XXXVII. TRUE WISDOM. Be it my only wisdom here, By shunning every evil way, WESLEY'S COL. If any lack of wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy life. Above all, the knowledge of what is good and what is evil, what ought to be done, and what ought not to be done in the several offices and relations of life, is a thing too large to be compassed, and too hard to be mastered, without study and contemplation. - Dr. South. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Many get no profit of their labor, because they contend for knowledge rather than for a holy life; and the time shall come when it shall more avail thee to have subdued one lust than to have known all mysteries. — Taylor. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you ? let him show out of a good conversation his words with meekness of wisdom. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Discover to me, O thou Searcher of hearts, whatever is amiss in me, whether in life or principle. — Wilson. That which I see not, teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do so no more. WE MORNING. E thank thee, O most merciful God, that thou hast watched over us, in our helplessness, during the night, and brought us in safety to the beginning of another day. With our renewed powers we would offer new praises to thee. Let our first thoughts be of thy loving-kindness and tender mercy. Let our first acts be those of homage, thanksgiving, and prayer to Him who gave us being, whose goodness never faileth, and whose glory is above the heavens. Look down upon us, we beseech thee, O Lord, in thy great compassion, as we are entering upon an untried day. Let thy blessing follow us as we go forth to the duties which lie before us, to the enjoyments or the trials which thy providence may have in store for us. If it be thy will, may we walk unharmed through all the dangers and diseases which beset our path. May we pursue our works with safety and success. May we give and receive happiness in our friendly intercourse, and pass our time in rest and quietness of mind. But, O God, grant us above all, and help us to desire before all things, thy best, even thy spiritual gifts. Give us true and heavenly wisdom,- that wisdom which is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits." The wisdom which guides the soul in the way of thy commandments; which guards the heart from the allurements of sin; which teaches humility, contentment, and gratitude; which finds the true enjoyment of prosperity and the sweet uses of adversity; which, beginning with reverence for God, ends in love both to God and man. Be this, O Father of lights, thy precious gift to us. Be this the great object of our desire and pursuit to-day. Keep our too inconstant minds from being drawn aside from following after it. Forgive us that we have been, hitherto, so backward and wavering in our endeavors to acquire it. Upbraid us not because we have so little of it. But, O Lord, for the sake of our need and of thine own infinite mercy, vouchsafe, from thy fulness, to bestow it upon us in answer to our prayer; which we humbly present unto thee, with our thanksgivings and praises, in the name of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. EVENING. UR Father in heaven, the day is thine, and the night also is thine. Around the weary world again thou hast drawn the curtains of darkness. How gracious and constant, and yet how still, the mighty working of thy providence! Fed by thy bounty, borne in thine arms, cherished by thy spirit, what more do we need, what more could we ask? If to-day thou hast seen any virtue in us, any love of truth and willingness to work or to suffer for it; any fidelity in duty, any devotedness to thee; O receive our fervent thanksgiving for the means and opportunity of doing well. And whatever thou hast seen in us to-day unworthy and sinful, O in thy mercy regard it; and may we awake to see as thou seest, and judge ourselves as thou judgest us. We ask not so much to be freed from remorse as from the sin that produces it; not so much to be overshadowed with peace, as to be quickened to righteousness, which, in the end, is full of peace. That peace of God that passeth all understanding, -that peace of the Saviour, which the world can neither give nor take away, O Father, lead us unto the way of such peace; quicken us by thy Spirit, and lead us to the feet of Christ, that we may learn of him to live into thy peaceful, heavenly kingdom. Father of boundless goodness, let thy blessing rest upon all who are dear to us. O give them wisdom and strength. We pray for ourselves and for all. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. O, ever-watchful Guardian, as the night now invites us to sleep and rest, may we commit ourselves to thee, penitent and grateful; and may tomorrow find us nearer to thee than ever before in faith and duty. O hear us as thy children, and as disciples of thy Son. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. |