On this day Adam brought upon himself and his offspring, a tremendous curse; and on this day, O beloved Jesus, didst Thou purchase for us, as members of thy body, an everlasting benediction. Thou didst restore all, and more than Adam lost. Alas! how sorely didst Thou suffer, for that which he thoughtlessly passed over; for Thou didst pay down the ransom for all his and our sins and transgressions. O Lord Jesus! be pleased to grant me the hand of faith, that I may receive a sufficiency of this, thine infinite merit, to satisfy for the enormous amount, and to remove far from me the grievous burden of my sins; strengthen Thou those hands of faith, that I may lift them up to thy heavenly Father, and receive from his hand a free and full remission of all mine iniquities, signed by thy blood, and ratified and confirmed by thy cross, on which Thou didst, on this day, finish the work of our redemption. I believe, O Lord Jesus, do Thou strengthen my faith; for on this condition, Thou hast promised me a participation of thyself and all the merits of thy blood; if Thou hadst required even much more at our hands, it would have been our bounden duty to render it to Thee, in order to ransom our souls; how much more are we, therefore, bound to render Thee unfeigned obedience, when Thou commandest us to "believe and live:" to cast our confidence entirely upon Thee, and Thou wilt deliver us from all evil; to lay hold of the ransom money that Thou hast paid for us; to cease to do evil and learn to do well, and enjoy peace with God, life and salvation, nay, thyself, with all the treasures and pleasures which are at thy right-hand forevermore. O Thou divine Saviour! on this day thy sufferings all terminated, and on the evening of this day, were all thy pains and miseries laid in the grave. O grant that all my sufferings and anxieties may now also end, and permit me to enjoy a sweet and refreshing repose, during the silent watches of the present night. Thou, O God, didst permit Adam, in Paradise, to sink into a deep sleep, from which Thou didst, in mercy, speedily awake him, nay, Thou, O Lord, didst, on this day, sink into the sleep of death on the cross; and didst rise again on the third day, in a triumphant manner, from the slumbers of the grave; O permit me, also, to sleep securely, as under thy protection, and awaken on the coming morning, refreshed and invigorated, so as to engage in, and prosecute the duties of the day with cheerfulness. Strengthen then Thou my soul, with faith in thy resurrection, and wake up my sleeping dust, in the last day, to everlasting life-to the enjoyment of thy everlasting kingdom, which Thou hast prepared for all who cordially love and serve Thee. O Thou God of Peace! who hast brought again from the dead, the great Shepherd of thy sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant! Make me ready for every good word and work, to accomplish thy will and create within me whatever is pleasing in thy sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom, with Thee and the Spirit of all grace, be all the praise, power, majesty and glory forever and ever.—Amen. Morning devotions for Saturday. HYMN 42. L. M.-Russia. 1 GREAT God, indulge my humble claim, Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; 2 Thou Great and Good, Thou Just and Wise, Thou art my Father and my God; And I am thine by sacred ties, Thy son, thy servant, bought with blood. 3 With early feet I love t' appear Among thy saints and seek thy face; Oft have I seen thy glory there, And felt the pow'r of sov'reign grace. 4 Not fruit nor wines that tempt our taste, Nor all the joys our senses know, 5 My life itself without thy love No taste of pleasure could afford; "Twould but a tiresome burden prove, If I were banish'd from the Lord. 6 Amidst the wakeful hours of night, When busy cares afflict my head, One thought of thee gives new delight, And adds refreshment to my bed. 7 I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice, While I have breath to pray or praise; This work shall make my heart re joice, And spend the remnant of my days. "As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God; when shall I come and appear before God.” -Ps. 42. 1, 2. O Thou holy God and compassionate Father! how shall I repay all thy benefits, bestowed upon me from my earliest infancy to the present period of my life? How shall I render suitable thanksgiving for thy unmerited goodness exhibited unto me, especially in permitting me to rest securely under the banners of thy love, during the past night, and to arise to behold the light of this morning, in health and comfort? Thou permittest me, O God, to number one week of my existence, after another, until I at my appointed time, shall arrive at the rest which Thou hast appointed for thy people, when I shall be permitted to enter into thy everlasting kingdom. Remit, O Holy Father, all my sins, with which I have offended Thee-transgressed thy commandments, wounded my conscience, and injured my fellow creatures. May I commence the duties of this day, in the enjoyment of thy fa vour, and the aid of thy Holy Spirit, so as to spend it in thy service. O Thou omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth! who didst, on this day, rest from all thy labours, and blessed and hallowed it, permit me, also, after this wearisome pilgrimage shall have terminated, to enjoy a sweet and uninterrupted rest with Thee in heaven, where I shall enjoy an eternal Sabbath-celebrate an unending jubi lee-sing an everlasting hallelujah— wear an unfading crown-receive an incorruptible inheritance-and enjoy |