Mrs. Harley. Come hither, my love: you know that to-day is called Sunday, and is set apart for the observance of religious duties.

You have read in the Bible that God created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that therein is, in the space of six days, that he rested on the seventh, and called that day holy, ordering his people so to observe it, and to abstain from every kind of labour throughout its duration. Therefore, the Jews, to whom this commandment was originally given, keep their sabbath on Saturday, the last day in the week; but Christians, who have been taught the blessed religion of Jesus, begin the week with praising God. No command for changing the day of worship seems ever to have been given, either by our Saviour or the apostles; but we know that it was the custom of the earliest Christians, even during our Lord's time, to meet together on the first day of the week for the purpose of holding religious assemblies; and all nations which have embraced the religion of the New Testament have adhered to this practice.

Anne. Thank you, mamma. Will you now perform your promise of giving me a new morning and evening prayer?

Mrs. Harley. In the evening I will, my dear; but at present, I wish to give you a short account of the contents of the books contained in the sacred volumes. As yet you have only read detached parts of them, and before you proceed to a more general perusal, it may be useful to have some distinct idea of the whole. The account I shall give you I have chiefly extracted from Dr. Prettyman's Elements of Christian Theology.

All the books of the Bible were originally written in Hebrew, excepting a few passages towards the conclusion of the volume, which appear in the Chaldee tongue. The English translation used in all our churches was begun and completed in the reign of James the first.

The five first books of the Bible are, Genesis, which begins with an account of the creation of the world, and ends with the death of Joseph.

Exodus, which relates the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt; their bondage in that country, deliverance by Moses, and the promulgation of the law.

Leviticus, which describes the offices and duties of the Levites and priests.

Numbers, which contains an account of the numbering of the people in the wilderness when a very miraculous increase was found to have taken place since the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt.

Deuteronomy, which contains a repetition of the civil and moral law, and ends with the death of Moses. These five books are called the Pentateuch, and were written by Moses. They contain the history of 2552 years and a half.

Joshua, contains an account of the conquest and division of Canaan among the twelve tribes, and ends with the death of Joshua. This book is supposed to have been written by himself, excepting the last few verses, which were added by one of his successors.

Judges gives an account of the Jewish history from the death of Moses to that of Sampson. It was most probably written by Samuel.

Ruth contains the history of the person of that name, a native of Moab: she married Boaz an Israelite, and was the great grandmother of David. This book is generally ascribed to Samuel. The first book of Samuel completes the government of the Judges, and relates the appointment of Saul to be king of Israel, the rejection of his family, and the anointing of David.

The second book of Samuel continues the history of David after the death of Saul. Most probably, Samuel wrote the first 24 chapters of the first book, and the prophets Gad and Nathan the remainder of it, and all the second.

The first book of Kings commences with an account of the death of David, and continues to that of Jehosaphat.

The second book of Kings continues the history of the kings of Judah and Israel to the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. These books were probably compiled by Ezra, from the records which were kept both at Jerusalem and Samaria of all public transactions.

The two books of Chronicles contain a great many genealogical tables, and various circumstances omitted in the other historical books of Scripture.

Ezra, continues the Jewish history from the edict of Cyrus (which permitted the Jews to return to their own land, and rebuild their temple,) to the reform effected among them, by Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra wrote part of this book in Chaldee.

Nehemiah gives an account of his own appointment to the government of Judea, and his administration to the year of the world 3595, at which period the scripture history closes.

Esther, contains the history of a Jewish captive of that name, who by her good qualities gained the affections of Ahasuerus, and was by him raised to the throne of Persia. It is supposed that by Ahasuerus is meant Artaxerxes Longimanus. There is great diversity of opinion concerning the author of this book; it has been ascribed to Ezra, to Mordecai, and to the joint labours of the great synagogue.

Job, contains the history of a man remarkable for his piety and patience, under severe afflictions. The author of this book is very uncertain. Some ascribe it to Moses, others to Job himself.

The Psalms, are a collection of hymns in praise of God, written by different persons, but as the greater part of them was composed by David, they are generally called the Psalms of David.

The Proverbs, are a collection of short sentences, written by Solomon, in which much excellent advice is contained.

Ecclesiastes, is supposed to have been written by Solomon, after he repented of the idolatry and sin into which he fell, towards the close of his life, and with the design to point out the vanity of worldly pursuits, in order to induce men to prepare for that state, where there will be no vanity nor vexation of spirit.

The Song of Solomon, is a pastoral dialogue, supposed to have been written by him, upon his marriage with the daughter of Pharoah.

It is universally allowed that the 16 Prophetical Books, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah, which describe the desolation of Judah, during the Babylonian captivity, and prophecy the still greater misfortunes to be suffered at a future time, were written by the persons whose names they bear.

The four great prophets were, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.—The twelve minor prophets were, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

The books of the New Testament were all originally written in Greek; except St. Matthew's Gospel, and St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, which many commentators suppose to have been originally composed in Hebrew, and then immediately translated into Greek; but opinions in this respect are much divided.

The Four Gospels, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, give an account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of our Saviour.

The Acts of the Apostles written by Luke, gives an historical account of the progress of Christianity after our Saviour's ascension. The latter part of the book is confined to the history of Saint Paul, of whom St. Luke was the constant companion for many years.

Of the fourteen Epistles ascribed to St. Paul, viz. Romans, 1 and 2 to the Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 to the Thessalonians, 1 and 2 to Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews, the first thirteen have, in all ages of the Church, been universally acknowledged to be written by him. Many doubts have been entertained concerning the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. St. Paul was born at Tarsus the principal city of Cilicia in Asia Minor, and was by birth both a Jew and a citizen of Rome. St. Paul is not mentioned in the Gospels, nor is it known whether he ever heard our Saviour preach. His name is first noticed in the account of St. Stephen's Martyrdom, which was followed by a severe persecution of the Church at Jerusalem, in which St. Paul, (who was then called Saul) distinguished himself among its enemies, by his activity and violence. He was going to Damascus, to bring back bound any Christians whom he might find there, when his miraculous conversion took place: after which, he became one of the most zealous preachers of the Gospel; and as he devoted much of his time to the instruction of the Gentiles, he is called the Apostle of the Gentiles. Gentiles, was the appellation by which all nations were distinguished, that were not Jews, and consequently the Gentiles were Pagans. St. Paul performed many voyages and journies in the service of the Christian religion, and the New Testament history closes A. D. 63, with his release from a two years imprisonment at Rome; no ancient author has left any particulars of the remaining part of this Apostle's life.

The Epistle of St. James was written by that Apostle, who is called James the Less, the son of AlphÆus or Cleophat, which are supposed to be the same name, differently written. It contains much excellent instruction.

The two Epistles of St. Peter, were written by that Apostle, who enjoyed the favour of his divine master, in a peculiar degree. St. Peter seems to have been almost the constant companion of our Lord, and was extremely zealous in propagating his religion, though he was occasionally led into great errors, particularly the denial of his master, but his bitter remorse and repentance, prove that his sorrow for this crime was sincere. He admitted Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, into the Christian faith, but as the chief of his instructions were confined to the Jews, he is called the apostle of the Jews.

The three Epistles of St. John, were written by the apostle who was favoured with the greatest share of our Saviour's affection. He leaned on his bosom at the last supper, and was one of the first who were made acquainted with his resurrection.

The Epistle of St. Jude was written by the apostle, who was also called LebbÆus and ThaddÆus, he was the brother of James the Less, and excepting in the catalogue of the apostles, is only once mentioned in the Gospels. (John chap. 14, verse 22).

The Revelation of John the divine, was written by the same Evangelist and Apostle who wrote the Gospels and Epistles bearing that name. The Revelation is a prophetical book, and was written by St. John, during his banishment to the isle of Patmos, in the time of Domitian. St. John is supposed to have been the youngest of the Apostles, and to have survived all the rest. He died at Ephesus in Asia Minor, in the third year of the emperor Trajan's reign, A. D. 100.—The Apostles were twelve good men, whom Jesus chose to be the ministers of his gospel. They were entrusted with the power of working miracles: and their names were, Simon Peter, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of AlphÆus (called also James the Less,) Thaddeus whose sirname was Jude, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot.—After the death of Judas Iscariot who betrayed our Saviour, Matthias was chosen in his stead.

The Disciples of Christ, were those who learned of him as their master.

Thus, my dear, I have given you a short account of all the books contained in the sacred volumes. I will now mention to you, a few of the principal Jewish sects, and then proceed to some description of the history of that people.

There does not appear to have been any difference of religious opinions among the Jews, till after the cessation of prophecy: most of them sprang up, subsequent to the return from the Babylonian captivity.

The Scribes are not usually considered as a religious sect: they were writers of the law, and often perverted the meaning of the text, instead of explaining it. "Scribes," "doctors of the law," and "lawyers," were only different names for the same class of men.

The Pharisees believed in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, and in a future state of rewards and punishments. "Trusting in themselves that they were righteous," they despised the rest of mankind, were entirely destitute of humility towards God, and paid more attention to outward ceremonies than to the duties of moral virtue.

The Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead, and the immortality of the soul; therefore, confining all their hopes to this present world, they devoted themselves to its pleasures, and only punished the crimes which disturbed the public tranquillity.

The Nazarites, of whom we read in the Old and New Testament, were persons either devoted to God by their parents, or who devoted themselves for life, or for a limited time. The only three instances of Nazarites devoted to God by their parents before their birth, are Sampson, Samuel, and John the Baptist.

The Herodians were partizans of Herod the Great.

The Galileans, so called from their leader Judas of Galilee, were a very turbulent and seditious sect, and by degrees united to themselves almost all the other sects.

The Publicans were not of any sect, civil or religious, but merely tax-gatherers, and collectors of customs due to the Romans. The Publicans were generally Jews, and by their employment were rendered odious to their brethren.

Proselytes were those persons, who being Gentiles by birth, came over to the Jewish religion, but retained that name, till they were admitted into the congregation of the Lord, as adopted children.

The land of Canaan, so named from Canaan the son of Ham, whose posterity possessed this land, as well as Egypt or Mizraim, lies in the western part of Asia. Its boundaries were to the north, Coelo Syria; to the west, the Mediterranean Sea; to the east, Arabia Deserta; and to the south and south west, Arabia Petrea and Egypt. Its extent was about 200 miles from north to south, and its breadth 100.—It was divided into two parts, by the river Jordan; the capital was Jerusalem, (supposed to have been the Salem of Melchisedek.) The whole country was also called Palestine from the Philistines, who inhabiting the western coast, were first known to the Romans, and being by them corruptly called Palestines, gave that name to the country; but it was more commonly called Judea, as the land of the Jews. Since our Saviour's advent it has been called the Holy land, but in modern writers, all distinction is frequently lost in the name of Syria, which is given to the whole country east of the Mediterranean, between the sea and the desert.

The government of the Jews partook of the patriarchal form, as much as was consistent with the condition and circumstances of a nation.

The leaders or princes of the 12 tribes, possessed a peculiar and supreme authority over each tribe, as their chief magistrate and leader in time of war.

The elders or rulers of cities, only exercised authority in their own respective cities, and as well as the princes were subject to the great council.

The Sanhedrim or great national council of the Jews was established by Moses: it consisted of 70 persons, besides the president, who after the time of Moses was usually the High Priest.

The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Bible, made at Alexandria, when Ptolemy Philadelphus was king of Egypt. It is often signified in books by "the LXX."

The Vulgate was a very ancient version of the Bible in Latin.

The Bible commences with an account of the creation of the world, 4004 B. C., the history of our first parents, their deviation from virtue, and the evil consequences that ensued. To Adam and Eve were born sons and daughters. The only three mentioned by name, are Cain, Abel and Seth, and the sacred historian has chiefly confined himself to the posterity of Seth, from whom Noah descended: in his time mankind became very wicked, and to punish them, God sent a violent rain upon the earth which caused a general deluge, and all the inhabitants of the world were drowned, except Noah, his wife, their three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet, and their wives, and a few animals of every kind. The descendants of Noah and his sons multiplied greatly, and "they were all of one language," after a time the whole race of men moved from their original habitations in Armenia, and settled in the plains of Shinar near the Euphrates. Here they determined to establish themselves, and build a tower whose top might reach the heavens. God was displeased with this work, which seems to have been undertaken in defiance of his power, and he confounded the language of those who were engaged in it. This obliged them to discontinue their labour; they soon after dispersed, and the different parts of the world became inhabited.

Terah the father of Abraham was a descendant of Shem; he settled with his family in Haran in Mesopotamia, where he died: God soon after commanded Abraham to remove with his wife Sarah into the land of Canaan, and here when they were far advanced in age, their son Isaac was born. God made many remarkable promises to Abraham, and one of them was, "that in him all the families of the earth should be blessed." This was a declaration that the Messiah should be a descendant of Abraham. To make trial of his obedience, God ordered him to offer up Isaac, as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah, but just as he was going to slay him, an angel of the Lord appeared, and told him not to touch the lad, but to take a ram and offer it up in his stead. It was upon this mountain that Solomon's temple was afterwards built and here our Saviour was crucified, the mountain being then called Calvary.

Isaac married Rebekah, and had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob though the younger obtained the rights of primogeniture; he also procured his father's blessing by very unjustifiable means; and then repaired to Padan-aram to take a wife out of his own family. He married Leah and Rachel, and had twelve sons, who were called the twelve Patriarchs or fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel, their names were, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphthali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph and Benjamin. They were all born in Padan-aram; but Jacob returned to Canaan before his father's death. Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob; on which account his brethren hated him, and at length sold him to some Ishmaelites, who were merchants, and the descendants of Ishmael a son of Abraham; these Ishmaelites carried Joseph into Egypt, where he became a slave to Potiphar, the chief officer under the king. His good conduct soon gained the esteem and confidence of his master, but the wickedness of Potiphar's wife caused him to be thrown into prison. He was released from this confinement, in order to interpret two dreams of Pharoah's. God enabled him to discover that they predicted seven years of plenty which would be followed by seven years of famine; and the wise advice Joseph gave the king on this subject, induced the monarch to raise him to a very high office in his kingdom, and entrust to him the whole care of collecting and managing the corn. This famine was severely felt in Canaan, and Jacob sent his sons into Egypt to purchase corn. Joseph recognised his brethren, and after putting them to several trials, for the purpose of making them properly sensible of their former cruel conduct, he discovered himself to them in a very affectionate manner; he enquired concerning his father, and when he found the old man was still alive, he desired his brothers to fetch him, and their families out of Canaan. Jacob who had bitterly wept the loss of his favourite son, whom he believed from the accounts of his other children to have been devoured by a wild beast, rejoiced when he heard of his safety, and desired to go to Egypt to see him before he died. Pharoah gave Joseph's family the land of Goshen for their residence; and during his reign, the Hebrews were held in great estimation. The descendants of Jacob multiplied to so great a degree, that about sixty years after the death of Joseph, the king who then reigned over Egypt became jealous of their numbers, and endeavoured to check their increase by slaying the infants, and reducing the parents to a state of slavery. They suffered many hardships during several years, but at length God was pleased to deliver them in a miraculous manner by the hand of Moses, who would soon have conducted them into the promised land, had not their disobedience and perverseness brought upon them the punishment of a forty years' wandering in the wilderness. During this time, God commanded Moses to deliver his laws to the people of Israel. Aaron the brother of Moses was made High Priest, and to him was committed the superintendance of religious ceremonies.

Neither Moses nor Aaron were permitted to enter the promised land on account of their disobedience to a command of God; and they both died in the wilderness during the last year of their wandering. Joshua was appointed to succeed Moses in the important office of leader of the people, God promised him his support, and when all things were prepared, he led the Israelites to the banks of the river Jordan: as soon as their feet touched the water, the current was stopped, the river became dry ground, and the people entered the country opposite to the city of Jericho, which was taken in a miraculous manner.

Some time after Joshua's death, Judges were appointed to govern Israel: they were 12 in number and their government lasted rather more than 300 years. Othniel was the first of the Judges, and Samuel the last. In his time the people desired to have a king like other nations, and God commanded him to anoint Saul of the tribe of Benjamin 1095 years B. C., to be the first king of Israel. Johim succeeded David of the tribe of Judah, and at his death the throne devolved to his son Solomon, who built a temple to the name of the "Lord his God;" in it were deposited the ark—the holy Scriptures, and other sacred things.—Solomon was succeeded by his son Rehoboam, the folly and wickedness of whose conduct induced ten of the tribes to revolt, and they chose Jeroboam one of his officers for their king. The two tribes that remained faithful to Rehoboam were Judah and Benjamin. Rehoboam's kingdom was called Judah, and the capital of it was Jerusalem. Jeroboam's kingdom was named Israel and its chief city was Samaria.

Jeroboam was succeeded by his son Nadab; and after he had reigned two years, he was killed by Baasha, who usurped the crown and destroyed the whole race of Jeroboam, a man remarkable for his impiety.—All the succeeding kings of Judah were descendants of Rehoboam, which fulfilled the promise made by God to David, that he would "establish his house and the throne of his kingdom for ever:" this was a declaration that the Messiah was to be a descendant of David.

There were frequent wars between the kings of Judah and Israel, and between them and the neighbouring kings,—the kings and people both of Judah and Israel, soon fell into the greatest depravity; and at length God suffered Shalmaneser king of Assyria, by the capture of Samaria in the reign of Hoshea, to put an end to the kingdom of Israel 721 years B. C. and about 250 years after its first establishment into a separate kingdom. And 606 years B. C. and about 115 years after the destruction of the kingdom of Israel, God permitted Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to invade Judea in the reign of Jehoiakim, and to besiege and take Jerusalem. Jehoiakim was carried prisoner to Babylon, though afterwards restored to his kingdom, and succeeded by two other kings, yet, from this period may be dated the commencement of the Babylonian captivity, which according to the prediction of Jeremiah was to last 70 years. When this time was completed, Cyrus, under whom were united the kingdoms of Persia, Media, and Babylon, permitted the Jews to return to their own land, and rebuild their temple at Jerusalem.

They were conducted by Zerubbabel the grandson of Jeconias, and Joshua the son of Josedec the high priest. The second temple was finished in the reign of king Darius of Persia.

The settlement of the people "after their old estate," together with the arrangement of all civil and ecclesiastical matters, were completed by Ezra and Nehemiah.

At the period, about 430 years B. C. the Scripture history closes, and for the remaining particulars of the Jewish history recourse must be had to uninspired writers, particularly to the books of the Maccabees and to Josephus.

Judea continued subject to Persia until Alexander conquered that country; it then fell under his dominion and he treated the Jews with great lenity. After the conqueror's death, Judea became subject to his successors, till Mattathias, a priest eminent for his piety and resolution, encouraged the people to shake off the Syrian yoke. Mattathias died before this was effected, but his son Judas Maccabeus completed the deliverance of his country, and the government of Judea remained in his family till the time of Herod the great, who put an end to the administration of the Maccabees or Armenians, and prevailed upon the Roman senate to appoint him king of Judea.

It was in the thirty sixth year of the reign of Herod, and while Augustus was Emperor of Rome that our Saviour Jesus Christ was born, four years before the common Æra.

Herod was a cruel tyrant to his people, and even to his own children: but to keep the Jews in subjection, and to erect a lasting monument to his own name, he repaired the temple at Jerusalem, and considerably enlarged the kingdom of Judea.

At his death, the countries over which he had reigned were divided among his three sons, but they were not allowed to take the title of kings; they were called ethnarchs or tetrarchs. Archelaus one of Herod's sons, acting with great cruelty and injustice, was, by order of Augustus, banished to Vienne in Gaul, where he died. His dominions were then reduced to a Roman province, and from this time the Jews possessed but little civil authority. Justice was administered in the name and by the laws of Rome, and taxes were paid immediately to the emperor. Several of the Roman governors severely oppressed and persecuted the Jews, and at length, in the reign of Nero they openly revolted from the Romans. Then began the Jewish war, which was terminated after an obstinate defence and unparalleled suffering, on the part of the Jews, by the total destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, by Titus son of Vespasian the Roman emperor. Since that time the Jews have no where subsisted as a nation.

Though I have endeavoured, my dear, to give you as brief an account as possible of the Jewish history, yet the subject is so interesting, that I perceive it has already occupied a much longer time than I at first intended. The history of our Saviour's ministry and the Acts of the Apostles we must therefore defer to a future opportunity: though I hardly know if these subjects require any elucidation; the facts in the New Testament being recorded in so clear a manner by the Evangelists themselves, that I think they must be intelligible even to your apprehension.

I hope you will perceive that I have mentioned but very slightly some of the most interesting and important events, purposely to induce you to seek a more detailed account of them in the sacred volume itself. This inestimable treasure will I am sure furnish the most agreeable topic of many of our future conversations. You, my dear, have never been taught to consider religion as a dry and difficult study, but rather as a means of adding to the cheerful enjoyment of the many blessings bestowed upon you by the almighty giver of all good, and I trust the gratitude and piety of your future life will prove you worthy of being called a disciple of the benevolent Jesus.

Anne. Indeed, mamma, I feel the truth of what you say, and I will endeavour to act as you wish me.—I am sure I shall have much more pleasure in reading those parts of the Bible you think proper for me, now I have some connected idea of the whole.

Mrs. Harley. I believe you will. But good bye, my love, for the present: when you go to bed you will find the prayers you asked for on my table; there are besides two hymns which I have selected from an admirable collection.

Anne. Thank you, mamma, I will learn to repeat them.

A Morning Prayer for a Child.

O Almighty God, the Father and Preserver of all mankind! I desire to offer thee my sincerest thanks that I am arisen this morning in health and safety. May I spend the day on which I am now entered in endeavouring to do thy will: let me carefully avoid all that I know to be displeasing in thy sight, and diligently apply myself to perform all the good in my power. May I keep a strict watch over my lips and temper, and try to live in peace with those around me. Grant thy protection and blessing to my relations and friends; if it should please thee to preserve us through this day, may the close of it find us more worthy of again addressing thee through Jesus Christ,

Our Father, &c.

An Evening Prayer.

Almighty and Merciful God! at the close of another day which thou hast graciously permitted me to spend in the enjoyment of many blessings, I would return thee humble thanksgivings from a grateful heart. Conscious of the many errors I am continually committing, I would earnestly implore thy pardon for whatsoever has been amiss in my conduct this day. Forgive me, O Lord, every foolish and angry word I have spoken, every perverse thought I have indulged, all I have done that I ought not to have done, and all I have left undone that I ought to have done. O may I truly repent of these my past faults, and strive to amend my future life. Bless my relations and friends; pardon all their past transgressions, and if it please thee to preserve us through the night, may we arise in the morning to do thy will. Above all the other blessings thou hast granted me, I would value that of having become early acquainted with the religion of Jesus. May his example be my guide, and, with a thankful remembrance of all he did and suffered for our sakes, I sum up my petitions for the whole human race in the prayer himself taught us, saying,

Our Father, &c.

A MORNING HYMN.

Lord of my life! O may thy praise
Employ my noblest powers.
Whose goodness lengthens out my days,
And fills the circling hours!

Preserved by thine almighty arm,
I pass the shades of night,
Serene, and safe from every harm,
And see returning light.

While many spent the night in sighs,
And restless pains and woes;
In gentle sleep I clos'd my eyes,
And undisturb'd repose.

When sleep, death's semblance o'er me spread,
And I unconscious lay,
Thy watchful care was round my bed,
To guard my feeble clay.

O let the same almighty care
My waking hours attend;
From every danger, every snare,
My heedless steps defend.

Smile on my minutes as they roll,
And guide my future days;
And let thy goodness fill my soul
With gratitude and praise.

AN EVENING HYMN.

Great God! to thee my ev'ning song,
With humble gratitude, I raise;
O let thy mercy tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise?

My days unclouded, as they pass,
And ev'ry gently rolling hour,
Are monuments of wond'rous grace,
And witness to thy love and power.

Thy love and power, celestial guard,
Preserve me from surrounding harms:
Can danger reach me, while the Lord
Extends his kind protecting arms?

Let cheering hope my eyelids close,
With sleep refresh my feeble frame,
Safe in thy care may I repose,
And wake with praises to thy name.