Class 
 
 Book 
 
 Copyright ¥. 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 
 
PRAYERS 
 
 IN MEMORIAM 
 
 1922 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED 
 
 New York 
 
-JN 
 
 S3 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1922, BT 
 EVA BACH 
 
 Printed in the United States of America 
 
 APk 29 1922 
 
 QG1.A661473 
 -KG I 
 
PREFACE 
 
 This collection of prayers is compiled in 
 memory of my gifted and hallowed daughter, 
 Henriette Bach Stein, whose custom it was to 
 devote herself to daily outpouring of gratitude 
 to, and adoration of God. 
 
 It may serve, in some measure, to portray 
 the ethereal aspect of her life, and the divine 
 confidence which led her to be reliant upon 
 God only; and may possibly be the means of 
 spiritualizing others, less fortunate in this 
 inherent faith. 
 
 They were written in the youthful days of 
 her life, and constantly employed in the union 
 of the family, as oral offerings ,to the Lord, in 
 acknowledgment of blessings bestowed. 
 
 Those written by her are designated by the 
 asterisk (*) ; the others are the feeble efforts 
 of a yearning mother. 
 
 Eva Bach 
 
RESIGNMENT TO GOD, UPON HIS 
 SUMMONS OF THE CHILD 
 
 And half we deemed she needed not 
 The changing of her sphere, 
 To give to Heaven a Shining One, 
 Who walked an Angel here. 
 
 Whittier. 
 
 Great God in Heaven, Divine Power and 
 King; 
 
 We praise and extol Thy holy name, we 
 glorify in Thy divine presence, we love and 
 adore, and worship Thee. All is from Thy 
 hand. 
 
 Thou hast found it wise to take unto Thee 
 our angel child — Henriette; she was the joy of 
 our lives, the breath of our existence, the pivot 
 upon which we revolved, the nucleus upon 
 which we wound every thought and action. 
 
 Thou knowest best, Heavenly Father, Thy 
 will be done. We bow clown in submission to 
 Thy holy way. 
 
 We pray Thee, Heavenly Father, to reward 
 our child On High, for the beautiful life she 
 led here below. 
 
She was devoted to Thy commandments and 
 precepts; her one fear in life was that of 
 displeasing Thee or of incurring Thy disfavor. 
 
 She was good and pure and holy and divine ; 
 she was loving and tender, kind and devoted; 
 she was dutiful, obedient and respectful to her 
 parents, to her husband and to the obligations 
 of maternity; she was assiduously industrious 
 to the wonderful genius and art Thou hast 
 given her; she was prayerful and devout, 
 appreciative and grateful for the many bless- 
 ings Thou hast sent to her, and to us, during 
 her lifetime. 
 
 Oh, Father, fold her in Thy arms and let the 
 radiance of her happiness with Thee shine 
 down upon us, and give us some moments of 
 peace, some thoughts of contentment, as we 
 journey through the lonely road, without her. 
 
 We thank Thee for the supernatural help 
 Thou hast given us in these desolate hours of 
 distress. 
 
 Thou hast ever been mercifully kind unto 
 us, and Thou wilt not desert us now in the 
 hour of anguish. 
 
 We thank Thee for Thy help, through all 
 the crises and vicissitudes of our lives ; in every 
 emergency Thou hast been our guide, and our 
 guard, and we have leaned only upon Thee, 
 Kind Father, ever conscious of Thy divine 
 presence, ever cognizant of Thy sublime aid, 
 and always orally and mentally grateful to 
 Thee for Thy benign assistance. 
 
 2 
 
Oh Father: come close to us now; we cannot 
 exist without Thy support ; hold us erect, teach 
 us the purport of life, and the way to continue 
 in the manner that will be acceptable to Thine 
 eyes. 
 
 Almighty God, receive Thy angel into the 
 realm of Thy glory, reward and bless her, and 
 purify us, that we may come to meet her in 
 Heaven with Thee. 
 
* SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 As the Sabbath draws near and closes 
 another week of contentment, health, and hence 
 happiness, we are again inspired and prompted 
 to raise our voices in gratitude to Thee, Oh, 
 God and Great Protector, who wills all things, 
 and who alone can do, or undo, the destiny of 
 mortal existence. 
 
 The lives allotted to us are free from the 
 stifling and unconquerable ills which fall to the 
 lot of so many of our brethren, and even when 
 we are tried in minor matters (perhaps most 
 trivial in Thy sight) we always find ourselves 
 buoyed up by Thy hand — and capable of 
 facing the battle. 
 
 Oh, Lord, our days on this earth are few and 
 short, and what we can accomplish in our small 
 way, let us hope, is only a stepping stone, 
 which leads us to the foot of Thy throne, where 
 we may bow in humbleness as Thy servants. 
 
 May this stepping stone be founded upon 
 grains of truth, honesty, uprightness, and sub- 
 servience to Thy will; so that when we take 
 the final step, we may not falter, but may find 
 a firm and solid foundation, established in the 
 belief that the incentive has been the light of 
 Thv Divine Countenance. Amen! 
 
* SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Oh, God; 
 
 It is in great reverence and appreciation 
 that we bow down to Thee this Sabbath eve- 
 ning, in thankfulness for Thy holy protection 
 and unbounded blessings. 
 
 Thou hast given us strength to face all diffi- 
 culties, and above all, Thou hast given us the 
 assurance of Thy Almighty guidance. 
 
 Help us to be worthy of it all, Oh, Lord, so 
 that we may deserve renewed blessings, which 
 I pray Thou mayst see fit to bestow upon us. 
 
 If we have too evidently manifested our 
 shortcomings, Oh, God, overlook them and let 
 us find hereafter, as we have found heretofore, 
 comfort in the knowledge that Thou art the 
 only Power. 
 
 At this moment, Oh, Lord, hear, feel, and 
 know that my whole soul is with Thee and I 
 can almost interpret Thy holy answer — 
 
 I, the Lord, thy God, 
 
 Am watching you, 
 Keep your faith, your prayers, 
 
 Your conscience true. 
 In all my glory 
 
 Even do I feel, 
 Your slightest hope, 
 
 Your every appeal. 
 
 5 
 
SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 Lend Thy goodly presence, and hear our 
 prayers to Thee. 
 
 In Thy holiness and all powerful kindness 
 Thou hast blessed us with another week of life 
 and health, peace and contentment. 
 
 Thy paternal watchfulness has ever been 
 with us, and we feel Thy mighty presence ever 
 nigh. 
 
 Each day has brought us good, since no evil 
 has befallen us; each night have we given up 
 our lives (in mysterious ignorance) to Thy 
 holy care and Thou hast restored us at 
 morn, given us the same faculties, the same 
 satisfactions of life. 
 
 What are we that we are deserving of so 
 much mercy? How little of our lives is 
 devoted to Thee! How worldly are the 
 thoughts which crowd our daily pursuits. 
 
 We are but frail mortals who stand in awe 
 of Thy reproach. We are frivolous and 
 inclined to forget Thy goodness. 
 
 Help us to remember that all things come 
 from Thee. 
 
 Teach us, Oh, God, to know Thy infinite 
 
 6 
 
power; to instil in the neglectful the impor- 
 tance of Thy greatness ; to 'be ever mindful of 
 Thy watchful presence and to promulgate the 
 sincerity of Thy oneness. 
 
 Who, Oh, God, of earthly creatures, can 
 look about them and doubt Thy omnipotence? 
 Who can fail to see and feel Thy omnipresence? 
 
 We pity the wretched souls who have not 
 learned to recognize Thee. We pray for 
 power to give them knowledge and to enlighten 
 them in Thy favor. Thy great works are 
 before us all— weak are the eyes which cannot 
 behold Thy splendor on earth. Weak are the 
 minds which cannot realize the power Thou 
 hast over poor mankind. 
 
 We thank Thee, Oh, God, for the intellect 
 with which Thou hast endowed us, wherewith 
 we can appreciate Thy kindness. 
 
 We know and believe that all good comes 
 from Thee, that every blessing is Thy gift. 
 
 We thank Thee in this hour of apparent 
 prosperity, we pray Thee to prolong the goodly 
 favor Thou hast given us, and that when the 
 hour of trouble is near we may again be per- 
 mitted to call upon Thee with fervor and 
 renewed faith. 
 
 In the hour of disconsolation, our hearts 
 will quickly turn to Thee, then let us be 
 deserving of Thy mercy and Thy presence. 
 
 Oh, God, in the hour of anguish Thou hast 
 heard our prayers ; when all mankind hath lost 
 strength, Thou hast lifted Thy helping hand, 
 
and in miraculous glory hast convinced us of 
 Thy existence and Thy power. 
 
 Heavenly Father, we are too remiss in our 
 acknowledgment. 
 
 Let it be in our power to serve Thee, Oh, 
 Lord ; to do good on earth and to be worthy of 
 Thy attention. 
 
 Let us live for the lofty aims of life; let not 
 the petty ills of humanity have weight in our 
 enlightened minds, but give us courage to 
 aspire to that which can benefit mankind; give 
 us strength to bear all the mental strain 
 incumbent upon a moral life, and make our 
 lives worthy of Thy mercy. 
 
 Many blessings have fallen to us, which we 
 have accepted as natural occurrences; forgive 
 us, that we have not bent in immediate praise 
 of Thee and Thy holy mercy. 
 
 Around about us Thy mighty creation stands 
 out in beautiful magnificence; daily we enjoy 
 its grandeur, forgetting that Thou art the 
 Maker, that Thou hast given, and canst also 
 deprive. 
 
 Oh, Lord, many are the ignorant, and im- 
 pious, who know not how to worship Thee, who 
 turn in dismay at the thought of prayer, who 
 never lift their hearts in gratitude to Thee, and 
 who never open their lips in praise of Thee. 
 
 Give them courage to behold and acknowl- 
 edge Thy power; open their eyes to the bless- 
 ings before them ; help them to realize that all 
 is from Thy hand. 
 
 8 
 
We thank Thee for the knowledge Thou hast 
 given us in our religion, that we can withstand 
 all claim to Thy power — one God and one only, 
 with no earthly image. 
 
 We thank Thee for the realization of Thy 
 almighty supremacy. 
 
♦SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Oh, God; 
 
 On this Sabbath evening we again bow down 
 in thankfulness and gratitude for the many 
 blessings bestowed upon us; for Thy never 
 tiring vigilance, and Thy loving protection. 
 
 Teach us, Oh, God, to be worthy of Thy 
 blessed guidance and to honor the name of 
 "A Child of Thine." 
 
 Overlook our faults, and forgive our wrong- 
 doings, for our thoughts are pure and our 
 intentions to please but Thee. 
 
 If we have not thanked Thee for each and 
 every blessing, think not that it is because we 
 do not realize their value, for we know, Oh; 
 God, that each minute of our lives is a privilege 
 from Thee, and we hope to deserve Thy favor. 
 
 Oh, Lord, relieve us from all trouble, and 
 give us strength to bear all the ills which may 
 befall us. 
 
 (With Thy fond protection, and the feeling 
 of Thy presence ever with us, we cannot but 
 be happy, for no matter where we go we know 
 that Thou art leading the way, and wilt not 
 
 10 
 
desert us. Pitiable is the person who has not 
 this belief. 
 
 Bless those who do believe, by hearing their 
 prayers, and watching over them, always, for 
 they know and realize that Thine is the only 
 real power. 
 
 11 
 
SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Great Father in Heaven, Sublime Ruler 
 and King; 
 
 Again we thank Thee for the blessings of 
 the past week — again Thou hast convinced us 
 of Thy glory and power and hast persuaded us 
 to rest peacefully in Thy care. 
 
 We are not sufficiently prayerful; we are 
 remiss in our expressions of gratitude to Thee; 
 we dwell too seriously upon earthly frailties 
 and frivolity. 
 
 Our lives should be devoted to oral offerings 
 of continuous prayer, and to the promulgation 
 of Thy greatness. 
 
 Hast Thou not placed us here? And have 
 we not derived every moment of peace and 
 succor from Thy divine love? 
 
 How, then, may we deliver unto Thy holy 
 shrine the sentiments of appreciation and 
 thankfulness Ave feel within us? 
 
 Let these feeble utterances transmit to Thee, 
 Kind Father, the holy reverence we maintain 
 towards Thy omnipotent presence and our ever 
 increasing gratefulness for the bounty of Thy 
 love. 
 
 12 
 
Forgive us, Oh, Father, if we have trans- 
 gressed or if we have appeared impatient or 
 irritable for we are but mortals, simply imbued 
 with the light of Thy spirit, waiting in our 
 peccable stupor for the brilliant awaking of our 
 spirit life with Thee in Heaven. 
 
 Oh, God, then may we share the everlasting 
 peace that abides with Thee in the sacred 
 splendor of Thy glorious abode on High. 
 Amen! 
 
 13 
 
SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 Ever increasing is the confidence and faith 
 we have in Thy divine existence and Thy 
 mercy. 
 
 Paramount in our minds is the assurance of 
 Thy great power and Thy protection. 
 
 "Knock and it shall be opened unto ye" is 
 the watchword of our lives. "Ask and ye shall 
 receive," is the guide to our earthly wishes. 
 
 Each day we feel the need of Thy help, each 
 day we look up in supplication to Thee, and 
 each day Thou hast heard our prayers and hast 
 appeared in Thy mercy, to gratify our requests. 
 
 On this Sabbath evening, Kind God, we bow 
 down in gratitude and in praise of Thee, 
 extolling Thy name, with its attending power, 
 proclaiming Thy omnipotence to all the vain 
 mortals, and admitting our inferiority. 
 
 We are nothing, Heavenly Father, in our 
 own insignificance; we can claim nothing from 
 this earth and its frail attractions; but we cling 
 to Thee, Great Father in Heaven, with all the 
 fervor and confidence instilled by Thy divine 
 influence. 
 
 14 
 
Accept, Good God, our humble gratitude; 
 accept, Kind Father, the acknowledgment of 
 our never ending thankfulness, for we feel Thy 
 presence in our midst. 
 
 Bless our dear ones and shield them from all 
 harm; watch over us, Kind Father, as Thou 
 hast always; and guide us into the paths of 
 righteousness, humility, and subservience to 
 Thee and Thy mighty will. 
 
 15 
 
* SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaaten; 
 
 We beseech Thee to hear again our prayers, 
 lifted to Thee in thankfulness, for another 
 week of Thy supreme vigilance, and for Thy 
 kindness in keeping us in good health and free 
 from mental burdens and anxieties. 
 
 Oh, God, it seems too little to but thank Thee 
 in cold words for the mercy Thou hast shown 
 us; but, how else are we able to extend our 
 gratitude? 
 
 Is a few minutes, spent each day in prayer, 
 all Thou askest in return for Thy watchfulness? 
 
 Oh, Lord, if Thou canst but see in our hearts, 
 and interpret the words of our souls, Thou 
 knowest to what heights we soar, to dwell with 
 Thee, and how our innermost feelings lead only 
 to Thee. 
 
 Forgive us, Lord, if we have not bowed 
 down to Thee enough, for how could we thank 
 Thee sufficiently unless we were to devote our 
 whole existence to one long continued prayer. 
 
 On this Sabbath eve, Oh, Lord, forgive us 
 any sins of the past week, that we may start in 
 anew the coining week, with free and noble 
 hearts, ready to serve Thee and Thee only, now 
 and forever more. Amen! 
 
 16 
 
SABBATH PRAYER 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 With souls uplifted by confidence in Thy 
 divine help, we again seek to praise and extol 
 Thy holy name, and to offer up our gratitude 
 for another week of health, peace, contentment, 
 and faith in Thee. 
 
 Thy great power is manifest in all things; 
 Thy mercy is extended to all creatures ; we feel 
 and realize our utter helplessness without Thee ; 
 we crave Thy good will- and tender vigilance. 
 
 Let not evil befall us, nor base thoughts con- 
 trol our fancy and imagination, but let us dwell 
 in the favor of Thy divine light and in the 
 bounty of Thy blessings. 
 
 There is light and hope in Thy omnipresent 
 love; darkness and despair without Thy 
 gracious guidance. 
 
 Direct our steps, Kind Father, so that we 
 shall not falter, nor fall, and lead us onward 
 to the joy that is to be everlasting in Thy 
 presence. Amen! 
 
 17 
 
SABBATH PRAYER UPON 
 CROSSING THE OCEAN 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 Each moment of our lives should be filled 
 with grateful thoughts to Thee. 
 
 How very fitting, then, is this time when 
 sailing upon Thy migfhity waters where every 
 evidence of Thy great power is presented to 
 us, in a spectacular representation of Thy 
 glory, and where every hope of safety and 
 comfort is centered in Thee. 
 
 All the wonders that man has wrought are 
 as nothing, compared to the wonders of Thy 
 creation. 
 
 Mian has only served as Thy humble tool, 
 wherewith Thou canst prove, to the human 
 mind, all the marvelous tasks of which Thou 
 art capable, for Thou art the only Power, the 
 divine inspiration of all that is noble and 
 exalted. 
 
 All mankind should bow down in humility 
 and gratitude before Thee always, never for- 
 getting Thy supremacy, Thy omnipotence and 
 Thy mercy. 
 
 Should Thy people err, and be unmindful of 
 
 18 
 
Thy blessings and Thy presence, then let our 
 little band be not of this number; allow all 
 our family to feel free to come to Thee upon 
 this Sabbath evening, with outstretched arms, 
 in gratefulness and in holy appreciation of Thy 
 goodness unto us. 
 
 We thank Thee for the many favors be- 
 stowed upon us, among these the freedom from 
 pain and from mental suspense, the safety in 
 Thy protection through all our travels and all 
 the moments of discouragement as strangers in 
 strange lands. 
 
 During all the days of separation from home 
 and attachments we have felt Thy presence 
 and we pray Thee, Kind Father, to guide us 
 onward to end of our journey, there to meet 
 our loved ones in safety, there to again offer 
 our thanksgiving and praise to Thee, in the 
 reunion of our family, and there to bless Thy 
 holy name as we always have done, forever and 
 ever. Amen! 
 
 19 
 
CHILD'S NIGHT PRAYER 
 
 To my darling Utile Henriette, in her seventh 
 year, upon her request for a new prayer, 
 saying she was tired of "Now I lay me 
 down to sleep": 
 
 Father, watch me through the night 
 Keep me happy, well, and bright ; 
 Shield me from all care and pain 
 Let me Thy good will retain. 
 
 Thou hast blessed me with life's pleasure, 
 Given me every earthly treasure; 
 Help me to deserve this favor, 
 And to know Thou art the Giver. 
 
 20 
 
* FEAR THE LORD 
 
 Blessings come to those who fear the Lord, 
 who walk uprightly, and who do not stand in 
 the paths of others. 
 
 I say unto you now, fear the Lord ; trust in 
 Him, who giveth all good for He is the only 
 one who can give, and He bestoweth upon His 
 children with never tiring hand. 
 
 Pray to God, now and forever, so that when 
 you are in sore distress, and the hour comes 
 when you must call upon Him for great un- 
 earthly help, you may do so, with clean hands, 
 clean hearts, and He will never fail you. 
 
 God never fails those who trust in Him, the 
 Almighty One. 
 
 Oh, God, who can doubt Thee? Who can 
 screen from mental view Thy Almighty hand, 
 clasped in ours to guide us in Thy own holy 
 paths of righteousness and contentment? 
 
 The man of sorrows needs Thee to comfort 
 and support him in the great trials Thou hast 
 placed before him, and the man of happiness 
 should feel that he requires Thy attention to 
 hearken to his thanksgiving by way of prayers ; 
 so that when the hour of gloom appears, he may 
 
 21 
 
again turn to his Father in Heaven with a free 
 and noble mind and a devoted soul. 
 
 I thank Thee now and forever for Thy con- 
 stant watchfulness over me, and for the great 
 protection Thou hast given me, which enables 
 me to accomplish a height in life, bringing me 
 Closer to Thee, to dwell in body, mind, and 
 soul. Amen! 
 
 Great God in Heaven ; 
 
 Thou hast given us a mighty privilege; the 
 honor and advantage of knowing Thee, of rec- 
 ognizing Thy great power, and of abiding in 
 the hope and faith in Thy supervision. 
 
 We are as the flowers in Thy fields; swayed 
 by Thy gentle winds; nursed by Thy tender 
 care; even as they fade and perish here below, 
 so shall we all ; but the soul shall find its abiding 
 place in the realm of Thy sacred dominion on 
 high, where all is everlasting peace and joy. 
 
 Oh, Heavenly Father, help us to rise above 
 all thoughts of timidity, distress, or depression, 
 and let our only fear be the fear of displeasing 
 Thee. 
 
 Let not the days hang heavily upon our 
 hands, but give us the spirit and cheer concom- 
 itant with the confidence we feel in Thy will 
 and Thy way. 
 
 Crown us with hope, and pride, and courage 
 to do all things well in Thy sight. 
 
 Let us humbly approach Thee, Heavenly 
 
Father, and seek Thy loving presence, shed 
 these blessings over our dear ones, and incline 
 Thine ear to our supplications for Thy benign 
 assistance. Amen! 
 
 Merciful God in Heaven; 
 
 There is nothing on earth so uplifting as the 
 solitary communion with Thee. 
 
 There is nothing which can educe the perfect 
 balm of solace, like the abandonment of all that 
 is worldly to the holy calling of God's guidance. 
 
 Pour out your souls to God, ye humans, ask 
 of Him all the favors ye would seek. 
 
 Rest not your hopes in mortals for they are 
 powerless to assist; they are but the mediums 
 of God's response. 
 
 Live always with the presence of God and 
 give from the fountain of pleasure to the devo- 
 tion towards God. 
 
 In the midst of enjoyment, gratification and 
 earthly satisfaction, take time and thought to 
 offer up your gratefulness to God, lest the joys 
 be shortened and ye are found undeserving 
 and unthankful in the eyes of God. 
 
 "Ask Heaven for wisdom, virtue, health, 
 But never let your prayer be wealth." 
 
 *Oh, God; 
 
 Thou art so good and I do so appreciate all 
 the wonderful blessings Thou hast bestowed 
 upon me. 
 
 23 
 
If we could but know the mystery of Thy 
 Almighty Power, or could but see Thy hand, 
 which does all, we could so much better feel 
 that Thou dost know our gratefulness — but it 
 is not meant that we should be so wise, and 
 Thou hast, therefore, ordained that we live in 
 ignorance of Thy secret guardianship, except 
 for the fact that an All-powerful Being is 
 prompting us and that Being is our Almighty 
 Father in Heaven. 
 
 In all matters, whether of import or insig- 
 nificance, I pray Thee, Lord, to give me power 
 to do and judge correctly; to lay a pleasant 
 path for my weary feet to tread in, for as many 
 years as may be happy ones. Amen! 
 
 *Father in Heaven; 
 
 We realize more than ever Thy great power. 
 
 Thou hast truly been merciful unto us at all 
 times, and in all places. 
 
 The disappointments which come into every 
 life have been few and trivial to us, even as they 
 are in Thy sight. We are blessed with the great 
 belief that "all is for the best." 
 
 Give us strength, Oh, Lord, to fulfill our 
 duty on earth and be happy in so doing ; know- 
 ing that our lives lie in the one aim of accom- 
 plishing to the best of our ability the calling 
 Thou hast seen fit in Thy wisdom to place 
 before us. 
 
 24 
 
Almighty Father in Heaven; 
 
 Every impulse of good cometh from On 
 v Hig<h; every moment of contentment is Thy 
 blessing. 
 
 All suspense and care is relieved by the grace 
 of Thy help. 
 
 Mortal man cannot gainsay the truth of Thy 
 omnipresence; it is too evident and too manifest 
 in all tJhings. 
 
 We extol Thee and proclaim Thy holy name. 
 
 Without Thee, we are as atoms, tossed about 
 by every unfavorable wind. With Thee, Kind 
 Father, we are comforted with the foundation 
 of security. 
 
 Great Father, can we not see how little there 
 is in life? Can we not see that it is all in death, 
 and with Thee? 
 
 Those who disbelieve will founder in their 
 lack of hope. 
 
 Bless those who trust in Thee, with the full 
 realization of all the contentment and hap- 
 piness concomitant with the assurance of Thy 
 existence and Thy presence. 
 
 Every moment of our lives is filled with the 
 indications of Thy aid, and Thy power. All 
 time belongs to Thee ; we mortals may compute 
 it by days, weeks and years, but to Thee it is 
 as naught until we shall enter the realm of Thy 
 glory. 
 
 Let not a doubt of God's supremacy enter 
 the mortal mind, for He has given sufficient 
 
 25 
 
proof of His existence and He will be angry 
 at those who make light of His power. 
 
 Trust in God, and the moments of darkness 
 will be brightened with His great influence, 
 and all worldly cares can be thrust aside by His 
 divine intervention. 
 
 We pray Thee, Good Lord, to keep us calm, 
 trustful and contented now and forever. Amen! 
 
 26 
 
TRUST IN GOD'S GUIDANCE 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 Peace is granted to those who call upon 
 Thee, and help to those who are in need. 
 
 Thy benign influence is ever upon us. 
 
 In every thought we feel Thy presence; in 
 every move we feel Thy will and Thy way. 
 
 With submissive weakness we yield our infe- 
 riority to Thy great and omniscient judgment. 
 
 Divine light cometh only to those who are 
 willing to see and acknowledge Thy power, and 
 to proclaim the verity of it orally and mentally. 
 , The greatest blessings to mankind are over- 
 looked and accepted too lightly; we are not 
 sufficiently prayerful and devout in the 
 acknowledgment of Thy mighty protection. 
 
 Let this moment, Kind Father, appear to 
 Thee as one of penitence and devotion to Thee 
 in proof of our gratitude for the many blessings 
 extended to our family. 
 
 We have suffered often of weakness and de- 
 spair but our faith in Thee has never wavered, 
 and Thou hast never failed to be nigh unto us. 
 
 The mysteries of this life are made lucid to 
 us by the light of Thy omnipresent protection. 
 
 27 
 
What knowledge do we require but the 
 knowledge of Thy aid? 
 
 It was not ordained that we should pry into 
 the mortal meaning of Thy ways, but to place 
 implicit trust in Thee and to be led by Thy 
 light only. Amen! 
 
 "Lord, it is Thy will and it shall be mine; 
 Thou art just in all Thy dealings with the chil- 
 dren of men, and I know Thou wilt not afflict 
 me beyond what I can bear, and if I can bear 
 it I ought to bear it ; and, Thy grace assisting 
 me, I will bear it." 
 
 Richardson. 
 
GRATITUDE TO GOD 
 
 Great God, Lord of Heaven ; 
 
 Our gratitude to Thee knows no means of 
 expression ; language is all too limited in essay- 
 ing to impart to Thee the ineffable sentiment of 
 appreciation we feel within us. 
 
 We are not unmindful of the ills which could 
 befall us, but with the security of Thy care 
 naught can mar the. serenity of our lives nor 
 molest the quietude of our peace. 
 
 Teach us, Oh Father, the way to do right, 
 and give us the means of helping others, even 
 as Thou has deputized others to help us. 
 
 The angels on earth sent by Thy hand are as 
 recognizable as those who abide in Heaven, and 
 the acts of kindness coming to us are as plainly 
 visible from Thy hand as those of man to man. 
 
 We are endeavoring to do right, and we feel 
 Thy Almighty assistance. 
 
 We cherish it, and acknowledge it, and adore 
 the assurance of Thy presence. 
 
 Help us on, Oh, Father, to higher ideals, and 
 to the ignorance of all that is lowly and frivo- 
 
 29 
 
lous in Thy sight; so that we may be better 
 prepared to meet Thee, with souls uplifted and 
 consciences free from stain. 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven; 
 
 In fervent prayer, again we raise our voices 
 to Thee, to thank Thee, and to bow down in 
 gratitude for Thy blessings, and for the assur- 
 ance of Thy protection. 
 
 Without Thee, Oh, God, we are as infants, 
 dependent upon Thy care. We are but weak 
 mortals, with naught to support us but Thy aid 
 and Thy approval. 
 
 Kind Father, teach us the way of the right- 
 eous and the devout; teach us the methods and 
 the glory of clinging to Thee, and the comfort 
 of finding relief and consolation in Thy benign 
 assistance. 
 
 We have so much to be grateful for ; we can- 
 not enumerate the many blessings Thou hast 
 sent to us. 
 
 In daily occupation, and in pursuit of pleas- 
 ure and frivolity, we are unmindful of Thy 
 presence, and we are neglectful of our duties 
 towards Thee. 
 
 Give us, Oh, God, the power to assist un- 
 fortunate beings, who seem distressed here 
 upon earth, and who appear to suffer the pangs 
 of poverty, want, and illness ; help us to convey 
 Thy message of love and mercy to them and 
 make us the medium of Thy kindly help. 
 
 30 
 
For all good comes from Thee, Oh, God, 
 and all is made by Thy hand. 
 
 We thank Thee for this week of content- 
 ment ; we have mastered all momentous affairs ; 
 we have controlled all our weaker sentiments; 
 we have exercised patience with petty cares, 
 and have trusted faithfully in Thy divine 
 guidance. 
 
 We thank Thee, Almighty Power, for Thy 
 help, for Thy presence, for Thy all-powerful 
 influence, and for the consciousness of it. Amen! 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 As the days pass and we feel Thy mighty 
 presence, we lift our thoughts constantly in 
 praise of Thee, and in gratitude to Thee. 
 
 The past week has been one of peace and con- 
 tentment under Thy watchful care. 
 
 We owe all these precious advantages, all 
 the blessings bestowed upon us to Thy great 
 and bountiful munificence. 
 
 Thou art ever with us, tenderly guiding us, 
 and showering blessings upon us; blessing 
 unseen by us, in our blind insignificance. 
 
 Oh, let us not be remiss in our manifestations 
 of gratitude. 
 
 There are moments of worldly excitement, 
 when we place too much stress upon earthly 
 matters in lieu of devoting ourselves to Thee 
 in everlasting thankfulness. 
 
 31 
 
Looking up to Thee, Kind Father, every 
 burden seems lifted from our hearts. 
 
 Trusting in Thee, all life is beautiful and 
 attractive. 
 
 Oh, Good Lord, that we might serve Thee in 
 loftier, holier ways ; that we might be permitted 
 to assist unfortunate beings with Thy divine 
 light and give to them the supreme confidence 
 that Thou hast given to us. 
 
 Let us not appear selfish with our blessings ; 
 give us mortal power to distribute good among 
 those deserving of consideration and help. 
 Can we not feel Thy presence? 
 
 Have we not always experienced the devout 
 communion between God and man, which 
 speaks to us in silent assurance of Thy power, 
 Thy presence, and Thy knowledge? 
 
 Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent 
 Father in Heaven, we acknowledge Thee now 
 and forever. 
 
 Thy divine light shines through all dark- 
 ness — the blessing of Thy love comes to all who 
 seek it. 
 
 Proofs of Thy Omnipotent glory abound in 
 the heavens above and upon the earth below; 
 those who see them not are wilfully blind to 
 the wonderful indications Thou hast evinced of 
 Thy power and Thy existence. 
 
 There is not a creature upon earth that can 
 feel perfect contentment without Thy help. 
 
 We require Thy protection every moment of 
 our lives. 
 
 32 
 
We place our trust in Thee, and thus we 
 cannot err. 
 
 We may have moments of mortal suspense 
 and anxiety, but the assurance of Thy holy vigi- 
 lance rises ever above these earthly thoughts, 
 steering us on to the path of safety and wisdom. 
 
 We thank Thee, Kind God, that Thou hast 
 lifted us up above the benighted disbelievers, 
 and hast given to us the comfort of divine faith 
 in Thee. 
 
 33 
 
GOD IS EVER NIGH UNTO US 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 We thank Thee for this week of contentment 
 and peace. 
 
 We thank Thee for Thy divine assistance, 
 which has carried us through all moments of 
 hesitancy and uncertainty. 
 
 We could accomplish nothing without Thy 
 aid. 
 
 Let not suspense, nor sorrow, nor pain enter 
 our lives nor disturb the beautiful peace with 
 which Thou hast enriched us. 
 
 Contentment is Thy most precious gift to 
 mankind, because it implies all of our wishes, 
 comprised in one. 
 
 Thou art ever nigh unto us; our own sense 
 of security tells us this, and bids us be ever 
 trustful and reliant upon Thy mercy, as upon 
 the only rock of salvation. 
 
 We are, Kind Father, leaning heavily upon 
 Thee, for we believe not in earthly, mortal help. 
 
 We believe it is Thou alone who giveth us 
 comfort and satisfaction. 
 
 We thank Thee, Great God, with souls full 
 of devotion. 
 
 34 
 
We worship Thy will, and reverently bow 
 to Thy way. 
 
 All is good, and all is from Thy hand. 
 
 Inspire us, Heavenly Father, with the 
 blessed example of Thy holiness. 
 
 Impress us with Thy All-powerful existence, 
 and let that assurance increase from day to day 
 with the gladness of Thy presence. We pray 
 Thee to endow us with the means of helping 
 mankind ; with the patience to be kind and tol- 
 erant towards others, and with the meekness 
 to bow down humbly, reverently, to Thee in 
 Thy great dominion of power. 
 
 In all moments of trial, we have but to call 
 God to the rescue — call the Good Lord, with 
 implicit faith, and He will appear unfalter- 
 ingly, unremittingly, answering every prayer. 
 
 If weak mortals were to cease lamenting and 
 pause to recognize God, they would find Him 
 omnipresent at every step in life. 
 
 The moments of suspense and pain are but 
 the warnings from On High; the moments of 
 relief are the proofs of God's divine power, and 
 the response from His Merciful Greatness. 
 
 We beseech Thee to look down upon Thy 
 children in mercy and grace, sheltering us with 
 the comfort of Thy care. 
 
 Good Father in Heaven ; 
 
 Is not Thy kindness and protection evinced 
 at every step we take in life? 
 
 35 
 
Hast Thou not revealed Thy power when all 
 earthly succor has failed? 
 
 Hast Thou not represented the glory of Thy 
 omniscience at every turning point of our 
 existence? 
 
 Nothing can cause us to be oblivious of Thy 
 protection; no joy nor sorrow can take from us 
 the knowledge and faith in Thy presence. 
 
 This life has not the importance we mortals 
 attach to it, but the life to come with Thee is 
 the one goal of our aspirations which should 
 lead us in patient observance of all Thy ways, 
 preparing us to meet Thy Almighty presence 
 and Thy approval. 
 
 Thy ways Shall be our ways; Thy will shall 
 be as is best for us. 
 
 We thank Thee for the hours of content- 
 ment; we thank Thee for the days of grace 
 Thou hast in Thy infinite wisdom bestowed 
 upon us. 
 
 The ways of mortal are vain and idle; the 
 path of virtue lies in Thy noble example. 
 
 It is better to lead a life with Thee alone 
 than to participate in all the frivolous allure- 
 ments of mankind. What is today but the 
 dawn of tomorrow? 
 
 The period of our dwelling here below is 
 brief and shallow, but the life to come, with 
 Thee, is holy and everlasting. 
 
 Teach us the glory of Thy way, Kind Father, 
 and lead us to the path of righteousness and 
 duty towards Thee, and prepare us to meet 
 
 36 
 
Tihee with upright souls, and the knowledge 
 of Thy approbation. 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 The days pass, and we are nearer to Thee, 
 nearer in life, and closer to death and to Thee. 
 
 All time is governed by the contentment 
 given from On Higfh. 
 
 We pray Thee, Kind Father, to look down 
 in mercy upon Thy feeble, trembling children, 
 to steady the weary limbs, to strengthen the 
 failing hearts, and to give cheer to the de- 
 spondent souls. Thy presence, Oh, God, is all 
 we ask ; Thy care is all we require. 
 
 We pray Thee, Heavenly Father, to let us 
 find favor in Thy eyes and to extend Thy 
 mercy and sympathy to those who struggle to 
 do right. 
 
 The days of anguish and despair are sent to 
 us, to school us in the ways of sacrifice and to 
 steady our faith in Thy salvation. 
 
 We shall not waver, neither shall we depart 
 from the course Thou hast ordained for us, but 
 in sublime confidence, follow Thy lead, and 
 continue to pray for Thy guiding hand. 
 
 We are often despondent and lost to our 
 own control, but through the apparent gloom 
 we feel the courage of Thy divine presence, and 
 Thy parental care and observation. 
 
 We pray Thee, Kind Father, to be nigh unto 
 
 37 
 
us, and to advise us, and fill us with contented 
 cheer, so that we may be strong and ready to 
 perform the earthly duties incumbent upon us. 
 
 Thou hast been so kind to us ; hast blessed us 
 with divine understanding; hast given us the 
 supreme knowledge of Thy existence and 
 omnipresence. 
 
 We humble ourselves before Thee in submis- 
 sive recognition of Thy holiness and Thy 
 power. 
 
 * Oh, Lord ; 
 
 I pray Thee to hear me again in my humble 
 prayer to Thee. 
 
 My gratefulness to Thee, Kind Father, is 
 unbounded for all Thy goodness to me. 
 
 Help me, I pray, to deserve Thy blessings, 
 and put the words into my mouth which best 
 convey to Thee my thankfulness for Thy 
 Almighty guidance. 
 
 I am such a poor mortal, and Thou art so 
 wonderfully great and sympathetic towards my 
 wants and needs that I feel guilty at not having 
 a more satisfactory way of coming into Thy 
 presence with my intense appreciation. 
 
 But no matter where or how I may pray, 
 Thou knowest well, Oh, God, how my soul rises 
 to Thee only, to thank, to extol, and to worship 
 Thee, my Heavenly Father and Great Master. 
 Amen! 
 
 38 
 
Heavenly Father, All-wise Sovereign; 
 
 Each day that we live, verifies the truth of 
 Thy existence and Thy superior wisdom, in 
 directing our footsteps. 
 
 We know not how to serve Thee with suffi- 
 cient humility and subservience. 
 
 We yearn to improve our ways and to make 
 ourselves holy in Thy sight. 
 
 Enlighten us, Kind Father, to the fulfill- 
 ment of these desires, and signify to us Thy 
 satisfaction with our humble efforts by a con- 
 tinuance of Thy divine love. 
 
GRATITUDE FOR CONTENTED 
 LIFE 
 
 Heavenly Father; 
 
 Another week has been allotted us, full of 
 contentment and peace; full of the glory of 
 Thy presence. 
 
 The sweet pleasures of life have not been 
 lessened nor interrupted with anxiety or sus- 
 pense, and we bow down in gratitude to Thee 
 for "Thy spiritual protection. 
 
 We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, for the 
 good health that prevails among us, and for 
 the freedom from care and pain, and that no 
 ills have intruded upon our peaceful existence. 
 
 It would be most unjust to receive all these 
 uninterrupted blessings without words of 
 recognition to Thee, Almighty King, the Kind 
 and Merciful Giver. 
 
 Have we merited the joys which so surround 
 us? If not, Oh, Heavenly Father, forgive us 
 and accept our gratitude in this moment of 
 acknowledgment and prayer. 
 
 Let us realize, Kind Father, that pain is but 
 the reminder of that which may befall us, hence 
 
 40 
 
fhe promoter of satisfaction, for when we find 
 our poor bodies distressed we immediately look 
 to Thee for relief, for support, and for the 
 assurance of recovery. 
 
 Keep far from us the spirit of discontent, 
 that evil usurper of the beautiful existence 
 Thou hast bestowed upon us; let it not creep 
 into the harmony of our lives and thereby make 
 us appear ungrateful in Thine eyes. 
 
 Let every hour Thou hast given us be em- 
 ployed with motives of good; with kindness 
 toward our fellowmen, and with the acceptance 
 of Thy power. 
 
 We implore Thee to keep all evil from us. 
 We ask for nothing more, Oh, God, than that 
 Thou liast already given. 
 
 We are contented, happy, blessed ; we pray, 
 Kind God, but for its continuance. 
 
 A peaceful home is ours ; loving hearts sur- 
 round us, tender thoughts and solicitations 
 await us; Oh, let us be deserving of it all, and 
 should we err, Oh, Father, guide us aright that 
 we may be innocent of false intention and steer 
 us back to the haven of honor and righteousness 
 that we may be reminded of Thy merciful 
 example. 
 
 41 
 
GRATITUDE FOR SUPERIOR HOME 
 LIFE 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 Thy deeds of kindness are great and noble; 
 our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. We 
 are supremely blessed with Thy divine super- 
 vision. We are crowned with joy, realizing 
 Thy presence. The dawn of day is but Thy 
 light, and the shadow of evening means Thy 
 protection. 
 
 All earthly sighing and yearning is but the 
 innate craving to approach Thee, and Thy 
 haven of rest and relief, while this earth is but 
 tihe threshold to the final abiding home with 
 Thee. The trivial sorrows here are but the life- 
 boats leading to Heaven, preparing us for our 
 permanent abode with God. 
 
 It matters not how our day passes, just so 
 that it closes with Thee. It matters not what 
 discomfort we appear to suffer, so that Thy 
 protection cometh unto us. Thy mercy is 
 everlasting, and Thy toleration of all our 
 foibles and errors remains supreme. Let us 
 not take advantage of Thy great consideration 
 
 42 
 
of us. Let us not be neglectful in our devotion 
 to Thee. 
 
 Thou hast blessed us with the choice environ- 
 ment of genius and art; hast blessed us with 
 love, affection, and all that affiliation which 
 completes the happy home life. We pray Thee 
 to give us the endurance requisite to this sepa- 
 ration, and to unite us again in health, love, 
 and harmony. 
 
 43 
 
TRUST IN GOD 
 
 No care nor sorrow casts me down, 
 For Thou art ever near ; 
 
 No idle word, nor earthly frown 
 Can steal upon my cheer. 
 
 No casket filled with rarest gems 
 
 Can satisfy my soul ; 
 But pious deeds, and apothegms, 
 
 Will lift me to Thy goal. 
 
 No violence of nature's wrath 
 
 Can bid my spirit quail ; 
 For Thou art leading to the path 
 
 Where courage doth prevail. 
 
 No disappointment crushes me, 
 Nor pang of keen despair ; 
 
 For all my trust is placed in Thee, 
 My being in Thy care. 
 
 No sorrow born of shattered hope, 
 Can mar my peace serene; 
 
 Full willing in the dark I grope, 
 And on Thy guidance lean. 
 
CROSSING THE OCEAN 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 We are thrilled with the awe-inspiring evi- 
 dences of Thy omnipotence. The majesty of 
 Thy wonderful creation, the warring elements, 
 the magnitude of Thy works, all bespeak Thy 
 positive supremacy and merciful existence. 
 
 We are filled with emotion, and praise, and 
 thanksgiving for the permission of observing 
 Thy wonders. 
 
 The gigantic waters, the great ocean, do not 
 impress us with the feeling of fear but with the 
 recognition of our own mortal inferiority, and 
 insignificance. 
 
 Thou hast in Thy great wisdom endowed 
 mankind with the knowledge and mastery of 
 all the intricate facilities necessary to the con- 
 quering of difficulties, but without the guidance 
 of Our Great Master in Heaven our meagre 
 efforts and earthly skill would be as atoms to 
 the sea. 
 
 With sincere and everlasting gratitude we 
 thank Thee, Kind Father, for these many 
 weeks of help and support ; for the honors and 
 
 45 
 
blessings bestowed upon us, for the safety with 
 which we have traversed foreign lands, 
 estranged from home and dear ones, and for 
 the accompanying assurance that Thou wert 
 ever nigh unto us. 
 
 We pray Thee, Heavenly Father, to remain 
 with us, shaping our future, filling it with con- 
 tentment and with the help of Thy divine 
 presence. 
 
 46 
 
PRAYER UPON CROSSING THE 
 OCEAN 
 
 Almighty Father ; 
 
 During this week of Thy holy protection our 
 thoughts have incessantly arisen to Thee in 
 gratitude and ecstasy over the wonders of Thy 
 creation. 
 
 With Thy watchful care we have been per- 
 mitted to cross the deep mysterious seas so 
 wonderfully beautiful to behold, so magnificent 
 in the splendor and representation of Thy 
 supreme power. 
 
 What nobler evidence have we than the sub- 
 lime privilege of looking upon Thy mighty 
 work and its proof of Thy omnipresence. 
 
 We thank Thee, Kind Father in Heaven, 
 for the safety and comfort imbued by Thy om- 
 nipotent vigilance; without Thee all pleasure 
 would be filled with dread and fear, While with 
 Thee we are as children confident of and 
 dependent upon Thy fatherly aid. 
 
 We pray Thee, Kind God, to guard our dear, 
 devoted companions at home, to help them in 
 lonely hours, to relieve them from all mental 
 
 47 
 
anguish and strain, and to keep us all in health 
 so that we may not be of burden to one another, 
 and that when the allotted interval of separa- 
 tion has passed we may be united again in the 
 happy environment of the beautiful home life 
 Thou hast awarded us. 
 
 We praise and extol Thee, Oh, God, for Thy 
 kindness and for the many blessings bestowed 
 upon us. 
 
 Keep us pure of thought and morally 
 upright, so that we may deserve the rare 
 assurance of Thy benign protection now and 
 forever. Amen! 
 
 48 
 
CROSSING OCEAN 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 With divine inspiration Thou hast invested 
 us with the supreme wisdom which bids us look 
 to Thee alone for aid, the knowledge which con- 
 vinces us that Thou art nigh and art ever ready 
 to lend Thy merciful attention to our appeal. 
 
 Another week has been given us filled with 
 contentment, health, and the glory of Thy 
 blessed supervision. 
 
 The great wonders of Thy creation have 
 again been uppermost in our thoughts and the 
 frailty of mankind has ever presented itself to 
 our minds, bidding us realize that the one great 
 goal of happiness is to cling to Thee and Thy 
 holy will. 
 
 We thank Thee, kind Father, with all the 
 sincerity of our penitent souls. We thank 
 Thee for the innumerable blessings bestowed 
 upon us, and we pray Thee to keep us pure 
 of thought, upright and exemplary of action, 
 that we may lead other weak mortals into 
 the path of wisdom and faith in Thee, the 
 one Almighty Father and King now and for- 
 ever. Amen! 
 
 49 
 
^CROSSING THE OCEAN 
 
 Kind Father in Heaven ; 
 
 On this Sabbath evening I again beseech 
 Thee to hear our prayers of thanksgiving for 
 all the blessings and comforting guidance Thou 
 hast shown us. The ocean seems so massive 
 and powerful, and when I think it is naught in 
 strength or in power, compared with Thy 
 might, it seems too much for human compre- 
 hension. 
 
 We appreciate, Oh, Lord, the protection 
 Thou hast given us and do thank Thee now 
 and forever more for all Thy help. 
 
 May'st Thou find it for the best, Oh, Lord, 
 to keep us in health and make us happy and 
 contented with whatever Thou may'st see wise 
 to give us and may'st Thou never find us negli- 
 gent in our gratitude and thankfulness toward 
 Thee. 
 
 50 
 
GOD'S PROTECTION IN TRAVEL 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 In loving gratitude we again raise our voices 
 to Thee for another week of Thy wonderful 
 protection. A week filled with the dangers of 
 travel, filled with the longing for home and 
 dear ones. In Thee alone we have placed our 
 trust; to Thee alone we have looked for guid- 
 ance and for the spirit of contentment. Thou 
 hast, in Thy mercy, hearkened to our appeals 
 and hast looked down upon us with Thy benign, 
 powerful assistance. What peace, Oh, God, 
 without Thy presence ? What security without 
 Thy protection? What comfort without Thy 
 approval? All is insignificant upon earth; we 
 are but mere atoms, subject to Thy disposal, 
 subject to Thy divine will. 
 
 Oh, God, teach us the way to serve Thee. 
 
 Instil within us the motives of holy devotion 
 to Thee alone, and imbue within us the divine 
 love of Thy precepts. 
 
 We are grateful, Kind God, for the innu- 
 merable blessings Thou hast bestowed upon 
 us; each moment of content is Thy gift unto us. 
 
 51 
 
Oh, Heavenly Father, remain with us and 
 permit us the great privilege of clinging to 
 Thee. 
 
 We pray Thee, Kind Father, to watch over 
 our dear ones and keep them from harm and 
 to unite us again at the allotted time in peace, 
 happiness, and contentment. Amen! 
 
 52 
 
GOD'S SECURITY IN TRAVEL 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 Help me to pour forth the eloquent words 
 worthy of proclaiming Thy greatness. 
 
 Help me to express in powerful and lucid 
 manner the gratitude we feel for Thy benefi- 
 cent care and aid. 
 
 We are cognizant of Thy Almighty presence 
 through the days of wandering and travel. 
 
 We seem to require Thee more than ever, 
 as we journey far from home and dear ones, 
 and Thou hast come closer to us in the hour 
 of need, and stress, and despair. 
 
 How do we deserve it, Kind Father? How 
 do we merit Thy indefatigable Providence? 
 How have we served Thee sufficiently to war- 
 rant this kind protection, this wonderful assur- 
 ance of security, under Thy guiding hand? 
 
 We offer, Kind Father, unbounded thank- 
 fulness to Thee and pray Thee to make Thy 
 exemplary influence the lode-star of our lives, 
 helping us to help others. Amen! 
 
 53 
 
♦SECURITY IN TRAVEL 
 
 Almighty Father; 
 
 Hear us again, in our prayer of thankful- 
 ness to Thee, for being our faithful Guide and 
 never-tiring Protector. 
 
 Thou hast borne us from place to place in 
 perfect safety, and hast relieved us from all 
 anxiety and trivial worries, by leading us in 
 Thy paths. 
 
 We hope, Oh, God, to deserve the marvelous 
 protection Thou has shown us, and to be as 
 Thou wouldst have us, in goodness and purity 
 towards mankind. 
 
 We try to keep Thy commandments and to 
 think of Thy impressions of all our doings, 
 therefore are we not haughty or selfish, or 
 boastful of blessings given us. 
 
 Help us, Oh, God, to do all things 
 wisely, and lend an ear to our prayers and 
 supplications. 
 
 Let no man harm us, nor nothing mar the 
 lives we so appreciate that we may live on in 
 pursuit of the goal to which we have aspired. 
 
 If we seem not to realize Thy blessings, for- 
 
 54 
 
give us ; we mean not to be in any way 
 ungrateful of the great liberties Thou hast 
 given us. 
 
 We believe, Oh, Lord, in Thee, and Thee 
 only, and have no other image of a god. 
 
 We thank Thee now and forever more. 
 
 55 
 
*UPON TRAVELING 
 
 God in Heaven; 
 
 Wilt Thou lend an ear again to our humble 
 prayer, in which we thank Thee again for the 
 blessings of the past week? 
 
 We know and feel Thy watchful presence 
 ever with us, and our only wish is Thy 
 blessing. 
 
 We see, Oh, Lord, the dangers encompassed 
 around about us, and it is Thy guidance alone 
 which steers us in and out of the passing trials 
 which confront us on this earth. 
 
 Oh, God, if our thanks seem insufficient, 
 forgive us — if our praise is all too meagre, do 
 Thou hearken to us in Thy merciful glory; if 
 we unmeaningly sin, overlook it, and be to us, 
 as Thou hast always been, our watchful Father, 
 and only Protector. Amen! 
 
 56 
 
* GRATITUDE FOR SAFETY IN 
 TRAVEL 
 
 Great God; 
 
 Thou hast heard our prayers and in Thy 
 never-tiring watchfulness Thou hast kept us 
 safe from all harm. 
 
 We cannot in any way show our gratitude 
 and in my heart I feel prayer a most insufficient 
 means of thanking Thee. 
 
 May we hope that time will come When we 
 may be united with Thee — when we may show, 
 by some great word or deed, what we know we 
 owe to Thee and Thee only. 
 
 Make us worthy, Oh, Lord, of all Thy bless- 
 ings and help us to follow Thy laws, for our 
 only wish is to be in Thy favor, forever. Amen! 
 
 57 
 
SEPARATION FROM HOME AND 
 DEAR ONES 
 
 Almighty Father in Heaven ; 
 
 Each moment we are confronted with diffi- 
 cult situations, thoughts of uneasiness appear 
 to our minds and our only hope is to look to 
 Thee. 
 
 Our lives are but one continuous trust in 
 Thee, our only hope for contentment and hap- 
 piness rests in Thee. We pray Thee, Kind 
 Father, to give us beautiful, strong thoughts, 
 and firm minds, to cope with every weak idea 
 and to buoy us up to the necessary pitch of 
 control. 
 
 Why, Kind Father, are our thoughts so 
 worldly? Why do we dwell upon mortal 
 fears and mortal importance, when all belong 
 to Thee, and all comes from Thee? 
 
 Give us strength, Kind Father, to thrust 
 aside all evil thoughts and to live alone with 
 Thee, in the light of Thy divine assurance. 
 
 Help us, Kind God, to be contented, in the 
 separation from our loved ones, with the 
 knowledge that Thou art ever with us, and near 
 
 58 
 
to our wishes. We thank Thee, Oh, God, for 
 Thy goodness to us, for Thy omnipotent help 
 and guidance. All is from Thy hand, and 
 Thou hast dealt bountifully with us, Great 
 Father. 
 
 Let reciprocal thoughts abound in our hearts 
 always; let us prove our gratitude in acts of 
 kindness only, and make us better in grace, 
 submission, and acknowledgment of Thy great 
 power. 
 
 Help those who look up to Thee with faith 
 and confidence in Thy supreme omnipotence, 
 and they will in due season receive reward in 
 the fulfilment of their wishes, for 'tis to Thee 
 alone, Oh, God, we may be permitted to prefer 
 a request. Bless all in our home, Kind Father, 
 and comfort those who need Thee. Amen! 
 
 * Oh, God; 
 
 In Thy goodness, and all powerful guidance, 
 Thou hast seen fit to content me with all 
 surroundings and all phases of life. 
 
 Thou hast made me beloved by all those 
 whom I meet and I only ask to be allowed to 
 love Thee, and to feel that Thou art my 
 Heavenly Father. 
 
 Forgive me, Lord, if I have sinned, and 
 keep me pure and free from all contaminating 
 influences. 
 
 I pray Thee, Oh, God, to never find me 
 negligent in thanking Thee for Thy holy 
 protection. 
 
PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR 
 
 Almighty King and Father; 
 
 Another year of life with its glories and 
 responsibilities has passed, governed by Thy 
 will and masterful hand. 
 
 In safety and health, we have been guided 
 by Thee through the labyrinth of cares and 
 duties entailed upon us. 
 
 We have conquered all petty trials and 
 moments of suspense clearly by the light of 
 Thy divine sympathy and the consciousness of 
 Thy untiring mercy. 
 
 In this hour of sincere gratitude we plead 
 for Thy attention that we may, with devoted 
 love and appreciation, deliver our heartfelt 
 thankfulness for all Thy blessings. 
 
 These are meager expressions by which we 
 would essay to lift our voices to Thee, for 
 mortal words are all too inadequate in attempt- 
 ing to make our gratitude worthy of Thy 
 exalted acceptance. 
 
 We pray, Kind Father, for another year of 
 peace and contentment. We pray for another 
 year of Thy watchful supervision and we thank 
 Thee, Heavenly Father, for Thy will, whatever 
 it may be. 
 
 60 
 
* PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR 
 
 On this New Year's eve, Oh, Lord, we bow 
 clown to Thee in gratitude, thankfulness and 
 appreciation for the numerous blessings Thou 
 hast bestowed upon us — for Thy never-tiring 
 guidance during the past year and for the 
 privilege of appealing to Thee for all our 
 wants and needs. 
 
 Oh, God, what should we do without Thee? 
 What would our lives be worth if Thou hadst 
 not given us the great knowledge of Thy 
 Supreme Being? 
 
 We are indeed grateful to Thee, Oh, Lord, 
 for our wisdom, and now we submit to Thee 
 our heart feeling, and we know that Thou wilt 
 realize from On High that we are now and 
 forever saying a prayer to Thee. 
 
 If we have sinned during the past year, we 
 have surely done it unmeaningly, and the sins 
 are trivial, and Thou art slow of anger, and 
 quick to overlook our faults. 
 
 We admit, Oh, God, that without Thy watch- 
 ful guidance we should be naught, and without 
 Thy blessings we should feel naught, and with- 
 out Thy help we should end as naught. 
 
 But Thou hast been good to us, Oh, Lord. 
 
 61 
 
Thou hast blessed us with all things possible, so 
 we have nothing for which to pray fervently, 
 and have only to pray in gratitude. 
 
 But so long as we know this and realize Thy 
 remarkable partiality in watching over our 
 family, wilt Thou again be our Power for the 
 coming year? 
 
 Wilt Thou again be with us in fair weather 
 and in suspense, and wilt Thou let us look up 
 to Thee for strength and support? 
 
 We pray, Oh, God, Thou wilt not forsake 
 us, for without Thee we cannot live, or accom- 
 plish the great route Thou hast laid out 
 before us. 
 
 May the coming year be filled witjh happy 
 hours, such as this, and may we deserve Thy 
 holy protection forever. Amen! 
 
 62 
 
* CHILD'S PRAYER 
 
 Oh, Lord; 
 
 I feel tihat we overlook Thy great goodness 
 to us and that we dwell too much upon the 
 few days of sorrow Thou hast ordained for 
 our good, instead of forgetting the days of 
 gloom and remembering only Thy mysterious 
 protection. 
 
 Oh, Lord, may there never be a time 
 when Thou canst find me unmindful of Thy 
 omnipresence, or ungrateful for Thy favored 
 blessings. 
 
 I shall trust in Thee forever, Oh, Lord, my 
 God, and shall never doubt that Thine is the 
 only real power. 
 
 The happy child is he who dwells with Thee ; 
 blessed is he with love and fatherly guidance, 
 as Thou alone canst give, and I feel, Oh, Lord, 
 that I am one of those Children, protected, 
 watched, loved and blessed by Thee, my Holy 
 One on High. Amen! 
 
 63 
 
PRAYER FOR THE RECOVERY OF 
 A BROTHER 
 
 Kind Father in Heaven, we exalt and praise 
 Thy holy name, above all earthly expression. 
 
 We acknowledge and extol Thy divine 
 power. 
 
 We ask Thy aid in all things and have looked 
 only to Thee in these recent moments of 
 distress. 
 
 During the past week the shadow of sorrow 
 and deprivation has been hanging heavily over 
 us, with ominous forebodings of the ills which 
 might befall us, the trouble which might have 
 deprived us of all future contentment and 
 cheer. 
 
 But Thou in Thy heavenly mercy hast 
 hearkened unto our appeal and hast spared 
 unto us the beautiful altruistic life of our 
 devoted brother, the faithful medium and 
 servant of Thy divine commands. 
 
 We unite upon this solemn moment in 
 prayers of gratitude to Thee; we again ask 
 
 64 
 
Thee to watch over our dear brother, to assuage 
 any physical suffering, to pacify any mental 
 perturbance which might confront him, and to 
 gradually restore him to health, in the goodness 
 of Thy divine intervention and Thy omniscient, 
 omnipresent power. Amen! 
 
 65 
 
SKEPTICISM 
 
 Faltering o'er the weary wayside, 
 Grasping here, and clinging there, 
 
 Oft my heart has throbbed to murmur, 
 Breathing accents of despair. 
 
 On the lonely path of sorrow, 
 Discontent had breathed its sigh, 
 
 Naught appeased the aching torture, 
 Till I felt Thy presence nigh. 
 
 When all life seemed filled with burden 
 And all comfort, cold and drear, 
 
 Then rebellion surged within me, 
 'Til I knew that Thou were near. 
 
 Love of friends, and words of kindness, 
 
 Thrust upon my tired soul, 
 Could not cheer the life of trial 
 
 'Til I sought Thy heavenly goal. 
 
 When temptation hovered o'er me, 
 Pressing with its irksome yoke, 
 
 All the mortal weakness quavered 
 'Til the God of Mercy spoke; 
 
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Spoke in thrilling silence near me 
 
 To recall the weary past, 
 Driving forth the skeptic venom, 
 
 'Til I found my God, at last. 
 
 Now I pray Thee, Heavenly Father, 
 Keep me faithful, humble, true; 
 
 Serving Thee in good to others, 
 Joining Thee in life anew. 
 
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FOR THE SKEPTICAL 
 
 Beautiful and calm is the Sabbath Thou 
 hast in Thy wisdom ordained. 
 
 Free from toil and worldly interests, we 
 meditate upon Thy great power — meditate 
 upon the helplessness of mankind, and upon 
 the necessity of Thy aid and Thy guidance. 
 
 As we acknowledge Thee, Oh, God, so do 
 we pray for succor, for support, for consola- 
 tion, and for the power of appreciation. 
 
 The days of sunshine are not permanent, yet 
 the days of apparent gloom are filled with the 
 assurance of Thy presence and Thy vigilance. 
 
 Blessed are those who have learned to know 
 Thee, and to feel Thy power. Blessed are 
 they who do not turn in skepticism before the 
 great proofs of Thy existence. 
 
 The sun rises, yet they see not its splendor, 
 and they forget the One Great Source. Were 
 it to fail them one single day, on bended knees 
 they would implore Thy aid. 
 
 So, with the manifold evidences of Thy 
 existence, mankind is too remiss in the 
 acknowledgment of Thy power. They (weak 
 mortals) would fain pry into the mysteries 
 
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of Thy creation, and failing by their own 
 inability, turn but to disclaim Thee. Even as 
 the insect would essay to solve the intricacies 
 of mankind, so is the weakness of human kind 
 to be compared with Thy omnipotence. 
 
 Gifted as these mortals are with senses for 
 discrimination, with all the sensitive organs of 
 perception and discernment, they do not utilize 
 these faculties to the better understanding of 
 God, and when realization does not follow 
 every earthly hope, they turn in despair upon 
 mortal sympathy. 
 
 Do we not require Thy presence in joy, as 
 well as in sorrow? 
 
 Are we not trembling creatures before Thy 
 blessings, lest we deserve them not, and Thou 
 takest them from us? For even as Thou 
 bestowest, so canst Thou (in Thine own 
 judgment) deprive. 
 
 Alas ! let us not doubt, because we know not 
 why, but in serene confidence yield to Thy 
 great will and way. 
 
 We pray Thee, Heavenly Father, to remain 
 in our midst, and in our hearts, even as we 
 cherish Thy mighty presence always, and to 
 bless us with Thy supervision. 
 
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FAVORITE PRAYERS OF OTHER 
 AUTHORS 
 
 Sir Thomas Browne, 1605-1682 
 
 The night has come, like to the day, 
 Depart not Thou, great God, away, 
 Let not my sins, black as the night, 
 Eclipse the lustre of Thy light. 
 Keep still in my horizon, for to me, 
 The sun makes not the day, but Thee. 
 
 Thou whose nature cannot sleep, 
 On my temples sentry keep, 
 Guard me 'gainst those watchful foes 
 Whose eyes are open, while mine close. 
 
 Let no dreams my head infest 
 But such as Jacob's temple blest 
 While I do rest, my soul advance, 
 Make my sleep a holy trance; 
 That I may, my rest being wrought, 
 Awake into some holy thought 
 And with as active vigor run 
 My course, as doth the nimble sun. 
 
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Sleep is a death. Oh! make me try, 
 By sleeping, what it is to die; 
 And as gently lay my head, 
 On my grave, as now my bed. 
 Howe'er I rest, Great God, let me 
 Awake again at last with Thee, 
 And thus assured, behold I lie, 
 Securely, or to wake or die. 
 
 These are my drowsy days, in vain 
 I do now wake, to sleep again ; 
 Oh ! come that hour, when I shall never 
 Sleep again, but wake forever. 
 
 Joseph Addison 
 
 I know but one way of fortifying my soul 
 against these gloomy presages, and terrors of 
 mind, and that is to secure to myself the friend- 
 ship and protection of that Being who disposes 
 of events, and governs futurity. 
 
 He sees, at one view, the whole thread of my 
 existence ; not only that part of it which I have 
 already passed through, but that which runs 
 forward, into all the depths of eternity. 
 
 When I lay me down to sleep, I recommend 
 myself to His care; when I awake, I give 
 myself up to His direction. 
 
 Amidst all the evils that threaten me I will 
 look up to Him, for help, and question not, 
 
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but He will either avert them, or turn them to 
 my advantage. 
 
 Though I know not the time, nor the man- 
 ner, of the death I am to die, I am not at all 
 solicitous about it; because I am sure that He 
 knows them both, and that He will not fail to 
 comfort and support me, under them. 
 
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PRAYER 
 
 Go when the morning shineth, 
 
 Go when the moon is bright, 
 Go when the day declineth, 
 
 Go in the hush of night. 
 Go with pure mind and feeling, 
 
 Fling earthly thoughts away, 
 And in thy chamber kneeling 
 
 Do thou in secret pray. 
 
 Remember all who love thee, 
 
 All who are loved by thee; 
 Pray, too, for those who hate thee, 
 
 If any such there be. 
 Then for thyself in meekness, 
 
 A blessing humbly claim, 
 And link with each petition 
 
 Thy great Redeemer's name. 
 
 Or if 'tis e'er denied thee 
 
 In solitude to pray, 
 Should holy thoughts come o'er thee, 
 
 When friends are round thy way; 
 Even then the silent breathing 
 
 Of thy spirit raised above, 
 Will reach His throne of glory, 
 
 Who is mercy, truth and love. 
 
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Oh, not a joy or blessing 
 
 With this can we compare, 
 The power that He hath given us, 
 
 To pour our souls in prayer. 
 Whene'er thou pinest in sadness, 
 
 Before His footstool fall, 
 And remember in thy gladness 
 
 His grace who gives thee all. 
 
 Anonymous 
 
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THE HOME OF THE SPIRIT 
 Felicia Hemans, 1793-1835 
 
 Answer me, burning stars of night, 
 
 Where is the spirit gone, 
 That past the reach of human sight, 
 
 As a swift breeze hath flown? 
 And the stars answered me: "We roll 
 
 In light and power on high; 
 But of the never-dying soul 
 
 Ask that which cannot die." 
 
 O many- toned chainless wind, 
 
 Thou art a wanderer free; 
 Tell me if thou its place can find, 
 
 Far over mount and sea? 
 And the wind murmured in reply: 
 
 "The blue deep I have cross'd, 
 And met its barks and billows high, 
 
 But not what thou hast lost." 
 
 Ye clouds that gorgeously repose 
 
 Around the setting sun, 
 Answer — Have ye a home for those 
 
 Whose earthly race is run? 
 
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The bright clouds answered: "We depart, 
 
 We vanish from the sky; 
 Ask what is deathless in thy heart 
 
 For that which cannot die." 
 
 Speak, then, thou voice of God within, 
 
 Thou of the deep low tone; 
 Answer me, through life's restless din — 
 
 Where is the spirit flown? 
 And the voice answered: "Be thou still; 
 
 Enough to know is given ; 
 Clouds, winds, and stars their part fulfil, 
 
 Thine is to trust in Heaven." 
 
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