But the Lord hath raised me up again : He hath given me room and light again.

And my body putteth on again the raiment of the life of this world: and is clothed in the garment of his mercy.

Help my soul to put on Thee, O Christ: clothe it with the garment of thy righteous

ness.

That in the end it may be clothed with a glorious body even with the image of thy body.

O how splendid is thy vestiary: how rich is thy treasury.

There are the white robes of righteousness: and the moth eateth them not.

There is the crown of glory: and the rust corrupteth it not.

There are the talents of thy heavenly gift: and no thieves can break through to steal them. All are laid up safe in thy heavenly house : and prepared for such as seek them.

Deal forth unto me, O Lord: my soul hath a longing to be clothed of Thee.

VIII.

THE CHRISTIAN RACE.

AWAKE, awake! thou that sleepest : arise; it is high time for thee to awake.

Thou hast a race to run this day: the course is set before thee.

Behold! the Judge is seated: the crown is woven and ready.

Angels are awaiting the spectacle: the voice of him that calleth to run hath sounded.

Come forth, come forth, thou slumberer : arise from thy bed, quit thy chamber.

:

Gird thyself well let thy feet be shod with preparation.

O Lord! I come forth: help me, I pray Thee, this day.

Suffer not my footsteps to slip: neither let them be turned out of the way.

Let me not look back upon that which I have left for thy sake: nor around on the new temptations that beset me.

But set my face continually towards the mark help me to run unto the end.

O Christ! Thou art the mark: Thou art the beginning and the end.

O King of glory : let me so run that I may obtain thy presence.

Thou art the crown: to be with Thee is the prize.

Teach me to know the worth of earthly crowns they are even crowns of thorns.

And to understand the price of heavenly crowns they are won by the fellow-sufferer with Thee.

Thou canst feel compassion for thy servant : Thou Thyself didst run a race with patience. And didst despise the shame of the cross: that Thou mightest bring many sons unto glory.

Strengthen my speed this day : that I may finish its course with joy.

And evermore direct my feet in thy way: and lead me unto life everlasting.

March yo

IX.

THE CHRISTIAN A PRIEST.

O GOD! the day of thy ministry hath come again the hour of thy sacrifice hath returned.

Behold! I arise unto its service: I prepare my heart with prayer.

I make ready for thine altar: I put on the vesture of thy priesthood.

Not the vesture of white wool and fine linen : not the vesture of outward adorning;

Not the vesture which the cunning of man hath devised and the vanity of man doth admire ;

Not that which dresseth the body: but that which prepareth the spirit;

Even the garment of thy righteousness: the clothing of thy salvation.

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O Lord! thy hands have clothed me : Thou hast made me put on Christ.

Thou hast anointed me with the oil of thy Holy Spirit: Thou hast called me to thy royal priesthood.

That I may appear in the company of thy blessed spirits and stand before the throne of thy presence.

O therefore receive mine offerings: let my sacrifice be acceptable unto Thee.

Let the incense of my prayer go up before thy throne: O Father everlasting.

O Thou Lamb of God, slain for sin from the beginning of the world : plead for me.

O Thou High-priest, that livest for ever to make intercession for thy people plead for

me.

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O Thou Lord Christ, Son of the living God: plead for me.

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I bring a broken and contrite heart and a body prepared for thy service.

With such sacrifices Thou art well pleased: such offerings Thou hast promised not to refuse.

And thou art ever nigh unto them that call upon Thee and art ever found by them that seek Thee.

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March 8th

X.

THE CHRISTIAN A PROPHET.

ANOTHER day is come: mine eyes look nearer unto the end.

And I rejoice to see thy day: the time of the refreshing of thy people.

O Thou Prophet, whom we desire to hear: in all things whatsoever Thou hast said;

Thou that pourest thy Spirit upon all flesh : and thy servants prophesy in thy name;

Keep thy servant this day: that he speak not from polluted lips;

Neither from the fulness of a corrupt heart : nor from the prompting of an evil spirit.

Let him not take into his mouth the words of worldly vanity: nor laugh with them that take their pastime in this life.

Nor provoke Thee with murmurs of impatience nor anger Thee with rebellious complaints.

But send down thy Holy Spirit of truth upon me : let me prophesy this day in thy name.

Let all my words declare thy righteousness: and proclaim thy promises.

That I be not ashamed to speak of the coming of thy glory: nor afraid to set forth thy judgments before transgressors.

O Lord, Thou art the truth: I know how Thou abhorrest a lie;