within us, that we may have that peace which passeth all understanding, and finally may attain to the rest which remaineth for thy people. We ask it in His name. Amen.

XXXVI.

VAIN AND EVIL THOUGHTS.

Be with me, Lord, where'er I go ;
Teach me what thou wouldst have me do;
Suggest whate'er I think or say;

Direct me in thy narrow way.

CHRISTIAN PSALMIST.

The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a man. For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts.

When a good man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts; then he understandeth better the great need he hath of God, without whom he perceiveth he can do nothing that is good. À Kempis.

For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Repent, therefore, of thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.

Think of good, that you may avoid thinking of evil. The mind of man cannot for one moment remain in a state of inactivity. — St. Ephraim.

If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Practise to make God thy last thought at night when thou sleepest; and thy first thought in the morning when thou awakest; so shall thy fancy be sanctified in the night, and thy understanding be rectified in the day, so shall thy rest be peaceful and thy labors prosperous. Quarles.

E

MORNING.

VER-LIVING God, whose existence is the perpetual spring of our being, and whose loving-kindness is the inspiration of our daily joys: Wilt thou impress our minds with gratitude while we remember thy mercies, and turn our voices to praise while we call upon thy name? By the tender and wise ordering of thy providence, the night has brought us the delightful refreshment of sleep, amid social security and domestic peace; and the welcome radiance of the morning calls us to new

activity, to fresh experiences, to a deeper acquaintance with life, and to ever-augmenting responsibilities.

May our hearts be susceptible to every influence that testifies to thy holy presence in the beauty of the world thy hands have fashioned, in the genial ministries of domestic love and noble friendships, in the silent witness of a good conscience to the pure thoughts and good deeds that have blessed mankind, — and in every spiritual emotion and aspiration that may ennoble us, by lifting us into a higher realm of life.

O Lord, our Preserver, in guarding our bodies from danger through the day that lies before us, withdraw our eyes from beholding vanity, and exclude from our minds all gross and presumptuous thoughts. May the words which our tongues may utter, and the meditations which our hearts may entertain, be acceptable in thy sight, and worthy the bodies and spirits which thou hast deigned to call thy temple. Here, O God, enthrone thy Holy Spirit, that all our purposes and desires may be subjected to thee; that all our duties may be elevated into privileges; that our pleasures may be exalted into praises; that our forgiven sins may bear the fruit of humility and grateful love; and that the trials of a mortal day, borne to thee on the wings of prayer, may return to us in everlasting benedictions. We ask it through the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. Amen.

EVENING.

T the close of another day, we meet, O Fa

AT

ther, to offer unto thee our evening tribute of thanksgiving, to ask protection through another night, and to seek our rest in peaceful communion with thee. It is from thee that all our gifts and blessings proceed. Thy loving-kindness hath encompassed all our paths, and thy presence of mercy hath guarded all our sleeping and our waking hours. We rest this night in the confidence that thou art our safeguard and our shield.

We thank thee, Father, for the blessings which this day and all our days have brought to us. We thank thee for the power of mind and soul which thou hast bestowed upon us. We thank thee that thou hast taught us to think wisely, and to feel in love and at peace with thee and with one another. We pray thee that all wrong desires and evil thoughts may be banished from our souls and minds by the sweet and purifying influence of thy presence.

Thou, O Father, knowest all the secrets of our hearts. Before thee our whole being lies open. There is not a word in our mouth, there is not a thought in our mind, but lo! thou knowest it altogether. Thou understandest our thoughts afar off. Search us, we beseech thee, and know our hearts; try us, and know our thoughts. See if

there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. May the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Father, our Redeemer and our Strength. May the wisdom which is from above, in its purity and its peace, be our perpetual guide. May we be made wise even unto salvation. May all vanity, all malice, all uncharitableness, all evil-speaking, be put far away from us, and may we dwell with thee and with one another in trust and grace and love. Thus guide us through the whole day of our life, and when the night of death shall close around us, may we lie down to sleep amid its shadows, in the hope of awakening in the light of an eternal day with thee. Bless us, Father, and all who are dear to us; in thine infinite mercy keep, strengthen, and guard us, now and evermore, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.