Fair would we consider how solemn a thing is life, and how great is our need of Thy continual grace, to make of life a continual blessing. The glare of temptation is in the dream of youth; afflictions darken the dial of manhood; and though the flaming sword has been taken away, there is evermore a sepulchre in the garden, and the cry of the tomb is in all the earth. We bless Thee, Father of All, that wisdom and mercy are in all the doings of Thy hand, and that our experience becomes a prophecy through faith in Thy holy word. Even in the night of adversity, and when our souls are unconscious of Thy watch-care, the evening star of memory is becoming the morning star of hope. Grant, we beseech Thee, that the lessons of yesterday, and the trust of to-morrow, may be present to our thoughts, now while it is called to-day, that the future may indeed be better than the past. Renew a right spirit within us, O LORD, that we may press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling. Though darkness be in our borders, let not the fires which burn on the unclean altars of the world mislead us; but may we, hour by hour, enter farther and farther into the kingdom of Thy Son, ever coming nearer and nearer to the throne. And when the ministries and the judgments of that kingdom are finished, may Thy uni deemer, and celebrate Thy praise, world with out end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Hymn. Sermon. Prayer. Hymn. Benediction. ND now, brethren, I commend you to Gon, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inberitance among all who are sanctified. To GOD only wise be glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen. Order of Public Worship. EIGHTH. ¶ After a Hymn, the Congregation will rise, and join the Minister in the following Psalm, in verses alternately. Another 0 Selection may be substituted. LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! who hast set Thy glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength, because of Thine enemies, that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast or dained, what is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands: Thou hast put all things under his feet. O LORD our Lord how excellent is Thy name in all [LET US PRAY.] E bless Thee, our Father, for that holy word which lamp our a to our path. May we so trust in Thy wisdom and good. ness, as to follow Thy counsel in the midst of all darkness and mystery; and grant, we beseech Thee, that the truth which shines into our thoughts, may kindle in our affections the sacrifice of praise, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. G ¶ At Morning Service all unite in the Lord's Prayer. Hymn.-One of these Sentences may introduce the Exhortation. OD so loved the world, that He gave His only-begot ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For GoD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. THE love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again. The Exhortation. DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN: GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things. ¶ The Congregation will rise. Ir is indeed becoming in us to arise in acknowledg ment of the blessed Redeemer, the image of the invisible GOD, the brightness of the Father's glory, to whom we have been commanded to hearken; and every true and loving disciple will heartily witness the good confession, I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living [LET US PRAY.] THY kingdom, O LORD, ruleth over all. The invisible things of Thy wisdom, and goodness, and power, from the creation are clearly seen, and devotion admires and adores Thee in the wonder-working of Thy ways; yet what seraph-mind could look upon the earth in its defilement, and into Thy hidden counsels, and proclaim the coming of a Redeemer! What is man, O LORD, that Thou shouldst magnify him, and that Thou shouldst set Thy heart upon him! We We bless Thee, Father of All, that the Word of Thine eternal purpose was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. glorify Thee that the mystery of iniquity has been rebuked by the mystery of godliness, and that darkness and error shall pass from the dominion of the world. We praise Thee that the DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS was unveiled in the light of the holy mount, and that the voice of the Invisible Presence declared him to be Thy beloved SoN. Let that light shine into all the earth, O LORD, until all souls shall see the deformity of sin and the comeliness of the Son of Man: Let that voice go forth in its renewing power, until the yearnings of humanity shall plead for the coming of the Son of GOD. FATHER ALMIGHTY, whose justice is transfigured in the mountain of Thy holiness: En less, that they may bow down in reverence, and be lifted up in praise. Breathe the harmony of Thy perfections upon the valley of the slain, that the sleepers may arise and worship among the redeemed. Shake all nations, O LORD, that the Messiah may come in his glory, and transform all hearts into living temples of the living GOD. FATHER OF MERCIES, and GOD of all comfort: Lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon all who are burdened with sorrow and care: Upon all who are oppressed by their fellow-men: Upon all who suffer for the sake of truth and conscience: Upon all who are assailed by temptation: Upon all who despair of Thy mercy: Upon all who are mourning the bereavements of life: Upon all who are sick, or tormented by the fear of death: Upon all who stand at the entrance of the dark valley. May Christ be in them all the hope of glory, that the trial of their faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, may be found unto praise and honor in the day of deliverance. MOST HIGH AND HOLY ONE: While we offer before Thee the intercession of charity and sympathy, we would fain remember our personal need of Thy heavenly grace. Let the spirit of life descend upon us, O LORD, that the follies of the world may give place to the solemnity of religious endeavor. |