XII.

Love of God in Christ.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God! therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins;

and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, nor known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, whose eye of love resteth upon us during our defencelesss hours, and unto whom we are ever present, may thy Spirit witness unto our spirits, as we strive to give thanks and pray. This new day is thy gracious gift; for thou art the fountain of all life, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Sacred Providence. Thine is the sweet and pleasant light; the glow of the heavens and the beauty of the earth are thine; and from thee are all the wisdom of our minds, and all the love of our hearts.

We would pour out our souls in gratitude to thee, the Father of the ever-blessed Redeemer, for the Sun of righteousness which ever shineth down upon us. Through thine infinite mercy these latter days on the earth are days of the Lord, and thou art still offering to reveal thy Son in all willing souls. Thanks be unto the heavenly Father for him who doth go before us in the way, and who doth send to us from thee the Holy Ghost, the Enlightener and Comforter. 0 God, the strength of the weak, the guide of those who are ready to wander, the teacher of the foolish, and the everlasting friend, may we indeed begin this day in the faith and fear and love of thee. Teach us our entire dependence, that as obedient children we may follow our gracious Father. In past days we have tried to live from ourselves, and have failed. Merciful one, forgive our wickedness and compassionate our folly, and may we be fully reconciled unto him who hath loved us in Christ from the foundation of the world, sending him who knew no sin to be manifested to take away our sins. Enlighten our consciences, and touch our hearts, that we may know what is thine holy will concerning us this day, and may seek with all our strength to accomplish thy great purpose.

In all the relations of life may we be true to our heavenly Master and Redeemer. May the Lord be the light of our household; let it be the home of all pure affections, and in the time of their youth may

the young open their hearts unto thee and thy Christ, and enter upon that path of the just which is bright and blessed. In humility and in patience may we do the work and bear the burdens of life. Shield us in the hour of temptation, and enable us to send up from our hearts a faithful prayer unto him who is mighty to succor.

O, God, sustain us out of thy bounty. Bless us in our basket and store. Fill us with a spirit of contentment. In prosperity and in adversity accomplish thy will in us. Enlarge our sympathies, and multiply our charities, and be gracious unto our kindred, and friends, and brethren. Earnestly do we intercede for the ignorant, the poor, and the oppressed; for those who are without thee in the world, and for all who are in any manner tried. In thine own good time may he who was lifted up from the earth draw all men unto him, and thine through the Redeemer shall be the praise evermore. Amen.

XIII.

Dwelling in God and Christ.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

us.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

ETERNAL and ever-blessed God, who reignest in the heaven of heavens, and whose dominion is over all the earth, hear us graciously when we pray to thee, and grant answers of peace to our supplications. Thanks to thee, O Lord, that thou hast sustained us through another night. As the morning light renews the conscious enjoyment of our blessings, we would praise thee by whom they were all bestowed. Thanks therefore unto thee, O Father, for life and all that makes life happy; for the light that shines upon us, the air we breathe, the food that sustains us, the home that shelters us, and the love that

unites us. Thanks to thee for thy holy law, whether in nature or in Scripture; for the teachings of reason, the testimony of conscience, the commandments given of old to thy chosen people, and the grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ.

We bless thy name, that when mankind had forsaken thy ways, thou didst yet so love the world as to raise up a Saviour, to guide and warn, to strengthen and to redeem. We thank thee for the abundant testimony that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Praise to thee, O God, for his holy precepts and his divine example, that, being made perfect through suffering, he has become the captain of our salvation, and having endured temptation, is able to succor them that are tempted. Praise to thee for all the influences of his holy life, his patient death, his glorious resurrection. Grant that these influences may be felt by us in the fulness of their power; that we may be warned and encouraged by his words, excited by his example, softened by the thought of his dying love, made triumphant over the grave by his rising from the dead, so that perfect love, may cast out all fear. Grant us, O God, that true and living faith, which shall take hold of the promises of thy grace through him, and shall make us, as his disciples, more than conquerors over all evil. If any injure us, may we exhibit his forgiving spirit; if any are in sorrow, may we like him be prompt to relieve; and if called to reprove the