glory. As finally the sun rejoices as a strong man to run a race, so may I run the race set before me, even unto the end, rejoicing in every dispensation of thy providence, that I may at last obtain the gracious reward of the righteous, even a diadem of unfading glory, for Jesus Christ the Redeemer's sake, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God-be all honour, glory and dominion forever and ever.-Amen.

26*

Evening devotions for Wednesday.

HYMN 37. P. M. 7's.-Sovereign Grace.

1 SING, my soul his wondrous love,. Who, from yon bright throne above, Ever watchful o'er our race,

Still to man extends his grace.

2 Heaven and earth by him were made,
All is by his sceptre sway'd;
What are we that he should show
So much love to us below?

3 God, the merciful and good,
Bought us with the Saviour's blood;
And, to make our safety sure,
Guides us by his Spirit pure.

4 Sing, my soul-adore his name
Let his glory be the theme :
Praise him till he calls thee home,
Trust his love for all to come.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."-Mat. 5. 8.

Most holy and adorable God! I humbly confess that I am a sinful creature —that I am by nature a child of darkness, and as such, I am ashamed to lift up mine eyes to the place where thine honour dwelleth, inasmuch as I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight, and have insulted thy majesty in times and ways without number, and have