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Brethren, that dwell in unity, bind thee in charity on either hand: and thou bindest them again in peace and loving-kindness.

O well is thee! for God maintaineth thy place have faith in Him, and abide for ever.

O forget not the pit whence thou wast digged: remember the hands which fashioned thee.

Praise Him for his great benefits: and glorify Him in his temple for evermore.

XXXI.

A THANKSGIVING FOR DELIVERANCE FROM BONDAGE.

O LORD, how glorious is the brightness of thy noon how it revives the memory of the mercies of the morning,

When the darkness let me forth again and the bonds of forgetfulness released their hold upon me,

And I was free once more to remember Thee, O Lord and to bless thy holy name for all thy benefits.

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O how great is the sum of thy mercies: how mighty is the arm of thy deliverance, O my Redeemer!

I was deep in the pit of sin and misery: I was fast bound in chains and darkness.

I was set to the taskwork of my own perdition: the lash of my master ploughed deep furrows on my back.

A yoke of iron bowed me down : my burden was too heavy for me to bear.

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I roared from the anguish of my soul I cried and saw none to deliver.

Then Thou didst burst the prison gates before me: Thou didst rend the fetters from my feet.

Thou didst wash my wounds and heal me : Thou didst clothe my nakedness and feed

me.

Thou broughtest me into the fulness of thy light: Thou didst set me in the streets of thy glorious city.

There I am dwelling at liberty and thy saints are my fellows.

O what thanks shall I give unto Thee : with what offerings shall I declare the greatness of thy mercy!

All day long will I praise Thee : at morning, noon, and evening will I sing unto Thee.

O great is thy mercy to save: strong is thine arm to deliver!

EVENING HYMNS.

I.

THE DAILY PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

THE SUN hath gone to his rest: he hath done for the day the work appointed unto him.

He hath ministered light for the work of this world and man hath a new account to render. Behold! the watchers have taken his place in the sky all the host of heaven is arrayed in order there.

Their multitude proclaimeth the wideness of the kingdom of the Lord their brightness manifesteth his glory.

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Above them is the footstool of his throne : and the tabernacle of his unapproachable light. Thence He beholdeth all the works of his hands and nothing is hidden that is not revealed unto Him.

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Angels and archangels are waiting at his beck: ministering spirits are attending upon his word.

He uttereth judgment, and it is executed: He ordaineth mercy and it is fulfilled.

He hath beheld all my goings of this day: and the secret of my heart hath not been hidden from Him.

He hath brought unto his light every deed of darkness: He hath recorded in his book every evil imagination.

Lord; forgive me that which hath not been right in thy sight this day: and prosper that which hath been done in thy name.

For I acknowledge my transgression: I confess the unworthiness of my service.

O lay me down at peace with Thee: Lord! I commit my soul into thy keeping.

II.

A THANKSGIVING FOR PROTECTION THROUGH THE DAY.

THE mariner hath been borne on the wave: he hath struggled all day with the tempest. And at evening he hath reached his haven : and his heart rejoiceth in thy mercy.

And shall not my song awake, O Lord: shall my voice of thanksgiving be silent any longer? For Thou hast brought me through the tossing perils of the day: Thou hast brought me in safety to the repose of this night.

Fear and perplexity had come over my soul : the temptation of the evil one had well nigh overwhelmed me.

But Thou, O Lord, wast my helper: Thou wast not asleep in the ship.

But Thou didst rebuke the winds and tempest: and the fury of the waves was calmed at thy word.

The billows went over my head: the pit was opened beneath my feet.

The monsters of the deep were seen around: their mouths gaped wide to devour me,

Even the enemies of my soul that seek to destroy it the evil angels that lie in wait for my spirit.

But Thou didst bring me down to the pit of horrible fear and jeopardy: but to fling me up to the stars of thy mercy and deliverance.

Such is the sea of this world's trouble to them that fear Thee: so dost Thou temper thy dealings to them that love thy Name.

O blessed are they that trust in Thee: Thou givest them their hope tenfold at the last.

Let me praise Thee, O Lord, with the voice of thanksgiving let me sing and shout thy Name with joy.

I am safe, for Thou hast been my deliverer: I am at rest, for Thou hast given me repose. Prolong thy mercies through this night : defend me from the powers of darkness.

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