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Another Prayer for the use of a Sunday School.

but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord.

Thou hast taught us, O heavenly Father, by thy holy apostle, that all our teaching, all our faith, and all our doings, without charity are nothing worth: give us, we beseech thee, that spirit which was in our Savior Christ, that we may follow after that charity which is the bond of peace, and love one another, as thou hast given us commandment. May we love others as we love ourselves, and do unto all men as we would have them do unto us. And wilt thou hear our intercessions, O God, for the whole family of mankind? Let the light of thy gospel shine upon all the nations of the earth, and grant that they who have received it may live as becomes it. Keep thy church and household in thy true religion. Grant that all Christians may be so joined together, in unity of spirit, and in the bond of peace, that they may be a holy temple acceptable unto thee. And especially, O Lord, to the congregation of thy people, with whom we are accustomed to assemble, give the abundance of thy grace; that with one heart they may desire the prosperity of thy holy apostolic church, and with one mouth may profess the faith once delivered to the saints. Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all the ministers of thy gospel, of every grade, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly administer the holy ordinances of Christ's religion.

And to thee, the Father of mercies, we would add our humble and hearty thanks for thy unnumbered mercies bestowed upon thy sinful creatures, who are unworthy of the least of thy favors. Chiefly we adore thy goodness in the gift of thy Son to be our Savior, and that thou hast called us to a knowledge of thy grace and faith in him. We bless thee for all the means and opportunities of religious im

Collects suitable for opening a Sunday School.

provement which we enjoy. Though we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer thee any sacrifice of praise or prayer; trusting in thy promise to give to those who ask in the name of Jesus Christ, we beseech thee to accept our adorations and praise. Behold with thy favor and blessing the occasion of our present meeting before thee. Guide and prosper our feeble efforts to teach and to learn the ways of righteousness and truth. To those who teach, give wisdom and patience and the spirit of love. Open the minds of those who are taught, that they may receive instruction, and know to refuse the evil and choose the good, and, like the child Jesus, grow in wisdom, as they increase in years, and in favor with God and man. Give thy blessing to all those who have the care of educating youth may they so train them up in the way that they should go, that afterward they may not depart from it. Direct us, O Lord, in all we do, with thy most gracious favor, and prosper us with thy continued help. Dispose our ways towards the attainment of everlasting salvation, that among all the changes and perils of this mortal life, we may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior. Amen.

Collects suitable for opening a Sunday School.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent, create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, truly lamenting our sins and acknowledging our unworthiness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission

For closing a Sunday School.

and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of men, grant unto us and to all thy people, that we may love the things which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise, that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Direct us, O Lord, in all we do, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name and words we humbly pray :—

Our Father, who art, &c.

For closing the School.

BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, and read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hopes of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that what has now been read, and heard, and taught

“A Prayer that may be used at the Closing of a Sunday School.

from thy holy word, and according to thy will, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that it may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of thy name, through Christ, our blessed Redeemer. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

A Prayer that may be used at the Closing of a Sunday School.

ADORABLE and everliving God, through whose merciful goodness we are again permitted to enjoy the comforts and the privileges of thy holy day of rest, give us hearts to be thankful for these and for all thy favors. Grant that the truths of thy holy word may be grafted inwardly in our hearts, and bring forth in us the fruit of pure and undefiled religion. Accept the prayers which have been offered before these, and pardon us wherein they have been defective. May thy blessing be upon all the members of this school, and upon all its exercises. May the doctrines of the gospel be deeply impressed upon our minds, and be made the rule of our conduct. Work in us that repentance for our sins past which is not to be repented of, and that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which renews the heart, worketh by love, and overcometh the world. Help us to love. thee with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Grant that what is taught us on the Lord's day may be so blessed to the improvement of our hearts, as to influence our life and practice through the week and while we live. Strengthen us by thy Spirit, and guide us in all things by thy

Directions for a Larger Form of Sunday School Devotions. heavenly wisdom, that we may do our duty in the state of life to which it shall please thee to call us. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, may we live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; and when we shall have served thee in our generation, may we be admitted into those mansions of peace and rest which thou hast prepared for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ; in whose name we offer up these our imperfect prayers. And to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Directions for a Larger Form of Sunday School Devotions.

The person who conducts the worship may first address the school in the following, or other words suitable to call their attention to the subject of their dependence upon God, and the importance of asking in prayer for his aid and benediction.

BELOVED brethren and youthful friends, through the Lord's merciful goodness we are here assembled, on his holy day, and in his presence, to give and to receive instruction and knowledge, especially instruction in God's word, and the knowledge of our salvation in Jesus Christ. But we are not able to know the Holy Scriptures, except God shall open our hearts that we may truly understand them; nor can we keep his commandments, nor do any good thing, without his grace assisting. We ought, therefore, daily and at all times, to ask in prayer for the direction and aid of his Holy Spirit, and humbly and earnestly to call upon him for what we need. Let us now, with humble minds and sincere devotion, unite in beseeching him to behold us with favor on the present occasion, to bestow his blessing upon this school, and that he will direct and aid us in all our endeavors to teach and know and do his will.

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