to engross each day, and for which all other matters ought to be slighted and despised: teach me to remember that, on this very day, and on every day of my life, it is my first duty to glorify thee, my God; to imitate thee, my Jesus; to honour the saints and angels; to mortify my flesh; to expiate my sins; to strive for virtues; to edify my neighbours; to despise the world; to resist temptations; to overcome my passions; to make the most of my time; to think on eternity; to avoid hell; to aim at heaven; and perhaps, O God, to die ere dawn another sun, and to appear before thy judgment seat.

These are my first calls: teach me to remember them-enable me to fulfil them; and never let me idle away one single hour in vanities or in worldly matters that may hinder me from performing those duties which thou thyself hast imposed upon me. Amen.

IN SLIGHT PROVOCATIONS.

Almighty God, my dear Saviour, who didst vouchsafe to set us an example by following which we might grow in grace with God and man, enable me, I beseech thee, to practice those virtues of meekness, forbearance, and brotherlylove which may prepare my soul for the companionship of thy blessed saints. O remove from me all vain-glory, presumption, rivalry; and teach me to be meek and humble of heart, and

in patience to possess my soul. Teach me to bear with the imperfections of others as I expect that pthers will excuse mine own defects. Make me cheerful, kind, and conciliating: make me always sensible that, in this world, envy, malice, and dislikes are to be shunned, and that kindly feelings are to be practised, because kindly feelings alone can be admitted into thy mansions of peace and blessedness.

Remove, therefore, dear Jesus, from my heart, remove for ever from me all moroseness and ill-will. Make me cheerful, glad, and happy in the enjoyment of thy grace. For, O God, if thou wilt vouchsafe to bestow thy grace upon me, ought I not to be cheerful and gladsome ? Ought I not to show that thy Holy Spirit exerts some influence on my soul ?-that it raises it above those petty vexations which might, in deed, annoy such as know thee not, but which ought never to break the calm of those who aspire to be thy servants? Oh may peace, patience, mildness, and the other gifts of the Holy Ghost be mine: may they direct and assuage my heart, and raise its aspirations far above this world to thee, my God, who art mine origin and my last hope.

In all annoyances, in all trials of temper, teach me, dear Lord and Saviour, to think on thee and on what thou didst endure for my sake. Teach me to think that, perhaps, I am not quite in the right; and that, perhaps, those

who vex me are not quite in the wrong; but that, at all events, the interests of this world soon pass away and become of no value; that they are unworthy to ruffle a soul that aspires to thee. In all temptations, in all provocations, do thou uplift my thoughts to thee: in all the every-day intercourse of worldly life, do thou assist and uphold me. Breathe kindliness, forbearance, and joy into mine own defective temper: so that, without vain glory or spiritual pride, I may inwardly feel and openly show that I am ruled by thee who art a God of love; by thee who art the Prince of Peace, who art willing, even now, to fill our souls with thy grace, that we may learn to join the song of thy holy angels, and for ever to invoke glory to God on high, and, on earth, peace to men of good will.

Grant this, dear Jesus, I beseech thee, through thine own meek and exemplary life. Amen.

IN WORLDLY ANXIETY.

Let not my soul be troubled, O my dear Saviour; and let it not be afraid. I believe in God; I believe also in thee. I believe that thou art the greatest good; and that no earthly thing is, of itself, worthy to engage thy servants. Make me look upon this matter in its true light-as it is beheld by thee: but enable me to succeed in it, and may it tend to thy

glory and to mine own welfare. Protect me and uphold me in it, I beseech thee, and let me not be brought to shame.

But yet, O Lord, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me the grace to fulfil thy heavenly will, and to forego every worldly interest for thy sake. Lord, I offer myself to thee to thee, I offer the result of my present anxiety. Accept me, I pray thee, and bear me through this and through every worldly care. With eternity before me, let me not too much heed the interests of time.

To thee, my dear Saviour, I offer Time and all its interests. Oh lead me, I implore thee, from them and by them, to the enjoyment of thyself and of everlasting rest. Amen.

A PARENT'S PRAYER.

O God, whose holy prophets have ever declared children to be a blessing to those to whom they were given, grant, I beseech thee, that thy merciful intentions may never be defeated through any defect on my part. Oh may the children whom thou hast bestowed upon me be a blessing and a comfort to my life. May I be enabled to bring them up in virtue and godliness and do thou, my God, bestow upon them such dispositions and such tempers as may lead them to profit by every good and to shun every evil that may come near them.

Bestow upon them, out of the abundance of

thy mercy, health, strength, and ability; give them the will to improve themselves, and the power to make the most of all those means which may offer of advancing their own good. and thine honour. Keep them, I entreat thee, from want, sickness, and distress; uphold them in every innocent undertaking, and preserve them from ever engaging in any which may be displeasing to thee, my God. Oh thou who art our Father in heaven, be to them a Father on earth; a God, a protector, and a house of refuge to save them.

Teach me, Almighty God, I beseech thee, to set them an example of the way in which they should walk. Teach me to train up their minds in the fear and love of thee: and never, oh never let them fall into sin by following any bad habit or any evil inclination which they may have learned from me. Oh let them not be brought to sorrow and suffering through my means let them not incur guilt through any negligence or indulgence on my part. From all sin, keep them, O Lord; and especially from all sin which I might have taught them to shun. Let them live innocently and holily; let them remember the object for which their life is bestowed let them remember the bliss which thou hast prepared for us all in thy kingdom. So guide and inspire them, I entreat thee, that they and I may enjoy that bliss together; and may together and for ever praise thee for having