November The First

O SOURCE of Life and Strength; many of Thy mercies do we plainly see, and we believe in a boundless store behind. No morning stars that sing together can have deeper call than we for grateful joy. Thou hast given us a life of high vocation, and Thine own breathing in our hearts interprets for us its sacred opportunities. Thou hast cheered the way with many dear affections and glimpses of solemn beauty and everlasting truth. Not a cloud of sorrow, but Thou hast touched with glory; not a dusty atmosphere of care, but Thy light shines through! And, lest our spirits should fail before Thine unattainable perfections, Thou hast set us in the train of Thy saints who have learned to take up the cross of sacrifice. Let the time past suffice to have wrought our own will, and now make us consecrate to Thine - Amen.

-- JAMES MARTINEAU

July The Fifth

O GOD, who are, and wast, and art to come, before whose face the generations rise and pass away; find that of Thy faithfulness there is no end. Our fathers in their pilgrimage walked by Thy guidance, and rested on Thy compassion; still to their children be Thou the cloud by day, the fire by night. In our manifold temptations, Thou alone knowest and art ever nigh: in sorrow, Thy pity revives the fainting souls in our prosperity and ease, it is Thy Spirit only that can wean us from our pride and keep us low. O Thou sole Source of peace and righteousness! take now the veil from every heart; and join us in one communion with Thy prophets and saints who have trusted in Thee, and were not ashamed. Not of our worthiness, but of Thy tender mercy, hear our prayer - Amen.

-- JAMES MARTINEAU

March The Twenty-Third

O Blessed God, who neither slumberst nor sleepest, take us into Thy gracious keeping for this night. O Lord, in whom we trust, help us by Thy grace so to live that we may never be afraid to die; and grant that, at the last as now, our even-song may be, "I will lay me down in peace and sleep; for Thou, Lord, makest me to dwell in safety. " - Amen

- JAMES MARTINEAU