hearts; for the rank to which it has elevated us; for the holy virtues with which it has clothed us. We bless thee for all it has done for the world; for the agency it has exerted in removing evil, in ameliorating the condition of the poor and oppressed, and fitting the nations for freedom and independence. O Lord, continue thy blessing upon the Gospel. Watch over it with thy peculiar care; arm it with thy power; extend its reign from sea to sea, and may it be the guide and support of all nations; cause its light to illumine every mind; give it entire sway over the whole world.

To this end, bless thy ministering servants; rule their hearts; strengthen their hands; and give success to their labors. Endue them with wisdom from above; inspire them with a holy, heavenly zeal; and grant that they may be faithful in proclaiming their message of life and peace.

Smile, O God, upon those who hear thy word dispensed. May they listen with attention and candor, and be free from those prejudices and worldly influences, which render the Gospel a savor of death unto death. Help all to feel the importance of the Gospel; and the necessity of listening to its instructions, that they may be converted from sin, and made children of God.

O Lord, may we never be among those, who have eyes to see, but see not; ears to hear, but hear not; hearts to understand, but understand not. May we never be careless, inattentive, prejudiced, or critical hearers; but may we so hear as to be made wiser and better.

Watch over us this day; keep us in thy fear;

pardon our sins, and save us, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

TRUST IN GOD.

REFLECTIONS adapted to Psalm xxv. Psalm xxxiv. Isaiah xxvi." It is better," says David, "to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man: it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." But why better? What renders Jehovah so worthy of confidence? Let David answer: "The Lord is my strength. The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly." "Blessed be the Lord, my strength, my goodness and my fortress; my high tower and deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust.'

According to these representations, God must have infinite wisdom and power; and be the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. Without wisdom he would be liable to err, and without power unable to execute his designs. Hence it is said, His understanding is infinite, and his power almighty. These two attributes constitute the strength of Jehovah, and render him a Rock, a Fortress, a high Tower, the security and defence of the world. In these consist his superiority over all other gods. Through these he is able to "do whatever seemeth unto him good."

But wisdom and power are not alone sufficient to render God worthy of trust; for, unless he is good, they may be employed in working out the ruin of his people. The Psalmist often gives the goodness of God as a reason for trusting in him. His language is, 'Happy is he, whose trust is in the Lord, which keepeth truth forever; which executeth judgment for the oppressed; which giveth food to the hungry; which looseth the prisoners; which openeth the eyes of the blind; which raiseth up them that are bowed down; which relieveth the fatherless and the widow." "The

Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger and of great mercy." "The Lord is good unto all,

and his tender mercies are over all his works."

The goodness of Jehovah is one of his most endearing attributes; it is this that causes him to seek, perpetually, the promotion of human happiness, and peculiarly recommends all his plans to our admiration. How, then, can we distrust God! What if he hides his face in judgment? He is still our Father. What if he visits us with affliction? He does not afflict willingly. In all his dealings, he is actuated by infinite goodness, and guided by infinite wisdom.

PRAYER.

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God! in whose hand are our times, and whose are all our ways; we humbly acknowledge our entire dependence upon thee. We are weak, but thou art mighty; we are sinful, but thou art holy; we are mortal, but thou art immortal. All thy works praise thee, and declare the infinity of thy wisdom, power and goodness. But, O Lord, though raised far above our highest conceptions; though clothed with majesty, and encircled with ineffable glories, we can draw near to thy mercy-seat, and hold communion with thee. Unchanging and impartial love is revealed in all thy ways; and thy voice of mercy is constantly speaking to our hearts. To that voice, O Father, may we ever listen. And, when visited with sorrow, when our home is made desolate by the wastes of disease and time, may we not give way to feelings of despair; but may we have strength to bear all the afflictions thou shalt send, and be enabled to say, "Thy will, O God, be done."

Gracious Lord! in thee may our trust be

placed. Thou art from everlasting to everlasting; thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds; thy tender mercies extend to all men; thy compassions are infinite; thy greatness is incomprehensible. O, ever blessed Father! when troubles pour upon us, when the enjoyments by which our earthly state is blessed, shall be taken away; when the friends in whom we rejoice shall fail from our sight, may we be sustained by a firm trust in thee. Forbid that we should confide in an arm of flesh; that we should have no higher or firmer hope than earth can give. Forbid that affliction should weaken our confidence in thee, as a wise, holy and merciful Governor; and may we remember that thou dost not afflict willingly, nor grieve thy children; but that love ordains every trial, and forms every cloud which overshadows our path. In all seasons of distress may we fly to thee for refuge. And, O God, may we ever find the gates of mercy unfolded, and the fountains of life pouring forth their streams of comfort. Suffer us not to feel, in the day of trial, that we are forsaken of thee; but may thy presence, then, cheer and encourage

us.

Immortal Father! may we realize the shortness of life; that our steps are few and faltering; and that, though the creatures of yesterday,

we may depart to-morrow. O wilt thou prepare us for all life's dangers; and enable us, by devout meditation and a firm trust in thee, to meet with composure whatever thy wisdom and goodness may appoint.

Smile, O Lord, upon our relatives and friends, and may their trust ever be in thee. Smile

upon all who are in affliction, and cheer them by thy precious promises. Watch over us during this day; guide us and support us through life, and finally save us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DUTIES OF CHILDREN.

REFLECTIONS adapted to Ps. cxix. 1-16. Prov. xiv. Col. iii.--"Honor thy father and mother," is one of the most important commands God has given. It implies that children should ever treat their parents with the highest respect; obey cheerfully their laws; assiduously consult their wishes, and do what they can for their support if reduced to want.

This command is reasonable and just. Parents provide for the temporal wants of their children; and bestow unnumbered blessings upon them before their infant minds can know whence they come. Parents have wisdom, judgment and experience, and know what is best for their children. How proper, therefore, that they should be obedient in all things.

The world is full of examples exhibiting the terrible effects of filial disobedience. How many, in consequence of this, have plunged into the worst of excesses, and brought upon themselves the most terrible evils which it is possible for human beings to endure. Look at the Prodigal Son. He was impatient under the wholesome restraints of home; he was headstrong, and wished to have his own way, and he left his father's house. No sooner did he commence following the dictates of his passions and judgment, than he began to mingle in vicious company; to follow the practices of the most abandoned, and to spend his money in riot and dissipation. His career was disgraceful and ruinous; and, in a short time, we behold him reduced to a state of the most extreme want and wretchedness. It has