May they in meekness, instruct those that oppose themselves; and yet be faithful witnesses, that shall cry aloud, and spare not; and who will show them their transgressions. Grant them in this warfare, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous, which availeth much; and make them abundant instruments in advancing the cause of freedom, and saving those that are ready to perish. Lord, look in mercy on the oppressor. Preserve him, I pray thee, from the vengeance of the oppressed. Touch his soul with a sense of his wrong, and of its danger. Show him that thou hast made of one blood, all nations of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth. May he remember, that he who oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker. May he break off his sins, by righteousness; and his iniquity by showing mercy. O suffer him not to continue to take away the key of knowledge, and to seal over to vicious ignorance, the soul that God has made for the light of heaven. Let him not look on his own things only, but also on the things of others. Teach him that it is safe to do right; for is not the work of righteousness peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever? Lead him to trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall he dwell in the land, and verily, he shall be fed ! O thou that executest righteousness and judgment for the oppressed, wilt thou not proclaim liberty throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof? Give the down-trodden rest from their sorrow, and their fear, and their hard bondage, wherein they are made to serve. Preach deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the prison-doors to them that are bound. But, O let it be a bloodless deliver ance; and let the captive come forth by the will of his master; that God may be glorified as much in the repentance of the one, as in the liberty of the other. And when thou settest the slave free from the oppression of man, deliver him from the bondage of sin. Give him the liberty of the sons of God. Make him thy servant, that his fruit may be holiness, and the end everlasting life. SORROW,-See Grief. SOUL. Eternal and Unchangeable Jehovah, thou hast given me a soul of deathless nature, and of priceless worth. The earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved; the earth and all that is therein shall be burnt up; the heavens shall pass away; and time shall be no more-and still this spirit will live on, in imperishable youth. O, what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Riches make to themselves wings, and fly away; honour is but a passing breath of air; and pleasure perishes in the using :-but thou hast made the soul in the image of thine own eternity. God of Wisdom, help me, for Christ's sake, to understand something of its ever-living value. Teach me that its powers of thought, memory, and affection will cling to it, with an everlasting increase; and will be instruments of exalting its hallowed pleasures, or of deepening its debasing woes, forever. O cause me to learn the value of my soul, by the price that was paid for it. Thou didst so love the world, as to give thy Son to die for us. Thou didst not redeem us with corruptible things, such as silver and gold; but with the precious blood of Christ.-Lord, let me not learn the worth of my soul by its eternal loss, but by its everlasting gain. Great God, thou hast put these awful and eternal interests in the issues of human life. Our season of time, brief and uncertain at best, is our probation, that will determine our destinies for eternity, Help me, I beseech thee, now to flee from the wrath to come, and to pursue the inheritance of bliss. Make my day and means of grace sufficient to bring me into the narrow way that leadeth unto life: and then, when thou hast served thy righteous pleasure with me here, where I have no abiding place, take me to that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Lord, lead the impenitent to inquire, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" O that they might reflect on that blackness of darkness, and on that fulness of joy, one or other of which must result to the undying spirit, from the deeds done in the body. Spread before their minds that holy and blissful rest that remaineth for the people of God; and bring into full contrast with it, the bottomless pit, the unquenchable fire, the worm that never dies, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth, prepared for the devil and his angels, and for the spirits of the lost. . O do thou write over all their thoughts of these scenes, as in letters of light, EterNITY, ETERNITY. Draw them by the cords of thy love, and incline them by the terrors of thy law, to make their peace with thee, ere the precious redemption of the soul ceaseth forever. SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. Lord, thou dost according to thy will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth; and none can stay thy hand, or say unto thee, "What dost thou ?" Thou workest all things after the counsel of thine own will. A man's heart deviseth his way, but thou directest his steps. Thou hast chosen our inheritance, and determined our changes, and fixed the number of our days. We are in thy hands, as clay in the hands of the potter.-Lord, I would adore the mystery of thy sovereignty in the works of grace. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. Thou hast mercy on whom thou wilt have mercy; and whom thou wilt thou hardenest. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. Great God, I rejoice that thy dominion is built on power and wisdom, righteousness and mercy. Thou alone mayest exercise it; for thou art the Maker, Governor, Benefactor, and Judge of all things. O do thou work in me, to will and to do, of thy good pleasure. Let me not be the slave of sin, but the servant of Jesus; for his yoke is easy, and his burden is light, to all who put their trust in thee. Thy statutes are right, and thy law is perfect. Because the Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Though clouds and darkness are round about thee, justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne. Lord, do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Be thou her king, to govern, to defend, and to lead her forward, conquering and to conquer. May that stone which was cut out without hands, become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. Sovereign of the Universe, teach all men that it is lawful for thee to do what thou wilt with thine own. Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherds of the earth strive with the potsherds of the earth; but let not the thing formed say to him that formed it, "Why hast thou made me thus ?"-Lord, bring the hearts of the ungodly to bow in quiet and confiding submission to thy will. Make them willing in the day of thy power. May they know that thy dominion will be an everlasting domínion, even though they may never become the subjects of thy heavenly kingdom. Thou makest the wrath of men to praise thee: and when the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever, then shall be heard the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, and of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia; for the Lord God, Omnipotent, reigneth." SPIRIT.-See Holy Ghost. SPIRITUALITY. Heavenly Father, grant me, in the name of Jesus, that spiritual mind which is life and peace. Let not my heart be troubled nor careful about the things of this world; but let it choose that better part, which cannot be taken from me. May I regard the blessing of thy favour infinitely above any and all earthly good. Incline me to find my pleasure in the services of thy kingdom, and not in the debasements of sense. Purify my motives, and make the objects of my desires such as shall be in harmony with the teachings of the Holy Ghost,Lord, fill my soul with those spiritual joys which raise the heart above the pleasures, honours and riches of the world; which throw the gladness of hope over earth's darkest scenes; and which are |