SEVENTEENTH ADDRESS.

O THOU who rulest over all, supreme and unrivalled to Thee I am indebted for the existence I enjoy, and for all the means which conduce to render that existence a blessing and a comfort to me. If I continue in life, and experience happiness from its prolongation, it is because Thou continuest to take care of me. May I never forget how incessantly I am dependant upon Thee, and how utterly impossible it is to possess any thing but what is the free and gracious gift of thy bounty.

Thou didst cause me to enter into life, and at thy word I was created. It is thy will that I should continue to exist. All my capacities and powers are derived from Thee; and were thy sustaining hand withdrawn but for a moment, I should return to the dust from which I was originally taken.

Most adorable art Thou, O God! in the display of thy perfections to all thy intelligent creation! The eyes of all are upon Thee, and Thou givest them their food in due season. Thou continuest the wonderful order that reigns in the universe,

and which promotes the welfare of every individual. Thou causest the glorious luminary of the day to shine, and it diffuses light, and heat, and plenty over the face of the earth. Thou givest being to innumerable plants, trees, and animals for the use of mankind; and providest every thing necessary to render those who live in conformity to thy laws easy and happy.

From day to day Thou fosterest in me that spark of spiritual and divine life which raises me to a superiority over the beasts that perish, which assimilates me to angels and unites me to thyself. Every day Thou conferrest favours and blessings upon me and upon all the children of men. Without Thee I should be destitute of all power to contribute to my own comfort and wellbeing, and the fairest prospects that I might imagine were before me, would fade away and be for ever lost.

Accept then, O thou Creator and Father of all! any sincere thanks, that in bestowing upon me this dignified existence, Thou hast given me an opportunity of raising iny mind to Thee and of rejoicing in the thought of Thee and of thy universal government. Exalted indeed is the honour

of being made capable of holding communion with Thee, and of laying before Thee the wants and wishes-the desires and necessities of my soul.

But, O Lord my God! how are my obligations to adore, to love, to praise, and rejoice in Thee elevated and increased, when I contemplate thy rich grace and goodness to myself and to mankind in and through Jesus Christ, and all the precious treasures of thy grace and mercy revealed in his gospel! Blessed for ever be thy holy name that he has pointed out in the clearest manner the path of truth, of virtue, and happiness, so that all may know Thee their father to be the only true and living God, merciful, lenient, and kind even to the greatest of sinners; and when they repent and amend, ready to forgive their offences and to receive them again into favour.

Grant most gracious God! that all men may be brought to imitate the example of Jesus Christ-to imbibe his spirit—and to resemble him in a sincere and unaffected piety to Thee, and an unbounded benevolence to all their brethren. Incline the hearts of all to make his gospel the

constant rule of their conduct, and to take him for their instructor, their master, and their guide.

May it please Thee, O God! to increase and strengthen the faith of all mankind in this heavenly dispensation. Grant that it may become a more active principle, and render all men more fruitful in good works, that the kingdom of the Messiah may be enlarged and extended to the uttermost parts of the earth, and all may know, love, and obey Thee from the greatest unto the least. May christianity be free from all superstition and error, and from every thing that has tended to deform its native excellence and beauty.

Grant that in every nation those who are invested with civil authority may exercise it in thy fear and to thy glory. May they be men of integrity, hating covetousness, disposed to administer justice in mercy, and without respect of persons. Bless the ruling powers in this my native land-preserve them within the limits of their dutyand let them be ever mindful of the solemn account they must one day give before the judgment seat of Christ.

Clothe the public ministers of religion with the robes of righteousness, purity, and truth. Enable them to proceed in their sacred office with indefatigable industry and perseverance, and crown their labours of love with the happiest and most extensive success.

Hear the humble prayers I would offer unto Thee on behalf of all my suffering fellow-creatures. All their pains, their griefs, their sighs and sorrows are perfectly known to Thee: to Thee, therefore, iu humble and cheerful reliance on thy providential goodness, I would now offer my earnest intercession for their relief, and I desire to express on their account those humble requests, which it would become me to offer for myself were I in their situation. In every place may saduess and mourning give place to gratitude and joy -to thanksgiving and praise.

To Thee the great eternal fountain of all good-the bounteous bestower of every good and perfect gift! may the most exalted praises be ascribed by all thy creatures henceforth and for evermore.-Amen,