25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, unto the Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Let us Pray.

WE draw near to thee, O God, in the name of thy well-beloved Son. Draw near to us in mercy. Enable us to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel, and holiness becometh thine house forever. We acknowledge, Lord, thine infinite purity and our own unworthiness. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight,thou hatest all workers of iniquity. We confess we have broken thy holy law, every day, and are guilty of the folly of departing from thee. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and our iniquities like the wind have taken

us away. In our own merit we cannot stand before thee. But thou art merciful, and we cry to thee for mercy. Penitent we plead for pardon. Thou hast taught us that the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart thou wilt not despise.

We confess that righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces as at this day. Thou has dealt bountifully with us. Thou hast ever followed us with tokens of thy loving kindness and compassion. Thou hast made known to us the great things of thy law, and favoured us with the privileges of the gospel. Alas! how unmindful we have been of the high vocation wherewith we are called, and the profession we have made. Often have we proved careless-thoughtlessdisobedient-yea, rebellious children.

We confess we have not kept our hearts with the diligence thou hast enjoined. Our affections have often cleaved to the dust. Vain thoughts have lodged within us. Idle words have been spoken by us-irreverent words-yea, by some of us, profane words. Our speech has not been always seasoned with salt. Nor in our hours of ease and sportive mirthfulness have we always carefully kept within the limit of thy law. How little has our daily life been a pattern of devotedness to Christ. How seldom have we been diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Often have we been serving ourselves rather than Christ, and instead of earnestly striving after the ideal Christian life, we have been conformed to the world. As professed followers of Christ, we have come far short of adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

As individuals, as families, and as a congregation, we desire this day to be humbled before thee. There is much in us that cannot bear the scrutiny of thine eye.

Have mercy upon

Enter not into judgment with us. us, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out our transgressions. Deal with us not according to our desert, but according to the riches of thy grace. Thou hast assured us that while he that covereth his sins shall not prosper; he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find mercy. We own our guilt. Hide thy face from our sins, and blot out all our iniquities. Mercy is our plea. Graciously pour out on us the spirit of and supprayer plications, and sorrowing after a godly sort may this communion season be greatly blessed to our souls.

We give thee thanks that thou hast brought forward thy servant in safety, who is this day to preach to us the gospel. Give him a message which thou wilt bless. And do thou make the word preached to us profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

O Lord hear. O Lord forgive. To thee belong mercies and forgivenesses. Therefore do thou multiply pardon unto us, and make us to hear joy and gladness. All we ask is in the name and for the sake of him whom thou hearest always.-Even for Christ's sake. Amen.

Then is sung PSALM XXV. 4.-10. S.M.

SHOW me thy ways, O Lord;

thy paths, O teach thou me :

And do thou lead me in thy truth,
therein my teacher be:

For thou art God that dost

to me salvation send,

God good and upright is :

the way he'll sinners show.
The meek in judgment he will guide,
and make his path to know.
The whole paths of the Lord

are truth and mercy sure,

To those that do his cov'nant keep,
and testimonies pure.

Let us Pray.

O THOU that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Thou art the Rewarder of them that diligently seek thee. Hear the prayers we have this day addressed to thee, and send an answer in mercy. We are verily guilty; but thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive. Blot out as a thick cloud our transgressions, and fill our hearts with a sense of thy fatherly mercy and forgiving love. So shall we rejoice in thee as a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Be present to us in the preaching of the Word. Direct and guide in speaking and in hearing. May the gospel be preached this day with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. May it come into our hearts with quickening power, convincing of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Awaken the indifferent and self-secure,arouse them that are careless and at ease in Zion. And may we all look to that Saviour we have pierced, and mourn as one mourneth for his only son, and be in bitterness as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. O satisfy us early with thy joice and be glad all our days. to the days wherein thou hast wherein we have seen evil.

mercy, that we may reMake us glad according afflicted us, and the years Let thy work appear unto

thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. All we ask is for

Christ's sake.

Amen.

SERMON :-THE CHURCH'S CONDITION AND REMEDY.

Break up your fallow-ground,

For it is time to seek the Lord,

Till he come and rain righteousness upon you.-HOSEA, x. 12.

be more ready

IN the Book of Ecclesiastes there is at least one direct reference to public worship. He says, "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools." that is a very striking utterance. "Be hear than to give the sacrifice of fools." urge and enjoin on us? Is it hearing only? Is it the duty merely of attendance and respectful attention to

And certainly more ready to What does he