FOR THE RETURN OF A FRIEND FROM SEA.

We

O GOD, Thou art good, and Thou doest good, and thy tender mercies are over all the works of thy hands. thank Thee for the privilege of addressing thy throne at all times, and offering unto Thee the grateful homage of our hearts. And now that Thou hast heard our prayer, and returned in safety our friend from the dangers of the mighty deep, we desire to render Thee the tribute of praise and thanksgiving. While others have gone out to return no more, he has been spared; and while those who were dear to them, are weeping with sorrow, we are filled with joy. O help us to testify our gratitude by the holiness of our lives, and to show by our obedience to thy will, that we are truly thankful for thy favors. Through all the remaining vicissitudes of our earthly state may we trust in Thee—and in death, be enabled to commit our souls to Him who hath loved us and given himself for us, and to whom as unto a faithful Creator, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all glory for ever. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR SABBATH SCHOOLS.

OUR Father who at in heaven, we adore Thee as the everlasting God, by whom the worlds were made, and by whom all things are upheld and governed. The heavens declare thy glory and the earth is full of thy riches; Thou art good unto all, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works. We praise Thee for our bodies and our souls, so fearfully and wonderfully made; for our capacities and faculties, designed not only for this short life, but for eternity; and for our various means and advantages for knowledge, and virtue, and happiness. We bless thy

name, that in the greatness of thy mercy towards un fallen race, Thou hast sent thine only begotten Son into the world to manifest thy will, and to de for us; and that there is redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins, renewal unto holiness, and the unfailing hope of heavenly glory, to all who penitently receive Him. We thank Thee for the gospel in which all this grace is revealed, and all this blessedness. O that our hearts may be duly affected by this wonderful display of thy love. Convinced by thy Holy Spirit of the corruption of our nature, and made contritely sensible of our innumerable offences against Thee, may we deeply feel our need of redemption from sin and from wo. And looking with true penitence and faith to thy Son Jesus Christ, as our Redeemer and Saviour, may we obtain forgiveness and peace through his blood, be purified in heart and practice, even as He is pure; and as his humble and devoted disciples, may we live henceforth not to ourselves but to Him who hath called us into his kingdom and glory.

We offer our prayer to Thee, O our Father, especially for the dear youth and children who are statedly convened here, under thy kind providence, for instruction according to thy holy word. They are in the infancy of being, just beginning to think, and feel, and act for eternity. Naturally they know Thee not, and their hearts are not right with thy law, or thy truth; and in this evil world they are exposed to innumerable errors, and vices, and ruinous influences. They need thy mercy; they need thy care ; O may they be kept by thy Spirit. May they early remember their Creator, and inquire earnestly after Thee. May they duly prize the opportunities and privileges with which they are favored; tenderly remembering the thousands and millions in the world who are perishing for want of instruction. May they cry after knowledge and lift up their voices for understanding,-seeking her as silver, and searching for

her as for hid treasure; that by thy grace accompanying the means, they may truly know the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God; and be fitted to serve Thee and their generation, acccording to thy will in this world, and to enjoy Thee in the fulness of thy kingdom and glory in the world to come.

Give wisdom and grace, we beseech Thee, to their pa rents, and to their teachers, for their respective situations and duties; and bestow upon them severally every good and perfect gift.

Graciously prosper the means of divine instruction, and of all useful knowledge, and true virtue and happiness, in this place, and throughout our land. Remember in mercy the dark places of the earth, and let the whole world soon be filled with the light of thy glory; for the sake of Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, and our adored Redeemer and Saviour. Amen.

BRIEF PRAYER FOR A SABBATH SCHOOL.

GRACIOUS Saviour, who hast said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, regard with thy favour every effort to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Give, holy Lord, we beseech Thee, wisdom and discretion, patience, kindness, and perseverance, to all who conduct schools. Bless those who endeavour to instruct the young. Do Thou teach them that they may teach others.

Heavenly Father, grant that the children of this school may receive with a humble, teachable, and ready mind, all the instructions given to them according to thy word. Give them thy grace while young, that early seeking Jesus their Saviour, they may find Him. Let thern remem

ber their Creator in the days of their youth. Teach them to honour their parents and superiors, and to be kind and full of love towards each other. God grant that they may all be trained up in the way in which they should go, and when they are old never depart from it. May the knowledge of the Lord be universally diffused, till at length all shall know Thee, from the least to the greatest, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PARENT'S PRAYER.

O ALMIGHTY Father, suffer us to come to the throne of thy mercy and bring the precious children which Thou hast given us. Thou hast condescended to enter into covenant with thy people, and hast engaged to accept their children at their hands, if they offer them to Thee in faith. Help us to lay hold of that covenant, and truly to devote these our children to Thee. In kindness hast Thou lent them to us; we give them back to Thee, and pray, that we may evermore feel that they are not ours, but thine. Blessed Saviour, sanctify them early by thy Spirit; lay thine hands upon them, inscribe thine image on their hearts, and as they grow up, may they serve and honour Thee, and promote the salvation of those around them. Give us the wisdom which is from above, that we may know how to train them up for Thee, and by our example, instructions, and prayers, to promote the spirit of religion in their hearts. Enable us to exert a proper control over them, and to administer that discipline which with thy blessing may be the means of their best good. We ask not for them the wealth and distinctions of this world; but we entreat a better inheritance, even spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus. Let them be the

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servants of God, to do his will here, even though it be in much suffering and many privations; and may they be the praise and glory of thy grace, in the world to come.

Now, O Lord, they are thine. Be Thou their Father and their God. Guide them through this world; preserve them when in temptation; console them in sorrow; and glorify thyself in them, in life, and in death, and for ever, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

FOR RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE SOCIETIES.

O LORD Almighty, faithful and true, who, by thy Holy Prophet hast told us, that from the rising of the sun untc the going down of the same, thy name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto thy name, and a pure offering; for thy name shall be great among the heathen; bless and prosper, we beseech Thee, the endeavours of the societies established among us for the propagation of the gospel among the heathen and others; take Thou from them to whom the glad tidings of salvation shall be preached, all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word; so that thy word being sown in good and honest hearts, it may bring forth fruit abundantly to thy honour, and the salvation of their souls grant that all who have heard and received it may live according to its doctrine and precepts, and by holiness of life, and zeal for thy glory, may become eminent examples to all about them. Bless all religious and other societies among us, for Christian conference, and works of charity; for the promoting of Christian knowl edge and practice among the poor and ignorant. O Lord increase the number of these societies, and enable them all to choose the best and most inoffensive means for ac