are entering one of pleasure and profit, one in which the work of our hands shall correspond with the love of our hearts, one in which our life and labor shall be consecrated to the good of this school, and, through it, to the salvation of the world. And do thou help us to remember, O God, our Father, as the years come and go, as the anniversaries of our Sabbath school shall return, that the lesson of each is one to remind us that we are always to strive to make our lives more earnest and truthful, that we may have the assurance, as we go on through the years of time, that we are coming nearer and still nearer to our home in heaven. Thus may we ever live and labor, rejoicing in the hope of an eternal rest, through Christ the Saviour. Amen.

'Tis bliss, all

united

to gather once more, What light has dawn'd on us! what visions of heaven! We love here to labor, and, trust -ing in thee,

SPECIAL SERVICE. - No. 7.

I.

FOR AN EXCURSION OR GROVE MEETING.

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth.

O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.

II. 7s & 6s M.

We love, in blest communion,
To seek this rural shade,
Where nature's true devotion
To nature's God is paid.
And here, as we are musing,

We think of scenes above,

Where smiles like those of summer

No change can e'er remove.

III. SCRIPTURE LESSON. PSA. LXVI. AND LXVII.

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands;

Sing forth the honor of his name; make his praise glorious.

Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.

Come and see the works of God; he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the flood on foot there did we rejoice in him.

He ruleth by his power forever; his eye beholds the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us;

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

IV. PRAYER.

ATHER of mercies, we would humble our

FAT

selves before thee, in this temple not made with hands, and ask thy blessing upon the festivities of this day. We desire to remember, in all the events of our life, that thou art our Father, that we are thy children. And now, as we shall lay aside the cares and anxieties of the busy world, and unite in the joys of the festal hour, may we not forget that the eye of our God is upon us; that, as we ramble in the shade of this vast living temple, we may hear the voice of thy love that is ever speaking in these forms of beauty, and see the evidences of thy presence ever manifested in the works of nature. We

praise thee, that thou hast given us souls to appreciate the glory and beauty with which thou hast enriched our pathway. We bless thee for the privileges we enjoy to-day, and do thou grant, O God, that we may return to our homes, when the pleasures of the hour shall have ended, with happier hearts, better thoughts, and a brighter faith in thee. May it not be in vain that we commune with nature to-day, but do thou give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to receive the lessons of good that come to us in the revelations of this thine own material dwellingplace. Help us to feel that thou art here. May no unholy thought come in to mar the happy realities of this occasion; but help us to make the pure influences of love and affection the morning flower of all our thought and action. Grant unto us, O God, a fresh inspiration of thy grace, that we may, because of this day's blessing, live better in the days to come. And when the labors and recreations, the toils and festivities, the work and play of mortal life, shall have ended, grant unto us, Father of love, a part in the joys of immortality. Guide us by thy holy Spirit. Lead us in the way of all truth. Fill our souls with thy love; and in the name of him who gathered lessons of love from the lilies of the field, we would give thee praise and glory forever. Amen.