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Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.

as we ought to speak, to make known the mystery of the gospel, that Christ may be magnified in us, whether by life, or by death. May it be our chief desire to make known among men Jesus Christ and him crucified, willing for his sake to be accounted fools, and to suffer reproaches and persecutions and distress. May we never think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, nor be unduly influenced by the love of praise or filthy lucre; but be humble and meek, gladly becoming the servants of all, that men may be saved in Jesus Christ, through whom alone we offer these our humble prayers. Amen.

O LORD, we are encompassed with infirmities; whatever hindrances and difficulties beset us, enable us, in humble, steadfast faith, to look still to thee for guidance and strength. In patience may we possess our souls. Inspire us with such zeal as becometh those who bear the message of salvation to perishing sinners. May we have our people in our hearts, and long after them all, in the bowels of Jesus Christ; not ceasing to pray for them; warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Though the fruit of our labor do not soon appear, give us faith and patience to wait in hope, and with a holy confidence to trust in thee: relying upon thy promises, may we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. May we never be forgetful of our dependence upon thee, but always remember that neither is he that planteth nor he that watereth any thing, but God that giveth the increase. Give, we earnestly beseech thee, O give thy blessing to

Prayers to be used at the Opening of a Meeting.

our labors; let not thy word return unto thee void, but prosper it in the thing whereto thou sendest it. Be with us in season and out of season. Bear witness, by thy Spirit, to thy word, making it a savor of life to the hearers, awakening the careless, establishing the wavering, recovering those who err from the truth; comforting those who mourn, and building up thy people in their most holy faith. Grant these blessings, O gracious God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

WE humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, in behalf of the flocks which thou hast appointed us to feed, that thou wouldst grant them, according to the riches of thy glory, to be strengthened with might in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith; that, being rooted and grounded in love, they may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth and length, and depth and height, and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that they may be filled with all the fulness of God. From all ignorance, hardness of heart, and neglect of thy holy word, good Lord, deliver them. Give them grace to receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save their souls; and to be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Have mercy, O gracious Lord, upon the impenitent: alarm the careless, and awaken them to righteousness. Open the eyes of the blind; guide the inquiring; pity those who are deceived; be gracious to all who mourn for their sins, and defend thy people in every danger, and from every sin.

We beseech thee, O merciful God, to hear our prayers. Vouchsafe thy blessing upon our present meeting. May our coming together be for the bet

ter.

Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.

We beseech thee, according to thy gracious promise, to be with us, who have met in thy name, and, we humbly trust, according to thy will. May this social interview tend to the good of thy church, and to the spiritual refreshment of our own souls. Preserve us from all error, levity, pride, and prejudice. May we love as brethren; be humble, affectionate and kind; and in all we think and speak and do, have a solemn sense of thy presence, and a single eye to thy glory. All these our humble petitions we offer and present unto thee, O heavenly Father, in the name and through the mediation of Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and praise, now and for evermore. Amen.

Our Father who art, &c.

Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving kindness to us and to all men. Praised be thy glorious name for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ. Wonderful are the mercies through him vouchsafed to thy sinful creatures; unspeakably precious the blessings which thou hast given us through his death and resurrection. We bless thee, O God, especially for this opportunity of talking of thy loving kindness, and for the delightful fellowship and communion which, by thy goodness, we have now been permitted to enjoy. Grant, O Lord, that great and permanent good, to ourselves and to others, may ensue from this meeting. Whatever lessons we have learned,-whatever impressions

Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.

we have received, may they be sanctified and abiding. May brotherly love continue. May our love to Christ, and for his church, be increased: may we be more devoted to his service, and more heartily determined, in the sufficiency of his grace, to make full proof of our ministry. Enable us to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; to be instant, in season and out of season: may we follow after righteousness, faith, meekness and love, and the gospel, which we preach, come to the hearers, not in word only, but also in power, to the purifying of the heart by faith.

But before thee, O God, who searchest the heart, and triest the reins of men, and while we rejoice in believing that thou hast been in the midst of us, we bow with self-abasement, and a sense of unworthiness, and ask thy forgiveness of the sins which we may have committed in thy presence. We feel that our holiest things have need of pardon. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us and pardon our offences, for his sake who died for our sins and rose again for our justification, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who hast commanded us to make intercession for all men, have mercy, we beseech thee, upon the whole church of Christ on earth. Let thy continued pity cleanse and defend it; and especially that portion of it with which we are particularly associated. Preserve it from all perils and adversities, and cause it to shine in the light of thy blessing, as a city set on a hill. Defend it from al heresy and schism. Take away every root of bitterness, that all its ministers and people may be kindly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fer

Prayers to be used at the Conclusion of a Meeting.

vent in spirit, serving the Lord. On all our congregations and their pastors pour out a spirit of active and self-denying zeal; that they may labor in unity of spirit and in the bond of peace, to promote the spread of the gospel throughout our land, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. And to all the means of grace, and all the efforts of benevolence, in the churches in which we minister, vouchsafe thy favor, to guide, to govern and to prosper them, that thy glory may be advanced, and the kingdom of Christ enlarged. We humbly pray for thy blessing upon the bishops of our church, and especially upon him who has the spiritual superintendence of the churches under our care. Endow them richly with all the wisdom, love, tenderness, firmness and zeal necessary to the faithful discharge of the duties of their office. Deeply imbue their hearts with the spirit of Christ. May all their influence be holy. May they lay hands suddenly on no man; and may all those whom they do ordain to the sacred ministry, be such as will do the work of evangelists. May they labor in hope, and so fight the good fight of faith, and finish their course, that finally they may receive a crown of righteousness, which fadeth not away, through Jesus Christ, their Lord and Master.

Ans. O Lord, we beseech thee to hear us.

To all who are or shall be ordained to the various orders of the ministry in thy church, give thy grace and heavenly benediction. May they take heed to themselves and to their doctrine, and be examples to the flock, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and purity, giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed. May they avoid questions which do but gender strife, and be gentle unto all men, apt to teach and patient; in meekness instructing them who oppose themselves. In doctrine may they show uncorruptness, gravity,

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