and, if we know ourselves, we must be sensible that we are constantly liable to fall into sin; it is the Lord only who can uphold us. Well, then, do we

ask him to keep us" from all sin," and "from every kind of danger," and that "all our doings may be ordered by his governance," that we may thus be enabled to "do always such things as are righte ous in his sight." Again, in

THE SECOND COLLECT AT EVENING PRAYER,

we are reminded that every good thing comes from God. We can neither think nor do what is good, but through him; we are, therefore, taught to pray to him "from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed." We are taught, likewise, where to look for true happiness and peace. The servants of God, therefore, pray that the Lord would give them "that peace which the world cannot give." This is to be found only in a trust and dependence on God; we, therefore, beg that the Lord would give us this true principle of religion, "that our hearts may be set to obey his commandments." And, if we are indeed desirous of performing the duties of religion, we may be allowed to ask for its comforts; we, therefore, go on to pray that we may be "defended from the fear of our enemies, and may pass our time in rest and quietness." And, as Christ purchased this peace, and left it as a legacy to his servants, we beg for this blessing" through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour."

Then we have

THE THIRD COLLECT AT EVENING PRAYER.

When the darkness of night comes on, and when all our strength is about to be laid asleep; when we are thus plainly taught that we have "no power of

ourselves to help ourselves," what a blessing and a comfort it is to be able to commit ourselves to the care of that Almighty Guardian "who neither slumbers nor sleeps," and to beg of him that he would "defend us from all the perils and dangers of the night!" And when we say, "Lighten our darkness, we should think of that darkness which is in our minds, and pray that God would enlighten us more and more, that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If a man knows nothing about the religion of Christ, he is still in darkness; and, if, indeed, he knows something of the Gospel, it should be his work to seek for more knowledge. The more a man knows, the more humble and the more teachable he will be. He will wish for more light. The best of us then, as well as the worst, may devoutly pray, "Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord."

T. Indeed we may; and this prayer will do either when we are at church, or at home, with our families, or by ourselves.

CHAPTER VII.

When they next met, Thomas thus began the
Conversation.

Thomas.

I SEE, William, that just after the Collect there are several prayers which are not always read. There is a "Prayer for the King," another for the "Royal Family," and another for the "People." Why are not these prayers always read?

William. Because you know that, in the Litany, we pray for the King, and the Royal Family, and

the People. We, therefore, need not use these prayers at times when the Litany is appointed to be read.

T. Very true: the Church, however, takes care that such petitions, in one shape or other, shall always be offered up; and I am sure it ought to be SO. When there is a good Christian King, what a noble example this affords to his people! What an encouragement to religion! We may indeed expect the Lord's blessing "upon the people that are in such a case." But every good gift cometh from above, and is promised to our prayers. Surely, then, we ought to beg the Lord's blessing on our King; and in

THE PRAYER FOR THE KING'S MAJESTY,

we beg for the greatest of blessings. But first we acknowledge our "heavenly, our high and mighty Father," as the "King of kings, and Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes," who sitteth upon his throne in heaven, and sees all of us who "dwell upon earth." Then we beg of him that he would give these mightiest of all blessings to our gracious King: that he would fill "him with the grace of his Holy Spirit," so as to make him "always incline to his will, and walk in his ways." We beg of the Lord to send him abundance of heavenly gifts, that after a long life of health and prosperity and success, he may, when his earthly warfare is over, be admitted, through the merits of Christ, into a kingdom of never-ending happiness and joy.

Then we offer up

A PRAYER FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY.

In this we ask for the choicest of blessings; for surely every good wish is included in these words, "Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them

with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness, and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Then follows

A PRAYER FOR THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE.

It is a great blessing for us that we have Ministers appointed to watch over our spiritual concerns, to pray with us, and to instruct us. It is an awful work to which they are ordained, "to watch for our souls as they that must give an account. I am sure, then, we have all need to offer up our prayers for our Ministers, and beg of the Lord so to bless their labours, that they may be enabled to render up their accounts "with joy and not with grief.” And surely, we who are hearers of the word, ought to be thankful for our privileges; and we ought to endeavour to strengthen the hands of our Ministers, by endeavouring to do such things as they teach us out of the Scriptures. But, as all good desires and endeavours are the gift of God, we ask that he would "send upon our Bishops and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of his grace!"

We seem, indeed, in this prayer, to ask for every thing that is good: even that the Lord would send on the Bishops, the Ministers, and the People," the continual dew of his blessing." And we do not ask this for our own praise and glory, but "for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ our Lord."

W. And after this prayer is finished, we have

A PRAYER FOR THE HIGH COURT OF PARLIAMENT.

We know that kingdoms cannot prosper without the Lord's blessing upon them. Our rulers and governors may plan and contrive: but what will all

this come to unless the Lord bless their endeavours? The Bible says, "Blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God." A religious nation must be a happy nation. People may talk as they will, but the more I think of it, the more certain I feel that if Christ's religion is made the groundwork of all we do, this is the true way to arrive at as much happiness as this world can give;-and we know, moreover, that it is the way to everlasting happiness when this world has passed away. If, then, the Lord blesses the counsels of those who make our laws: if he fills their hearts with a real love for religion; if he "be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations," so that they shall make "the advancement of God's glory," and the "good of Christ's church," their great object and desire; then, built upon this "best and surest foundation," we shall see our nation truly great: we shall have a real provision for "the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and his dominions:" and we shall have the best reason to hope that "peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations." These are just the blessings we ought to pray for; and, in this prayer, we ask for them in the name, and through the mediation, of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour.

T. Yes, we see what is the true spirit of our Church. We are taught and required to pray for all, to beg the Lord's blessing upon the endeavours of every one.

W. Yes; and that none may be left out, we have a

PRAYER FOR ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS of
MEN.

T. Yes, and a noble one it is!

W. It is, indeed. We first address the Lord as