<h2>NINTH EVENING.<br/> <span class="small">FOR PEACE IN BELIEVING.</span></h2>
<p class="center small">"Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ."—Rom. v. 1.</p>
<p><span class="smcap">Gracious God,</span> I would seek to end another
day with Thee; I would desire to look up to
Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved
Son, and to be made partaker of that peace
which passeth all understanding. There is no
other refuge for the sin-stricken, woe-worn
spirit. In vain amid other portions and meaner
joys can I say to my soul "peace, peace."
There is no peace! But reposing, blessed Saviour,
on Thy finished work and everlasting
righteousness, I have a peace which the world
knows not of, and which enables me to rise
superior to all the vicissitudes and changes of
this changing life.</p>
<p>I desire to remember with a grateful heart
that this peace has been purchased for me by
the blood of the cross—that it is made as sure
as everlasting power and wisdom and faithfulness
can make it. O Thou great Prince, who
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_33" id="Page_33">{33}</SPAN></span>
hast power with God and dost prevail, I would
lift the undivided eye of faith to Thy bleeding
sacrifice! Do Thou dispel every disquieting
fear with the thought that Thou hast done all,
and suffered all, and procured all for me. Being
justified by faith, I have peace with God through
the Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice in the plenitude
of Thy promises, that they are all yea and
amen to them that believe. Man's word may
fail, man's faithfulness may falter, but "the
word of the Lord is tried," Thy faithfulness is
unto all generations!</p>
<p>O God, enable me to rejoice more and more
in Thee as my everlasting portion. May I
know nothing to compare with the enjoyment
of Thy favor. Other props may be removed,
other refuges may prove refuges of lies, but
Thou art the strength of my heart and my
portion for ever.</p>
<p>Give me grace to be active in Thy service
while it is called to-day. Opportunities are
fleeting. The night cometh wherein none of us
can work. May simple believing be followed
by the earnest cultivation of every Christian
virtue, and by progressive advancement in the
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_34" id="Page_34">{34}</SPAN></span>
heavenly life. May I faithfully employ the
talents Thou hast intrusted to me, and seek
never to be weary in well doing. Preserve me
from every unholy temper and unchristian deed.
May I be gentle and meek, patient and forgiving,
kind and benevolent, living in charity
towards all men.</p>
<p>On all my beloved friends I supplicate Thy
richest blessing. Protect them with Thy favor
as with a shield. Sanctify them, body, soul,
and spirit. Seal them unto the day of eternal
redemption.</p>
<p>Bless all poor afflicted ones. Let them receive
largely out of the wells of Thine own
everlasting consolation. Let them see Thy
sovereign hand alone in their trials, and say
with unrepining submission, "The Lord's will
be done!"</p>
<p>Lord, take the charge of me through the
silent watches of the night. May I fall asleep
listening to the gracious benediction, "Peace
be unto you." And when the gates of the
morning are opened, may it be to hear anew
Thy voice saying, "My presence will go with
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_35" id="Page_35">{35}</SPAN></span>
you." Hear, accept, and answer me, for the
Redeemer's sake. Amen.</p>
<p class="gap-above center small">"LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS<br/>
INCENSE: AND THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS<br/>
AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE."</p>
<hr />
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />