We adore Thee as the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. Thou art the Maker of our earth; and Thou art the Maker of man upon it: and Thou madest man upright, in the possession of thy image, and the enjoyment of thy presence. But man being in honour abode not. Our first father sinned; and we have borne his iniquity. We have gone astray from the womb; and, in numberless instances, have evinced ourselves to be the degenerate offspring, of a fallen original-and there is no health in us. As transgressors of thy law, we are under the curse; and did our deliverance depend upon ourselves, we must lie down in endless despair. We admit, in all its extent, the testimony of thy word against us; but admire, with gratitude, the developement of a plan of mercy and grace, divinely appropriate to all our wants and woes, and uniting the highest display of thy glory, with the salvation of sinners.

Adored be the benevolence that led the Son of thy love, before the foundation of the world, to say, Lo! I come to do thy will, O God; thy law is within my heart. Blessed be the day when the angels saw Him who was rich, for our sakes becoming poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich. Blessed be the hour, when the Prince of Life bore our sins in his own body on the tree; and having obtained eternal redemption for us, ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men, even the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. We rejoice, that christianity was originally preached, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven: and in the demonstration of the Spirit, was so firmly established, that the gates of hell can never prevail against it. We praise Thee, that the sun of righteousness, in the knowledge of the gospel, has arisen with healing under his wings, upon this distinguished land; and said, Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and

the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. And, O, what reason have we to be thankful, if this gospel has come to us, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

For we bless Thee, that though miracles have ceased, yet thy Spirit is insured to thy people to the end of the world, as the source of light and life, and peace and joy; giving testimony to the word of thy grace; and working in the souls of men, to will and to do of thy good pleasure.

O, Thou Author of all good, save us, we beseech Thee, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. May we be found in the number of those, who are born of the Spirit; and give evidence of it, by our walking after the Spirit, and our minding the things of the Spirit. Instead of judging ourselves by dreams, fancies, and impressions, may we prove what is acceptable unto the Lord; and remember, that the fruit of the Spirit, is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.

We desire, O God, to acknowledge our entire dependence upon Thee. Whatever time we have been engaged in thy service, we are still in the body, and feel our need of the continuance of those counsels, supports, and consolations, which have ever been afforded us. Cast us not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

In all the dangers to which we are exposed, uphold us by thy free Spirit: and may we not think it enough to be preserved from falling; but may we go forward, and be always abounding in the work of the Lord. Strengthen us with might by thy Spirit, in the inner man, for every purpose of the christian life; and may we be satisfied with no attainment, till we are filled with all the fulness of God.

Awaken the careless; convince of their error and guilt, all those who deny, or vilify, the work of thy grace and plant in their consciences the conviction, that if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Pour the spirit of grace and of supplication upon all our congregations. Bless the ministry of the gospel, and make it the ministration of the Spirit, and the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth.

But how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? How many are there, who, by the wretchedness of their condition, if not by their actual desire, are saying, Come over and help us.

Hast Thou not commanded us to pray, that thy kingdom may come? Hast not Thou promised that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the seas?

May we encourage our expectation, by reviewing what Thou hast already accomplished; and remembering, that Thou art a God of truth, and—the Almighty. May we, therefore, realize in our minds, the delightful period, when the heathen shall cast their idols to the moles and to the bats; when Mahometanism and anti-. christ shall perish: when the Jews shall look upon Him, whom they have pierced, and mourn: and among protestants, every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

But why are thy chariot wheels so long in coming? Why does the whole creation groan and travel in pain together until now? How many would say, Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word could their eyes see thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a

light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

While using the means, may we trust in thy wisdom, as well as thy faithfulness; and hear the voice saying, I the Lord will hasten it-in his time.

And to God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed the kingdom, power, and glory, both now and for ever. Amen.

000-000

THE EVENING AFTER A FUNERAL.

O THOU Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. Thou hast often invited us to thyself, by a profusion of kindnesses; and it manifests our depravity, that we think of Thee so little in the hour of ease and prosperity. But we are now before Thee, in affliction and distress. Yet we rejoice to know, that Thou art a very present, and an all-sufficient help in trouble.

Thou takest away, and who can hinder Thee, or say unto Thee, What doest Thou? Thou hast a right to do what Thou wilt with thine own. Thou art a sovereign, and the reasons of thy conduct are often far above, out of our sight but thy work is perfect, thy ways are judg

ment. All thy dispensations are wise, and righteous, and kind-kind, even when they seem to be severe.

May we hear thy voice in thy rod, as well as in thy word and gathering from the corrections with which we are exercised, the peaceable fruit of righteousness, be able to acknowledge, with all our suffering brethren before us, It is good for me that I have been afflicted.

It is not the scripture only, that reminds us of our living in a dying world, but all observation, and experience. Man is continually going to his long home, and

the mourners daily go about the streets. And we are all accomplishing, as an hireling, our day, and in a little time, our neighbours, friends, and relations, will seek us-and we shall not be. Our days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. Thou hast made our days as an hand's breadth, and our age is as nothing before Thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. For our days are not only few, but full of evil. Anxieties perplex us; dangers alarm us; infirmities oppress us; disappointments afflict us; losses impoverish us—we are consumed by thy an ger, and by thy wrath are we troubled-O shut not thy merciful ear to our prayers; but spare us, O Lord, most holy: O Lord, most mighty: O holy and most merciful Saviour: Thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any bitter pains of death, to fall from Thee.

We acknowledge, O God, with shame and sorrow, that the state of degradation and mortality, in which we groan, was not our original condition. Thou madest man upright; but he sought out many inventions. Our first father sinned, and we have borne his iniquity. By one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death hath passed upon all men, because all have sinned.

And we bless Thee, that this is not our final state. By the discoveries of faith, we see new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. We see the spirits of just men made perfect. We see our vile bodies changed, and fashioned like the Saviour's own glorious body; and man, the sinner, raised above the angels, who never sinned.

We bless Thee for this purpose of grace, formed before the world began, and accomplished, in the fulness of time, by the Son of thy love, who hath abolished death,