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us by thy stripes. O God! nothing is left for us, but to receive this cup of salvation with thankful, joyful hearts; and to give ourselves to thee, that as thou hast redeemed us, so thou mayest finish thine own work, and make us meet for thy presence. For this we humbly approach thee, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Grant us, according to thy riches in glory, to be strengthened with might by thy Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith,-that beholding his glory, we may be changed into the same image, by the Spirit of the Lord. Our inmost hearts are all known to thee, O God!-rend away the darkness which enwraps any of them, and awaken them ere it be too late, by the light of truth. Lord, thou knowest our fears, our anxious thoughts;-thou knowest those that lie nearest our hearts, and heaviest on them ;-thou hast invited us to cast

our cares on thee,-Lord, we would do this. We have known thy power to support, and comfort, and elevate. We have also known thy power to awaken, and convince, and renew. We commit our own souls, and the souls of those we love, in humble hope to thee for this life, and for that which is eternal.' Amen.

After HowARD's Prayer, he reads a Hymn, which all afterwards join in singing.

The Hymn.

Vain and presumptuous is the trust
Which on our works we place,
Salvation from a higher source
Flows to the human race.

''Tis from the mercy of our God
That all our hopes begin;

His mercy sav'd our souls from death,

And wash'd our souls from sin.

I

His Spirit, through the Saviour shed,
His sacred fire imparts,

Refines our dross, and love divine

Rekindles in our hearts.'

After the Hymn is sung, the servants, &c. retire.

HOWARD, CONWAY, MRS Howard, EMMA, and CHARLES.

Mrs How. We hoped, Howard, that Mr Conway and you would have returned to us.

How. Our conversation became so interesting, at least to me, that the real truth, my love, is,-I forgot that you would expect us.

Mrs How. Well, Emma and I were so deeply occupied with Mr Conway's beautiful prints, that we sometimes could have forgotten that we did, had not Charles occasionally stopped his walk of

three hours duration about the room, to

remind us.

[HOWARD turns away gravely, and sighs.]

Charles. Sir, may I translate your looks into words?

How. Can you, Charles ?

Charles. (Half gaily, half sadly.) They said, O that my reprobate son's eyes were opened, to see the value of that time he so trifles away.'

How. You have translated well, Charles.

And now do my looks say,

that trifling with knowledge is even more criminal than trifling with time?

44

Charles. (Gloomily.) Can knowledge, without conviction of its truth, do any thing?

Emma. Dear Charles, remember! [Looks steadily at him. He turns away, and walks to the other end of the room.]

A servant opens the door into another apartment, where there are refreshments.

All enter, and HOWARD approaches the table, and says

A Grace.

Ever present, ever gracious, ever merciful God, we thank thee for thy continued blessings. Open our eyes to see, -open our hearts to feel thy goodness, for His sake through whom we sinners may at all times approach thee as a reconciled Father.' Amen.

How. (Aside to Conway.) Why so silent, my friend?

Con. Do not mind me, dear Howard. I shall tell you my thoughts afterwards. I wish to observe Charles.

Charles. (After looking at the things on the table.) I wonder what length of grace the old labourer I watched at his dinner to-day, would think it necessary to say before this supper, or whatever it may be called.

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