And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin :

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

to us.

O THOU, whose unslumbering providence has kept us another night, and given us refreshing rest, we bless thee for this new day. May our hearts be open to the glad tidings of thy love which it is proclaiming. May we receive it as thy gift, with gratitude for what it speaks to us of thy continued and exhaustless mercy, and with a due sense also of responsibility, in view of the sacred trust thou art again committing We know not what this day may bring forth. Strengthen and prepare us for all that awaits us. Keep us from distrustful thoughts. Give us cheerful and unfailing confidence in that fatherly and allembracing oversight, without which not a sparrow falleth to the ground. Thou who hast given life, shall we doubt that thou wilt give it meat? Thou who hast given the body, shall we doubt that thou wilt furnish it with raiment? Thou from whom we have received the greater gift, may we not trust thee for the less?

Father in heaven, may no temptation assail us, which the remembrance of thy word, and the communications of thy Spirit, shall not enable us to resist.

May our trials, whether small or great, be borne with Christian meekness, and work out for us some spiritual good. May all our duties be performed in the spirit of him whose meat it was to do thy will; and in memory of his word, that he who is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much. May it quicken our good purposes, and encourage us in every right endeavor, to remember that thou lookest upon the heart; and may the thought that thou seest us check every wrong motive and evil impulse. Give us calmness and self-control under every disappointment and provocation. Enable us to meet with gentleness and forbearance any opposition to our wishes, and to strive with patience against our own infirmities and faults, not doubting that success shall ultimately attend our efforts, if we faint not.

Almighty God, may we seek not our own only, but each the other's welfare and enjoyment. May we be ready to deny ourselves every indulgence that would be a disobedience of thy laws. Give us right feelings towards one another, and towards all men. May we come to the close of this day able to look back upon time well spent, opportunities faithfully improved, and progress made in the paths of Christian faith and virtue. And when we shall have fulfilled thy purposes concerning us on earth, may we be received, of thy infinite mercy, to reünion with one another, and to the happiness of the pure and good, in the everlasting mansions revealed to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XXVI.

Relying on God.

Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Verily, the Lord will give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

ALMIGHTY GOD, the Source of life, the Giver of all good, help us to draw near to thee, and to hold communion with thee. Waked from the insensibility of sleep, with renewed powers we are about to renew our daily course of duty. But we know, O God, that without thee we can do nothing; that all our sufficiency is of thee, in whom we live and move and have our being. Before we go forth to our work, we would hear what God the Lord will speak; and pray that he would speak peace to our hearts, that our strength may be renewed, and that, replenished by thy grace, we may run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.

We bless thee for thy protection through the watches of the night. We bless thee that for us the outgoings of the morning rejoice. Truly the light is sweet; and we bless thee and praise thy goodness unto us, that, while to others the sun is set to rise no more, thou hast preserved our lives, and art multiplying our days on the earth. Thy mercies, O God, are new unto us every morning. We welcome the new day, with its fresh duties and responsibilities, and we await its disclosures in trust and hope. May we meet all changes relying on thee, and keep consciences void of offence toward God and men.

Sustaining to one another the nearest and holiest relations, may our hearts be united in love, and may we be helpers of each others' joy. May this be a household of faith, a Christian home; and may the blessing of Heaven be upon all who dwell within these walls, and upon the absent to whom we are nearly. allied. Vouchsafe thy protection and favor to all whom we love; and grant that, however widely we may be separated from one another on earth, our mutual love may remain unchanged, and that in heaven we may meet face to face, to part. no more.

Guide us, O Father, by thy counsel: support us by thy care, and from thy inexhaustible stores may all our wants be supplied. May we be contented with that portion of goods that falleth to our share ; and when what thou givest is taken away, may our hope and our trust be still in thee. Conduct us,

good shepherd, in such a way as thou choosest, and set us in the way of thy steps; and whether it lead to the green pastures, beside the still waters, or to the valley of the shadow of death, be with us in every change, and may thy presence strengthen and gladden our hearts. Show us thy mercy, O God, and finally grant us thy salvation.

Give thy blessing, Holy Father, to our land and to the world. Send forth thy light and thy truth. May truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven, and thy salvation be nigh unto all. To thee, the only living and true God, we render thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XXVII.

Faith and Fortitude.

How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

For with thee is the fountain of life in thy light shall we see light.

O continue thy loving-kindness to them that know thee, and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me on all sides.