There I will stand before Thee and not be afraid thence I will answer with boldness, when Thou callest.

O my God, accept mine humble confession : and despise not my thanksgiving.

In thy salvation is my trust in thy redemption is my hope.

Therefore I lay me down in peace and into thy hands I commit my soul.

Blessed be Thou, my keeper: hallowed be thy name, O Father Almighty.

XI.

THE NATURE OF A DAY.

I HAVE seen the leaf on the tree: the caterpillar hath made her home in it.

It is laden with life it is black with thousands.

And its hour cometh and it falleth to the ground.

So sinketh day after day below the earth : each in its appointed turn,

And carrieth its thousands to the

grave : the fond nestlings of its food and shelter.

Yea, and even as leaf falleth after leaf: when

the days of the year are shortened,

And the wind scattereth them far away: and

the tree knoweth them no more,

It cannot take them to its branches again : it cannot give them freshness again,

They are withered beyond repair : they are mingled with the dust of the earth;

So falleth day after day from the life of man : and his years come in course to an end.

So hath this day gone from me : and as it has fallen, so must it lie.

It hath fallen into the regions of eternity: it hath joined the heap of days that have fallen since time began.

No prayer can restore it: no endeavour can redeem it.

I cannot change its colour: I cannot alter its character.

Is it dark with deeds of sin : it must be dark still.

Hath it been foul with evil imaginations: it must be foul still.

Hath it been unprofitable in service: it must be unprofitable still.

O Lord, when I think of these things and meditate on thy ways in my heart,

How gracious do I find Thee: how excellent thy goodness!

For the sake of thy dear Son : for the merits of his precious blood,

Thou takest no account of that which is past Thou restorest that which hath been lost.

Thou renewest that which hath been de

cayed Thou cleansest that which hath been defiled,

To the lowly that ask in his name: to the broken-hearted that put their trust in Him. O my soul, behold the leaf that falleth : leaveth it not a bud behind,

The earnest of a new leaf the promise of life to come?

So be it with each day that departeth from me may it leave an earnest of new life behind,

In hope which hath brightened: in faith which hath settled,

:

In joy of the Holy Spirit in peace with God.

O the bliss of the days to come: O the glory of the fulfilment of their promise.

They shall not fade nor change: they shall never be moved from their place.

But they shall endure for ever: and their leaf shall be green unto all eternity.

XII.

A PRAYER FOR WATCHFULNESS OF HEART.

In the night Babylon fell: and her princes were slain with the sword.

In the night Satan entered into the heart of Judas: and he betrayed his master.

In the night Peter was afraid of man : and he denied his Lord.

In the night the High Priest rejected the Son of God and the Chief Priests condemned the

:

Lord of glory.

They were all unwatchful: their spirit was asleep within them.

:

Therefore the adversary prevailed against them and took them captive to do his will. O Lord, make me jealous of this season : teach me to watch and pray.

So the robber shall not come upon my soul : nor shall the powers of darkness overwhelm

me.

But they shall see the light burning within : and shall fear to enter the habitation of my spirit.

For Thou art ever with the spirits that wake unto Thee: and Thou art terrible to thine adversaries, O Captain of salvation.

O Almighty Watchman, Thou wakest not in vain: Thou art a sure defence to all that trust in Thee.

From the dead of the night they look forward to thy day in the midst of darkness they rejoice in thy light.

Be Thou my keeper through this night : behold and defend me, O Bishop of my soul.

XIII.

A THANKSGIVING FOR PROTECTION, CONSIDERING THE ACCIDENTS WHICH HAVE BEFALLEN OTHERS.

O LORD, Thou hast manifested thy might: and wonderful are the things which Thou hast done.

Thou hast put forth thine arm this day : yea, a strong and a terrible arm.

Thou hast bent the bow of thy judgment: Thou hast scattered thine arrows of vengeance abroad;

And their aim hath been certain and their points have been sharp.

Thou hast smitten him that was joyful in health Thou hast brought down the strong man in the midst of his boasting;

Neither have their hosts been a shield to princes in the glory of their might Thou hast struck them.

Them that were rich in the morning Thou hast made poor: them that were exalted into heaven, Thou hast brought down unto the pit.

How suddenly are their viols become silent : and their pleasant places desolate!

But I have seen thy dealings, and am un