PRAYER IV. O THOU who dwellest in glory incomprehensible, King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone hast immortality to possess and to confer, and who art ever exercising a most wise, and paternal government over us all! We bless thee for the comforts and improvements of social and civilized life to which we are born; and more especially for calling us from the darkness of su perstition to that purest and holiest of Religions, which guides our feet into the paths of peace and pleasantness here, while it leads to glory and immortality hereafter. Suffer us not, Father of mercies, amidst all thy goodness and clemency, to forget thee our great benefactor, to neglect the duties we owe to our fellow-creatures, and the important interests of our own everlasting state. If thou hast seen in our hearts these or any other evil dispositions, we beseech thee to forgive, and lead us to true re pentance and amendment, and grant that, for the time to come we may be more grateful for thy fatherly goodness, more intent on improving the blessings we enjoy, more beneficent to our fellow-creatures, more diligent in working out our salvation. May this spirit pervade thy universal family, that growing in all goodness, abounding in peace and joy, and living in love and harmony on earth, we may finally meet together in glory and felicity, to dwell with thee, the fountain of good, for ever. Amen. PRAYER V. ETERNAL God, Father of angels and men, Maker of heaven and earth, all nature is open to thy view; to thee futurity is present; thou lookest into the soul. With the deepest reverence we bow down before thee, craving thy continued bounty; imploring thy pardon of our sins; adoring thy boundless wisdom and benevolence. With thankful hearts we welcome the gra cious invitations of the gospel to aspire after a more perfect communion with thee the Father of our spirits; and it is our heart's desire to work together with thy good providences for the real welfare of our fellow-creatures; that by carefully guarding against every act and expression of unkindness, and pursuing every plan of public and private usefulness, human life and human society may be raised to their most improved and happiest state. But beyond the noblest prospects of D |