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 life 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.

TWENTY-SIXTH ADDRESS.

EVER-BLESSED and most holy Lord God Almighty! the eternal and inexhaustible source of all being, perfection, and happiness! From Thee proceed those streams of light and life which diffuse themselves over all worlds, and all the orders of created existences which inhabit them. Thou art the Father of the immense family which fills the heavens, the earth, and the innumerable worlds which revolve in the immensity of space.

Thy paternal regards are constant, unchangeable, and unbounded; no revolution of time can ever alter or produce the smallest change in thy divine nature. The earth and all that it contains may undergo changes and revolutions without end, but Thou wilt continue the same. Thy years will never fail. Thou flourishest and wilt for ever flourish in undecaying and immortal youth.

Most gracious God! great and manifold as is thy goodness to me in this life, yet far superior are the hopes of future glory

which Thou hast excited in me by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thou hast given me the best reason to believe that his religion is derived from Thee, the Father of light, and the source and author of all happiness! With the greatest security may we repose the confidence of our souls on Thee, assured that Thou art and ever hast been attentive to the most important concerns of thy creatures.

I would joyfully acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the greatest benefactor whom Thou hast raised up amongst mankind. I would testify the sincerest gratitude for all that he hath undertaken and suffered for me. May I obey him with my whole heart, cheerfully follow his steps, and endeavour more and more to resemble him, that I may hereafter be exalted to a participation of the same glory and felicity which he enjoys in heaven.

Grant me wisdom to understand aright the doctrines and precepts which he taught. May I exercise the best powers of reason I possess in my endeavours to interpret the writings which contain the revelation of thy sacred will, divesting myself of all prejudice, partiality, and bias of every kind,