TWENTY-FIFTH ADDRESS.

O THOU infinite and eternal Jehovah! who comprisest in thyself all that is great and good—all that is adorable and perfect. Every thing that proceeds from Thee tends to promote general felicity;-both good, and, what appears to us, evil, pleasures and pain, prosperity and adversity, rewards and punishments, favours and chastisements, are well fitted to exalt thy creatures to higher degrees of excellence and happiness. Thou pourest forth the streams of light and life-of joy and comfort, through all the different parts of thy immense dominions.

I desire to adore Thee as my Creator. I am the work of thy hands. Thou art my sovereign, I am thy subject. Thou art my father, I am thy child. I am connected with Thee by the strongest and most endearing ties-by all that can give Thee the justest claim to the whole affection of my heart, and the uniform grateful obedience of my life.

Various and invaluable O Lord! are the gifts and benefits which Thou hast bestowed, and which Thou still continuest to confer upon me. How can I justly prize the rich tokens of thy love given me by Jesus Christ, through whom Thou hast assured me of the forgiveness of my sins, and of thy gracious acceptance of my sincere though imperfect services! I am as much surrounded with thy mercies as I am with the light that shines around me, and the air which I breathe.

Grant then, O God! that I may love Thee with all the powers I possess, and that the idea of thy existence and amiable venerable attributes may become the most consoling and delightful that I am capable of forming, that I may habitually think of Thee as my benefactor, friend, and father, with the most lively transports of gratitude and joy. May 1 never forget that all things proceed from Thee, and that it is thy wisdom and thy love which dispense both good and evil.

I pray that my joy and happiness may always consist in knowing and loving Thee in conforming my will to thine-in resigning myself into thy hands, as into

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the hands of the best of parents-and that it may thereby strengthen more and more the ties which unite me to Thee.

I confess and lament, O Lord! that I am not yet what I should be; but I would gratefully rejoice in the full assurance that I shall hereafter know Thee better-adore Thee more worthily-attach myself more closely to Thee-love Thee with more ardour-and experience in the contemplation of thy perfections the purest and most exalted delights. Merciful Father! sanctify to me this glorious and animating assurance, so that it may influence my temper and animate all my future conduct-may promote the serenity and peace of my mind, and confirm my faith in the gracious promises Thou hast been pleased to give us.

Vouchsafe, O God! to bring all men acquainted with thy holy will. Remove from their minds the veil of ignorance and superstition, and grant that, as Jesus Christ came a light into the world, all may be brought to a belief of his divine authority and commission, and no one who believeth in him may abide in darkness, or in his lite and actions appear to prefer darkness to light.

Mercifully guide and controul the counsels of all princes and potentates, and overrule all affairs of state so that a spirit of reformation and piety may everywhere prevail. Grant that the wisest expedients to secure and perpetuate peace, may be at all times adopted; and that no pains may be spared to prevent animosity and discord, either amongst nations or individuals.

Bless the labours of all the faithful ministers of the gospel. May they announce and explain the purity of its doctrines, and the certainty of its promises, so that all may be brought to form a just estimate of their value-may walk in the paths of truth and knowledge-be filled with the happiness of being true christians —and see in Thee, their God, nothing but the tender affection of a father and a friend. May they look to Jesus as their forerunner and guide in the road to glory; and, influenced by the same mind that was in him, may they walk with increased circumspection, and finally arrive at the mark of excellence at which it becomes them continually to aim.

Sanctify to the afflicted and distressed the troubles and sorrows which they

endure, so that they may produce their proper fruits, and answer thy kind intentions in sending them. Grant that all who are in poverty may possess a state of mind suited to their condition, and contented with what they have here may direct their views to a better life, where all shall receive according to what they have done, not according to what they have enjoyed, in this world. There may they partake of those riches which endure for ever, and of those joys which shall flourish and increase throughout eternity.

Hear me, O Thou who art the God of prayer! in these my humble petitions—accept the just tribute of praise which I am anxious to pay-bless to me the exercises. of devotion so that they may strengthen my veneration, love, and gratitude to Thee my God!-enlarge my benevolence to all around me and animate my endeavours to attain to greater purity of heart and sanctity of life.

Unto Thee, the Lord God Omnipotent! who art one, and whose name is one,the only true and everliving God! be all honour and glory, dominion and power, throughout all ages.—Amen.